Tanoshi Sushi Sake Bar Reviews

Melt in your mouth sushi - Fresh and perfectly prepared. Tanoshi Sushi is a tiny little place, totally unassuming, no liquor license- it's all about the sushi. $100 per person/fixed price.

The sushi is first rate. Better than first rate. Delicate and unbelievably fresh. Creative as well. There was one piece that was served with a fragrant cherry leaf that was particularly memorable. Wonderful uni, and I don't usually like uni. The caveat is this. I was sat next to a party of 5, who got a largely different omakase from mine. And not just different: more luxurious and more interesting. One piece I got was a combination of uni and ikura: wonderful. However when this party got the same piece, there was a quail egg on top which was lacking from mine. Their omakase included two different lobster pieces, mine: none. They had this gorgeous looking chopped toro over rice in a little glass, but this unfortunate client didn't get it. etc... After the set menu is finished you have the option to order additional pieces. I asked after the lobster my neighbors were having which wasn't on their list of a la carte pieces, and was told that they were "regular customers". Not a good excuse. So travelers be aware: This is really good sushi. But there may be someone seated next to you getting even better sushi. Since we're all paying the same set price, it doesn't entirely feel fair.

Very good! Best sushi. It's BYO but there is a shop nearby where you can buy alcohol. Spent time in Tokyo and didn't find sushi quite like that until I came here.

Tanoshi is awesome. It's at least the best bang-for-your-buck, quality omakase sushi I can think of in Manhattan. For now, at $80/person, you can get 10 pieces of nigiri, a 1/2 roll, a hand roll, and miso soup. There are some creative sushi in the omakase set as well -- chutoro topped with toro bits and uni with roe. The only caveat is that there are only 3 seatings per night and about 4-6 chefs servicing the patrons. NOT all chefs are Japanese, but it shouldn't affect the experience much.

It is difficult to score a below 100$ omasake and yet be impressed. Tanoshi manages just that. On a residential Bloch, this unassuming restaurant is always packed. The chefs artfully churning out superb food. The fish quality is superb. The space is laid back and unhurried. It’s BYOS

Such a fantastic little spot in the upper east side. Unassuming and unpretentious, this may be one of my favorite sushi places in NY. It’s BYOB so bring enough to last you your 1.5 grub session. The prices have definitely ticked up over the last few years but so has most of everything else in NY. The service could be a little friendlier but you can’t expect much when they are jamming to get you your omakase within the 1.5 hours and still give you some time for a la Carte and conversation. I’d choose the last seating (9pm) because there is less pressure for the chefs to get you out the door...but it’s a double edged sword because they could run out of some of the interesting a la Carte menu items they sometimes have. At its current $100 staring price tag, I can’t really give it the same 5 stars as when they were charging $80-85 for a similar meal last year. Still love this place but it’s become less of a great find and more of “another good sushi place in NY).

Tanoshi Sushi is a must for NY visitors and locals. Served in a tiny space some of the best sushi you will be able to experience outside of Japan. It is a small place that urges you to bring your own drinks - luckily there is a 24/7 next door with solid selection of sake and wine for all tastes... Get a reservation and go for a sea food ride in this tiny magical place!

It's rare to find a decent omakase dinner in New York City, which is what makes Tanoshi Sushi Sake Bar such a gem. Although I'm slightly biased, having tasted the highest quality sushi in Japan, I must say Tanoshi holds its own in terms of serving a quality sushi dinner. Every piece was expertly created by Chef Toshio and tasted very fresh. The entire experience was well worth it as you get to watch your meal being crafted while you wait. The monkfish apppetizer was also delicious. If you're inclined to order additional pieces after the omakase meal, do go with their recommendations. They know what's fresh and in season and will serve you a quality piece of sushi. They now take reservations, so book well in advance (I'm talking about 3 months even!). It's also BYOB, so bring your fave drink to accompany your meal.

These guys are taking their sushi very seriously, from choosing the menu based on what is coming fresh from Japan to the subtleties of every single morcel. So every day is somewhat different but the spectacle of preparing ithe meal has the same harmony. From the very economical movements of Toshio to the gentle hands of Una, you get the confidence that you are getting an unique not just meal , but some special treat created just for you.

This place was delicious! My SO and I came here for the omakase at 6:30 and had a blast. Our sushi chef was awesome. The presentation is great and this was my first time having an omakase. I loved every second of it. All of the fish were delicious and tasted fresh. We did not order any extra and left feeling satisfied, comfortable, but not too full. Perfect experience!

After making a reservation they seriously asked as more or less friendly to cancel our reservation again because of our kid we wanted to bring; if not we would still not have been welcome, on top being charged cancellation fees!

