This place used to be called Hokkaido. They've been there a long time. Staff is friendly and attentive. I go there often enough that they know me by name, know that I always drink seltzer and lemon. I sometimes go there with the boys, and...sometimes with my wife.
Now let me start by saying I like sushi. I mean, I really like sushi. Like, Greenpeace gets alerted when I arrive because I may deplete some species from the ocean. Sakaya is my favorite place. Although I recently reviewed the Marriott Grand Cayman and said their Tuna Tower is the best sushi dish I've ever had, my favorite roll is at Sakaya, The Rising Sun. Shrimp tempura and avocado, topped with real crab meat and caviar. Simple enough roll, but the textures, the warmth of the shrimp sort of melting the avocado...it's just beyond ridiculous how good that roll is.
They have salmon belly on the menu. Think toro from a salmon. It's my new favorite thing.
Their prices are slightly higher than other local places, but the quality of their fish is always better than anywhere else. It's worth every penny. It's my favorite place in NY, and there are numerous sushi restaurants to go to in NY.More