Jewel Bako

Creative & fresh sashimi, served at right temperative, elegant presentation, attentive service but not overly so, wait staff is knowledgeable. Nice sake and wine list. Good for a date or business dinner. YUMMY.

Simply put jewel bako is the gold standard.

I had my first meal at Jewel Bako on a Friday at 9:30 and I wish I had tried this fantastic place sooner. I called to check on seating; the phone was answered immediately by a live human being who told me to come on in. The bar was full and the dining room was 75% full so we were seated at a table near the front door. My date and I both ordered the sushi omakase. I asked to have the pieces served in multiple courses instead of one big platter and the host accomodated me. Most places won't do that. We both found that every piece was excellent. Properly sized small to be eaten in one bite; not too much rice; perfect temperature; dense, flavorful, fresh. All the pieces were spieled expertly by the host, who was our server. Half of them were from Japan. It was much better sushi than my previous neighborhood favorite Hasaki, though I still love their red miso soup and other wonderful cooked dishes. Kanoyama on the other hand can't hold a candle to Jewel Bako in my opinion, in food quality, service and the room. The last time I had sushi and sake I liked this much was at Sushi Seki, and I paid a bit more and ate in a much plainer room. The sashimi amuse-bouche and white miso soup we started with were also very good. The comped green tea ice cream sandwich at the end was superb both in presentation and the eating. I was happy with all the decor and tableware choices. The wasabi was fresh, as I would expect, but grating it at tableside is a nice way to educate patrons who may not have known the difference. The sushi omakase was 55 per and then we spent about another 80 each on alcohol. The sake and wine list is easy to use with clear descriptions of the sake available. The pour is done at the table which I appreciate. There's a good selection of European wine styles along with the sake--a welcome touch that is missing at most neighborhood Japanese fine dining places. They played lounge downtempo music the whole time, which I find unobjectionable but soulless. I'd appreciate them mixing it up a little in the spirit of the neighborhood. Frank restaurant, around the corner, does such a good job of this. This is my new favorite downtown Japanese restaurant.

i went to jewel bako on a sat night with my husband and had an amazing experience. i got the sushi roll tasting & he got the sushi/sashimi tasting. the fish was so fresh & different than any other sushi restaurant in nyc. i wish my meal had like 1 or 2 extra pieces but other than that it was perfect, next time i might order an extra piece of sashimi (it's too good, you just want to keep eating!!) we got the delicious ice cream sandwich for dessert and they brought us 2!! so yummy! the whole meal was perfection!

Sounds like HJ has some kind of self-image issue - we have never worn a suit or taken a credit card to JB and have had great service and a great experience all the way. Went for our anniversary last year and returning for New Years this year...always a very interesting selection of fish (not just the basics), fresh and well prepared. Compared with a lot of high-end sushi joints, very reasonably priced.

good sushi in a nice dinning room jam packed with the corporate set trying to feel hip and in the know in East Vill. wear a suit and take your corporate card or you'll be treated like rotten fish in this lovely little spot.

Jewel Bako is still great. The fish is fresher than ever, I mean melt in your mouth good. Service is just lovely and the place is particularly beautiful, designed with elegance and comfort in mind, despite the small space. Order the yellowtail sampler appetizer and the Japanese snow crab roll. I'll be back after the next couple paychecks.