Sushi of Gari

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402 E 78th St (at nr. First Ave.)
New York, NY 10021

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(212) 517-5340
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Sushi of Gari - New York, NY
Sushi of Gari - New York, NY
Sushi of Gari - New York, NY
Sushi of Gari - New York, NY
Sushi of Gari - New York, NY
Reviews
( 33 )
( 13 )
( 7 )
( 7 )
( 8 )

Best

Masatoshi “Gari” Sugio was one of the first masters to begin experimenting with new ways to prepare and...

Worst

Are you being treated like dirt by waitstaff while they still expect a fat 20% tip? Just because my wife and I did not feel like drinking, our waitress developed an instant bias....

Amazing price 5/4/2007

I do not think the price fits for food and service.\r First, we saw an insect running in the floor. Then waiters started making eye contacts.\r Our waiter insisted on us to have$ 75.00 OMAKASE. \r We agreed and had it, but final price was up to $300.00. \r We asked our waiter, then he brought over another guy (must be a manager).\r He said we were wrong because we did not understand price system and waiters were starring rudely at us. Food was ok, but it was not over $100.00 value. Restaurant was uncomfortable (with an insect) and service stank. Finally he got us half the price, but they did not apologize anything. \r SUSHI SEKI is much better.\r more
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Best sushi in the world! 4/26/2007

I'm Japanese and I've had sushi all over the world, but nothing beats Sushi of Gari. The first time I tried it was last year, and I've already been to the restaurant about 6 times. I've even been to the one in Tokyo, but it wasn't as good as the ones in NYC. Sushi of Gari seriously has the best sushi in the world, even better than sushi in Japan, and I only go to the best sushi restaurants in Japan. Although it's very very expensive, if you get the omakase, (we spent about $800 for 4 people, but we ate a lot) it's so worth it!! Oh, and Gari-san is so funny and friendly! Pros: sushi and Gari Cons: price... very expensive, but worth it more
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No Longer Good 3/14/2007

They used to be good, but no longer. Price gets really higher but service goes really bad. \r Last time we were there, our waiter was unfriendly and kind of rude. We could not stand that he had long nails, too. We wanted to change our waiter and asked other waitress who the manager was. She said our waiter was the one. They should learn how to treat customers. Nobody wants to pay up to hundred $$ for worst service. more
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Amazing sushi 10/30/2006

My husband and I go to this restaurant for special occasions, and I also take clients there. \r If you like sushi and want to experiment with something truly new, try Gari's special. Everyone who has been there can't stop talking about it, and when my clients come back, they often ask to go back to Sushi of Gari. If you like to eat simple sushi, there is some of that too!\r The place is cramped, the decor is poor, but when the food is that good, who cares!?\r Oh, and don't go there if you are on a tight budget... Pros: innovative sushi Cons: $$$$ more
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Not sushi, but a celebration of life 10/9/2006

In my opinion, those who refer to this gem of a restaurant as 'overpriced' have not grasped the difference between 'overpriced' and 'expensive.' Sure enough, an omakase meal here will set you back a bit, but it is undoubtedly worth every penny. The sushi at this restaurant stands shoulder to shoulder with some of the best sushi in Japan. However, it would hardly be fair to refer to the meal at Sushi of Gari as 'sushi.' What you get are small, sushi-shaped works of culinary art, if not culinary magic. Standing alone the quality of the fish at Sushi of Gari is very high but inferior to some of the world's best places. However, the Chef's artistry more than makes up for it. This is a place to save for that special celebration when nothing but the best will do. Pros: Food Cons: Slowish service more
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Sushi was warmer than the service! Great sushi place...5 years ago. 8/30/2006

Why the low rating? The food quality would warrant a passable rating at best. But combine the so-so food with the dish of attitude they serve up and you won't see this New Yorker eating here any more. \r \r Sushi was warmer than the service...from the minute I walked in and was 'greeted' by the hostess. \r \r Is it just me or was this restaurant better 5 years ago. Maybe the opening of their west side branch has stretched them thin...and they put their B-team on their front lines...bad idea.\r \r Take your dollars elsewhere. Plenty of great, reasonably priced restaurants in the neighborhood... Cons: rude service: hostess was cold, long wait for food more
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No service for this customer! 8/29/2006

I was 15 min late for my reservation and they refused to give me a table - only thing that saved the evening was the excellent(!) sushi restaurants nearby. If Gari doesnt have time for me, then I dont have time for them! more
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expense acct, date or special occasion, this is the go to spot! 8/28/2006

My girlfriend was thoroughly impressed not by the decor but by the art & presentation of Gari. The quality & unique offerings make this a wonderful experience. One must sit at the bar omakase style & not worry about the bill. I take my clients here & we are treated so royally. Sake goes down smoothly as we await each dish. Gari is a master - always keeps us satisfied each time I visit. Thankful I have an expense account. Pros: master gari & unique offerings Cons: not the prettiest of places more
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Sushi 8/17/2006

