Aki On West 4th
(212) 989-5440
181 W 4th St
New York,
NY
10014
40.7325
-74.0016
Neighborhoods: Downtown, West Village
What People Are Saying About Aki On West 4th
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
The Scene
Tucked into a townhouse storefront, Aki is one small, sparely decorated room dominated by a sushi bar and half a dozen tables. Despite the minimalist environment, there is a feeling of luxury in the air, due to the on-point, attentive staff, who refill glasses and swap settings between courses like they are genuinely called to it.
The Food
Chef Nakanishi has cooked in Jamaica, and he brings a Caribbean palette to the table here. An appetizer of uni, scallops and roe in coconut cream is unexpectedly delicious, as are yellowtail, mango and avocado rolls. The banana-tuna maki is an ambitious near-miss. Aki's tuna tartare, with raisins, coconut flakes and a dark chutney-ish sauce, easily holds its own in the contested NYC tartare standings. All the fish here is superlatively fresh. The majority of the clever inventions are wild successes, and even the standard fare is terrific.
User Reviews
thediva22
November 07, 2006
A group of four had a memorable experience at Aki. We sampled flights of sake and had the omakase dinner with the three appetizers. The chef's selection was so delicious, with all flavors complementing each other. Being Jamaican I was skeptical of the "fusion" of Jamaican flavors but must admit that the chef pulled it off. The wait staff is so attentive that they anticipate your needs bringing moist towels, replenishing water, etc. It is a pricey evening, however, the food and outstanding service are well worth it.
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jentang94
September 20, 2006
Although small (probably fits 25 people at most at one time), and often a wait, this is one of my favorite go to places for sushi that is creative (Brazilian influence) and fresh. I love uni, and they have more than 4 different kind of appetizers/sushi that uses uni in a way I've never seen done before (check out the one that has coconut foam!). The ambiance isn't the greatest, but then you won't mind since you'll be too engrossed in your meal to really notice.
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glitter08
August 30, 2006
I love the combination of Jamaican & Japanese food elements that Aki provides. It's simple, delicious, and unique all at the same time. The restaurant is rather small so reservation is a must, but it is definitely worth a try!!
read full reviewThe Details on Aki On West 4th
Know Before You Go:
For a bit more money, you can sample the best the restaurant has to offer: The omakase dinner consists of two ($35), three ($45) or four ($55) appetizers followed by a special selection of sushi and a choice of dessert.
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Payment Methods:
American Express, Discover, Visa, MasterCard
