WEST VILLAGE — A new Japanese restaurant opening on Christopher Street aims to meet a Japanese ideal called "kodawari," meaning "an uncompromising and obsessive devotion to a craft," according to its chef, Yoichi Akashi.
Akashi's 25 years of experience in both Japan and the U.S. includes a stint as the chef de cuisine at the famous West Village restaurant Sushi Nakazawa.
Akashi's new namesake restaurant is his first solo venture, opening Wednesday, Oct. 5, at 15 Christopher St., at the corner of Gay Street.
The opening was delayed a week after a typhoon hit Japan in September, preventing Akashi from sourcing the fresh fish he wanted to serve.
The chef plans to exclusively serve a multi-course "omakase kappo" menu starting at $200 per person.
One of the dishes at Akashi is Murasaki (purple) Uni with soy-marinated Ikura (salmon roe), seaweed and red vinegar rice. Photo Credit: Brent Herrig Photography for Akashi
The menu will vary depending on the chef's inclinations and what's in season, with fish sourced daily from Japan and the U.S. coasts, and each dish will be prepared immediately before being served.
Beverage offerings include saké, wine and beer, including locally produced wines from Red Hook Winery as well as international options from France, Italy and Australia.
Diners can opt for suggested beverage pairings, with prices ranging from $30 for a flight of three sakes to $95 for an array that includes, wine, sake and beer.
The 500-square-foot restaurant is minimal in design, with soft bamboo and a century-old stone wall, a 10-seat sushi counter plus eight table seats and a private dining room that can fit up to 10 diners.
Photo Credit: Brent Herrig Photography for Akashi
Akashi, 14 Christopher St., 212-367-2067. Seating times 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, closed Sundays. Reservations are required and can be made through OpenTable or by calling the restaurant.
