most amazing sushi. they bring it to your table whenever it is ready, so you are eating sporadically for about two hours. great way to not eat beyond your full limit. best items are on back of menu, also cheapest. clean atmosphere. a friend i took remarked that now he understood why people become foodies. desserts not worth ordering. good tea selection.
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Everyone has some sort of weak spots, for me, that weak spot was sea urchin - believe me or not, I have been trying to find the best uni place around the city, and I finally have a nice answer today.
Soto has slightly twisted their Omakase menu, so now there's only one availability. My friend and I both are crazy uni fans, so we informed our waitress about that. Thank god, I probably have dined the most number of uni courses within one single meal, with each one leaving me speechless. The uni cocktail was the single dish people discussed the most - thought the soy sauce just made the creamy texture of sea urchin more balanced, and indeed, it was like drinking the cocktail, that you always left with surprises.
Best part always came towards the last, and to me, it was the handmade sushi. Have dined at Sushi Zo, Ichimura and even Masa, I would have to confess that Soto definitely was among the top two, if not the single best. The freshness of fish was certainly one part; yet the perfect ratio between rice and fish was the key. Not a rice person myself, I had no problem at all indulging all of the pieces, while still left with craving feeling.
Needless to mention, the specialty at Soto was the spectacular uni pieces, so make sure it has appeared at least once on your plate. Their kitchen plates were equally delicate, and you would like some bites from there as well, before the sushi "fight".
I love Soto, well worth that two Michelin stars.
If you don't look closely, you'll walk right past Soto on 6th Avenue. Lucky for those of use who know what to look for since it isn't very large - reservations are highly recommended. Everything on the menu is delicious from the appetizers like the Uni Cocktail (my favorite!!!) all the way to the mochi ice cream dessert. Not cheap, but definitely worth it if you're looking for quality sushi. Take your time while you're there, not for people in a rush looking for a quick meal.
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First, as another reviewer mentioned, this is not just a sushi restaurant. If you want a neighborhood sushi place, there are plenty in NYC that will suffice. Going to Soto gives you a chance to eat food actually prepared by the chef/owner of a 2-Michelin starred restaurant. In this era of celebrity chefs, that is getting more difficult to do.
Soto's fish is as fresh as anything else you'll find this side of the Tsukiji market in Tokyo. It is masterfully prepped and sliced and what really marks delicious sushi is the quality of the rice which is also expertly handled here.
Soto earns his stars with his chef's specials (especially ANYTHING that includes uni) which are exquisite preparations. What often goes unheralded is the work done in the kitchen preparing cooked items which are comparable in flavor, quality, and complexity to dishes created in the kitchen at Le Bernardin.
If you're looking for a unique, masterfully crafted experience at a Japanese restaurant that will take you beyond the bounds of just sushi, and you understand that this won't be cheap, go and enjoy what Soto creates!! Also, his sake list is wonderfully composed and his wine list includes plenty of greatest hits from the wine world while being small enough to manage without having a somm on staff.
(reservations HIGHLY recommended)
For someone who thinks they don't like sushi, this place will change your mind forever! And the saki.... just glides down your throat like sweet water. I highly recommend anything with uni in it.. melt in your mouth deliciousness! I can't wait til next time... I held my tongue to recommend this place til now cuz it is so small inside that reservations must be made far in advance.. but they deserve the best of ratings in my book so did not want to deny them the pleasure!
Well done, Soto!
Really good meal, pricey and ~3 hours long. All the uni dishes were excellent. The appetizer / pre-sushi courses were better than the sushi courses. While I enjoyed them I was expecting a little more out of the sushi.
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I have been to Soto 3 times, on each of my last 3 visits to NYC. It is a very special restaurant. One point I should make is that Soto is NOT primarily a SUSHI BAR!
The name, appropriately is SOTO JAPANESE RESTAURANT.
You can go to many other restaurants in NYC with sushi that is as good as Soto, and certainly for less money.
Where Soto shines is in the unique chef's creations which run the gamut from sushi/sashimi based dishes, to those prepared in the kitchen, soups, broths, tempuras, and more. Chef Soto is also considered a master at the selection and preparation of UNI.
On 2 of the 3 visits we enjoyed the Chef's Omakase of about 18 courses. Both experiences have been at or near the top of my dining pinnacles. I was also fortunate enough to meet chef Soto & I believe he is one of the most important chef's in the world.
I will respectfully disagree with 'yuan Arthur's' opinion of Soto's status outside of the US. On my last visit to Soto I met the VP of Nissan and the CEO of Mitsubishi Japan & they told me how Japanese businessmen would often, when possible, plan their USA travel itineraries to include a stop in NYC specifically to accommodate a night at Soto. He is known the world over as a true master chef.
If you are just looking for a quick sushi fix , you may want to go elsewhere. If you want the very best quality sushi and are willing to pay for it, go to Soto. If you want a dining experience that will be one of the most amazing ever, then definitely go to Soto.
Order the specials. The ethereal sensations that envelope your palate are unbelieveable. Not to say that the sashimi & nigiri aren't top quality, but it's the chef's creations that make Soto stand above & apart from all other Japanese Restaurants in New York (or the rest of the planet), period.
The venue doesn't look like much from the outside - or the inside for that matter. Small, white, clean straight lines with wood tables and chairs.
Four chefs work quietly behind a bench producing pure Japanese magic. The food was a work of art, and when you worked up the courage to eat it you are rewarded with the best Japanese food in NYC.
I have been to some of the best sushi restaurants in New York City... 15 east, ushiwakamaru, sushi azabu, kuruma zushi, etc... but Soto is hands down the best. The 12 piece sushi omakase is fairly priced at $62. At comparable sushi restaurants it could cost you up to $100 for that quality of sushi. It also feels like Soto puts much more thought and time into their sushi. While some restaurants will give you a piece of fish with rice, Soto will marinate it, slice it, and present it perfectly. I have never experienced an omakase as enjoyable.. especially at this price point. Soto also boasts some of the best appetizers ever. Some of my favorites include the lobster sashimi, uni ika (squid and sea urchin), and the fluke ponzo.
For me Soto is the best sushi restaurant in NYC.
I went to Soto with the highest expectations, yet Soto exceed it. This was arguably the best sushi meal that I've ever had! The uni/squid rolled with soy paper and shiso was simply amazing. The lobster tartare with yuzu mustard and caviar is to die for and the eel sushi from Taiwan is a must!
Amazing spot for some sushi/sashimi, with options for both a la carte or kaiseki. Ingredients are very fresh, and their uni creations are a must for uni fans.
Be prepared to spend time there though: kaiseki takes about 2 1/2 hours, and even a la carte options take a while, often 10-15 minute waits between dishes.
The food was exceptional! But beware. I realized from my bank txt message alert that the restaurant pre-charge you with 20% tip amount which I was not informed. It's OK to require customers to pay certain amount of tips but another thing to charge without their consent. It is illegal, even if they refund later. The worst part was the server lied to me and said it was a common error to visa cards. They certainly have practiced this.
It is a top destination for uni. Beautiful presentations and elegant complex flavor combinations. The service has something to be desired as the staff spoke only directly to my husband.
Best sea urchin dishes in NYC. Sea urchin here was so sweet and fresh - hard to find better quality anywhere else except a few places.
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