by Uppereast.com Staff
On a quiet stretch of York Avenue, between 75th and 76th Street, Aki Sushi attracts locals and those who travel from other neighborhoods for great sushi at great prices. A small space mid-block, the 36 seat restaurant serves up some of the freshest fish on the Upper East Side.
The simple modern décor with an exposed brick wall, dark gleaming wood floors, rattan chairs and flat-panel TV is further illuminated by the up lit sushi bar which seats six, where diners get a front row view of the busy sushi chefs in action.
For what the space lacks in size, the menu makes up for. Along with the typical sushi restaurant offerings, Aki’s menu delves into a more extensive cooked selection including dishes such as Chilean Sea Bass ($16.95), Lemon Chicken (11.95), Don Buri (10.95-15.95) and a variety of noodle dishes. But if you are coming for the sushi, at Aki you won’t be disappointed with the ocean-fresh fish which is prepared artfully and with interesting combinations and style.
The tartar was delicious; available with Tuna, Salmon, Yellow Tail, Red & White Tuna, Toro or Spicy Tuna, it is complimented with a quail’s egg and tobiko which adds both texture and flavor to the fish. The portions were large enough to share with a dining companion which makes sampling multiple sushi bar appetizers and kitchen appetizers a tantalizing option.
 As for entrees the menu can be dizzying and overwhelming for the indecisive with a long list of rolls which range from the ordinary (Spicy Tuna $5.50 and California $4) to the inventive two layer rolls (York Avenue Roll: Inside ~ King Crab and Avocado Outside ~ spicy tuna and tempura flakes $13.95 or Spicy Hana Roll: Inside~ spicy salmon and cucumber. Outside~ black pepper tuna, with chef’s special sauce $12.95).
If you are a purist and prefer sashimi, the sashimi dinner (18 pieces, $18.95) arrives pleasantly displayed with thick pieces of only the freshest sushi grade fish. Available are many combinations of sushi and sashimi which make for great share dishes for larger dining parties. Even the vegetarians can find plenty on Aki’s menu, with over 12 vegetable rolls such as Asparagus, Oshinko and Shitake and salads there is something for everyone. Feeling extremely confused and hungry? Try the Bento Box; a combo of customized rolls, shumai, salad, entrée and rice. The Japanese version of the hungry man’s special, it is a lot of food to suit many moods.
Aki serves wine, beer and both hot and cold sakes, but they do not have a full bar. The staff is helpful in choosing a sake based on your likings or pairing with your dinner choices. The cold sake is served in blue blown-glass containers which continual self-cool with a circular womb that holds ice in the middle of the pitcher. The service is quick and even with the large number of take-out/delivery orders, the sushi bar doesn’t seem to get backed up – orders come out together and the table is served at once unlike many sushi restaurants where orders arrive as they are prepared leaving some diners salivating over their neighbors’ plate while they wait impatiently for their dish.
Finish your meal off with a nice green tea ice cream or hot tea based on the weather outside; then again, a fried banana is a great dessert all year round.
| Aki Sushi
1425 York Avenue ( bet. 75th & 76th)
New York, NY 10021
212-628-8882
Open M-F: 11am-3pm & 5pm-11pm; Sat-Sun: 12pm-11pm
Free Delivery |
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