Gari
Prices
Average main course: $30.
AmEx, DC, MC, V.
Description
Masatoshi Sugio, owner of the Upper East Side's beloved Sushi of Gari, has something different in mind for diners on the other side of the park, and it doesn't involve much sushi. At Gari, the expertly crafted raw delicacies that made his other spot famous are a side note here to a long list of cooked Japanese-fusion dishes. Instead of the sushi and sashimi platters, you're directed to hot numbers like a pile of sliced mushima rib-eye beef-it's kobelike in beefy flavor and buttery texture, and in price ($45)-or Chilean sea bass seared crunchy-crisp on one side and left smooth and slippery on the other. Desserts are from an outside source and aren't worth your time or money. It's just as well: The bill adds up quickly, and after our entrées, the rude servers seemed eager to usher us out the door.
Hours
Mon–Thu, Sun 5–11pm; Fri, Sat 5–11:30pm.
This well publicized and highly overrated Japanese eatery should warn customers that it uses two menues, you'll get the less expensive one only when you insist on seeing it. Not good policy. A disappointing experience for quality - not much different from other decent Japanese restaurants, but watch out when you get the bill.... Not funny. You almost feel like not tipping. Our dinner at Gari was two dinners in one: first and last.