02/06/09

good

by usaysushi

Convenient to the West Village- small but in the tradition of Yama at Irving Place.

Great early evening - low key is right

06/04/08

fresh (and huge) sushi

by ktobiassen

The sushi at all of the Yamas is always fresh and yummy. The pieces are ginormous, so order less than you might elsewhere. The rolls are creative and tasty. The host, Sonny, is a kick in the pants -- charming, funny, a bit flamboyant. This place is great for groups of 4 to 6 -- there are not many tables for just two people, so you will likely have to wait if your party is just two. The place is underground, too, so no windows and not much in the way of ambience. However, there's another Yama nearby on Carmine. They have plenty of two-tops there (and the decor is nicer).

• Pros: good, fresh, reliable fish
• Cons: basement location and decor, not many tables for two

11/12/07

Incredibly Bad Service

by joshmjosh

Yama on Irving is one of my favorite Sushi places, but we went to this spot b/c they could accomodate a larger group. While the food was as exceptional as usual, the service was terrible. At a table of 11, our waiter took 7 orders, and then left. We assumed that he had gone to get a new pad, or a new pen, but no, he just didn't feel like taking the remaining four orders, and why should he, he is only the waiter. After waiting 15 minutes for anyone employed by the restaurant to venture near our table, we had to flag down the manager who took our order. When everyone else's food arrived, the four who ordered late had to wait an extra 45 minutes to get their food. When we complained, we were given an extra bowl of edamami (we had already had three at the table), and the manager grudgingly gave us a small bottle of hot sake. She simply blamed the delay on how busy they were, refusing to acknowledge that our waiter ignored us and our orders were taken well after the rest of our party. The waiter never apologized, and the manager basically did nothing to make this right with us besides what amounted to no more than $7 in sake and $0.15 in edamame. The entire situtation was handled without care or class. I will be a customer for life of the Yama on Irving, but I will never again eat here.

• Pros: Great food
• Cons: Incompetent service.

11/18/06

the best one of the yamas

by juliecute

There are few Yama restaurant locations in new York City, but Iike this place more that others. The food is good, the servers are nice and friendly and the sashimi pieces are huge:)

• Pros: Great fish

11/16/06

Good sushi but can be a wait

by maureenuw

I have really enjoyed the sushi both times I've dined here - it is very fresh. I would definitely recommend it.

• Pros: Good sushi
• Cons: Can be a wait for a table

10/13/06

Service is Horrifc

by nyctray

I've been living in the city for 10 years and been to the YAMA's countless times (all 3 locations). My experience a few days ago at the YAMA on Houston was probably the worst service I have had in NYC. The waitress gave us a spoiled bottle of sake and when we told her our concern and asked what else they had, she had the nerve to say "NOTHING", I replied "WHAT?" and then she said, "if you want to know read the menu." She walked away clearly angry and brought back the new sake smirking at my girlfriend and I while she poured it. 20 minutes later, she came back to the table and literally threw the sushi at us. I hate to break the news to YAMA, yeah they have good sushi and for a few years they were one of the best in the city, BUT that just isn't the case anymore! There are plenty of good sushi restuarants in the city that actually have good service. I would think twice before ever stepping my foot in their door again.

• Pros: Good Fish--especially the salmon
• Cons: Awful Service, Blah Atmosphere

09/03/06

Best place for sushi gluttony

by clavicle

Yama has been a staple for me since I moved in to NYC in 2002 and I always bring my parents here when they visit. Admittedly, it probably doesn't have THE best tasting fish but for someone who oftentimes craves tremendous portions of fresh sushi and sashimi at affordable prices, this is the place to go. Yama doesn't skimp out on the cuts of salmon and tuna. This is not the most romantic of sushi restaurants; the ambience can be a bit hectic and loud but then again, the people who are there are people who love eating sushi and lots of it.

• Pros: Large portions of sushi and sashimi. Great special rolls.
• Cons: Not the "best" fish in the city. Can feel a bit hurried there.

07/13/06

Village location of popular city chain delivers fresh, affordable sushi and Japanese fare in drab, low-key environs.

by Eric Grossman

The Scene
Tucked amid a restaurant row of sorts along West Houston Street, Yama serves up sturdy, straightforward sushi and Japanese fare. After passing a diminutive sushi bar, patrons enter a narrow, two-level dining area that sports a colorless, dated feel. Several large tables and a staff of efficient, pleasant servers make the restaurant suitable for group dining. Drink options are limited to beer, wine and sake, with small carafes of the latter costing less than $5.

The Food
This Yama lcoation serves up the same lengthy menu of familiar Japanese favorites that diners enjoy at the restaurant's other locations. Popular starters include overflowing bowls of edamame, lightly-fried pork dumplings and steaming bowls of miso soup. The sushi bar prepares colorfully-titled rolls like the "crispy shrimpy" (shrimp, tempura flakes, avocado and cucumber). Scoops of green tea and red bean ice cream, the only dessert options available, provide a cooling finish.

10/07/05

Go for the gigantic-portion rolls!

by benjinyc

Their soft-shell crab roll is to die for, and so is their spicy tuna handroll. For sushi, anything is good as they always seem to have the best fish. The fish is like butter and just melts in your mouth. Try to get there around 6:30-7ish, before dinner rush. Except for one occassion, I've never had to wait, and even that one time was just for 20 minutes. Just be sensible, if the wait is 45 minutes or longer--just have sushi there some other time, and eat something else that night.

09/12/05

Long wait for nothing

by id1978

An hour wait! A host that told our group to "wait outside". Why did we go? Why did we stay? I can't understand it but I want 2 hours of my life back. Terrible sushi cut into non-descript slabs; the restaurant is under-staffed; bright hospital style lighting and sushi that is no better than any corner place.

• Pros: none
• Cons: service, atmosphere, food