Mari

“(Review for visit on 12/26/2025, menu may have changed): Absolutely loved Mari! I’ve experienced a lot of tasting menus in NYC and this one is so unique. We love handrolls and the Korean handroll tasting menu is so unique and fun. Service was crisp and friendly. We loved the egg and caviar, they’re amberjack, and the spicy tuna above all. This is one of the best tasting menus in the city and feels like good value for the money. Love Mari!”

“Just how good can hand rolls be? Turns out it can be pretty darn good. This restaurant exceeded my expectations by a wide margin. The appetizers were amazing, the caviar and eggs and the morel both were full of umami. The hand rolls each had a unique flavor and very picturesque. The dessert and cocktails were also great. The only letdown is the supplement dish Tuna y Tuna which tasted fishy and did not pair well with the sauce. Overall a very enjoyable Michelin star meal and I would definitely return if I have the chance.”

“Mari was such an incredible experience. It was my first omakase, and having that first experience at a Michelin starred restaurant while celebrating my husband’s birthday made it even more special. From the moment we arrived, everything felt thoughtful and elevated. At first, I honestly wasn’t sure I would leave full because of the portion sizes, but course after course kept coming out and I was genuinely surprised by how satisfying the meal was. Every dish felt like its own little surprise, with so many unique flavors, textures, and creative combinations. It kept the entire experience exciting from start to finish. The staff was warm, attentive, and extremely knowledgeable about every course being served. They took the time to explain each dish, which made the meal feel even more immersive and memorable. Yes, it is a bit pricey, but for the quality of the food, level of service, and overall experience, I truly think it’s worth it. I would absolutely recommend Mari to anyone looking for a special dining experience at least once.”

“Mari is a creative and well-executed Korean handroll omakase, and at its price point, it punches above its weight for a Michelin-starred experience. The handrolls are inventive, with each one showcasing bright, fruity, and aromatic flavor profiles. The desserts were a genuine highlight: the traditional Korean potato ball was charming and nostalgic, and the lemon ice cream was a refreshing close to the meal. Service was polished and attentive throughout. That said, my one honest reservation: the seasoning is so forward — fruity, oniony, layered — that the seafood itself gets a bit lost. For a handroll restaurant, that feels like a missed opportunity. The fish should be the star, and here it plays more of a supporting role. Everything is solidly above average, but nothing quite landed that “oh wow” moment I was hoping for. Still, if you’re looking to explore Korean handrolls with Michelin-level creativity and hospitality without breaking the bank, Mari is a very solid choice.”

“TL;DR: decent food, generic wine pairing, disappointing service, pizza-joint ambience. The food: very decent Korean-style seafood focused omakase with tasty hand rolls in the middle and nice desserts to finish. The dishes are small, but there is enough food altogether. Not sure the food really deserves a Michelin star, but it was pretty good. The drinks: to our surprise, the pairing course (7 tiny pairings for $110) was quite generic - only French and Italian wines, no Korean or Asian spirits. There were a few soju/sool/sake options in the wine list, yet our waitress was not very knowledgeable. The service: we booked the 9pm (last sitting) at the chef counter. We were looking for the experience. Everything started ok, but then gradually became rushed. Our chef left the counter (and the restaurant) in a hurry - before serving the main dish - and our razor clam soup was served barely warm. Ambience: The crew started cleaning up the counter and unloading the dishwasher when we were still eating our soup. The manager and waiters drank the remainder of the Champagne from our pairing in the corner and nobody paid any attention to us. It felt more like a midnight pizza joint than a one-star Michelin restaurant. Recommendation for better experience: - do not go with the last sitting - skip the pairing course and educate yourself on Korean sool. - enjoy the food, adjust your expectations for ambience.”