Yama

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49 Irving Pl
New York, NY 10003

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(212) 475-0969
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Reviews
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( 9 )

Best

I've lived in NYC for 17 years and have tried many sushi places, from Nobu (I'd put a ""Boo!"" in Nobu) to the local low-end joint. Yama is hands down the best. For a humorous b...

Worst

Yama seems to have lost its edge. Multiple cuts of fish lacked any noticeable flavor or edge to them. Though the cuts were huge, who cares when the taste is so unmoving? The tem...

Where fresh sushi meets poor execution 8/16/2006

Those who flock to this restaurant will invariably find fresh fish beckoning to them to take a seat and dine on the mammoth-sized portions of sushi. To some, the size of the fish is offensive as it is not properly sized to convention. To others, they come for exactly that reason. But unfortunately, there's a problem. On 3 separate dining occassions, as we would reach for them, the rolls, as if on cue, would unfurl themselves so that one would have to pick at it. Your pleasant dining experience has now then turned into a labor intensive race against the clock to finish the meal before you lost interest. Apart from the rolls dissecting themelves, some may also be deterred from the crowded atmosphere. One can literally reach across mere inches and sample someone else's dinner, but by then, would they really care? If you are accustomed to 'blossoming' sushi rolls and revel in the experience, then by all means, come on down and enjoy the show. If not, Tomoe is just as crowded, just as tasty but with less 'energetic' sushi. Pros: Fresh fish Cons: Tight seating, poorly executed rolls more

Horrible Service and Boring/Dull Atmosphere 8/13/2006

The sushi was good, but the customer service and atmosphere were horrible. Went with two other people. One person does not eat raw fish so she ordered the crunchy ""shrimp roll."" When she received her sushi it was a tuna roll with a piece of shrimp sashimi on top. She explained to the waitress that it was not explained to her and how should she know that it had raw tuna inside of it. The waitress refused to exchange the roll for one that she would eat. The waitress actually laughed in her face. A waiter came by and she tried to explain the situation and that waiter said, sorry that is how it is made and there is no manager here to talk to. So my friend left hungry and there was no music and a very loud obnoxious girl who took over the room and we were not able to enjoy our meal. Pros: Food Cons: Ambience, Service, Atmosphere more

very big rolls 11/18/2005

I was impressed with the size of the sushi rolls and even sashimi... very big. Pros: tasty, new styles more

Consistent - Never a Disappointment! 7/14/2005

Yama is by far the most consistent place for good quality sushi in NYC! Although the price (average $5-7 each piece) is more on the high side, their Special Rolls ($7.50 for hand roll or cut up) is a great way to get full (and won't empty your wallet). Lastly, this place is always pack! But, you can avoid long waits (30+ minutes) by showing up either slightly before 7pm or 9pm. Pros: Food, Value Cons: Long waits, No Reservation more

Good Sushi, Generous Portions 6/14/2005

Decor wise Yama is your typical local Japanese restaurant with light, wooded trimming and a clean, simplistic interior. What really sets it apart is its sushi. Not only is the sushi fresh and good, it is served in large portions and decently priced. Everything I had from the sashimi to my dragon roll surprised me both in taste and portion size. This is a great place to go with friends who really love sushi. The only con? It is ALWAYS packed at any respectable dining hour so apparently the secret is out. I would recommend making reservations but even then you may be waiting 10-15 mins to actually get seated. In the end, I think it's worth it. Pros: Large Portions, Decently priced, for quality Cons: Always packed, Def need reservations more

Big pieces, long waits 6/14/2005

If you like large pieces of sushi, this is the place to go. Get there early or plan to wait a long time. more

I like it 12/15/2004

Reviews are right, portions are generous. Sushi was overall very good, nothing spectacular, but I liked the overall no-nonsense and casual atmosphere of the place. Luckily got their early and had no wait, by the time we left there was a long line. The waitress of very efficient and pretty courteous. The lobster tempura was ok but my girlfriend really liked it. The gyoza was fantastic in my opinion. Pros: Great value, Casual atmosphere more

nothing beats it 7/22/2004

love sushi... but always feel like you can eat 10 more pieces then try it here... the cuts are Huge! the fish has a great taste... this is a straight up sushi place... nothing fancy and it wont leave you broke. Get there early since they dont take reservations over the phone and I've never seen it without a line/wait. Pros: prices, location, SIZE of the SUSHI Cons: , size of the resturant more

Good value 6/26/2004

Yama offers good sushi without robbing the bank. It's become a popular restaurant when I need comfort food. Food with good value with no pretense. The ice-cream tempura is a must-try. Pros: Good value, Fresh sushi more

