Sushi has become a pretty standard fare for New York diners, to the point that it’s probably declassee to even suggest going out for sushi, with all the other fads going on out there. Sushi Ganso, however, provides an experience to go against that, presenting delicious and fresh sushi in a wonderful setting.
You can enter Sushi Ganso from the street, or through the adjoining restaurant, Ganso Yaki. You can order sushi in Ganso Yaki, if you want, but the dining area in Sushi Ganso is quiet and feels like a hidden retreat, so I don’t know why you’d want to sit anywhere else (even the main door is kind of obscure, since as I was walking out, I had to step around two people who thought it was a not highly trafficked stoop).
Under the leadership of Executive Sushi Chef Tomo Hayashi, Sushi Ganso is also expanding its small plate menu for the fall, with sublime offerings like skirt steak takaki; yuzu-grilled mackerel; and “asari buttah,” asari clams in butter and soy sauce.
Currently, there is a happy hour menu, from 5-7, including drink specials and a number of appetizers. I had the Duck Wings. Same idea as chicken wings, these are fried, and coated in a lightly spicy sauce and tossed with sesame seeds. I wasn’t brave enough to eat the pepper that comes with it, but the wings were very delicious, though I can’t imagine sharing any!
The main course was the Omakase, or the chef’s choice of 10 pieces of sushi and one roll, all based on what is available and fresh that day. I’m not a sushi connoisseur (or a huge fan of fish, in a lot of cases) but everything here tasted incredibly fresh and was very light. The layout is gorgeous, and the pieces were more than enough, despite their small size.
The meal finished off with a Yazu Cheesecake. Having done the whole mochi ice cream thing, and red bean everything, this sounded different. Yazu is a tart Japanese citrus fruit, and the chef has created a marmalade like sauce to go over the cheesecake, blending the two flavors and making a truly one of a kind dish that is going to be hard to find anywhere else.
Sushi Ganso is a pretty easy trip into Brooklyn and is well worth it! The sushi is fresh, well made, and charming and served in a trendy but relaxed atmosphere. For more information on their menu and creative team, check out their webpage.