I went for a light sushi lunch on a hot day. They offer NO sushi for lunch, but my eel donburi was excellent. The bento boxes I saw looked wonderful too.

the restaurant has nice staff that are engaged but the food is grossly over priced. we didn't feel we had value for money at all

Tanoshi Sushi serves a great omasake dinner comprised of nigiri sushi for a cost of USD$80 per person. A relatively reasonable price for amazing sushi in NYC. Tanoshi offers 3 seatings a night (6pm, 7:30pm and 9pm) in two separate restaurants (Tanoshi Left and Tanoshi Right) located next to each other. Each restaurants holds at most 12 people seated in a bar style arrangement. When you arrive at the restaurant the names of people with reservations at each of the different seatings are taped onto the door along with the number of guests. You must wait outside until the appointed time. Since Tanoshi has no liquor license (despite the word Sake in its name) you are encouraged to bring your own alcoholic breverage of your choice. They provide a bucket with ice and water for your bottle. I won't go into details about what was served since it changes from season to season. What really separates Tanoshi from other sushi restaurants is the quality of the rice. The best sushi chefs will say that the rice is the most important part of eating sushi and Tanoshi nails it perfectly. The rice is tender, sweet and loosely formed so that it almost melts in your mouth. The fish is also of the highest quality sourced from around the world. Our great sushi chef, a young woman who is in the 3rd year of her apprenticeship, did an excellent job of preparing the sushi and providing us with details on the provenance of the fish and how it was prepared. I watched the dedication and care that she put into each piece of the sushi. I have eaten great sushi around the world and Tanoshi ranks as one of the better experiences. I would absolutely return here again and recommend Tanoshi to my friends and family.

Gladly, this small sushi restaurant is open for lunch and not only dinner like so many others in New York City. Tanoshi Sushi is an intimate BYOB omakase spot with fresh fish and a cozy bar setting for 10-12 guests. One of the things that makes this eatery unique is the quality of the rice. The finest fresh fish atop warm lightly seasoned loosely packed rice and garnished with just a touch of soy. This “loose” sushi breaks apart easily in the mouth allowing all of the textures and flavors to meld, producing a truly delectable and memorable sushi experience. I particularly liked that using one’s fingers instead of chopsticks was recommended and encouraged, a much better way to consume “loose” sushi. Our lunch consisted of Japanese SeaBream, Striped jack, Yellowtail Belly, Blue Fin Fatty Tuna, Scallop with Chopped Tuna, Salmon with Yuzu Miso, a Tuna Roll, and a Spicy Salmon Hand Roll. We marveled at the fact that each and every piece really did melt in our mouths. Our a la carte Ikura Sushi (salmon roe) pieces were generous and delicious, however I thought that $12 each was a bit steep for that item. The omikase lunch was $60 which seemed very reasonable to me and my very happy dinner companion. Apparently, “Tanoshi” means ‘fun’ in Japanese and we both certainly did have that! The sounds of satisfaction coming out of the two of us is what prompted me to write this review. The attentiveness by both our server and our sushi chef was impressive. Ginger, hot tea, and water were always refreshed when needed. Obviously, this eatery is highly recommended,

We can not claim the sushi knowledge of many reviewers but we can attest to an extraordinary culinary experience at this tiny restaurant. When we arrived we were ushered in and watched the action unfold as each course was prepared. Everything with which we were presented was delicious and imaginative.The chefs were friendly and informative and we left dazzled by the experience. Absolutely outstanding.

Creative omakase in a fun hole in the wall setting. Interesting selection of fish. Tough to get a seat but worth it. Bring your own booze.

Tanoshi Sushi - Located at 1372 York Avenue in New York This tiny, compact space boasts some of the most delectable sushi in town. Only about 11 seats in the whole place. Opened by Chef Toshi, Tanoshi sushi combines modern and classical sushi styles to bring new and bold flavors to the omakase experience. If you would like a more visual review go to youtube and check out my channel vahidrvahidr and click on the Tanoshi Sushi episode. Our Chef, Oona, rolled up over 10 unique pieces for us. She planted each one of them on our wooden plate as she eloquently described their contents, how to eat them and where each fish was caught. You really should just eat with your hands and with no addition of soy sauce. Each piece is put in front of you as a finished ready to eat morsel. A sharp eye will catch some of the hanging decorations especially a scribbled on map that indicates where each piece of sushi came from. They have created an original soy sauce called nikiri and use a slightly sweet red vinegar called akazu to make their sushi rice that gives it a sweet and nutty appetizing taste. Chef Toshio specializes in what he coined as “loosy sushi” which means that each sushi portion will fall apart in your mouth to cover a lot of surface area. Tanoshi sushi kept getting more and more positive marks in my mind and then the bill comes. For an omakase menu of this caliber I expected above $100 per person, but was shocked to see the bill come to a heartstoppingly affordable $60. One of the best sushi experiences I’ve ever had at an unbeatable price. Whether you like to sush casually like me or an aficionado I urge you to give them a shot. Make sure you get reservations because this deal is known by many. Check out the video review we did by going on youtube and searching for our channel vahidrvahidr and click on the Tanoshi Sushi episode.

