Jewel Bako

09/17/2008 Posted by missladynyc

Heard many good things about this restaurant and had to try it for myself. The service was really great. But I didn't think the food was worth the price at all. I had been to many Japanese restaurant with the same price range and got a lot more different varieties. Don't think I would go back again.

Pros: Service

Cons: Not worth it

07/02/2008 Posted by toyzkill

I've heard so much about Jewel Bako that I had to see for myself. I must say, I was not disappointed. A very friendly and accomodating atmosphere, combined with a pleasant and courteous staff (also very knowledgable with the fish cuts). If you go, the omakase is a must. I you can shell the extra $45, go for the omakase dinner (I unfortunately decided to spend the excess on a wonderful bottle of sake, which was the perfect complement). I will be back but will have to sit at the sushi bar, which is supposedly "the" experience. A must visit.

Pros: diverse sushi selection, great staff, ambience, location

Cons: reservations for the sushi bar limited to 3 people max

06/26/2008 Posted by chiway

Spending an evening at the sushi bar at this sushi haven is divine. Sit back, relax with a bottle of sake from their wonderful selection, and watch Chef Yoshi bounce around the sushi bar in a frenzy, serving you piece by piece of some of the finest fish in NYC, cut and composed with seasoned rice in masterful fashion. There really is no other way to experience this place. Sitting at a table is an unacceptable substitute. I came here and dined at a table and upon leaving, quickly forgot this place existed. A series of chance happenings led me back to Jewel Bako a year later, and after having sushi omakase at the bar, I became addicted. The only complaint I have is that for the number of seats, the sushi bar is too small and sushi chefs too few. When the place is at capacity, poor Chef Yoshi has to take on an unreasonable workload, and sometimes, I hate to say, his work product suffers from having to rush through backed up orders. Jack Lamb, if you're reading this, get Yoshi some more help.

Pros: sake selection, fish quality, ambience

Cons: small sushi bar

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

06/12/2008 Posted by atsugari

Delicious food, have to try the uni parfait. The fish was very fresh and each piece had it's own individual taste. The live-lobster thing may be overrated but it's interesting to try. I agree with previous posters if people have a problem with live seafood they should give up eating any meat at all and stop commenting on restaurants that serve meat. I heard the owner doesn't let people photograph the food and he's nasty about it.That's kind of a shame since we cannot share the artistic nature of our EXPENSIVE food with our friends and our own photo records. I guess you don't get everything you paid for.

Pros: Food from the Sushi Chef!!

Cons: No Photos allowed by the order of the owner, slow service 1-2 hrs

04/08/2008 Posted by eatmorefood

To the person who said you should sever the spinal cord of the twitching lobster need to get in touch with their high-school biology lessons. lobsters don't have spinal cords. There is even controversy over the whether or not lobsters even have the capacity to feel pain. "The quickest way to destroy a lobster may be to insert a knife into its head and cleave the head in two, thereby destroying two of the most important nerve clusters of the lobster. Some feel that this is more humane than placing the live lobster into boiling water, although it is common for the lobster to twitch for some time even when severed symmetrically in half." Also, to review a restaurant based on a show defeats the whole purpose of this site. Stop this tomfoolery.

02/19/2008 Posted by lovefoodandlife

Frightening lack of concern for the pain of the lobster being eaten alive. I can only hope the person doing this death dance lives this hell in a future life. They serve the lobster tail with the living head/body on the plate, moving. Could they NOT cut it's spinal cord so it doesn't have to live the hour or two of insane pain? This isn't food, it's animal terrorism.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful

09/20/2007 Posted by arajka2

If you haven't seen Food Network's episode of "Bizarre Foods" in which host Andrew Zimmern comes to this restaurant and eats its specialty, "live spiny lobster sashimi", please Google it --- this popular "delicacy" involves a live lobster being brought to your table, opened, and eaten while it squirms. It's marketed as an experience, as fresher than fresh; it's animal cruelty, plain and simple, and I have to boycott this place until it stops serving live food. I see on the menu that they also serve a live scallop dish. Nice.

Pros: Amazing food, apparently.

Cons: Live animals are not food.

0 out of 3 people found this review helpful

07/08/2007 Posted by marlomax

This is some of the freshest and most interesting sushi I've ever had. They fly in the fish fresh every day, not twice a week, like most sushi places. My friend and I are very sensitive about fish smells and oily ,fishy-fish tastes. Jack and his staff answered all of our questions, made sure we understood the specials and were accommodated exactly to our palates. Everything from the tuna tartare appetizer to the assortment of sushi including flounder was melt in your mouth, buttery and yummy. They grind fresh wasabe right at your table, there is nothing like it. We also had a great bottle of sake, recommended by the staff. It is an expensive meal, but worth it. A lovely experience all around.

Pros: fresh, different daily selections, knowledgable staff, hip, romantic, relaxing ambience

Cons: expensive, but you get what you pay for, here

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

05/26/2007 Posted by elisemischief

there is a long history at jewel bako. the online reviews and blog foodies all say that it used to be good, but is not now, and that the food and service went downhill. since i didn't go to jewel bako when it first opened, or before they expanded the space, i cannot speak about that. all i can say now is that it's a pleasant experience that i'm glad i tried once. if you want that "perfect" restaurant experience, it is definitely worth going. the service is impeccable, the food and drinks arrive at your table with precision, and the fish is tasty. the tuna sashimi was supremely good and worth every penny. so was the appetizer plate with the three tartares -- again, so fresh and tasty. but the sushi rolls, eh -- they were not as good and not worth the money. but it's a really cute, intimate space with just the right amount of light and volume where you can have a long conversation and relax and enjoy. i am glad i went, but for regular sushi eating and japanese food i rely on the more casual, eclectic places on st. mark's.

Pros: extremely tasty and fresh fish, courteous service

Cons: a little overpriced

04/04/2007 Posted by dillojoh

Some of the best tasting sushi I've ever had! And what a great experience and atmosphere. I highly recommend it.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful