229 West 43rd Street, Unit 221, New York, NY 10036 Located at 229 West 43rd Street between 7th & 8th avenues. A, C, E to 42 Street – Port Authority Bus Terminal; Shuttle to Time Square – 42 Street. Icon Parking, 249 W 43rd Street. Please call us at 212.398.9810 or make a reservation online below. At the bar and sushi barSushi Zen will move to 114 West 47th Street at the end of the year, Commercial Observer has learned. The highly regarded restaurant has signed a 20-year lease for 6,508 square feet, more than three times the size of the space it has occupied since 2001: 108 West 44th Street (1133 Avenue of the Americas). Both properties are owned by the Durst Organization, which created the new, ground floor, retail space out of office space formerly occupied by a private bank. The asking price was $275 per square foot. Tom Bow and Rocco Romeo of Durst represented the landlord in the direct-to-tenant lease transaction. Chef Toshio Suzuki, proprietor and sushi master, opened Sushi Zen in 1983, after working at traditional sushi restaurants in Tokyo and Japanese-style restaurants in New York City.

He is well respected in the industry, a mentor to many chefs, and a source for everything from fish to knife skills. Sushi Zen did not immediately respond to a request for comment. “We are delighted to see them grow within the Durst portfolio,” said Jonathan (Jody) Durst. No one is more excited than Douglas Durst, who was part of the reason the restaurant signed on at 1133 when their West 46th Street location was being demolished. Sushi Zen is his favorite place for sushi. The restaurant will close and re-open within a short time-frame at the end of the year. Washington, DC-based WDG Architecture will design the new restaurant. The space Sushi Zen vacates will be marketed as a 300,000 square foot “building within a building” opportunity in the rest of the building.As a Japanese guy and a foodie, I’m very picky when it comes to eating at Japanese restaurants in New York City, where I live.  Standard sushi places are out of the question. Even the famed Nobu, one of the most high-end Japanese restaurants in the city, to me is more theme park than dining destination, with mediocre food served with a lot of attitude. 

When it comes to evaluating Japanese restaurants, I have a list of criteria before I can recommend it. The first and most important, is the quality of the food.  Japan is probably the most food-obsessed country in the world. In my home country, all the ingredients, from fish to vegetables, and even steamed rice, has to be fresh and cooked properly. You may think the rice is just rice, but it’s extremely important for Japanese people to have a good bowl of perfectly cooked rice. Second, aesthetics is also an important part of the Japanese food experience. Beautiful little plates and bowls, as well as meticulous presentation of the food, all come together to make a special dining experience. Next has to do with the Japanese obsession with cleanliness, from the tables and chairs, floor and walls, including in the kitchen. The restaurant needs to be clean and tidy all the time to make customers feel comfortable. Bathrooms are no exception. Japan’s hospitality, whether fake or not, is world class.

Unfortunately, even some Japanese have acquired New York attitudes after living here too long (admittedly, including me).  If wet towels are served the moment you are seated, that’s a good sign. In a good Japanese restaurant, there are no waiters rolling their eyes or pretending to not hear you. When I called Nobu once for a reservation, for example, I almost hung up because of the hostess’ attitude.sushi grade tuna houston When it comes to how dishes are served, there are a few things I pay attention to. sushi cat gra onlineGrated daikon radish has to be served with tempura, grilled fish or any fried food. cooking sushi rice at high altitudeNot only does it make the food taste better, it also helps digest fat.  sushi maker tupperware ebay

Hot sake has to be at the right temperature, to maximize its aroma and flavor, but not be too hot, which can ruin it. With all of this in mind, here are my Top 5 Japanese restaurants in NYC.New York, NY 10021 Tanoshi Sushi offers some of the freshest fish, and makes some of the best quality, most authentic sushi in NYC. jiro dreams of sushi glassIt’s a tiny space (even shabby looking from the outside) with only a small counter.  sushi delivery london finsbury parkThe chef makes your sushi right in front of you with whatever fish and seafood he has available that day Although they don’t serve alcohol, they have a BYOB policy! how to cook sushi rice absorptionBest of all, a meal here won’t empty your wallet like at Masa.

157 E 28th St, New York, NY 10016 Among many izakayas (traditionally in Japan, after-work drinking places that also serve food) in NYC, Momokawa in Murray Hill is one of my favorites. The food is just excellent and authentic, and it makes me feel like I’m back home in Japan. And they do pay attention to details, including the plates, and the hot sake is served at the right temperature! 458 W 17th St, New York, NY 10011 Naka Naka in Chelsea is another favorite, especially for its hospitality and atmosphere. After being seated, they offer a hot towel in winter and a cold towel in summer. Waitresses are all dressed in kimonos, and the decor looks like a traditional Japanese house. The food is also delicious and authentic. And don’t forget to check out the bathroom before you leave! 25 Murray Street, New York, NY 10007 Takahachi Bakery is a typical, old-fashioned Japanese bakery in Tribeca. Azuki bean paste, kinako (soy bean powder) and matcha green tea are some of the main ingredients for their delicious and cute pastries.