Azuki Japanese Restaurant
(212) 228-3611
239 Park Ave S
New York,
NY
10003
40.7379
-73.9879
Neighborhoods: Midtown, Gramercy Park
Hours:
Sun-Thu 11:30am-11pm
Fri-Sat 11:30am-11:30pm
Price:
$
What People Are Saying About Azuki Japanese Restaurant
The Editor
Katie Heffernan
Citysearch
The Scene
A fish tank gurgles by the front door, marking one of the neighborhood's seafood favorites. Though nothing fancy, the long and narrow space dresses itself up with swirly votive candleholders and painted marbling on the soaring, peach-colored ceiling. Tables are comfortably distanced, forcing waiters to make quick turnovers during lunch and dinner rushes.
The Food
While the offer of unlimited free wine and sake with dinner may suggest a scary gimmick masking subpar eats, the menu proves itself. A subtly sweet Mango Tango roll creatively layers the tart fruit with the smoothness of avocado atop eel, cucumber and caviar. The Crunchy Spicy Salmon roll lives up to its name only halfway (lacking any wasabi kick), but it still trumps pieces of mediocre sashimi. For tasty but more filling traditions, try pork katsu don--an egg-topped bowlful of breaded pork cutlet over vegetables and rice--and finish with mochi, Japan's delicious dough-covered ice cream balls.
User Reviews
vmar
January 21, 2009
There a lot of negative reviews here about the rude staff, and the stress of eating here. I think that these are singular experiences that happen when Azuki is at its most hectic. I gave azuki 4 orut of 5 because ... YES they can get VERY busy and very stressful. I've been told once or twice that I cannot be seated for a reservation unless all my party is there. I STRONGLY recommend calling ahead to make a reservation and to see how crowded it is/will be. If you are a large group looking for a long, langorous experience at 8:00 on a Thursday or Friday, this is probably not for you. It can feel like they are rushing you... but If you're a small group, excited for good sushi and free wine on a random night: you will LOVE it.
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Anonymous
January 09, 2009
I've been here several times over the years and always loved my dining experiences. Watching the chefs prepare the meals is quite the sight. The fried rice is a must have. And bring your appetite because the portions are huge.
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LOTurner
April 05, 2008
I have never written a review, but I was compelled to after my horrible experience at Azuki. Upon being seated (admittedly 15 minutes late) we were told that we had to leave by 9:15 (for a 7:30 reservation). I have lived in NYC since 2000, and I've never had this happen to me. I didn't take it seriously until I was told that we had five minutes to leave while I was still eating desert. Now I was there with a party of four, and we were being quiet. We all ordered appetizers and entrees so we weren't being cheap. Now the sushi is alright by NYC standards but nowhere near top notch (like a Blue Ribbon Grill). Then, one of the employees threatened to blacklist me because I didn't leave a tip due to the server's rudeness. Imagine being given a time limit upon entering a restaurant and then being told to pay before finishing desert! I would not recommend this place at all. If you want sushi, you can get better quality for the same price at many other places. I am a reasonable customer but one thing I won't tolerate is rude service from a mediocre establishment. I would attribute the high rankings here to the low quality "unlimited" wine or sake, but the fine print on the menu states that there is a limit (once you finish your entree). I would not go here under any circumstances if I was you. The manager even showed me a reservation list that allocated 1 hr. and 45 min for each table. NYC is filled with great restaurants. Don't patronize one that will treat you so rudely.
read full reviewThe Details on Azuki Japanese Restaurant
Where to Sit:
If there's a long line, you might check out the rear of the restaurant, where a sometimes-empty sushi bar hides.
Save Money:
There's really no catch to the free booze--spend $15 per person, and receive the house's white wine and hot sake while you eat.
When to Go:
Between 11:30am and 4:30pm on weekdays, specials in the $7 to $10 range offer various lunch combinations of sushi, sashimi, rolls and teriyaki, served with miso soup or salad.
Category:
Payment Methods:
American Express, Visa, MasterCard
