Sushi Nakazawa

Sushi Nakazawa at 23 Commerce Street in the West Village, Manhattan, is an omakase sushi restaurant led by chef Daisuke Nakazawa, who trained under Jiro Ono and appeared in the documentary Jiro Dreams of Sushi. The restaurant opened in the mid-2010s and quickly became one of the most sought-after sushi reservations in New York City. The cuisine is Edomae-style sushi served as a chef-selected omakase, with each piece prepared and presented in sequence. The menu is built around fish sourced from Japan and elsewhere, with rice seasoned in the traditional style and nigiri served one piece at a time. Uni, or sea urchin, and tamago, the sweet layered egg that traditionally closes the meal, are among the courses associated with the restaurant, though the exact selection changes with the season and the market. The dining experience centres on the sushi counter, where guests sit facing the chefs and watch each piece being prepared, though a dining room is also available. The atmosphere is intimate, quiet and focused, and diners generally speak softly. There is no formal dress code, but smart casual clothing is typical, and strong perfume is best avoided at a sushi counter. Prices are in the $$$$ range, with the counter omakase costing considerably more than the dining room option, and drinks and service are additional. The beverage programme covers sake, wine, beer and Japanese whisky, and pairings can be added. Reservations are essential and are made through Resy or the restaurant's website. Prime counter seats and weekend times book out well in advance, so visitors should plan several weeks ahead and check for released slots. The street is a quiet residential block in the West Village, near Bedford Street and Seventh Avenue South, and the neighbourhood's cafes and bars make it easy to pair dinner with a walk.