Nobu has Next Door Nobu, Masa has Bar Masa, and Jewel Bako in the East Village has Jewel Bako Makimono. When speaking of sushi, cheapness is relative, so Jewel Bako Makimono is a bargain compared to the mothership.
Tucked into a tiny space on Second Ave., the oblong restaurant's size and shape is reminiscent of an East Village railroad apartment, but decorated with minimalist elegance. A large paper lantern hanging from the ceiling never stops swaying, powered by either air vents or by Zen. The 20-seat front dining room is separated from the back sushi bar by beaded curtains. There is no more than two feet from one table to the next, but the dining room never felt crowded, even during the height of evening rush.
The appetizer menu carefully pared down, with standards such as hijiki salad with tuna sashimi and quail egg, trio of blue fin, salmon, and yellowtail tartares, and white miso soup with dumpling. Sushi rolls, like the simple unagi with scallions and the fancier scallops with avocado and chive oil, were good, but not outstanding. What the restaurant is known for is the freshness of the sashimi, and one bite of the otoro will make you a confirmed believer. Other sashimi selections include tai (Japanese red snapper), snow crab, Spanish mackerel, Jack mackerel, hamachi, kanpachi, and basically, whatever's fresh that the waiter recommends. This is a restaurant that knows its fish.
Omakase options begin at $30, which is almost unheard of. Better bargains can be found elsewhere for fresh sushi, but for high quality eating with atmosphere to boot, Jewel Bako Makimono is a great option. Unless your wallet is desperate to rid itself of Lincolns.
Jewel Bako Makimono
101 2nd Ave. (btwn 5th & 6th)
212-253-7848
Appetizers- $4-$18, Sushi a la carte- $4-$12, Rolls- $5-$16,
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