12/08/07

Very good sushi at very reasonable prices, excellent service

by denardo

I agree with the prior posters. I live in the East Village and this is one of my standbys. The service is ALWAYS good, the food is always tasty, and the prices are extremely reasonable. They have some great specials sometimes also. While this is not on par with top of the line sushi like Sushi Yasuda, it is just one notch below that -- very good at very reasonable prices. It is definitely a cut above all the others mid-priced sushi restaurants I have tried.

• Pros: Excellent sushi, reasonable prices
• Cons: Totally generic ambience

08/04/07

An Unsung Gem

by rbu200

Esashi is pretty much as good as sushi can get, yet at the same prices of all the ho-hum Japanese restaurants in the city. I've lived in NYC for 8 years and eaten sushi all my life, including an NYC's most expensive joints, and Esashi holds up with the best.

So what's their secret? In short: family owned and run. The owner (from "Esashi" in Japan) is also the chef and also the guy who chooses the fish; the hostess is his wife. The salmon? It's from Scotland b/c that's the salmon he likes best. The yellowtail? That's from Japan. The king salmon? From New Zealand b/c it's better. The spanish mackerel? Oh, they haven't been serving it for a few months because they are not satisfied with the quality of fish that is available. And so on

Even now that I live in Prospect Heights, I make a regular trek to the East Village for Esashi. Everyone I introduce to this place comes back and is amazed they didn't hear of it before. Even my vegan girlfriend loves Esashi's vegetarian bento boxes and is just as eager to go as I am.

Bottom line is that you can go to Nobu and get sushi of this quality in a beautiful setting. But if what you are after is that same quality fish at bargain prices, and don't mind a basic ambience then you are missing out if you don't check out Esashi at least once. (If you go, tell them you read a review from Russell and maybe they'll still let me in when sushi lovers finally wake up and start flocking here!)

• Pros: EXTRAORDINARY quality sushi at a bargain
• Cons: Basic ambience

04/20/07

Great value, fresh fish

by moonbaby888

I have been coming here almost ever since I moved to NYC. I still make the trek from uptown to visit here at least monthly. I have always found the service to be polite and prompt, the food is fresh (sushi and cooked Japanese cuisine), and the prices are very reasonable. Yay, Esashi!

• Pros: great sushi, good service, great value!
• Cons: Not the best ambience

03/19/07

never crowded

by tripledcup

its very good but i can't go often cause it smells of fish too much...ventilate or something...that would be a big help to make this a place i would go a lot.

12/05/06

Take your business elsewhere

by mew929

The owner was rude and inconsiderate to me; even the servers looked embarased at his actions. I don't care how good the food is, there are plenty of other sushi / Japanese restaurants in New York with great food AND a sense of customer care.

• Cons: service!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

04/04/05

great food and excellent service

by rosalitab

The waitstaff is very friendly and courteous, the service is prompt and attentive. The food is always excellent and beautifully presented.

• Pros: Good food, Friendly Service, Clean

06/24/04

Great specials, usually not crowded

by gramercyguy1

Although I have not been to Esashi for a while I'm sure it is still the quiet neighborhood sushi place that I visited six months ago and before. They usually have interesting specials, fresh fish, and reasonable prices. Like I wrote about Kura Sushi if you are looking for ambience and cocktails go to Sushi Samba. If you want great sushi, then you will be more than happy w/Esashi.

05/14/04

excellent value, good service

by jokah

I'm always a bit wary when trying new Japanese restaurants as living in NY has spoiled me silly. I was pleasantly surprised by the food at Esashi. had tempura udon special and grilled cod appetizer, both of which were excellent. sushi was nice, too, but cut in large pieces. not meant to be a complaint, and some may find this a plus. it is run by Japanese and was not at all crowded when we went. they offer early bird specials before 7:00pm. would definitely come back for more.

• Pros: cheap, tasty, not crowded

08/12/03

My special place

by monchan

Great sushi restaurant, rarely crowded, great value. Sit at the bar and eat here regularly and the sushi chef who is also the owner will hook you up the best cuts of fish. I highly recommend trying the blue fin fatty tuna and the sea eel. Many of my friends I introduced to this restaurant have become regulars.

• Pros: friendly service, down home feeling, fresh sushi
• Cons: decor is lacking