Yui Edomae Sushi
Yui is the real deal: It’s the kind of Tokyo-style restaurant that’ll make a sushi snob out of anyone overnight. In the zenlike bare-bones space, all eyes are on Gen Mizoguchi (formerly of Top 50 nominee Kabuto), his mesmerizing knife skills, and whatever fish is in the palm of his hand. There are a few booths, but let’s be clear: If you’re spending $120 on an omakase, you’re sitting at one of the ten seats at the sushi bar. The staff practices omotenashi-style service, the all-encompassing selfless hospitality ubiquitous in Japan. To the uninitiated, the experience can feel simultaneously overwhelming and luxurious: Someone is definitely watching your reaction to every single bite. The eight-course menu features interludes like buttery, rich grilled Wagyu beef, but Yui is above all a showcase for Mizoguchi’s sushi mastery. And while there is no à la carte option, the five-course nigiri menu ($68) buys you a taste of the chef’s talents, which are on display in each slice of fish (such as kanburi toro, lusciously fatty yellowtail belly) and every grain of expertly vinegared rice. Yes, you’ll be a rice snob too. PRO TIP: The dining room is sparse and bright, and in between courses, the lack of music imparts a hushed ambience that can make talking feel almost sacrilegious. In other words, this is not the venue for your next bachelor party. THE DETAILS: Open Monday–Saturday at 6 p.m. Last seating at 10:30 p.m.
