KISSAKI: WILL YOU DREAM OF THIS OMAKASE?
Update - The Kissaki in Long Island City has closed but their two locations in Manhattan as well as Water Mill and Greenwich,CT are open.
The Cost - $80 for the Omakase per person. $12 for the tea and $18 for each dessert
The Atmosphere – Located on the second floor of a modern, new age food hall in Long Island City, Queens, Kissaki has counter seating around the chef’s area as well as a few tables (mostly for 2). Minimalism prevails with respect to the decor but it is an inviting space for dinner as well as a great choice for a special occasion.
Do you dream of sushi? I certainly do. So when I got a tip from my brother about Kissaki, I immediately made a reservation.
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The Order - 9 Piece Nigiri Omakase, Nagano Soba Cha, Blueberry Earl Grey Cake and a Mango Coconut Sago.
The Phenomenal - The Bluefin Tuna was incredible and was topped with almonds, which added great texture and flavor. The Chūtoro (medium fatty Bluefin Tuna) was also phenomenal and it literally just melted in my mouth. Topped with caviar and scallions, this was my favorite piece of nigiri.
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The Fantastic - The Uni (Sea Urchin) was prepared with wasabi and was amazing. The Toro Hand Roll, served after the nigiri, was brilliant and the black caviar in it was lovely. The homemade raspberry sorbet that ended the Omakase was also fantastic and came with a homemade white chocolate mousse and sesame crunchies.
The Great - Before going into the nigiri, I was given a delicious hamachi (yellowtail) with a jalapeño pumpkin purée. The Japanese Red Snapper was the first piece of nigiri and was a nice way to kick off that part of the meal. The Scallop nigiri was topped with roe and scallions; I was impressed. I also put the Golden Eye Red Snapper in this category; the fish, which is fattier than regular salmon, was unique and very tasty.
The Nagano Soba Cha, a non-caffeinated tea made from Tartary Buckwheat from Nagano, Japan, was also quite good. The tea truly tastes like buckwheat and was very earthy and calming. Definitely a unique and pleasant flavor.
The Good - The actual fish of the Salmon Trout nigiri was amazing but the truffle sauce was a little too overpowering. The Shrimp nigiri was served with a lemon mayonnaise and jalapeño purée and was tasty. The Ōtoro with uni was the last nigiri and while it was good, I didn’t feel like the flavors of the uni and fish combined very well.
The chiffon cakes at Kissaki are made by well-known New York bakery Taste Creme. The Blueberry Earl Grey cake, made with layers of chiffon cake and earl grey infused whip cream and topped with fresh blueberries, sounded the most interesting to me. When it arrived at the table, I was in awe. It was an absolutely perfect, incredible-looking dessert - maybe the most amazing-looking dessert I had ever ordered at a restaurant. However, while the cake was good, it did not rise to the level you would expect based on its presentation, and part of that, I believe, is due to the high expectations that are set based on first sight. The Mango Coconut Sago chiffon cake, made with mango and coconut whipped cream and sago pearls and fresh mangoes, was a slightly better cake in terms of flavor and texture but was nowhere near as pretty as the Blueberry Earl Grey cake; therefore, both cakes earned a “Good” rating. Initially, I was shocked to see that each cake was $18 but each one easily feeds 2-3 people and the artistry is incredible. They are a beautiful way to end the meal and are great for a special celebration but in terms of flavor, the raspberry ice cream dessert that ended the Omakase was better.
The Verdict - Kissaki is one of the best sushi meals I’ve ever had. It’s not inexpensive but the value is incredible - some of the best fish in town. And if you are wondering whether you will leave feeling hungry, the answer is no!