Sushi of Gariis the abode of celestial sushi! Chef Masatoshi “Gari” Sugio in his brilliant creations has redefined sushi completely. Gari set out to educate Americans on how to truly enjoy the delicate flavors of sushi without dousing it in globs of wasabi and soy sauce. In doing so, he has masterfully paired the finest fish with the most innovative toppings and sauces. So, when the sushi is presented to you at Sushi of Gari, it is complete in itself and requires no additional flavoring to be added.
If you are looking for an other worldly experience at Gari, then don’t try any of the “regular” items on the menu. Skip the appetizers and go for the gold. All the food is really good at Gari but the thing to really have is the “Sushi Special“ or the “Omakase“( chef’s choice). Be prepared to spend spend spend but for food this good – who needs to save for college anyway!!
Here is some of what we tried:
MAGURO AVACADO
This appetizer consists of seared blue fin tuna with avocado in a wasabi sauce. I have to say that this appetizer is not very impressive. Ive had combinations of the same ingredients at other restaurants and thought it was much better. I would skip this one and just focus on the sushi.
KINOKO
This is an appetizer in which enoki, shitake and regular mushrooms have been sauteed with garlic. This dish was very good but quite easy to recreate at home.
CHEESE SHUMAI
These are lightly fried cream cheese dumplings. I would not get these again – it was very uninteresting though they were perfectly fried, in a very light dough but I just didn’t enjoy the dish.
SUSHI SPECIAL (heres where you start getting transported to that alter universe)
I’ve described each piece we ate – from right to left:
Blue Fin Tuna with a Creamy Tofu Sauce
Yellow tail
Seared Blue Fin Tuna with Garlic
Seared Salmon
Poached Lobster with Seaweed Flavored Salt
Shrimp Tempura Roll
Eggplant
Seared Kingfish with Creamy Mushroom Sauce
Blue Fin Tuna with Grated Daikon Radish and Ponzu Vinegar Sauce
Seared Codfish with Butter and Garlic
OMAKASE (Chef’s Choice)
I’ve described each piece we ate – from left to right starting at the back:
Blue Fin Tuna with a Creamy Tofu Sauce
Squid with Sea Urchin Sauce
Fresh Salmon with Tomato and Onion Sauce
King Crab
Dashi Soya Sauce marinated Snapper with Fried Seaweed
Blue Fin Tuna with Grated Daikon Radish and Ponzu Vinegar Sauce
Giant Clam
Saba Mackerel with Shiso Leaf and Pickled Radish
Snow Crab Tempura
Sweet Shrimp
Snapper with Baby Green Pine Nuts and fried Lotus root with Wasabi Flavored Olive Oil
Blue Fin Tuna with Pickled Daikon Radish
MY FAVORITES (You have to try these)
Fresh Salmon with Tomato and Onion Sauce
Blue Fin Tuna with a Creamy Tofu Sauce
Seared Codfish with Butter and Garlic
Seared Kingfish with Creamy Mushroom Sauce
All I can say is that the sushi transported us directly to heaven!!! Gari is a true master and is, in my opinion, one of the leading Sushi Chefs in New York City.
MY RATINGS FOR THIS MEAL
Food:☆☆☆☆ 3/4 Ambiance: ☆☆ Service:☆☆☆ Price:$$$$ Overall experience:☆☆☆☆ I recommend: Omakase, Sushi Special and all of my favorites. (All ratings are out of a possible 5 stars. Each establishment is individually rated based on my experience of that particular meal. Ratings are also based on my expectations of quality of food, value for money, service, ambiance and overall experience)
