On the East Coast, Kissaki Greenwich is already synonymous with excellent omakase (multi-course meals selected by the chef and customized for each diner), gorgeous aesthetics, and outstanding service, despite having only opened this year. Naturally, when we found ourselves with a free evening, we made reservations to try it out for ourselves. We were extremely impressed with how fresh, decadent, and flavorful each of our 16 courses was. Come along with me as I recount our delightful Omakase experience, which has earned itself a place amidst our favorite meals of all time.
Kissaki Greenwich
Location: Greenwich, CT
Address: 355 Greenwich Ave
Greenwich, CT 06830
Food Type: Japanese Omakase
Dining Experience: Indoor
Price: $275+ per Person
Dress Code: Smart Casual +
Reservations: Recommended
Special Diets: Gluten-Free (not GF dedicated),
Pescatarian
Read my Omakase Etiquette Guide to learn the ins and outs of Omakase dining!
About Kissaki Greenwich
Kissaki Greenwich’s focus is on sustainability, using their own private Fish & Wildlife licenses, meaning that they can go to the source of the freshest uni, fish, seafood, and caviar directly from Japan. By selecting the choicest ingredients at the source and bringing them straight back to the East Coast, they negate the need for wasting fish and only bring back the best of the best. The only way to find fresher fish is to go to Japan directly!
Using the finest culinary ingredients and carefully honed, authentic techniques, the expert sushi chefs at Kissaki Greenwich prepare each course by hand, serving it directly to each guest for the freshest, most intimate Japanese sushi experience in Connecticut.
The Ambience
Outside, the restaurant appears unassuming at first glance. The soft white exterior and opaque windows obscure the elegant yet understated atmosphere that awaits diners inside. Through thick, flowing, deep blue curtains, guests enter the restaurant to find an almost surreal environment, where thoughtfully placed lighting expertly reveals what’s most important to diners: the sushi counter and simple dining room tables upon which their Omakase will be served. In the summer months, the door is a curtain, meaning that a fresh, cool breeze rolls over guests inside the restaurant, making the experience even more pleasant.
The walls are the same deep navy blue as the curtains, adorned with golden outlines of fish swimming around the restaurant. Round, flush light features glowed enchantingly against the golden fish, and as we walked through the restaurant, they almost seemed to jump off the walls as the light sparkled against the subtle, golden paint.
The entire restaurant was beautifully appointed, with enough details to be interesting without becoming overwhelming.
Our Meals
We each selected the 16-course Omakase meals, and I had notified them a few days earlier of my gluten allergy, which they easily accommodated. I couldn’t have been happier with our decision, and although we left feeling full, we didn’t feel stuffed or uncomfortable. With a light brunch about 7 hours before our reservation, we had had plenty of time to work up an appetite. Each unbelievably flavorful bite complimented the next perfectly, and the chef kept the pacing up, so we never felt rushed or as though we were left without food for long.
Keep in mind our meals will look a little different from what you might receive, as mine was gluten-free (which ended up not changing much), and because their menu changes nightly based on what’s freshest and seasonally available.
3-Course Appetizers at Kissaki
Courses 1-3 were appetizers. From left to right, they were hotate (sea scallop) sashimi with beluga caviar served on a scallop shell, sunomono cucumber salad with wakame nori, and la-yu chili oil, and finally yellowfin, uni, pumpkin purée green apple. All three were absolutely phenomenal and so rich.
Courses 4-7
8th Course at Kissaki
Courses 9-12
I had never had Japanese Barracuda or any kind of barracuda before, but it’s one of my new favorite foods. Our 9th course, torched Japanese barracuda nigiri, had such a light, lingering flavor and an almost buttery consistency. If you’ve never tried barracuda but have the chance to do so, I can’t recommend giving it a go highly enough!
Next, we had Ice Mackeral with grated green apple, which was delicious and reminiscent of traditional autumn flavors.
After that, we had Hokkaido sea scallops (hotate) with ikura, which is large golden orange salmon roe.
The 12th course was the “Almond Joy” nigiri, which is Akami lean tuna with a whole toasted almond tucked underneath the fish along with wasabi, topped with shiitake mushroom. The almond gave an unexpected crunch but contributed a deliciously subtle nutty flavor to the deep earthy flavor of the shiitake mushrooms and the fresh, cool bluefin tuna; a combination unlike anything I’ve ever had before. The combination of flavors was so incredibly complex and joyful. This was another favorite course of ours.
Courses 13-15
Gluten-Free Dessert
The end of our 16-course omakase meal at Kissaki Greenwich was the gluten-free version of their current house dessert; a delectable apple & miso merengue tartlette. This dessert was warm, rich, creamy, and impossibly decadent. I’ve never had anything quite so savory yet sweet in my life, and while I’m not normally a huge fan of sweets, given the opportunity, I’d eat this every single day. This was truly a delightful way to end our exquisite evening at Kissaki Greenwich.
Final Thoughts on Kissaki Greenwich
Overall, we had an excellent experience. We’ve visited Michelin star restaurants and unique local standbys and made reservations months in advance for fine dining worldwide. Kissaki Greenwich ranks right up there with our all-time favorite meals. We both love Japanese food, and Kissaki Greenwich delivered some of the best flavors in one of the best environments we’ve dined in, and we are already looking forward to going back someday soon.
If you love Japanese food, if you’ve always wanted to try Omakase, or if you’re a seasoned sushi lover looking for new flavor combinations in an artful atmosphere, Kissaki Greenwich is an excellent option.
Helen Emmott says
I’ve got yo ho here!
Sarah K says
What an incredible experience!
Danielle F says
What an awesome experience!