Omakase Shihou (Shiro) - Midtown

“Omakase Shiro is an absolute gem for sushi lovers. Every bite feels like a little masterpiece. The fish is incredibly fresh, and the flavors are perfectly balanced especially the Wagyu, o-toro, and the red snapper belly (if I got that right). The richness of the Wagyu, the melt-in-your-mouth o-toro, and the delicate, buttery snapper belly… honestly, I could go on forever. The ambiance adds to the experience—cozy, elegant, and intimate, making it feel like a special occasion even on a regular night. The staff are attentive, friendly, and really make you feel taken care of, while the chef’s skill and creativity shine in every plate. From presentation to flavor, it’s clear a lot of thought goes into every detail. The only small thing I’d note is that I mentioned it was my friend’s birthday when making the reservation, so a little candle on the dessert would have been a nice touch—but it didn’t take away from the incredible experience. If you love sushi and omakase, this place is a must. I left full, happy, and already planning my next visit!”

“We went for a birthday dinner and thoroughly enjoyed it. Not a place that you will be in and out quickly, but the experience was well curated and the appetizers and sushi were really great. Watching the chef make everything at the counter service was definitely worth it!”

“One of the best omakase experiences I’ve ever had! From start to finish, everything was exceptional. Our server, Talia, was incredibly kind, attentive, and knowledgeable—especially when it came to sake. Her recommendations were spot on and really elevated the meal. Chef Leo was warm and welcoming, taking the time to thoughtfully explain each dish, which added a personal touch that we really appreciated. The appetizers were beautifully presented and absolutely delicious. The nigiri selection for the night was outstanding, featuring a variety of creamy textures and incredibly fresh, well-prepared fish. Every bite was a delight. This place is truly a gem—we’ll definitely be back!”

“Me and my bf went here and it’s a very nice, pleasant experience. The Chef Leo is very knowledgeable and kind. He chatted with us and shared his chef experience, very inspiring and cool. The waitress is kind too. We would recommend anyone to come here to try. Will come back again!”

“TLDR; Service was good, atmosphere was casual, sushi was disappointing—different story if it was ~$80-100. ($155, counter menu) First time in NYC, wanted to find a good omakase spot and looked through Google/Reddit to find Omakase Shihou, where people said the sushi was "traditional" and "no sauces". This couldn't be further from the truth. It was my first time eating sushi that had furikake and chili garlic crisp oil as toppings/sauce. Beyond that, the fish slices were cut quite thin (making it photogenic, but not a great eating experience for the price) and pickled ginger (if anyone cares) was cut too thick but flavor was good. The appetizers were also not great as they were brought out from somewhere (not the counter) and didn't look or taste great, which made me think they were prepped prior and simply taken out from a refrigerator from the back. Service-wise, the waiters/waitresses and sushi chef are nice, however, the counter experience isn't as personal/traditional as you'd expect from this price point/reviews online. The food also came out sporadically, with the whole meal lasting about 2 hours for 19 courses, which was not well-paced as sometimes the transition time between courses would be anywhere from 3 to 20 minutes. Highlights, 2 dishes: hokkaido scallop and A5 wagyu with uni. Do what you will with that information. + the storefront sign threw me off before walking in. It's in bright green neon lights and the first floor is bar/table seating (w/ counter in 2nd flr). Reserved for 8:30pm the day prior.”