If you are an American and you have never visited Japan then the chances are very good that you have never had good sushi. The quality, presentation, explosion of flavors, originality, and humble atmosphere of Tanoshi combine to deliver a phenomenal dining experience. My wife and I were fortunate enough to dine at Tanoshi Left and sit directly in front of Chef Toshio. Being from Medellin, Colombia and having only limited travel experience my wife has endured my many stories of the differences between the great Japanese sushi chefs and those we had become accustom to in the Western world. Our recent trip to New York allowed me the opportunity to introduce my wife to the quality of Japanese sushi perfection of which she has long heard me rave. Chef Toshio and staff provided an absolutely lovely dining experience with all aspects being perfect. I cannot get the lingering flavor of (Sakura Kampachi) Cherry Blossom Amberjack out of my head! I chose to eat the piece complete with cherry leaf on top and I am glad I did as the mix of flavors is both complicated, perfectly matched and sensual. I cannot thank the staff and Chef Toshio enough for giving me the opportunity to enjoy sushi as it was intended and as I remember from my many trips to Japan. My wife now understands my dismay at the "California Roll house" as she longs for Chef Toshio's King Salmon, Kohada, or Akadashi Miso Soup.

I'll start by claiming I'm no sushi novice... and have experienced nearly all the "greatest" and highest rated spots for sushi in NYC. This place has some sort of energy to it - some kind of something I can't quite put my finger on that makes it my new favorite spot. I actually enjoyed the smallness of the place (I sat on left side). Maybe 10 seats or so on left side. BYOB and they are happy to give you ice bucket and accompanying glasses or whatever you need. The service is 2-pronged. First you've got basically a personal sushi master (basically 3 diners per chef) so prepares the pieces and places in front of you with explanation. Then you've got a side attendant who is attentive to all of your other needs related to beverages, additional orders, etc. The service was exceptional and I got the feeling they truly cared about my experience and took pride in their restaurant - a rarity these days. Utmost professionalism. My side attendant was a tall woman with short hair (I'm sorry I cannot recall her name) and she was so knowledgeable about everything on the menu and was so attentive - it was refreshing and I couldn't have been happier. The food was on par with the finest establishments in the city - I mean - could go head-to-head with anybody. They had a wonderful range of sea creatures to choose - and very Japanese attention to what is fresh and available per the season. Everything was top notch. The temperatures, rice, textures, preparations, attention to detail - ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING was true perfection. The sushi comes out pretty quickly, but this is how these places are. I didn't find it rushed per se - but its not a lounge around for hours type of thing. I ordered a spicy scallop appetizer which I found to be quite generous! I also ordered (I think) 4 or 5 additional pieces above the omakase. My bill, with tip, was about $150.00 which I have to be honest - was amazing value for the memorable experience. I went to another place for omakase 2 nights later (a place in SOHO will not mention name) that I've always been fond of and was completely let down after experiencing this tanoshi omakase. It was just as expensive and not one-tenth the experience. My biggest fear with this place is that they will grow increasingly popular and will have to jack up their prices, or... lower their quality. I hope this does not happen but its inevitable. Its just too good. 100% perfection. I can't say enough good things about it.

The name of this place is a little misleading because they don't actually serve any sake. The establishment is BYO[S] so you can bring a bottle of whatever you like, whether it's made of rice, grapes or grains. The food here is outstanding, and it is filled to the brim with people every single time I've been here, no matter what time of day it is. Sometimes it's a little too crowded though. For this reason, and for the fact that you can get sushi a little bit better and a little bit cheaper at other spots in town, I gave it 4 stars instead of 5. Don't get me wrong, this place is definitely worth trying, but you might have to wait a minute to get in. What I can't get over either is that fact that it's called a sake bar and they don't serve any sake! The first time I ate here I sat down thinking I would be trying out some exotic sake that I have never had a chance to try, but instead I just found that I won't even be drinking at all because I didn't bring my own. This was kind of a big disappointment. But the food here is better than most spots.

Believe the hype, Tanoshi is a very special place to enjoy a true Omakase in NY. There are just few sits, so it is imperative to do a reservation some weeks before. The names of each guest of that night appears in a hand-writing attached list at the front door. The service is correct and efficient, and sushi parade is sublime. They serve only the Omakase, the finest selection of sushis from that house. On the wall is observed a long list of options for the Omakase additional requests, many of them unusual on the Western (as crab's brain, giant clam muscle, cuttlefish,etc ). It was a great and exquisite dinner, total of $ 290 for 3 people (considering taxes and tip).

Each piece was perfectly created. Normally I put soy sauce, wasabi, and ginger on my sushi but absolutely nothing extra had to go on this. The chef instructed us how to eat each piece as well (one bite, immediately, etc). Chef was open to any fish restrictions my friend and I had (no eel). Appears like a hole in the wall neighborhood place but it was one of the best sushi experience I’ve had in the city. As a bonus it’s BYOB.

I've spent quite a bit of time in Japan, and even been up early in the morning to eat at Tsukiji, but this was one of the best omakase meals I've had. The salmon melted in the mouth, the uni was sweet, the amberjack piquant. I would go again in a heartbeat!

