Sushi Seki Manhattan 10021 | 91 FoodDigger Rating

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NYCulinarian | Blogger Favorite Cuisine: Japanese,Indian 35 Reviews

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User Restaurant Rating 89

11/1/2009 The sushi was solid, not the best I’ve had in NYC, but certainly on the better end of the spectrum. I don’t think that I am fully equipped to comment on the sushi, as I think to give it a fair shot you have to sit at the counter and order the omakase. Read more from their blog

suebee Favorite Cuisine: Japanese, Yakitori, Izakaya 45 Reviews

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User Restaurant Rating 93

Oh My Kaze (Omakase) Goodness! 6/11/2009 So, I started drinking sake cuz of Seki.

One day, many many years ago, before Seki was in Zagat's, a friend of mine (let's call her teaser) read in Gourmet magazine that "Jean George goes to this sushi place Seki late nights all the time".  This hypothetical friend, teaser, came out to NYC and insisted on trying this untried and unzagat-rated new sushi joint clear across the other side of the world (as a Lincoln Center/Columbus Circle girl, going to the way friggin east side at 62nd and 1st is a trek to another land!!).

So, being the gracious host, I allowed myself to be dragged to the outer ends of NYC world (otherwise known as "crosstown").

We sit down.  An unassuming place.  No fancy ice sculptures a la Megu.  No minimalist light blond wood decor a la Yasuda or Nobu.  Just a plain old anywhere anytype middle of the road sushi joint.  I was skeptical, to say the least.

So we sit down at the bar.  "Are you Seki?" my hypothetical friend teaser asks.

A tall lanky asian guy nods his head.

"Seki!  Jean George eats here!!" this teaser person exclaims.

I shake my head.  I pretend I am not here.  I am a true blue New Yorker, a decade of Manhattan living under my belt.  Us NYC Manhattanites do not talk to people.  What is this teaser person doing?

Then Seki smiles at an enthusiastic and so very charming person called teaser while presenting us with the first dish.  We buy a $75 or $85 bottle of sake.  Then the second dish arrives. Omakase goodness. Creative sushi, back in 2002, was not common.   I am in heaven.  Fresh as fresh gets.  We buy yet ANOTHER bottle of sake and I'm well on my way to loving seki and sake.  Let them think I am a tourist.  Let this person known as teaser yell at the top of her lungs "NYPD BLUE!!" over and over again to the cops who waive to us as  they pass us on the streets of NY.  I will allow myself to be a tourist for this experience.  Because a tourist I am in the world of Seki artistry and sake.

For the next few years I insisted on going to Seki at least once a week.  Sometimes twice a week.  I allowed myself to travel to the nether regions of NYC ("crosstown") on a regular basis.  I dragged my student friends to this place insisting that the cheaper non-omakase option $75pp dinner was "reasonable".  Man, I was in la la land back then.

Then they got into Zagats.  With a very high rating.  Even then, with Donald Sutherland sitting at the counter, Seki's staff made room for me despite the long wait.  The staff even told me once that Matsui ate there all the time ("What?"  When? How often!!" I ask, all happy in anticipation.  I thought Matsui was so very cute with his serious and shy intense demeanor.  The staff responds, "He is very very shy and his english is not so good. We think he has a girlfriend b/c he comes here with the same girl every time."   I am sad.  Dang.  The boy is taken!  True love never to be found.  So close, yet so far.  Sigh.  I still dream of Matsui).

I learn, after the fact, that Seki was a disciple of Gari's before going out on his own.  I have been to Gari, and I think I like Seki better still.  Maybe it's because of my fond memories of this hypothetical friend teaser and her unbridled enthusiasm.

You decide.

Note:  Open till 3am, closed Sundays. Recommended Dishes Omakase, scallop handroll, nama sakes!

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Sushi Seki

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