New York Magazine

Skip to content, or skip to search.

Skip to content, or skip to search.

Home > Restaurants > Aki

All Reader Reviews of...

Aki

181 W. 4th St., New York, NY, 10014
nr. Jones St.
212-989-5440

Avg. Rating

6
Food: 7
Service: 6
Décor: 6
"Mixed Reviews"

Average Reader Rating on a Scale of 10.

64% would go back.

 Write your own review

A place I love and love to share

By shs21 on 4/23/2010

  • Overall Rating: 9
  • Food: 10
  • Service: 7
  • Décor: 7
  • Yes, I would go back!

I have been a frequent and dedicated patron since the first month they opened. I especially recommend sitting at the bar and letting Siggy improvise. This place is a great value for the superb quality they offer.

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes No Request Removal
45 out of 97 people found this review helpful.

My favorite neighborhood restaurant

By rpcvhaiti on 12/19/2008

  • Overall Rating: 8
  • Food: 8
  • Service: 9
  • Décor: 4
  • Yes, I would go back!

I didn't even know Aki existed for the first year living in the village, but over the last 18 months it's become my favorite neighborhood restaurant. It's small and doesn't look like much (inside or out), but the food is great and the service chearful. It's pricier than some sushi places nearby, but cheaper than many places with higher rents, fancier digs and lesser food. One warning (and I agree with the negative reviews on this one), be careful with delivery. I've had very mixed experiences with the delivery, probably because the dishes are meant to be served fresh and do not travel well.

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes No Request Removal
70 out of 124 people found this review helpful.

Decent Japanese Food!

By akp134 on 12/1/2008

  • Overall Rating: 8
  • Food: 9
  • Service: 8
  • Décor: 7
  • Yes, I would go back!

I went to this cozy restaurant on a Saturday night. Because of its compact premise, there was a 30 minute wait. The servers were professional and polite. The food was outstanding, fresh and well-prepared. I especially recommend the miso soup and the oyster roll.

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes No Request Removal
67 out of 132 people found this review helpful.

AKI should be UCKY

By mmoen on 10/15/2008

  • Overall Rating: 3
  • Food: 2
  • Service: 5
  • Décor: (NA)
  • No, I would not go back!

Aki on 181 w 4th :(... I don't know about you but when my tummy is rumbling and my mouth watering.. damn near anything will taste great. not aki; my bf and I ordered safe since it was a new sushi place, a spicy tuna roll, cucumber roll, the dinosaur roll (shrimp avocado, mayo, tobiko) and an EEL entree (BROILED EEL N RICE) called UNAJU. this is the worst sushi I have had!! the eel stunk, it was flavorless and the eel sauce was overpowered with salt, i couldnt even eat 1/2 of it. the tuna was not fresh or spicy In the least bit!! the shrimp was also flavorless, i HAD to add ginger to give it flavor to the texture! disgusting, i am glad i didnt try any sashimi, it is probably 2 days old.. I'll never eat here again, stick to authentic Japanese not the carribean take on it. .. cost me 60$$$ (delivered) .. we r starving and have to find another means probably ordering pizza.. so 80$ down the drain"

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes No Request Removal
69 out of 152 people found this review helpful.

exceptional food

By philippe on 8/21/2008

  • Overall Rating: 9
  • Food: 9
  • Service: 9
  • Décor: 6
  • Yes, I would go back!

I'm not sure I get the reviews of aki, so I decided to add my own. We've lived in the central village for about 8 years, order from here about once a week, and go there once a month. The food is exceptionally fresh. The sushi chefs are perfectionists, and the dishes are light and innnovative. Aki is vastly better, and more interesting, than average sushi establishments in New York. The only way I can understand the negative reviews is that there's another Aki uptown, and people might think that they're reviewing that place.

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes No Request Removal
47 out of 110 people found this review helpful.

Great appetizers, tight fit, good sushi

By maclanders on 2/28/2008

  • Overall Rating: 7
  • Food: 8
  • Service: 7
  • Décor: 5
  • Yes, I would go back!

Being spoiled with West Coast sushi makes it hard in NYC. However, I tried this place at the recommendation of my roommate. The Eel Napoleon was AMAZING! We weren't sure about it but took a chance and it was a hit. Everyone sitting around us had one too! Some people even had there own. The crescent dumplings were sweet and tasty. The Jamaica chicken was different but a nice twist and something creative. Loved the banana boat roll and Caribbean roll if you like fruit in your sushi. Eel sashimi was fresh and good. All in all it was a tight fit with the seating and we felt as though we were in someones small kitchen but it was overall a good experience and I will be back for the Eel Napoleon and banana boat roll

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes No Request Removal
114 out of 210 people found this review helpful.

creative but disappointing

By mmichelson on 7/29/2007

  • Overall Rating: 3
  • Food: 2
  • Service: 3
  • Décor: 5
  • No, I would not go back!

As a devout sushi eater- I expect my fish to at least be fresh. I always get sashimi and the salmon had a metallic taste to it. The white tuna was anything but... try more like a pale gray. I was excited for the carribean roll but not only was the yellowtail not fresh but the mango was past its prime. How this place survives is beyond me. Take your money and go elsewhere.

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes No Request Removal
265 out of 512 people found this review helpful.

Prix fixe

By westvillagecouple on 12/2/2006

  • Overall Rating: 9
  • Food: 9
  • Service: 9
  • Décor: 8
  • Yes, I would go back!

I am hesitant to write this - not wanting to increase competition for those few hard-to-get tables. But there is a fantastic early bird special every night until 7:30ish. It makes this delicious and creative sushi a little more affordable.

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes No Request Removal
332 out of 632 people found this review helpful.

horrible

By ongreenwich on 1/16/2006

  • Overall Rating: 2
  • Food: 2
  • Service: 3
  • Décor: 1
  • No, I would not go back!

I ordered deribary. People on the phone were nice and arrived quickly. But that's the only good part. Food was HORRIBLE. Sushi was dry, Tuna is mushy, Jamaican chicken was just non-tasted chicken roll; Eel Napoleon was also mushy and greasy. Montauk salad was OK, and Tuna tarter was just a big chunk of mushy mashed tuna. I have never so much disappointed Japanese restaurant run by Japanese.

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes No Request Removal
318 out of 657 people found this review helpful.

Excellent Japanese/Jamaican fusion

By cyntseng on 7/17/2004

  • Overall Rating: 8
  • Food: 9
  • Service: 6
  • Décor: 5
  • Yes, I would go back!

This is a tiny place that serves great innovative Japanese dishes. It is a very good thing they take reservation. Go for the tasting menu,they have different price range, depending on your appetite that day. Have been there a few times and it remains one of my favorites in the city.It is casual and it's a great value.

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes No Request Removal
316 out of 659 people found this review helpful.

Add Comment

You will be prompted to sign in with your NYMag or
Facebook account.

  awful average excellent
In determining overall rating, food and service are given more weight.
Rate
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Food
Service
Décor
Would you go back?

Some Hints:

  • The best reviews give a clear sense of why you liked or disliked a restaurant, bar, or store. And that means details. Mention specifics dishes, type of crowd, pros and cons...
  • If it's helpful to compare one place to another, go for it.
  • Come up with clever, funny, pithy subject lines, and write in the first person.
  • Don't forget to read the user rating guidelines and rules.
CloseUpdating your review
By
| Not you?
Advertising
Advertising