They serve omakase including 7 nigiri, 3 maki rolls and 1 big roll. They have 3 seatings for dinner (6.00 -7.30-9.00). Costs $98 per person. Everything is delicious, the portions are very good. However, all is falling apart in the restaurant, it needs immediate renovation. The toilet looks horrible.

It was an amazing experience, very fresh, unique and well made sushi. The personal touch between the chef and the customer built trust and you just have to let the chef take you to a wonderful sushi experience

This was our first visit and it won't be our last! We are long time (48 years!) sushi devotees and know the New York sushi scene. First of all this experience was not overpriced for what was served. The quantity and quality excellent for the cost. Secondly this is a BYO which means you can bring a great bottle of sake and not have you bill triple! This is a small, intimate sushi bar and we found it a great experience.

I've been here twice with my husband and we love it for the quality of sushi you get. However, it is not cheap (even with byob (a gorgeous bottle of $70 sake from across the street) our bill was upwards of $350+tip for two). We enjoy it because we enjoy each other, especially when sake and delicious sushi are involved. Our server was friendly but our sushi chef was a bit cranky. Or tired. Or something. The place is cramped, which is typical in NYC but here more than other places. You get 1.5 hours only and that's a lot of money to spend for such a short period of time. The place isn't pretty, in fact it seems as though many things are falling apart, and for a premium $ type of place they should really upkeep it better. I'm not saying make it fancy, just better upkeep. Hole in the walls can be quite charming without being dingy I really like Tanoshi Sushi for their fish quality and their byob, but I'm researching other great quality sushi restaurants to try because I want one that I feel is top notch in all areas. When I pay that much money I don't want to feel like the chef or staff is annoyed at me for being there.

Maybe after reading the tons of amazing reviews about this place my expectations were high. Maybe I don't really know "good sushi". This was good sushi but not as great as I was hoping for. Ive had plenty of good sushi in my life, and this is good sushi. However are about $125 a plate it is not 4 times better then my local sushi go to place where were can eat for about $30 a plate. Will I return? Probably not. But I did enjoy the meal and experience.

I know people who swear by this place. Its charm used to be that it was a hole-in-the-wall that served damn good sushi. The Tanoshi lovers are the ones who started coming back in the good old days. Today, it's still a hole-in-the-wall; it feels like someone set up a sushi bar in their unkempt, unfinished basement (it's at street level). And the sushi and service? Unexceptional, bordering on cranky. As the place as become popular, the prices have crept up too, so this is no longer a bargain. As with any sushi bar, a lot depends on which chef serves you. For my tastes, there's too much room for error. Tanoshikunai -- not fun.

This was not just eating sushi, this was a dining experience to be remembered. Toshio, sushi chef extraordinaire, created works of art with the freshest sushi I've ever tasted. With concentration and the skill of an artist, we watched as he made each piece, explaining where the fish came from and what part of the fish was used. The 12 of us seated were enthralled by the magic of the process and in hushed tones, we sighed with pleasure with each piece of sushi placed at our setting. Toshio is a master and sitting before him anticipating another perfectly constructed, perfectly salted, marinated or warmed piece of sushi was a dining experience I'll never forget. Each piece created a taste sensation that will keep you coming back for more. It's sushi at a level few have experienced.

Two Omakase menus: Matsu (Pine) or Hinoki (Cypress) are served with Sushi Bar only format. There are three seatings each night. The Hinoki menu is $10-$14 more expensive due to actual fish used. The right Dining Room is for Chef Toshio, the left Dining Room for the Chef's Apprentice. The Omakase is a relative "bargain" and was fresh and very good with some rare sushi such as Nodoguro (Blackthroat Seaperch) and interesting variants like the signature XXX (Salmon Roe, Uni, Quail Egg). Attentive direct Sushi Bar service. Despite the name is BYO. Reservations are highly recommend, especially for the Chef's Dining Room. Almost exclusively couples on a Saturday evening.

Sushi is fresh, and the tempura crispy. The ambiance is modern and serene. Staff is attentive. Only downside is the limited dessert options. But worth the visit!

If you are a "foodie," boy is this the place for you. This restaurant serves authentic Sushi, with fresh fish from Japan. If you are planning on just showing up to this place and walking in...GOOD LUCK! The experience is very small and intimate and reservations are REQUIRED. The experience lasts 1.5 hours and the maximum number of patrons is limited to 10. The restaurant is very small and 10 chairs are put around a sushi counter while 2 sushi chefs prepare and dish out the goods. My sushi experience has been limited to your typical rolls that you get at every corner sushi restaurant in NYC. This experience was completely different and now I believe I can say I've had "real" sushi. The staff is very kind and they let you bring your own ALCOHOL!!! The only thing that I did not like is that I found it to be very pricey. My wife and I went with another couple and we had 2 apps, the dinner ($60 per person - chef's choice menu), and 2 additional sushi pieces...and our half of the meal with tip was over $175. Nevertheless, it was a great experience and I'm happy we got reservations and went.

