Omakase Room by Shin Opens in Midtown NYC

Following the success of its flagship restaurant, Omakase Room by Mitsu, the Omakase Room group has launched a second location in Midtown Manhattan at 145 W 53rd Street.

Like the original, Omakase Room by Shin will offer an intimate, high-end dining experience guided by the traditional Japanese concept of kaiseki, in which a procession of small Japanese-inspired dishes descends on diners throughout the evening, omakase style.

Just two sittings of ten guests are available to book per day, making Omakase Room by Shin a strong contender as one of NYC’s most exclusive reservations.

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Savory egg custard will be a menu staple / ©The Group

Chef

Chef Shin Yamaoka’s culinary career began in Gifu in central Japan, but he eventually relocated to NYC. Here, he took on roles at some of the city’s most celebrated sushi restaurants, including Avenue A, Blue Ribbon Sushi and Brushstrokes. 

“My previous roles as both a sushi chef and a kaiseki chef at some of New York City’s finest Japanese restaurants have transformed my approach to culinary practice,” says chef Shin. 

“Being immersed in a city that embraces diversity has helped me embrace the idea of transformation within my cuisine while ensuring traditional Japanese techniques are the backbone of my menu.”

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Chef Shin Yamaoka / ©The Group

Menu

Priced at $225 per person, Omakase Room by Shin takes diners through a 15-course menu in an interactive, informal environment. The chefs here are not just cooking a meal; they are orchestrating an entire evening’s entertainment. 

Traditional sushi preparation forms a core part of the menu, and guests can expect a number of classic pieces including kanpachi sushi, salmon sushi and eel sushi, as well as signature toro and uni handrolls.

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Traditional sushi preparation forms a core part of the menu / ©The Group

Tomago / ©The Group

A savory set custard and a finale of red miso soup are both planned to be regular inclusions, too. Tamago, a sweet Japanese omelet, will conclude the menu.

As is standard in traditional omakase experiences, Shin and his chefs craft their menus around seasonal availability, creating dishes based on the finest, freshest ingredients of the day.

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Interiors

Interiors are intimate, minimalist and welcoming / ©The Group

As with most omakase restaurants, Omakase Room by Shin’s interiors are intimate, minimalist and welcoming. The ten seats are arranged around an open sushi counter, with each dish prepared by hand in front of diners.

French designer Pierre Renart has utilized curved edges, natural woods and slatted screens to create a cocoon-like space – an evening here is intended to be a secluded experience, away from the bustle of NYC’s streets.

Omakase by Shin, 145 W 53rd St, New York City, NY 10019, omakaseroom.com