Among many, two minor changes since I’ve moved to NYC are..
- I am literally addicted to Seltzer (sparkling water that is stronger than perrier)
- I watch a lot of documentary films (yes, mainly all about food and restaurants) on Netflix
One day, I was craving good sushi. In Korea it is easier and more affordable to get good sushi. Or if I really want to, I can just fly to Japan to have an amazing omakase once in a while since it is so close! So instead flying to Japan, I’ve decided to watch Jiro Dream of Sushi, a documentary film of the sushi master, Jiro Ono, who has earned 3 Michelin stars in Tokyo. His restaurant, Sukiyabashi Jiro, is located in the subway station. Nothing fancy, a whole in the wall restaurant you would not believe it is 3 Michelin starred restaurant! However, it is known for not only amazing and fresh sushi but also its consistency. Not many restaurants can serve the both. Anyway, if you are interested in for more info., you should watch the documentary! Someone like me sushi lover will find it really mouth drooling!
The point I was trying to make was, the master Jiro has trained his first son and Mr. Nakazawa, sous-chef to run the restaurant since he isn’t getting any younger. (he is 90 years now and maybe good sushi has helped him for his healthy longevity)
Chef Nakazawa, the protégé of the Master Jiro, opened his own restaurant in Manhattan a few years ago. (Apparently, the owner of the restaurant, Alessandro Borgognone, watched the Netflix too!) Sushi Nakazawa has earned four starts in New York Times rating yet has not earned any Michelin star.
I’ve successfully managed to make a reservation on sushi counter for Friday’s dinner. (Chef Nakazawa does not work on the weekend!) There he was! In the center of the counter. He makes all sushi for 10 people who sit at the bar. Enough of writing! Let’s enjoy a bite of sushi with all the photos that I took during the dinner.
Sakura Masu- Cherry Salmon
salmon and Japanese greentea Sencha
Smoked Coho Salmon
Live Scallop
Aori Ika- Big Fin Reef Squid
Hata- Grouper
Kinmedai- Golden Eye Snapper with a very unique flavor of salt
Spanish Mackarel & Aji- Horse Mackarel
Hello? I am still alive!
Live Botan Ebi- Spotted Prawn
Chef Nakazawa in the center
Dungeness Crab
Buri- Wild Yellowtail
Hagstsuo- Bonito
3 different flavors of tuna
Akami- Lean Cut Blue Fin Tunam – Chu Toro- Medium Fatty Tuna – Oh-Toro- Fatty Tuna (getting fatter!)
California Uni & Japanese hokaido Uni
Temaki- Toro Handroll
Anago- Salt Water Eel & Tamago- Egg Custard
Dessert
Overall, all pieces were amazing, service and ambiance were nice.
I like the fact that Chef Nakazawa makes all the pieces to serve one to one at the sushi counter.
Besides the chef’s table at Brooklyn Fare, I never experienced with the open table where the famous chef cooks right in front of you. (as you do not expect Chef Thomas Keller to be in the kitchen of Per Se) That is why I would go sushi Nakazawa again and eat at the sushi counter. After all, it is an overall experience of an individual to decide whether this is worth recommending to others.
In addition to the presence of chef Nakazawa, I like the way they serve the same fish with different regions or fattiness on the same tray, so as to allow customers compare the delicately different flavors.
I thought omakase at sushi Nakazawa was very unique in terms of ingredients and performance, reasonably priced and therefore, worth visiting again.
Sushi Nakazawa
- Location : 23 Commerce Street, New York, NY 10014
- Phone : +1 924.2212
- Price : Omakase $150 per person
- Hours : Monday – Sunday (5pm ~ 10pm)