1. 1. 15 East

   15 E. 15th St., nr. Union Sq. W.; 212-647-0015

   The old Tocqueville space reopens on December 16 with a modern Japanese-inspired menu created by chef-partner Marco Moreira, and with Jewel Bako veteran Masato Shimizu installed behind the nine-seat sushi bar.

2. 2. Sasabune

   401 E. 73rd St., nr. first Ave.; 212-249-8583

   A Los Angeles transplant with a strictly omakase policy and a sign that reads "Trust Me."

3. 3. Sumile

   154 W. 13th St., nr. Seventh Ave.; 212-989-7699

   By the third week of December, the front-room bar will have been converted to a sushi counter dispensing raw-fish riffs fit to complement the kitchen’s French-Japanese fusion.

Related:

• Archive: “Food Features”
• Articles by Robin Raisfeld | Rob Patronite
• Table of Contents: Dec 18, 2006 issue of New York | Subscribe!