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- Neighborhoods:
- West Village, Downtown
At a Glance
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87% ambiance
“prefer the Carmine street location by far, it's outdoor garden makes this heavenly experience even more pleasant.”
100% dessert
“But after you try the great sushi, try their tempora green tea ice cream.”
100% drinks
“chewey/tough. The wait staff is good but on busy nights if you get the hostess and your dining alone and simply want a place at the sushi bar.”
85% food quality
“Big fish, Little room”
50% menu variety
“Very good food, but very pricey menu, long waits when crowded, and not alot of elbow space during busy hours.”
100% overall
“The first time I went to Yama it was amazing, and I was so excited to have another great sushi place in the city.”
100% return potential
“That said, my dining companion probably will not return; our waitress was very attentive to me (because I ordered the deluxe special, literally) but royally snubbed my best friend the whole night.”
89% service
“Very fresh and delicious and good service.”
89% value
“The quality of their food is awesome, the staff is friendly, and the prices are right!”
83% wait time
“The service is amazing and although this place is small, the wait is not that long.”
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Yama Restaurant
Tips for Yama Restaurant
September 08, 2004
Huge portions of tasty fish explain the crowds at this perennially packed sushi spot..
The Scene
Given a quick makeover, this Carmine Street outpost of the popular Yama chain could easily pass for a trattoria, as fireplaces and exposed brick walls lend the space a rustic country-home vibe. Night after night, the restaurant is packed, and young couples on dates crowd the front two rooms, the tiny sushi bar and the umbrella-covered deck out back.
The Food
Tasty appetizers like crackling fried soft-shell crabs with a sweet ponzu sauce, wasabi-flavored steamed pork dumplings, and Japanese eggplant with miso paste make a good segue into fresh-tasting sushi entrees like the sushi deluxe, which represents one of the better values anywhere. Yama's portions tend toward the gargantuan--the massive wooden boats and platters of sushi that serve groups seem sized to feed twice as many people as they claim to satisfy. But be wary of Yama at peak hours, as the wait for food can get lengthy.
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Heart
March 19, 2004
Yama - Best found on Both Coasts!. Just recently moved to the West Coast, I've been trying desperately to find ANY sushi restaurant that even comes close to Yama on Carmine in NYC!! The fish is impeccable, the service unforgettable and the prices are so reasonable. I can't wait to come back to visit - just to hit my favorite sushi joint! The Crispy Shrimpy is by far my favorite (no one can do it right out here in Cali) - followed by any selection of sashimi! Outstanding and a truly missed aspect of New York for me!!
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Heart
September 16, 2003
I got full eating Sushi!. For someone with a large appetite who loves sushi, this place is a dream come true. And the fish is pretty much top notch. No grade B fish here. Reasonably priced for what you get.
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Heart
May 30, 2003
Bigger not always better.
Yama serves some of the freshest sushi around. However, another important factor in any assesment of sushi is the "meat cut." This is where Yama faulters. The fish/rice combination is best suited for bite sized morsels, not "monster" sized peices and enough rice to warrant the use of knife, fork and spoon. Oversized sushi atop too much rice has one usual result: a messy plate of raw fish and rice. In that case, why not just order sashimi?
I praise Yama for its freshness and its aesthetic, at least in terms of appearance, but appearance isn't eveything and I criticise Yama for it's "bigger is better" gimick.
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Heart
May 28, 2003
Recommended.
Nothing fancy, but the sushi was all fresh and extremely good.
Highly recommended!
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Heart
May 05, 2003
Great sushi!. I don't understand the negative reviews. I think this place is great. Sure, the pieces are huge, but they are very fresh and of good quality. The rolls are amazing! Definitely try it!
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Heart
April 28, 2003
BIG SUSHI. Ok i do see many negative reviews, but my experiance here was a good one.. sure the sushi is cut big but it was very fresh and juicy to me. The rolls are stuffed with a lot of fish which I think is a good thing, better then stuffed with a lot of rice and a thread of fish right? the handrolls are huge and worth every penny. Go, try this place out, just don't order too much like I did! Remember the cut BIG pieces! enjoy!
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Heart
February 28, 2003
Good, but not great. Don't be fooled by the oversized pieces of fish. The quality is above average, but not top notch.
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Heart
February 25, 2003
kevjk. the sushi here was so big it could have been served with a pitchfork, there was no sense of delicacy or finese
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Heart
February 15, 2003
Worst of all Sushi in NY. The only thing that seems to make this popular is the size of sushi-but I find that to be one of the reasons to stay away. There's too much rice for the fish. I guess to cut cost?!?!? I'd rather pay more and eat quality.
0
Heart
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