Tanoshi is a tiny place. If you like personal service, this is for you. It is not cheap. The food is good. Some dishes were great. Innovative and tasty. Others were good but average. Overall, it was a good experience.

it's the best sushi i've ever had outside of japan but it's also the most expensive one. im not a rice person and usually order sashimi over sushi whenever i go to japanese restaurants. however, i got no choice here. sushi and sushi only. besides, they serve omasake only, price varies and mine is $75 per person for 10pcs sushi + 1/2 Roll + One Hand Roll + Akadashi Miso Soup. It may not be for the frugal community but i got more than a full stomach, esp. i ordered three extra pcs of sushi. we were fortunate that we were served by Chef Toshio Oguma who was friendly and answered whatever questions we had (very short answers though :P). i liked everything but my favorites were: tripleX (quail egg with uni), scallops, king salmon, sea bream, large fish roes, emberjack with cherry blossom, and black throat ($12 outside of the omasake). the foie gras in the sea was actually monk fish liver and i think i would skip this next time as it can't really compare to the real thing. all sushi are prepared "edo" style. so all the fish are cured. and not just the fish, every time i asked the chef about many of the ingredients (like the cherry blossom), he said they were all cured for several months. so definitely not something we can make at home. one last note: they still dont have a liquor license. so if you want to have any alcoholic drinks, bring your own.

I've had my share of Omakase in Hawaii and the food experience at Tanoshi is by far one of best I've had so far. The Triple X (Quail Egg, Uni and ikura) was a party in your mouth! I suggest making advance reservation if you want to be seated in the main sushi bar and BYOB!

Let me preface by saying that I've sampled almost all of the top sushi joints in New York, and a handful of michelin star sushi restaurants in Tokyo -- Tanoshi is the most authentic experience in New York, and damn near close to the heights reached by Tokyo sushi masters. The fish is top quality, the preparations are unique but still traditional, he'll add cherry blossom, or pine, or special plum sauce, but most of the time he'll stay quite traditional. The rice is served at a perfect temperature and he always gets the balance just right. Most importantly, this guy has a real pride about his work, if you don't eat your sushi right away he will take it back from you and reset it with warm rice (though you should never test this!) A few words of caution. The quality drops down from the main chef to his apprentices. The place is a bit cramped, and the chairs are very uncomfortable. Additionally, they don't have a liquor license so you're on your own there. But those are all minor misgivings when compared to the ultimate sushi experience otherwise in New york.

Keep in mind that I'm reviewing this as a sushi enthusiast who's eaten in 5 continents and in top rated places including Jiro's and Kanesaka. The place has Really good sushi, that's a fact. However, it is nowhere near as good as it was made up to be. - First, the reservation process was fairly easy for me, as I only booked 2 days in advance. However, cancellation implied full price charge. - The restaurant is basically not a la carte, except for some additions that you could ask. That being said all the sushi we had was great. However, the whole experienced felt inflexible and snobbish. First the waiter told us they don't sell drinks because they are a sushi place(ok...you are welcome to bring though). Second, you are not served shoyu and it seems that asking for it would get you scolded (so like the soup nazi but sushi style). You're also supposed to eat with your fingers instead of your hashi, God knows why. Moreover you are served whatever and in whatever order the chef wants you to. The funny thing is that for all his rules and tradition the chef had a woman sushi chef as part of his staff (very nice and attentive lady though). As some of you would know, that's a big No in Japan. Very early in the course a couple left, and 2 seats were available, however people walking in were quickly given a bad stare and asked to make a reservation (not so politely). Again, quite snobby if you ask me - Finally, an $80 buck asking price per person plus additions for 10 a piece is massively overpriced. Have I eaten more expensive sushi? Sure, but it was a lot better and also it was in cities where food is generally more expensive than in the U.S. (Tokyo, São Paulo). So all in all, was the food ok? Sure, was it 200 bucks (no drinks) ok? Not at all. My advice? In Nyc you'll find places just as good and half the price. Stay away from trendy places...they are usually overrated

My son brought us (4 people) to Tanoshi Friday night for the 9pm sitting. I think there were three other small parties - a total of about 10-12 people in total. We waited outside for the people from the earlier sitting to leave and were invited in by 9:10pm. We brought our own Sake and they provided filled ice buckets, glasses, and corkscrew. Tanoshi is a small and intimate dining experience. Watching each piece of sushi be prepared is an experience in and of itself. Each piece tasted so good, I may never be able to eat other sushi again. I didn't know how good it can be until Tanoshi. Eating at Tanoshi was an intimate experience, like going to a friend's house for dinner. I can't say enough good things about the food, atmosphere, and hosts - tremendous. Sincere thanks.

Outstanding omakase. Fresh, melt in your mouth, flavorful, nigiri. My favorites were the scallop with uni and tuna, the amberjack with yuzu and the tuna toro, but it was all delicious. Great value for money. Wish I had discovered it sooner!

