Tsumo UWS

New York City's dining scene is legendary for its diversity, but when it comes to high-quality omakase, the price tag can often be daunting. Enter Tsumo UWS, a beloved gem on the Upper West Side that's changing the game by offering an exceptional and surprisingly affordable sushi experience. This isn't just another sushi restaurant; it's a meticulously crafted culinary journey where traditional artistry meets modern accessibility, making it a firm favorite among New Yorkers seeking top-tier sushi without breaking the bank.

Tsumo UWS prides itself on delivering a "casual omakase fare" that doesn't compromise on quality or flavor. From the moment you step into its beautifully decorated space, you're embarking on a delightful exploration of fresh, expertly prepared seafood. The chefs meticulously present each piece, offering descriptions that enhance your understanding and appreciation of the flavors. Whether you're a seasoned sushi connoisseur or looking to celebrate a special occasion with an unforgettable meal, Tsumo UWS promises an experience that consistently impresses. This article will delve into what makes Tsumo UWS a standout in New York's competitive sushi landscape, highlighting its location, services, unique features, and why it's perfectly suited for locals.

Tsumo UWS is conveniently located at 782 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10025, USA, placing it in the heart of Manhattan's vibrant Upper West Side. This address on Amsterdam Avenue positions the restaurant in a bustling area, easily accessible for both neighborhood residents and those traveling from other parts of the city. The surrounding environment is a mix of residential charm and lively commercial activity, making it a natural fit for a popular dining spot.

For New Yorkers utilizing public transportation, Tsumo UWS boasts excellent accessibility. The restaurant is a comfortable walk from several subway stations, including the 86th Street and 96th Street stations, which serve the 1, 2, and 3 lines, as well as the B and C lines. This connectivity ensures that patrons from various boroughs can reach the restaurant with ease. Additionally, numerous bus routes operate along Amsterdam Avenue and nearby cross-town streets, further enhancing its convenience. Its straightforward location makes it a practical and appealing choice for a wide range of local diners.

Tsumo UWS specializes in a focused and high-quality omakase experience, designed for efficiency and enjoyment, catering primarily to dine-in patrons while also providing convenient takeout options.

• Dine-In Omakase Experience: The core service is a chef-curated omakase, offering a multi-course sushi tasting. Guests are often served directly by the chef at the counter, who provides descriptions of each piece. The experience is designed to be "pretty quick" and adheres to a timed schedule (e.g., 60 minutes for lunch, 75 minutes for dinner) to maintain affordability and efficiency.
• Tiered Omakase Options: Tsumo UWS offers different omakase tiers to suit various preferences:
  • Lunch Omakase: An 11-course experience priced at $48 per person, typically lasting 60 minutes.
  • Dinner Omakase: A more extensive 13-course experience priced at $58 per person, lasting 75 minutes.
  These structured courses provide a clear expectation for diners and contribute to the restaurant's value proposition.
• À La Carte Nigiri and Hand Rolls: While omakase is the main draw, Tsumo also offers an à la carte menu for individual nigiri pieces (e.g., Madai, Yellowtail, Salmon, Unagi, Wagyu, Chu Toro, O Toro Caviar, Hokkaido Uni) and hand rolls (e.g., Negi Toro, Scallop, Wagyu Uni, Hokkaido Uni), allowing for customization or additional orders.
• Beverage Selection: The restaurant offers a selection of beverages to complement the sushi, including praised options like Yuzu sake, which customers find "amazing."
• Attentive Hospitality Staff: Beyond the chef, the general hospitality staff are noted for being "very attentive," thoughtfully refilling water, and contributing to a special and enjoyable dining atmosphere. They also accommodate dietary restrictions (e.g., asking about shrimp allergies beforehand).
• Online Reservations: Reservations for both lunch and dinner omakase can be conveniently made online via platforms like Resy, ensuring a seamless booking process for New Yorkers planning their visit.
• Takeout Options: Tsumo UWS offers "Omakase To Go" for $58, which includes "Twelve pieces of Chef's Choice nigiri and 1 maki roll." They also provide other takeout options like Unagi Don and Everything Don (Negi Toro, Scallop, Uni, Botan Ebi, and Ikura over rice), available for order via text.

Tsumo UWS stands out with several distinct features and culinary highlights that make it a highly desirable destination for sushi lovers in New York City.

