Craving sushi with a twist? Welcome to Sushi of Gari. Masatoshi “Gari” Sugio, the owner-chef, first came to New York City to assist a friend in opening a Japanese restaurant. Gari noticed that many guests were not eating sushi in the traditional Japanese way. They were using too much soy sauce which masked the delicate flavor of the fish.
Gari tried to guide guests on how to properly enjoy sushi. He then decided to create his own style, where he put sauce directly onto the sushi. This meant customers didn’t need to add soy sauce. Gari believed he could create a variety of sauces that would complement sushi, similar to French and Italian cuisine.
In 1997, Gari opened his first restaurant, Sushi of Gari, on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. It is located at 402 East 78th Street. In 2001, he expanded to Tokyo, Japan. In 2005, he opened a third restaurant on the Upper West Side. A fourth location, Sushi of Gari 46, opened in the Theater District in 2006. Gari also introduced “petite cup-sushi” at the Plaza Food Hall in 2012. He even ventured to the West Coast, opening Sushi of Gari Hollywood in Los Angeles in 2016.
Sushi of Gari is known for its omakase, the chef’s choice. This allows diners to trust Gari’s expertise. His signature style involves topping sushi with unique sauces, creating a dedicated following. Think Tuna with creamy tofu sauce or Japanese Snapper with salad. Black Snapper topped with seaweed and Fluke with mushroom risotto are also customer’s favorites.
In 2013, Zagat gave Sushi of Gari a food rating of 27. It was the second-best food rating in the East 70s. The Michelin Guide awarded it a one-star rating in 2006 and 2009. Executive Chefs Takashi Tomono oversees Sushi of Gari UWS, also known as Gari Columbus. Katsuhiro Ishiyama is the Executive Chef at Sushi of Gari 46.
The focus remains on serving sushi with original sauces and toppings created by Chef Gari. These sauces enhance the sensitive taste of each piece of fish. So when you dine at Sushi of Gari, you are experiencing sushi crafted with passion. You will savor a unique blend of tradition and innovation. This is a culinary journey envisioned by Chef Gari himself.