Shuko

"Usually, you end up eating in Union Square because that’s what’s most convenient. Maybe you’re meeting friends all coming from different neighborhoods, or maybe you’re picking up a salad after you took a workout class, because those are the primary activities of Union Square. But there are no situations in which you just end up at Shuko. You have to plan to come to this fantastic Japanese restaurant—and you absolutely should. The omakase at the bar here is one of the greatest special-occasion experiences you can have in this city." - willa moore, bryan kim, matt tervooren

"Upscale service with a downtown vibe is the theme at this narrow, Union Square sushi spot from Masa and Neta vets Jimmy Lau and Nick Kim. Dedicated to serving top-level sushi, and with a devout following from none other than Jay-Z and Beyoncé, the place is still going strong after nearly a decade. Here, customers will find bites garnished with luxury ingredients like caviar and gold leaf to truffle, and the single omakase runs $270. Book reservations online." - Nadia Chaudhury

"Upscale service with a downtown vibe is the theme at Shuko, the narrow, Union Square sushi spot from Masa and Neta vets Jimmy Lau and Nick Kim. Dedicated to serving top-level sushi, and with a devout following from none other than Jay-Z and Beyoncé, the place is still going strong after almost a decade. Here, customers will find bites garnished with luxury ingredients like caviar and gold leaf to truffle, and the single omakase runs $270." - Eater Staff

"As of June 10th, Shuko near Union Square has reopened for limited takeout service. They’re open Wednesday through Saturday from 1pm to 8:30pm, and you can order directly through their website ." - hannah albertine

"Everyone will have a great time at Shuko, but the Union Square restaurant has special appeal for a very specific type: someone who wants an upscale experience that isn’t too stuffy. The chefs behind the 20-seat counter wear Shuko-branded baseball caps, and—rather than the typical silence or jazz—the dramatically lit room is filled with the sweet sounds of Skee-Lo and the Beastie Boys. At $270, the roughly 18-course omakase is firmly in the "major birthday or anniversary" camp, and, while the types of fish are similar to what you’d find at a 60-minute omakase, the service and attention to detail make this place worth it. You’ll eat shima aji and ocean trout over warm, well-seasoned rice, and they will be some of the finest pieces of shima aji and ocean trout you’ve encountered." - bryan kim, neha talreja, hannah albertine, will hartman