Very Mediocre 10/22/2003

Yama seems to have lost its edge. Multiple cuts of fish lacked any noticeable flavor or edge to them. Though the cuts were huge, who cares when the taste is so unmoving? The tempura was soggy and contained too much squash. The shumai were pastey and greasy. All in all, a pretty disappointing visit. As per another reviewer, Mishima over on Lex and 30 is superior in terms of both food and service. A bit more pricey, but you won't feel like you've just sucked down raw cardboard for an hour. more

good food 9/29/2003

generous portion and tastes good. I think the price is a tad bit too high.. but then look at the location. more

A real treat 8/24/2003

After reading the reviews about Yama, I was wary to try it, but both my sushi-snob Japanese fiance and myself enjoyed it. The rolls were big and flavorful, the sashimi generously cut, and the special rolls uniquely designed. I really enjoyed the white tuna tataki (the sauce was scrumptuous), and the hijiki. My fiance thought the large proportions were good, that the other ratings were way too low, but that he still prefers Tomoe sushi. I could go either way... they were both pretty tasty and we actually got seated faster at Yama. (don't bother for a table, the sushi bar is just as pleasant). Pros: Big servings, "A good meal" Cons: long wait, Nothing cutting-edge more

overrated 6/13/2003

Here is one of the overrated Japanese restaurants where most Japanese do not want to go. Americans tend to think big sushi is better. If you think so, you do not know the difference between rice ball and sushi. Cooking sushi is very difficult and it takes time. As far as I know, chefs of Yama and Blue Ribbon Sushi (among Top 10 Sushi nominees: forget Sushi Samba which offers totally diffenrent food) are not trained to cook sushi at all. more

Big Pieces, Forgettable Taste 6/4/2003

If a restaurant is going to make you wait a couple of hours, mix up the waiting parties, and give you cramped service in a cramped space, the sushi better be good. But Yama's sushi isn't good; its just big. Yes, the pieces are gargantuan but the fish is tasteless, the rice even more so, dried out with rice kernels falling all over the place, not memorably melting in your mouth. Its sushi on an assembly line. For good sushi, a cramped and crowded space is worth it. Just try Mishimi, you'll forget you're eating in a shoebox. You don't mind a long wait and the waiters getting the parties mixed up once you taste the bluefin toro at Nada. Next time I want excellent sushi, I'll be inconvenienced by Nada or Mishimi and at least get good fish. Pros: size???? Cons: tasteless fish, rice that fell apart, long wait/bad service more

Spoiled by Yama! 5/28/2003

I've been going to Yama now for about 4 years...I used to go there sometimes and try other places occasionally. Recently I've realized that I don't even enjoy any sushi besides for Yama. It's that damn good! Pros: HUGE SUSHI, HUGE SUSHI, HUGE SUSHI Cons: Long Wait, Crowded and Small more

Good Sush 3/30/2003

Fresh fish, great rolls. My personal fave location of yama is on Carmine, do NOT go to the Houston location, but this one and Carmine are really good! Pros: Super Fresh, Good Value, Prompt Service Cons: Cramped, Long wait outside more

Huge portions 3/11/2003

The fresh sashimi portions were gigantic, but the maki rolls that i ordered had more vegetables than fish inside. It can take awhile to get a table and once you're in, you might be squished between other closely oriented tables. A small restaurant with huge portions. Pros: generous portions Cons: cramped space more

bad sushi rolls 2/10/2003

Sushi rolls are not fresh at all! I think the restaurants are trying to be a fusion, but it not even close to the flavor. Fish are not fresh enough because, it's rather warmer than cool to keep the taste up. Rolls are too much with other mayonaise and other rare sause. For that money I will afford to other sushi place. more

Have got to try the sushi! 12/17/2002

Yes the atmosphere could be better. Yes the place is always crowded. Yes you sit close to other couples. But this place is all about Sushi, Sushi, Sushi. The pieces are 2-3x the size you get at a normal high end joint and the freshness simply can't be beat. So put your name down and then go across the street for a beer. It will be worth the wait! Pros: Food, Food, Food Cons: Small Dining Room more

Great, expensive sushi, cramped quarters 11/27/2002

Although the sushi was extremely delicious, albeit expensive, I couldn't help but wish that I was at the other Yama on Carmine street since I was forced to listen to the 2 conversations around me b/c of the unbelievably small dining area. Pros: Fresh sushi Cons: Small, Expensive more
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Menu for Yama


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Editorial
  • The Scene
    It may take you a couple of tries to find Yama, a Gramercy sushi restaurant located in the basement of a house that Washington Irving lived in. During dinnertime, however, the...

  • 5/24/2004 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Mon. - Sun. 5:30pm - 10:30pm
  • Payments: American Express, Master Card, Visa
  • Neighborhoods: Midtown, Gramercy Park
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