Aki On West 4th

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…

Read full featured review

Editor's Tips

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.

Write a Review

User Reviews (28)

ambiance	100.0% positive	“the place is terrific if you're not looking for a trendy restaurant with great decor.”
dessert	100.0% positive	“recommend the eel napoleon (layers of eel and mashed pumpkin atop a square of fried tofu), uni coco (uni in a coconut cream), and the tuna mille-feuille (alternating slices of toro, apple, and avocado in a vinegar sauce).” “the desserts are amazing-- i have had all three desserts in one sitting once (yes, I was hungry).”
drinks	100.0% positive	“The Chef special with the unique 3 alcohol drink are the best!”
food quality	97.91999816894531% positive	“Great interesting variety & sushi is very good.” “appetizers are big enough to share (so 2 ppl can try 6 different appetizers), and is the best part of the meal.” “For far better fish at the same price (but less interesting roll combinations), try Yama, just around the corner.” “the food was great!” “it's tiny and unpretensious but one of the best sushi places I have ever dined at.” “awesome sushi” “But the sushi was amazing!” “The sushi is good too, and they deliver, which is nice.” “very creative and unique dish” “recommend the eel napoleon (layers of eel and mashed pumpkin atop a square of fried tofu), uni coco (uni in a coconut cream), and the tuna mille-feuille (alternating slices of toro, apple, and avocado in a vinegar sauce).” “Best sushi place ever!” “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.” “am in love, with the boyfriend who had the wisdom to bring me there and the food that is still fresh on my mind.” “I'm a fan of really interesting food and a lot of different flavors, which is why I love Aki.” “The food is fresh, presented beautifully and the mixture of flavors are wonderful.” “Tomoe is not only a bit boring in comparison, but they also serve their sushi with warm rice, which is why I prefer Aki (I'm a bit nervous about microorganisms, so I like rice to be cooled first).” “This place serves the best sushi in the city.” “ordered the fried shrimp roll - delicious.” “This place is absolutely amazing, every dish is prepared so lovingly and with such care.” “This is the best Japanese I have ever had, and the best meal in NYC so far.” “The chef could totally open this up into a huge restaurant, but instead, has opted to keep it small and charming, which makes the meal even more special.” “The place is charming with very attentive service and a chef that truly cares about the food he gives you.” “can not say as to how good the Jamaican chicken rolls are except that once you've had them, they make the banana/tuna rolls somehow not seem as good, even though, up till then, they we're some of the best damm sushi you had ever had.” “The jerk chicken roll was amazing, and the banana boat roll was great as well.” “love the combination of Jamaican & Japanese food elements that Aki provides.” “Admittedly, I do generally eat here pretty late when perhaps the best cuts are gone for the night, but I'm consistently underwhelmed by the not-so-fresh, not-so-flavorful fish.” “The sushi was fresh, the diff sauces were tasty, and it reminded me of Nobu.” “the food here is japanese with a "caribbean flair" - from what i gather, this means jerk sauce, sweet potatoes, bananas, and coconuts combined with fresh sashimi, eel, and tofu.” “It is a pricey evening, however, the food and outstanding service are well worth it.” “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!)” “One of my favorite sushi places in the city” “Great prices, fresh sushi and friendly service.”
menu variety	100.0% positive	“Everything on the menu is creative, with all the flavors and ingredients coming together in an interesting combination.” “love the omakase menu, although i only have room for the $45 option.” “Great interesting variety & sushi is very good.”
overall	100.0% positive	“This would be a great date place!”
service	92.58999824523926% positive	“The service is wonderful.” “On the positive side, service was excellent: warm and hyper-attentive.” “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.” “Great prices, fresh sushi and friendly service.” “The wait staff is so attentive that they anticipate your needs bringing moist towels, replenishing water, etc.” “staff is extremely attentive, patient, and polite - even if you have a multitude of requests.” “Wait staff is attentive, and the hostess will take your cell number if there is a wait for a table, so you can enjoy all the Village has to offer.” “It is a pricey evening, however, the food and outstanding service are well worth it.” “The place is charming with very attentive service and a chef that truly cares about the food he gives you.”
value	73.33000183105469% positive	“Great prices, fresh sushi and friendly service.” “For far better fish at the same price (but less interesting roll combinations), try Yama, just around the corner.” “This place has terrific Nobu-style specials without the Nobu prices.” “Tomoe is a smidgen more expensive with a REALLY long wait, but it's the freshest of 'em all.” “It is a pricey evening, however, the food and outstanding service are well worth it.” “The chef could totally open this up into a huge restaurant, but instead, has opted to keep it small and charming, which makes the meal even more special.” “We happened to be sitting next to a chef at "March" one of the most expensive restaurants in NY.” “Because the portions are modest - if you're hungry you pay a pretty penny.” “very good value - i eat a lot, and im always stuffed.” “this place is pretty good, fairly cheap, and very inventive.”
wait time	0.0% positive	“Tomoe is a smidgen more expensive with a REALLY long wait, but it's the freshest of 'em all.”

