March 27, 2017
Eat with Your Hand(roll)s: NoMad Newbie KazuNori Sushi is a Must
We’re fortunate in the NoMad District to have just about everything at our fingertips: good food, good wine, unmatched entertainment, and everything else in between. Luckily — finally — we have hand rolls.
Opened just two weeks ago, KazuNori now calls NoMad its home. A casual offshoot of Los Angeles sushi maestro Kazunori Nozawa’s SUGARFISH, the newly minted sushi bar is a minimalist’s delicious dream.
Walking into the 24-seat locale, the room is spare but not cramped, so one doesn’t feeling like they’re dining in a closet. The menu is similarly straightforward: use your pencil to check off either a set menu of 3-, 4-, 5-, or 6-hand rolls, or à la carte options.
The rolls come quickly, gently placed on the brown paper landing pad, and the staff suggest that we don’t lollygag with Instagram filters — freshness is key. The first arrival is heavenly: perfectly crispy nori loosely wrapped around fluffy, warm rice and a creamy cut of Toro (the fatty part of the tuna, found in the belly). Another friendly recommendation from the waitstaff: first take a bite au naturel and then add the soy, wasabi and pickled ginger accoutrements if you see fit. Next up – yellowtail, snapper and blue crab. (The crab was so good, we had to order another.)
At peak lunchtime in our bustling neighborhood, there were no lines and no wait, but if the food is any indication, that’s likely to be changing quickly.
See you at the bar — just remember to wash your hands first.
KazuNori Sushi
15 West 28th Street (Between Broadway and 5th Avenue)
kazunorisushi.com
Hours:
Monday through Wednesday – 11:30am-11pm
Thursday through Saturday – 11:30-12am
Sunday – 12pm-11pm