To get a reservation in this place that has been dubbed the holy grail of sushi is no mean feat, especially so because we did not call three months ahead! As it turns out, the sushi bar has just extended into what was Tanoshi Bento next door and so doubled its seating capacity from ten to twenty. So we got lucky when someone cancelled out in August and their seats were not immediately snatched up by other would be sushi hunters who are too busy looking for openings in November! Seeing us ran in to be the first at the bar with a bottle of Otokoyama sake in our hands chef Sugi smiled and winked in appreciation. This is a BYOB place. Despite the mandatory omakase he still took time to introduce us to the few a la carte items posted on the wall, and gave us a complimentary palate cleanser of grilled tuna with cucumber. What followed was shear culinary wizardry. Common day items were prepared in special ways so they take on uncommon flavors and leave you aching for more. An example is the salmon roe that was pre-treated to remove all fishy taste yet still retaining its freshness. Amber jack was paired with cherry leaf while jack mackerel was matched with soba. For the Botan (sweet shrimp) with uni he carefully tested it with his own hand to ensure the exact right temperature before setting it down in front of us. what better attention can you ask for? Relax, the bill is a pleasant surprise. If I have to find a fault, it can only be the wall music which evoke more of the West Village than Tokyo.

The meal was very tasty. Good manner of approach by the host and hostess. I and my family really had a good time there.

I'm always searching for new and amazing restaurants, and never heard of this place until my friend invited me for dinner. They don't take reservations, just have seats at the sushi bar (and are expanding into spaces next door), and was a phenomenal experience. Rachel was our sushi chef, had great energy, and explained every dish after placing it in front of us. There's a big world map on the wall that shows where they get each type of fish, which I found very interesting. They don't have a liquor license, so you can bring your own, which was really fun. Every piece of sushi had amazing flavor, and loved that it's served over warm rice. I don't know why more sushi places don't do this.

Returned for a 2nd time (after a year-long hiatus). Was sat on the "right" side, which proved to be not nearly as comfortable as the left. I was solo, so they sat me on the end of the bar which proved to be cramped, uncomfortable, and extremely distracting because it was near a walkway where the staff kept moving through. It also provided a very unattractive view of the work area, which seemed kind of dirty if you ask me. The host was a younger male, who, I hate to say this, was dressed very unprofessionally and made me have an impression of low standards of service. This was a complete flip from my experience on the "left" side. The omakase was ok... decent selection of items. The chef did take some time to make sure his patrons were ok with the taste and presentations. The quality was definitely there, but compared to my first time, the experience seemed far less creative, and far less engaging with less range. This is apart from the restaurant seating issues expressed previously. The seeming inconsistency was very disappointing for me. I walked out feeling as though the $150.00 I just dropped was not worth it. Interestingly, if you read my first review, the concerns I expressed about maintenance of excellence came to fruition, disappointingly so. Unfortunately, Tanoshi will now be removed from my NYC rotation

The ‪chef‬ served the ‪‎sushi‬ one by one & explained each of them. We didn't even need ‪soy sauce‬ & ‪wasabi‬ to eat it, everything was perfectly blent & the chef asked us to pick our sushi by hand, not chopstick. Definitely one of the best sushi & ‪‎sashimi‬ ‪‎bars‬ in NYC‬... Most of all, ‪‎authentic‬!!

Can't say enough about this place. Sushi was delectable from start to finish. Especially impressed with the uni. BYOB makes for a fun night - just bring your own six pack and enjoy. Prices were reasonable, especially for NYC.

Heard of this place from Munchies on youtube and were initially excited about this place. When 6 of us arrive, the waitress told us very rudely please close the door when we are walking in. Gosh my husband was just holdig the door for his sister who was just stepping in! The restaurant is a BYOB, which we did not know and she told us to go to the liquor store next block to get our sake. This is a good heads up to give upon our reservation! Never mind, my father went to get it, and i said to the sushi chef sorry we didnt know. I mean, u are called Tanoshu Sushi SAKE Bar!! The sushi chef smiled at us, but told the chef next to him in Japanese 'what country bumpkins'. Not sure how to directly translate what he said but its along the line. What they did not know was my husband has spent 3 years of his school days in Tokyo and understood every word. We figured we would kindly let it go - my husband then offered a glass of sake for the chef in Japanese to show them we understand them. After which he whispered something again to the chef next to him and his reaction was along the line 'enough now, they get you'. At this point we decided we will just get the meal over and done with. We also realize along the way that the sushi we had is slightly different than the guy sitting next to us. When i asked for the same one he had, the chef told us he has preordered it. Guy told us he didnt and dont know what we were talking about. I never thought i would accuse anyone of racism at this day and age, but this is once in a very long time i have felt it outright. And from a middle-high end sushi bar too. We are Indonesians, well travelled and love to try food all around the world. This aside, food was nowhere near the top class sushi places in Tokyo. Fish were fresh but mediocre. Sushi rice was good and tasty. Those that has compared this to other top restaurants in Tokyo dont know what you are talking about. Needless to say, I will never go back here

The sushi was obviously very fresh, prepared right in front of you, and was very nice - but for me the restaurant lacked a little atmosphere and occasion - it feels like a canteen, and a very expensive one at that.

