Neo sushi on UWS

[Dryden]

Walked by this place a few days ago and was thinking of checking it out... anyone been? Or, any better sushi suggestions in the west 80's-90's?

[Todd36]

Walked by this place a few days ago and was thinking of checking it out...  anyone been?  Or, any better sushi suggestions in the west 80's-90's?

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When it first opened. Thought it was expensive for what it is. I think everything is still ala carte, at premium prices. Don't know about current qualtity, it doesn't get much buzz.

[emmapeel]

I went once for take out. Saw a roll on the menu for $17.00 and selected it even though I thought it was expensive, I thought it must be a very large roll. No, it wasn't, but it was damn good. I just can't justify the prices at Neo, so I haven't returned.

[Jammin]

Maybe I just went on a bad night, but my impression of Neo is that it was a Nobu wannabe that can't execute their versions of the dishes (like the Black Cod with Miso, for example) on the same level. My girlfriend thought their spicy tuna roll was among the best she had ever had, but that was pretty much the only accolade either of us could scrape up for the food.

Despite all this, their price point is comparable to Nobu's (maybe a shade lower). I dunno about you, but for $150, I would expect an experience, not a neighborhood sushi joint.

Lastly, the service was subpar - our waitress could not understand a lick of English, it seemed. We asked for a spoon and she gave us this quizzical look. When she went away, I laughed, looked my girlfriend in the eye and said, "Neo - there is no spoon".

Alternatives you might try - Gari?

Edited April 29, 2005 by Jammin (log)

[Daniel]

I have been to Neo twice.. My thoughts on Neo are.. Extremely cramped and uncomfortable seating and dinning. Forgetfull food, memorable prices.

[Dryden]

Thank you all for the uniformity of your responses.

Anyone have a sushi place on the UWS (doesn't have to be "high-end", whatever that means) that they recommend?

[ellenesk]

Sushi of Gari is way better for the price point. Just sit at the bar, and have them bring it on. For a lower priced option, I like Yuki on 93rd and Amsterdam.

Different league all together.

[cdh]

Last time I went to Gari and let them bring it on, it ended up costing me $200 +. Just so you know and aren't quite as shocked as I was.

Edited April 30, 2005 by cdh (log)

[bloviatrix]

I like Kitaro on Amsterdam between 84 and 85. Try to get Richard as your waiter - he's fabulous.

[DanaT]

Thanks for the heads up on West Side sushi places. I don't go to the West side often but when I do its nice to know a good sushi place. I've heard of Sushi of Gari but never been.

Chris, I would have been surprised at a $200 tab. Do you think the experience was worth it?

[Daniel]

I went to Neo last night for the first time in a few years.. I am glad to see it has lost a lot of its pretensiousness.. Which actually made the experience a lot better..I still think they have problems seating people.. With open tables, the hostess was putting people on top of each other.. Luckily, we remained pretty secluded..

Dinner was 200 bucks with four drinks, a couple appetizers, and not many pieces of sushi.. The fish is of very high quality.. The plate presentation is really pretty as well. It just struck me all as very boring however.. The Tamago has the least taste out of any I have ever ordered.. Created my own roll there.. Got a lobster roll with avocado and Tobiko..

I would go back, just cause its close. The cooked food looks a little more interesting.. Has anyone had the tasting menu there? Is it more of a value then ordering pieces..