There are no words to describe this Sushi experience. Obviously you can get sushi cheaper somewhere else. But, when you put the freshest fish in your mouth it is worth every penny. Go to Gari expecting to drop big bucks. Go there for a birthday or special occasion. If you can afford to go on a regular basis I recommend it highly. The fried oyster is the best on the planet, and nobody has a better beef rib. I love the salmon and tomato as well as all the hand rolls. more
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The most creative sushi restaurant in NYC! 7/28/2006

This is one of the best sushi places I've been to in NYC. It's absolutely wonderful! The sushi here is extremely creative, nothing that I've ever seen before. It's not the typical boring sushi that you find at most sushi places. The fish is not only extremely fresh, but the combination of ingredients in each piece is amazing. Master Gari really is the master of sushi. You can tell he puts a lot of thought in his work. The trick is that you have to sit at the sushi bar, order the omakase, and ask for Master Gari. I also thought the prices were extremely reasonable compared to other sushi restaurants of this caliber. Pros: excellent Sushi, reasonable prices, friendly service more
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Overprice. 7/7/2006

Alone for 100 bucks, it is really overprice. The food is great, service is ok. It is not worth for that bucks. You have to increase the service a lot. Knowledge of the chef and the waitress are below average. They sell special sushi, everything have a topping, sauce and etc. That's why you have to pay more for that. Pros: Fresh fish, excellent sauce Cons: Overprice more
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Highly overrated, some dishes overpriced 7/1/2006

Hip dishes, unconventional, but not necessarily great flavors. Beware of the ""surprise dish"", a very expensive sampling of sushi ($6 each piece), original fusion cuisine (i.e.: marinated snapper or monkfish liver tempura), but again, not necessarily the most appetizing. more
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Losing steam 6/28/2006

Used to be good with pleasant surprises but now it reminds me of the old steam engine...nostalgic memories but not really up for any fun trips... Pros: none... Cons: too many to point out... more
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Who rated so highly? 4/27/2006

I was also so disappointed with this Sushi restaurant of good repute. Everything seemed overpriced for that quality of food, ambience and service. more
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How does this place keep getting rated highly? 3/15/2006

I've been here a couple of times and have not been impressed. The sushi is average and the prices are anything but. The service is awful--the last time I was there (and I do mean the last time) we were told that they needed our table so we would have to leave. Had we been stalling I could understand where they were coming from, but we had been there less than an hour and they hadn't even brought us a check yet! Pros: reputation Cons: price, value, service more
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Gari gets top honors for creative sushi 12/31/2005

If you are solely into ""old-school"" sushi, you will not like it here. Every piece of sushi is reinterpreted with a twist- I love the way Gari complements each piece of fish with something you wouldn't imagine on a piece of sushi and have it come out so wonderfully! It's like a taste bomb of flavors. My husband and I had the omikase at the sushi bar. It was piece after piece of pleasant surprises. I think we sat in front of Gari himself but we were too embarrassed to ask. He would tell us the ingredients of each piece as he presented them to us in twos. It was a hit to our wallet but it was worth the experience. I'm dreaming now of when we can go back. There was one piece in particular with a tomato mixture on top that was so brilliant it haunts me today. Pros: Awesome creations, fresh fish, prompt service Cons: $$$$, tight space at bar more
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boring 11/12/2005

The fish is fresh but the variety of fish is nothing out of ordinary. The sauces used are also not that exciting. If the omakase is to showcase technique and variety, serving almost 40% of items BBQ-ed and a spicy tuna roll wrapped with not-so-fresh nori seems to be a rather limp performance. The NYC has available to it so many different vegetables, meats, and fishes; and Japanese cuisine has a number of unique foods and preparations all of which could have been used here with greater effect but all we get almost nothing of the sort. I came to this restaurant expecting to be surprised but left bored and overcharged. Perhaps this food is considered extreme to an Upper East Side resident, but for the rest of us who've actually eaten ethnic food, this is simply dull. Pros: service Cons: sushi variety, repetitive technique, price more
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User review by morefoodgirl 8/24/2005

My husband and I are 'regulars' here, and can't get enough. Their sushi quality is always consistant; however, we both prefer the east side location to the west side one. Pros: fabulous sushi, fresh sushi, LOVE the sushi! Cons: advance reservations more
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expensive but totally worth it. 6/24/2005

not only are the regular sushi they offer awesome and fresh, ""Gari's Special"" has the most creative combination of sushi and western ingredients and is always different. the waiter/waitress are very knowledgable on all the food offered. service is incredible. Pros: fresh, creative, excellent service Cons: not enough seating, expensive more
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BEST IN THE CITY 6/11/2005

this place is the best place to get sushi in the whole city. five words to describe it: the best of the best. the food was great, and not in a ordinary sushi menu. Pros: great sushi, good location Cons: crowded, parking space more
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Menu for Sushi of Gari


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Editorial

  • The Scene
    A steady crowd packs this popular sushi spot, which gets so loud that it's often impossible to tune out neighboring conversation. Don't be surprised when regulars start ordering...

  • 8/18/2003 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Tue-Sat 5pm-10:45pm Sun 5pm-9:45pm
  • Payments: Master Card, American Express, Visa
  • Neighborhoods: Midtown, Upper East Side
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