Lavinia at Home

Restaurant Type: Japanese
Our Rating: 8.4
Food: 9 • Service: 8 • Décor: 8 • Atmosphere: 8 • Price: 9

Yama did it again with the opening of its fourth restaurant in New York City—that is, deliver consistently fresh fish to its faithful clientele. Now in Midtown Manhattan (308 E. 49th Street, between 1st and 2nd Avenues; Tel. 212-355-3370), East side locals do not have to travel far for Yama’s trademark sushi. Offering large slices of high-quality sushi, this restaurant is a sure-bet for a pleasant evening of Japanese cuisine. They offer a variety of sushi combination plates, giving you options on excluding shell fish, for example. Special maki rolls are also worth a try. Moreover, their new Midtown site is a definite upgrade in terms of décor and atmosphere to the Greenwich Village and Gramercy locations. While their plates do not have the gourmet flourishes of the Sushi Sekis and Sugiyamas of the world, they’re a great place for traditional, yet melt-in-your-mouth sushi at very reasonable prices. And if you’re not in the mood to wait for a table (not all locations accept reservations), try takeout and enjoy the delectable treats in the comfort of your home. Rest assured the quality and portions are still there.

Restaurant Type: Japanese restaurant

Our Rating: 8.3

Food: 9 • Service: 9 • Décor: 8 • Atmosphere: 7 • Price: $$$$

Masa is a top-tier Japanese restaurant located in the sleek Time Warner Center of New York City (10 Columbus Circle, 4th Floor, Tel. 212-823-9800) and probably one of the most expensive restaurants that this reviewer has ever splurged on. Masa serves omakase—the chef’s foremost selection of sashimi (raw fish) and cooked Japanese fare. In this case, Masa’s chef prepares delectable Japanese dishes with rich, yet non-traditional ingredients such as foie gras, caviar and truffles, which in some way justifies higher prices. While your taste buds will rejoice, your wallet may not. In fact, your wallet is hit before you even arrive at their refined establishment with clean lines and simple decor. Few tables also add to the sense of exclusivity. The food and cocktails are, indeed, superb and worth a try if your stomach can handle a tab of close to $1000 for two. For several hours, you will dine on multiple, exquisitely prepared dishes, served at a moderate pace to truly savor the flavors of each bite. For a special occasion, it’s a treat. If you dare to be boldly extravagant and don’t need the money for a vacation, enjoy the experience.