• Exceptional Quality at an Unbeatable Price Point: This is arguably Tsumo's most lauded feature. Customers consistently express that for its price point, "no other omakase place beats the quality of Tsumo." The fish is described as "super fresh and thought out," comparable to what you'd expect in Japan, yet offered at a remarkably affordable rate for New York City.
• Generous Fish Portions: Diners appreciate that "each serving had a ton of fish," indicating generous and satisfying cuts of seafood on each piece of nigiri.
• Diverse Seafood Selection, Including Premium Cuts: The omakase offers a "great variety of seafood," including highly prized pieces like "unagi and o toro and chu toro," and even "some wagyu at the end," providing a luxurious experience within an affordable framework.
• Expert Chef Presentations: Chefs engage with diners, providing "descriptions of each piece of sushi as he presented them," enhancing the educational and appreciative aspects of the meal. This attention to detail and personal interaction elevates the dining experience.
• Beautiful and Elegant Ambiance: The restaurant boasts a "beautiful place" with "simply and elegant" decorations. The "Tsumo sign inside the front entrance is beautiful," contributing to a pleasant and sophisticated atmosphere without being overly formal.
• Efficient and Timed Omakase: The "75 minute schedule" for dinner omakase (and 60 minutes for lunch) keeps the experience moving "pretty quick," allowing for efficient turnover which, in turn, helps keep the prices affordable while maintaining high quality.
• Attentive and Accommodating Service: Beyond the chef's interaction, the hospitality staff is "very attentive" and "caring," ensuring water refills and even accommodating dietary restrictions (like a friend who "couldn’t eat shrimp"), making the dining experience comfortable and personalized.
• Delicious Beverage Options: The "Yuzu sake" is particularly highlighted as "delicious," indicating a well-curated beverage program that complements the sushi.

Tsumo UWS's primary "special offers" are embedded within its core omakase pricing structure, which provides exceptional value for the quality of sushi received, a significant draw for New York City diners.

• Affordable Omakase Tiers: The structured pricing for their omakase experiences is their standout value proposition:
  • Lunch Omakase: An 11-course meal for $48 is an extremely competitive price for high-quality omakase in Manhattan.
  • Dinner Omakase: A 13-course meal for $58 also represents outstanding value, especially considering the inclusion of premium fish like O Toro, Chu Toro, and Wagyu.
  This deliberate affordability is a consistent "promotion" in itself.
• Generous Portions: Customers frequently comment on the "ton of fish" in each serving and the fact that the portion sizes, like the Unagi Don, could easily feed "two persons but could be handled by one," indicating excellent value for money.
• "Omakase To Go" Option: For $58, the takeout omakase provides 12 pieces of Chef's Choice nigiri and 1 maki roll, offering a convenient way to enjoy the Tsumo experience at home at a price point similar to their dine-in dinner omakase.
• Focus on Quality Ingredients: The restaurant's commitment to "super fresh" fish, including premium cuts, at these price points is a continuous benefit to the customer, ensuring high quality is accessible.

To experience the highly-rated omakase at Tsumo UWS or for any inquiries, please use the following contact details:

Address: 782 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10025, USA

Phone: (929) 728-2805

Mobile Phone: +1 929-728-2805

For reservations, it is highly recommended to use their online reservation platform, such as Resy, linked from their website, to secure your desired time slot, as their value and popularity can lead to quick bookings.

For New Yorkers on the Upper West Side and beyond, Tsumo UWS emerges as an exceptionally suitable and highly recommended destination for an unparalleled sushi experience. Its convenient location on Amsterdam Avenue, easily accessible via multiple subway lines, makes it a hassle-free choice for a spontaneous meal or a planned celebration.

What truly sets Tsumo UWS apart for locals is its revolutionary approach to omakase: delivering "excellent quality" sushi, comparable to what one might expect in Japan, at an "affordable price point" that's almost unmatched in New York City. The generous portions of "super fresh" fish, including coveted O Toro, Chu Toro, and even Wagyu, provide a truly luxurious experience without the usual luxury cost. The elegant yet inviting decor, combined with the chef's engaging descriptions and the "very attentive" hospitality staff, creates a memorable and personalized dining experience. Whether you're preparing for a trip to Japan, celebrating a birthday, or simply craving an exceptional sushi journey on a weeknight, Tsumo UWS offers a consistent blend of quality, value, and impeccable service that makes it a true gem and a go-to spot for discerning New Yorkers.

Tsumo UWS

782 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10025, USA