Sushi Amane

Verdict

Book Sushi Amane if a Michelin-starred, counter-format omakase in Midtown is what you're after. It earns its Pearl Recommended status and its 2024 Michelin star through technical precision, sourcing discipline, and a service cadence that respects the format without performing it. At $$$$, it sits in the same price tier as Masa and Sushi Noz, but the experience skews more intimate and less theatrical than either. For a special occasion dinner where quality of fish and rice matters more than spectacle, this is the right room.

The Experience

Sushi Amane operates out of 245 E 44th St in Midtown East, downstairs from street level. The descent into a worn wood counter is the first signal that this is not a room built for Instagram — it is built for eating. The counter accommodates slightly more than a handful of guests, which means the room stays quiet enough for conversation and focused enough that the progression of courses holds your attention throughout the evening.

Chef Shion Uino runs the kitchen with a progression that follows a traditional omakase arc: light appetizers open the meal, the sushi sequence follows, and the evening closes with warm miso soup and Okinawa brown sugar sorbet. The rice is sharply seasoned with multiple kinds of vinegar — a detail that matters more than most diners expect , and fish are sourced directly from Japan. A rich nikiri glaze finishes many of the nigiri pieces. The appetizer stage includes preparations like pounded ankimo with pickles and fried amadai with hairy crab. These are not incidental bites; they set the register for what follows and signal that the kitchen is working with real technical intent.

On the service question , which at this price tier is always a fair one to ask , Sushi Amane does not offer the white-glove formality of Sushi Nakazawa or the grand-gesture hospitality of Masa. What it offers instead is focused, unhurried attention from a small team in a small room. For a date dinner or a celebration that does not need the trappings of a grand dining room, that restraint works in the venue's favour. The intimacy of the counter format means you are close to the preparation, and the pacing is controlled by the kitchen rather than the clock. That is the trade you are making at Amane: depth over polish.

For diners who want the counter experience but find the Midtown address inconvenient, Kosaka in the West Village is worth considering. Sushi Yasuda, also in Midtown, offers a more accessible price point if the $$$$ tier is a stretch. For a similarly priced omakase with a different style emphasis, Sushi Noz on the Upper East Side is the direct peer comparison worth making: Noz is more formal, Amane is more focused. Both are legitimate at their price.

If you are planning a broader New York itinerary around this dinner, Pearl's full New York City restaurants guide, hotels guide, and bars guide are useful starting points. For experiences and wineries in the city, see also our experiences guide and wineries guide.

Internationally, omakase at this tier is a competitive category. Sushi Masaki Saito in Toronto and Endo at The Rotunda in London are the closest peer comparisons outside the US. Within the US, the counter-format fine dining conversation includes places like Lazy Bear in San Francisco and Alinea in Chicago, though the cuisine categories differ significantly. For those travelling from other US cities with strong restaurant scenes, Providence in Los Angeles, Emeril's in New Orleans, and Single Thread Farm in Healdsburg represent the comparable splurge tier in their respective markets.

Ratings & Recognition

• Pearl Recommended Restaurant (2025)
• Michelin 1 Star (2024)
• Google Rating: 4.6 / 5 (192 reviews)

Booking

Sushi Amane operates Tuesday through Saturday, 6 PM to 11 PM, and is closed Sunday and Monday. Given the small counter size, demand is high relative to available seats. Treat this as a hard booking , plan well ahead, particularly for Friday and Saturday evenings. The format does not accommodate walk-ins in any realistic sense. Confirm the booking method directly with the venue, as no online booking link is currently listed.

Practical Details

FAQ

• What should I order at Sushi Amane? There is no ordering , the format is omakase, meaning the kitchen decides the progression. Expect light appetizers such as ankimo and fried amadai to open the meal, followed by a nigiri sequence using fish sourced directly from Japan, and a closing of miso soup and Okinawa brown sugar sorbet. Your job is to show up hungry and on time.
• Does Sushi Amane handle dietary restrictions? Contact the venue directly before booking to discuss any dietary needs. Omakase formats are built around a fixed progression, which makes significant substitutions difficult. Serious allergies or restrictions should be communicated at the time of reservation, not on the night.
• Is the tasting menu worth it at Sushi Amane? Yes, if omakase is the format you want. The Michelin star and Pearl Recommended status both point to a kitchen executing at the level the price demands. If you are uncertain whether omakase suits you , fixed menu, counter seating, no à la carte flexibility , consider Sushi Yasuda first, which offers more flexibility at a lower price point.
• What should I wear to Sushi Amane? No dress code is formally listed, but the Michelin-starred counter format and $$$$ price tier set a clear register. Smart casual is the floor , well-fitting trousers and a collared shirt for men, equivalent effort for women. Showing up in gym clothes would be the wrong read of the room.
• Is Sushi Amane worth the price? At the $$$$ tier, Amane justifies the spend through sourcing (fish direct from Japan), technical execution (multi-vinegar rice seasoning, nikiri-glazed nigiri), and a Michelin star earned in a city with no shortage of competition. It is not the most expensive omakase in New York , Masa sits well above it , but it delivers enough precision to make the price defensible for the right diner.
• Is lunch or dinner better at Sushi Amane? Sushi Amane does not serve lunch. The kitchen operates Tuesday through Saturday evenings only, opening at 6 PM. There is no choice to make here , dinner is the only option.
• Is Sushi Amane good for solo dining? Yes. Counter omakase is one of the formats that genuinely works for solo diners , you are seated at the bar, engaged with the preparation, and the pacing is controlled by the kitchen. You will not feel conspicuous or underpaced. It is also one of the better ways to experience the restaurant without the coordination overhead of a group booking.
• What should a first-timer know about Sushi Amane? A few things worth knowing before you go: the restaurant is downstairs, below street level. The counter is small , arrive on time, because a late arrival disrupts the omakase pacing for everyone. The progression is fixed; do not expect to request adjustments on the night. Confirm your booking method directly with the venue, as no online reservation link is currently published. Budget for the full $$$$ experience including any beverage pairing. And note the closure on Sundays and Mondays when planning around travel.