My wife (Japanese) and I go back to Japan every year and I always say how much better the omakase is in Tokyo or Kobe than anywhere outside Japan. Tanoshi comes VERY close. The fish (and rice) was absolutely delicious. Perfect portions, simply served. We've eaten at many NYC Japanese and this rates up there with the few we consider the best. Well worth the price. No liquor is served so bring your own.

The best Omakase I've ever had . Price is more than reasonable. The service is precise, accessible and welcoming. The staff set the stage for a perfect sushi experience. You can bring your own wine, beer or sake. I visit NYC at least 6 - 8 times a year from Taos, NM and always make at least one reservation at Tanoshi.

Omakase for 100 bucks? Yep. BYOB? Yep. This is a little place with 10 seats and 3 seating's per night, Monday thru Saturday. They only take reservations and it could take a week or more to get one. Bring your own bottles from home or go to the wine shop 3 doors south for a great selection of Sake.The restaurant will provide glasses and an ice bucket to chill your bottles. IT IS WORTH IT!

Omakase style and a superb food/dining experience for real sushi lovers. Excellent range of seafood for the experience. I will be back next visit to NYC.

Let me be clear here, this is not a fine dining restaurant. That being said, we were very happy with our meal at Tanoshi. The omakase was delicious and reasonably priced. The fish was fresh. The sushi chefs were lovely and very friendly. They explained where each piece of fish came from and how it was prepared. The waitress was also lovely. The space is very small. I don't think there is a bathroom in the part of the restaurant we were in. We were told to go to one of the other Tanoshi restaurants next door to use the restroom, which is a bit bizarre. The meal felt a bit rushed. We were done in less than 90 minutes. It is also BYOB. If you are looking for a quick sushi dinner (theatre prix-fixe or before a movie) this is a great option.

Excellent quality. The take-out section of the restaurant is very fast and efficient. The sushi chef informed me that the retardant only buys from a reputable Japanese supplier of tuna and wild fish. Excellent spot for a quick lunch or a take-out near HSS / Cornell / MSK Hospital. Very tiny Lim CJ communal table inside, in case you decide to stay indoors. Highly recommend it!

Tanoshi is a primary omakase joint with very fresh and high quality ingredients. This time I used their catering spot right next door to the main restaurant. Here the menu is short but everything is made to order and a dinner table is available here to sit down at. Great quality and attention to detail. Highly recommend this place.

I arrived about 5 mins early for my reservation and the guy was like it’s not 6pm yet, we’re not open. I mean it’s only 5 mins and he kicks me out of the place instead of offering me a seat. I can understand they have really tight space and there are two separate stores and both quite tiny but so rude. I’m literally waiting in the street but as I see other regular customers, they knew the rule and were waiting outside as well. The regulars also know it’s BYOB so they all brought their own bottles. Everyone waiting was Japanese which is a good sign. The waitress finally let ppl in and the space was so tight. It’s basically your hole in the wall place. The ambiance is not fancy nor will impress your date but there is a kind of personality here like most hole in the wall places. As I wait for the chef to prepare the food listening to pop songs on their portable speaker and sitting on a stool with no backrest, I wondered if I made a mistake. The service seems speedy but unpleasant and I was previously kicked out of the restaurant for coming in early. I really hate to dine without backrest but surprisingly the stool is actually comfortable. There were no warm towels or finger wipe, nothing. I can’t imagine giving this place a good rating. But the all Japanese clientele proved correct. As I placed the first piece of sushi into my mouth, it was bliss. There were two cooked dishes and they were marvelous. The medium Toro was the best that I ever tasted and the pieces of fish quite large and generous. The star of this dinner was a roll with Uni, quail egg, and salmon roe - equally beautiful and delicious. I would advise against the add-ons because with just 3 additional pieces, I almost nearly doubled my bill. Not really worth it as the best pieces are already in the meal. Without the add-ons, this may be one of the best deals ever at $100 before tip and tax. The Omakase here is not only the cheapest and best that I ever tasted but the quickest as it lasted only an hour which is perfect for those in a hurry. Two hours or more which is the length of a usual Omakase is too long and when you’re not enjoying it, it can be torture. This place, despite the rudeness, lack of ambiance, and no alcohol is a great place for great sushi but just don’t expect to be pampered.

No point in describing the restaurant, let’s skip it and focus on the food, fish, toro etc... it so delicious that you have to try it. To find a place is not easy but......be patient and you will manage to get one. Let the chef preparing your meal, don’t think, don’t look around just enjoy the food!!! Fantastic.

This omakase is a great value for the quality. You cannot get the quality and variety of fish for this price many other places. This is not a fancy place and it is BYOB. But the fish and chef is top notch. We plan on putting this on our favorites and returning soon. They will ask if you want one of the apps (we had Monk Fish Liver) and you can add pieces for the list on the wall. There are 3 seatings that last about 1.5hr. 6pm 730pm 9pm.

