Avenue A Bistro Cafe

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lizl

Joined 5 years ago

Great experience at Ave A!. My friend and I recently celebrated our birthdays at Avenue A Sushi. I had never been there before, but after reading many positive reviews, I decided to give it a shot. They were extremely accommodating when booking the reservation and were flexible when we changed the number of people in our group.

The service was absolutely fantastic. We actually arrived a little early and the table was already set up and available and we were seated right away. Throughout the meal, we were constantly being checked on, the orders were all correct, and everything was served in a timely manner. The prices were extremely reasonable for the quality and the portion of food. We had sashimi, a couple of the special rolls, and a few different vegetarian appetizers. The quality of the sushi was very good and the rolls were fantastic. (And the sake martinis were great!) Everyone had a great time, and I'd go back to Avenue A Sushi in a second.

Doesn't Recommend

mttre

Joined 5 years ago

It's Like Being in College Again!. Two terribly misguided friends took me to Avenue A Sushi last night.

My impression:

Outside on bad speakers, the place was blasting house music into the Alphabet City night. This was the type of house music similar to that which is played only in the city's largest and most dazzling gay megaclubs - the ones filled to the brim with middle aged Brazilians in stonewashed jeans and armani exchange mini-T's. Once inside, AA Sushi gave the impression of a sleazy late 90's campus bar, with its mirror tiles, vinyl stools, dim lighting and faux eclectic decor. The music was even louder, and I spotted the source: an Asian DJ in some bamboo hut with a North Face cap on. I don't care much for music at all while I dine, but I realize many people do. I also know that this can be a major draw in the restaurant business, especially when live acts are booked. A restaurant, however, is no place for the kind of sub-woofed, booty-shaking beats played at Splash circa 1999. It's just not the kind of music one should be forced to endure while consuming - and watching 19-year-old college students consume - dragon rolls. It just isn't appetizing. There is an artful way to negotiate the dining/musical experience, and needless to say, AA Sushi doesn't have the skillz. Augment this sacrilege with an unattractive clientele, a faint but offensive bathroom-like odor, and a poorly stocked florescent sushi bar, and my first impressions were secured, my appetite fully primed for a meal of raw fish and vegetables!

I've nearly reached the character limit for this review, but I wouldn't trade the above for more space to talk about the food, which was mediocre and hardly worth a sentence. I've enjoyed what was put in front of me at many a small uncomfortable cafe playing very questionable music, but those cafes didn't aspire to do anything but serve good food. AA Sushi tries to be THE downtown hangout pre-clubbing for california rolls and subsequent purges. Hideously, it succeeds.

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hmayone

Joined 5 years ago

Pleasantly Surprised. I organized a dinner at Ave. A Sushi for a friends birthday and ended up having an amazing experience. We were greeted at the door and she was given a balloon and a flower. The decor was funky and wild and made me think, this place is going to be fun but I don't know how our meal is going to taste. I was pleasantly surprised- the fish was fresh and the food was tasty. The meal ended with the quirky staff singing happy birthday and a complimentary tempura fruit dish for the whole table. All in all, a fun and delicious experience.

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yukyee69

Joined 9 years ago

great sushi and great value. Their special boats are a great deal. You get lots of sashimi and oysters! I didn't expect to get oysters but i enjoyed those little morsels very much. The uni, which is the yardstick i use to measure the quality of a restaurant's sushi, did not disappoint. You get a lot of food for the value and the fish is very fresh.

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rbuzz

Joined 6 years ago

Cool place.... I went there on a weeknight for dinner. The sushi was good, the music was good and the ambiance is something different. If you are looking for a different sushi experience I would check this place out.

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daniels79

Joined 6 years ago

Best East Village Sushi Experience!. If u truly want to experience what the east village was back in the day.... go to Ave A Sushi. They've been there since the early 80's and have lasted this long for a good reason.

It's a great place to celebrate birthdays or to just spend a night out with friends. The martinis are some of the best i've had. (try the lychee martini!)

The weeknights here are a bit slower and are better for date nights.... whereas the weekends can get very crazy! highly recommended!

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ghoulfiend

Joined 7 years ago

No Other Place Like It. I've been going here for years, I love it and always will. It is a unique spot and a good remnant of what was once the old East Village. It is hip, the food is experimental and pretty inexpensive, and I always have a good time there. I have never needed a reservation to eat there but then again, I usually go there on weeknights when it is slow, just the way I like it. It's always a good spot to order in delivery from as well. I hope it stays there forever. Their dynamite is pretty dynamite.

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formulaone57

Joined 7 years ago

FUN FUN. Fun and great sushi. Great neighborhood very eclectic. Went there a few years ago and really liked it. Definite recommendation.

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eastvillagelocal

Joined 9 years ago

caught offgaurd. shades of the past when new york was alive cutting edge and going out meant expiriencing an event . that is what avenue A sushi is . good service and good food. one could be sitting beside a wall street couple ,next to a soho artsy group, who happens to be next to a punk rock band just out from thier show, to a hip hop mc and his entourage,and they are all mildly amused by the tranny the next table over, art on the walls. if only we had more places like this , still would like to know who chooses the movies since im a big movie buff,good choice with "six string samurai "

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hucao

Joined 7 years ago

excellent restaurant,awesome food. i went to the avenue A restaurant last week with my friends.i had my first sushi after i came to the ny .the food was awesome.they have a lot of special rolls .like red and white roll,spicy boy roll,spicy girl roll.they are all fantastic.