Shimizu Restaurant
Bright lights shine on real-deal sushi at this Japanese restaurant and shochu bar near the Theater District.
(212) 581-1581
318 W 51st St
(at 8th Avenue)
New York,
NY
10019
40.7631
-73.9862
Neighborhoods: Midtown, Clinton
What People Are Saying About Shimizu Restaurant
The Owner
Shimizu Restaurant
Owner
Hisao Shimizu has devoted himself to creating genuine Sushi for 20 years and now he proudly presents his knowledge and skills in this charming midtown-west restaurant Shimizu. Among the tourist-packed restaurants in the area, it?s one of the only few Japanese restaurants offering variety of daily-delivered seasonal fish and the authentic Japanese cooking to you. The restaurant is a rather small with seven sushi bar seats and 20 table seats all together. This off 8th Ave. cozy and quiet eatery will make you at home with exceptional service from the sushi chef himself and the professional waiting staf,. Needles to say, refined sushi and kitchen dishes will satisfy your choosy NYC palate.
The Editor
Kara Zuaro
Citysearch
The Scene
Located on the ground floor of the Washington-Jefferson Hotel, this lesser-known Japanese spot is an oasis for theater-going foodies. The minimalist, brightly lit front dining room is lined by a long sushi bar, often occupied by Japanese businessmen. Extra-large pen-and-ink drawings of fish give the sushi chefs an elegant backdrop. In the cozier back room, additional tables are set beside a dark wood bar.
The Food
Chef Hisao Shimizu's delectably fresh and generous omakase platter entices sushi connoisseurs. Starting at $30, the daily selection may include rich toro (tuna belly), briny bubles of ikura (salmon roe), and creamy uni (sea urchin). Warming clam miso soup and expertly rolled Mexican maki (made with yellowtail, scallions, avocado, and jalapeno mayonnaise) pair well with a stiff glass of shochu, Japanese liquor with a bite as strong as tequila. Cooling green tea ice cream or decadent chocolate cake ends the meal on a sweet note.
User Reviews
Himawari
April 18, 2009
"Zettai nidoto ikanai" means "I absolutely never go back there" in Japanese.. Sushi lunch maybe okay but DON'T even try to make a reservation for the sushi bar. They will charge you impossible $$$$. If you want to have good sushi in NY, go to the counter at Sushiden, Sushi Yasuda, Sasabune or others with the same quality of level. (There are many in NY) I have never seen a sushi chef who had long hair and, charged $85 for a tiny sashimi platter for 2. (assortment of four different kind of very thinly sliced plain fish, totally nothing special, this was a joke, not rip off ) I noticed that that's their strategy, serve sushi for tourists at lunch time at proper price and charge$$$$ for customers sit at the counter. My husband doesn't drink at all, I ordered just one glass of beer which was $6 and we paid almost $300 total. Do you still wanna go there??
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marianneee
September 29, 2008
Excellent service...delicious sushi with a wonderful selection. I have been frequenting this establishment for almost a year now, and I must say that it has never disappointed me yet. The atmosphere is relaxing and the staff couldn't be more polite. Even my nit picking base requirements of my dining experience are always fulfilled without an issue or need to request. I would recommend this restaurant to everyone interested in sushi.
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sihui
July 21, 2008
I came to Shimizu based on the recommendations of a Japanese friend. I ordered a Chef-selection plate of mixed sushi and sashimi. There was sea urchin among the selection. At first I dreaded eating it (not an urchin fan!) but to my surprise it tasted really sweet and tasty. It is like slurping a great oyster. The rest, needless to say, is history. My $75 plate had about 8 pieces of very good onigiri (toro, sardine, yellowtail, salmon, sea urchin, sweet shrimp, etc), seared mackerel sashimi, tuna sashimi,
read full reviewThe Details on Shimizu Restaurant
What to Drink:
Shimizu serves a variety of shochu, which can be made from rice, barley, buckwheat, sweet potatoes, or sugar. Beginners may wish to soften the potent beverage with lime and club soda.
Look Good:
Your receipt may come back in Japanese, but the friendly staff here is glad to describe drinks and dishes in English--don't be afraid to ask for recommendations.
Delivery:
There is a $20 minimum for delivery orders.
Category:
Payment Methods:
American Express, Discover, Visa, MasterCard
Catering Services:
Restaurant Special Features:
Hotel Restaurants, Private Rooms, Theater District Dining, Business Dining, Dine At The Bar
Cuisine:
Notable Chef:
Hisao Shimizu
Message from Shimizu Restaurant
- Fresh sushi
- Shochu & Sake
- Free Delivery
Hisao Shimizu has devoted himself to creating genuine Sushi for 20 years and now he proudly presents his knowledge and skills in this charming midtown-west restaurant Shimizu. Among the tourist-packed restaurants in the area, it?s one of the only few Japanese restaurants offering variety of daily-delivered seasonal fish and the authentic Japanese cooking to you. The restaurant is a rather small with seven sushi bar seats and 20 table seats all together. This off 8th Ave. cozy and quiet eatery will make you at home with exceptional service from the sushi chef himself and the professional waiting staf,. Needles to say, refined sushi and kitchen dishes will satisfy your choosy NYC palate.