01/14/10

WORST SERVICE EVER AND DON'T VALUE CUSTOMERS

by pjeman

I have ordered from this place at least twice a week minimum of 75 dollars and order. They always screw up the order and the first several times i let it go. This last time they forgot 2 of my rolls and i called up expecting them to at least redeliver. They tell me they would call me back and after waiting for 30 minutes and no call i called them and the manager just said sorry..no credit or nothing...they said they could redeliver but it would take over an hour. I told them if that was all they would offer they would lose me as a customer. They said well than we lost you as a customer. WHAT A DISGRACE!!!!!

Cons: DONT CARE ABOUT CUSTOMERS

helpful (0) not helpful (0) comment share

11/07/06

Superior Sushi Experience

by thediva22

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.

Pros: Excellent, creative sushi
Cons: Small space

helpful (0) not helpful (0) comment share

09/20/06

Creative, Fresh Sushi

by jentang94

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.

helpful (0) not helpful (0) comment share

08/30/06

Aki is a must try!!

by glitter08

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!!

Pros: Interesting selection of food
Cons: Small environment

helpful (0) not helpful (0) comment share

04/04/06

creative creations (unlike title of this review)

by sortmon

ive been here twice and really like the food. $50 prix fixe meal gets you 3 appetizers along with sushi, sashimi, or a combo of both, and dessert. appetizers are big enough to share (so 2 ppl can try 6 different appetizers), and is the best part of the meal. the food here is japanese with a "caribbean flair" - from what i gather, this means jerk sauce, sweet potatoes, bananas, and coconuts combined with fresh sashimi, eel, and tofu. awesome. i recommend the eel napoleon (layers of eel and mashed pumpkin atop a square of fried tofu), uni coco (uni in a coconut cream), and the tuna mille-feuille (alternating slices of toro, apple, and avocado in a vinegar sauce). very good value - i eat a lot, and im always stuffed. staff is extremely attentive, patient, and polite - even if you have a multitude of requests.

Aki On West 4th

Price:

Category:

Payment Methods:

Restaurant Special Features:

Cuisine:

What People Are Saying About Aki On West 4th

Contributor

Contributor

Editor's Tips

01/14/10

WORST SERVICE EVER AND DON'T VALUE CUSTOMERS

by pjeman

11/07/06

Superior Sushi Experience

by thediva22

09/20/06

Creative, Fresh Sushi

by jentang94

08/30/06

Aki is a must try!!

by glitter08

04/04/06

creative creations (unlike title of this review)

by sortmon

The Details on Aki On West 4th

Place Categories:

Things To Do Nearby Aki On West 4th

Lists In Manhattan

Recent Reviews In Manhattan

More Info

Contact

More Navigation

Partner Sites: