I am a huge sushi enthusiast, and recently tried the unassuming-looking tomoe sushi on thompson street. i live around the corner and have always noticed long lines around the block to get in. there's been a lot of talk about this restaurant, and let me just add to it by saying: 1. yes, it really is that incredible. 2. yes, you will wait in line, but not for as long as you think (i waited 15 minutes, a perfect amount of time to get excited about what you're going to order) everything about tomoe is refreshing, not least of which is the superb fish. i grew up in a fishing town and am pretty snotty about these things, and i'm telling you the quality of fish here is outstanding. to top that off, you get huge pieces of fish for your money compared to most other sushi places in the city. try the sushi sampler- it's $25 but so big two people will have to split it. add some appetizers (the seaweed salad actually tastes like the sea; the soft shell crab is perfectly and unpretentiously done), a few ichibans and you can eat like neptune for $30 a head. as if this weren't enough, tomoe adds to its charm with a set of arbitrary rules: closed sunday and tuesday? only american express? what can i say? i'm in love.