I am coming from Europe and we visited the restaurant since it was strongly recommended by touristic guide. Omakase was really good and of higher quality, however, the overall experience was satisfactory. Once we arrived at the restaurant, we were not informed at all about the prices, how it all works, nothing. While we were served, we have not received any explanation about the preparation of the nighiri, the only info we got it’s just the name of the fish. We saw that the preparation was quite complex, so it would be nice to have an idea of what we were actually eating. We paid 280 dollars for 2 people (plus tips), the drinks are BYOB . The price is not bad for NY but in general it is quite a lot, so still I would expect a better service. Also, they give a discount if you pay in cash, and you get informed about it only when the billscomes.

Once you step inside this tiny Sushi bar you instantly forget you are on York Ave on the Upper East Side. The place is small, very small, and unassuming to say the least. The fish of the day is handwritten on the walls as you nestle into your seat with the other 9 diners. No glitz, no fancy decor. The star here is the chef and his fish. Chef Toshio begins to prepare his fish in front of you as his 2 helpers assemble the finished product and present it to you. Each piece is a masterpiece and often glazed with a unique Nikiri that Chef Toshio has created. Reservations are hard to come by due to the limited seating but call in advance and book your place. You won't be disappointed.

After reading the mixed yelp and tripadvisor reviews, I was hesitant to commit to a reservation given the penalties associated with a cancellation. I am so happy I went! It was amazing sushi! It as great as the best places in LA and as great as Kabuto in Vegas. The sushi melts in your mouth! I can't wait to go back. You can book your reservations online and now that I have been there, the penalties are understandable. The place is small so each missed reservation has a huge impact on the business. All sushi lovers will want this place to succeed!

To be upfront, the chef-owner is someone I've known for many years prior to the opening of this relatively new restaurant. One of the things I like about him is that he's a no-nonsense, no-compromise sushi chef. The sushi isn't particularly modern and innovative, it's old school "Edo style", and it's some of the best sushi I've had in New York, or anywhere. Many of the fish on the menu are ones you won't see elsewhere. It's the kind of place I'd be at at least once a week if I lived there, and for real sushi lovers in New York, it's a don't miss spot. It is (at least currently) BYO, despite the name, and there's a small liquor and wine shop down the street, but bring some good sake and prepare to just indulge in a sushi feast!

This place has good sushi. Really good in fact. It's just that based on other reviews and that you have to book a table 3 months in advance (and pay full price if you can't make it and forget to cancel at least 48 hours ahead of time) I was expecting a lot more. I think my problem with the omakase at Tanoshi was that almost all of the pieces were familiar items, just done very well. For example, they even served spicy tuna and salmon rolls. When I've been to other highly ranked sushi restaurants like Sushi Nakazawa, I was blown away by all the unique and amazing tasting pieces. That experience opened up my mind to what is possible, but Tanoshi just satisfied what I am used to. Bottom line, if it were easy to get a reservation and not so expensive Tanoshi would be a solid choice. But for now don't bother.

Efficient, fresh, homey, and relatively affordable omakase. Tops in my book. I cannot wait to go back.

This is a pristine sushi Omakase place. It is BYOB, but there is a wine store three doors away where you can get Sake. To get in, you must reserve far ahead, and it it is still hard. They show you an image of the pieces you are eating and the fresh fish of the day on the wall.

I'm not a fan of raw fish and my BF isn't either . However, you have to go here its a hidden gem. The chef chooses what u have and is ... Omakase Sushi....so u get what he chooses and is the Chef’s choice of the day which includes10pcs sushi + One Roll + One hand roll. He makes it while you watch. It is soooo good. It's not cheap though but you pay for the quality. They can only seat 12 people and have 3 evening sittings and are booked in advance. Also it's BYO booze which s great and there's a liquor store next door. I tried think I'd never had before. TRY IT

What to say...this was just excellent omakase. Fresh fresh fresh and really well prepared thought out sushi... Uni on Ama ebi was diving. Simple venue split between the ground floors of an upper east side walk up building. Counter is the only option and its a good one. BYOB means the prices is reasonable compared to a full service joint. If you can get a table just go!

My son and I visited recently for a special night out. I was somewhat worried for two reasons: 1) I'm often underwhelmed by omakase, leave hungry or feel obligated to eat stuff I don't want and 2) after living for five years in Tokyo I have not been able to find equivalent quality here in New York, even at ultra expensive places that claim authencity. Both of my concerns were unnecessary. The fish was excellent and the rice cooked perfectly. Chef Tohsio did such a fine job and the variety was superb. We had a few extra pieces after the course concluded. Both my son and I left very happy. The service by our courteous waiter was also terrrific, rounding out the truly genuine Japanese experience.

Just about the best omakase in New York City. You'll need a reservation. Not elegant or fancy, and not cheap. Just incredible fresh and perfectly executed high end sushi.