02/06/09

good

by usaysushi

Convenient to the West Village- small but in the tradition of Yama at Irving Place.

Great early evening - low key is right

06/04/08

fresh (and huge) sushi

by ktobiassen

The sushi at all of the Yamas is always fresh and yummy. The pieces are ginormous, so order less than you might elsewhere. The rolls are creative and tasty. The host, Sonny, is a kick in the pants -- charming, funny, a bit flamboyant. This place is great for groups of 4 to 6 -- there are not many tables for just two people, so you will likely have to wait if your party is just two. The place is underground, too, so no windows and not much in the way of ambience. However, there's another Yama nearby on Carmine. They have plenty of two-tops there (and the decor is nicer).

• Pros: good, fresh, reliable fish
• Cons: basement location and decor, not many tables for two

11/12/07

Incredibly Bad Service

by joshmjosh

Yama on Irving is one of my favorite Sushi places, but we went to this spot b/c they could accomodate a larger group. While the food was as exceptional as usual, the service was terrible. At a table of 11, our waiter took 7 orders, and then left. We assumed that he had gone to get a new pad, or a new pen, but no, he just didn't feel like taking the remaining four orders, and why should he, he is only the waiter. After waiting 15 minutes for anyone employed by the restaurant to venture near our table, we had to flag down the manager who took our order. When everyone else's food arrived, the four who ordered late had to wait an extra 45 minutes to get their food. When we complained, we were given an extra bowl of edamami (we had already had three at the table), and the manager grudgingly gave us a small bottle of hot sake. She simply blamed the delay on how busy they were, refusing to acknowledge that our waiter ignored us and our orders were taken well after the rest of our party. The waiter never apologized, and the manager basically did nothing to make this right with us besides what amounted to no more than $7 in sake and $0.15 in edamame. The entire situtation was handled without care or class. I will be a customer for life of the Yama on Irving, but I will never again eat here.

• Pros: Great food
• Cons: Incompetent service.