Made an afternoon reservation on a Sunday for my little guy's birthday... arrived early and found that the reservation wasn't necessary and oddly they didn't allow me to specify we wanted the hibachi grill specifically. They took us to regular seating upon arrival and we had to ask if we could do hibachi (the reason we were there).
The space is a good size and standard decorations for such a place. It was a little cluttered and not exactly spic-and-span but they are making things work in that regard. Seriously strange was the amount of employees just kinda chilling, meaning more than one literally lying down in the booths and sleeping while people dined. It was hard to get over while we attempted to enjoy our celebration nearby.
Perhaps most importantly to me was that the staff was not inclined to make us feel welcome or look after us in any way. The lady working the front was kind but she didn't serve us (except when our own server stopped showing up). No one smiled or greeted us, and our own server seemed like she hated us being there.
Our server was not accommodating, not helpful, not pleasant. She didn't want to work around our one person's dietary restrictions, didn't offer the listed options but instead assumed our choices. She didn't offer us sake. She didn't acknowledge when we told her it was our 7-year old's birthday. She alone almost single-handedly ruined our birthday experience, and we almost walked out while she was taking the order. And while we almost didn't see her most of the meal, she lingered around our table when she was waiting for the tip. That is no exaggeration.
The bright spot was our hibachi chef. He was awesome - very attentive and accommodating. He put on a great show, catered toward our birthday boy, and did his best to work around the dietary restriction. He made a balloon hat for the birthday boy and made him feel special. Everything he did was with us in mind and he deserves to be recognized. He made it (almost) worthwhile and the only reason they got two stars. It was only because of him that we tipped a normal amount, as we assumed they shared it.
The food was pretty standard - we had four hibachi meals (one with special dietary needs) - and the prices were a bit high but such is life in West Village. Portions were pretty typical also in regard to protein, while the rice was a bit skimpy (odd considering it is the cheapest). You pay $6 extra for fried rice over the advertised white rice. The food was fine, at best, but the chef's performance made it worthy.
Overall, certainly not a spot I will visit again, if nothing else because of the server. I wish I could say differently but that is not the case.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 1
Marilyn G
Staff here is always pleasant and friendly ! Have been coming for the past 6 years and never had one bad complaint !
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Gabriela Jara
Delicious food. Really friendly and warm staff
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
3sMegis 3sMegis
Low key unpretentious local Japanese restaurant w relaxed atmosphere great food moderately priced and friendly service
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amelia Ochoa
Really good place, the food was amazing, highly recommend, the service was really good too, very very nice servers
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Miso Soup, Sushi
Leah Park
There was a hair in the miso soup. Very unsanitary.
Bartley Rackard
Amazing food and service
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Imani Massicot
Terrible Experience — Disrespectful Service
I’m writing this review to warn both current and future customers about the unacceptable treatment my friends and I (a group of five) experienced at Okinii. What was supposed to be an enjoyable dining experience quickly turned sour due to the rude and disrespectful behavior of the staff. When it came time to pay the bill, we were still deciding whose card to use when the waitress stood over us as if monitoring our payment. One of my friends politely asked for a couple of minutes, and she walked away. However, when she returned, she snatched the bill right out of my hand. I calmly told her, "I'd appreciate it if you don’t snatch things out of the hands of paying customers." Shockingly, she laughed as if it was funny and then returned with a new bill showing a higher total ($177 increased to $188) without a clear explanation. When we asked why the amount had changed, they gave us vague responses, claiming it was an error but refusing to provide specifics. By this point, we were fed up with the blatant disrespect. Sadly, I couldn't help but notice how other patrons were treated with far more courtesy. No bills were snatched from their hands, and their questions were answered politely. It was hard not to feel that our treatment was racially motivated. If you're Black, I urge you to avoid Okinii. They do not treat Black customers with respect. We need to stop giving money to establishments that blatantly disrespect us. This experience was not just disappointing—it was dehumanizing.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 1
word vert
The Chicken Katsu, a Thompson Roll, a Sopporo and a saki.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Leslie Maylor
I enjoyed the meals and atmosphere here. I would reccomend anyone to give this place a try.
I had an amazing birthday with my family, it was fun good vibes , great food Hibachi is the way to go 👍
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sauce, Roll, Miso, Steak
Nicole B. Cameron
The food, the presentation, the service and the prices of this place were incredible. We will definitely be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Seafood, Sushi
Kit Nowokunski
Great sushi, great staff, romantic but also casual atmosphere. Also has a good sake selection
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mrugank Dake
Probably the best sushi in town. Loved King of the Sea. It's something about the rice that made sushi almost melt on first bite. Great vibe and nice environment to hang out with friends after work. They also have a good selection of drinks. Miso soup was great too, perfect for a winter evening.
Made an afternoon reservation on a Sunday for my little guy's birthday... arrived early and found that the reservation wasn't necessary and oddly they didn't allow me to specify we wanted the hibachi grill specifically. They took us to regular seating upon arrival and we had to ask if we could do hibachi (the reason we were there).
The space is a good size and standard decorations for such a place. It was a little cluttered and not exactly spic-and-span but they are making things work in that regard. Seriously strange was the amount of employees just kinda chilling, meaning more than one literally lying down in the booths and sleeping while people dined. It was hard to get over while we attempted to enjoy our celebration nearby.
Perhaps most importantly to me was that the staff was not inclined to make us feel welcome or look after us in any way. The lady working the front was kind but she didn't serve us (except when our own server stopped showing up). No one smiled or greeted us, and our own server seemed like she hated us being there.
Our server was not accommodating, not helpful, not pleasant. She didn't want to work around our one person's dietary restrictions, didn't offer the listed options but instead assumed our choices. She didn't offer us sake. She didn't acknowledge when we told her it was our 7-year old's birthday. She alone almost single-handedly ruined our birthday experience, and we almost walked out while she was taking the order. And while we almost didn't see her most of the meal, she lingered around our table when she was waiting for the tip. That is no exaggeration.
The bright spot was our hibachi chef. He was awesome - very attentive and accommodating. He put on a great show, catered toward our birthday boy, and did his best to work around the dietary restriction. He made a balloon hat for the birthday boy and made him feel special. Everything he did was with us in mind and he deserves to be recognized. He made it (almost) worthwhile and the only reason they got two stars. It was only because of him that we tipped a normal amount, as we assumed they shared it.
The food was pretty standard - we had four hibachi meals (one with special dietary needs) - and the prices were a bit high but such is life in West Village.
Portions were pretty typical also in regard to protein, while the rice was a bit skimpy (odd considering it is the cheapest). You pay $6 extra for fried rice over the advertised white rice. The food was fine, at best, but the chef's performance made it worthy.
Overall, certainly not a spot I will visit again, if nothing else because of the server. I wish I could say differently but that is not the case.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 1
Staff here is always pleasant and friendly ! Have been coming for the past 6 years and never had one bad complaint !
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Delicious food. Really friendly and warm staff
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Low key unpretentious local Japanese restaurant w relaxed atmosphere great food moderately priced and friendly service
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Really good place, the food was amazing, highly recommend, the service was really good too, very very nice servers
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Miso Soup, Sushi
There was a hair in the miso soup. Very unsanitary.
Amazing food and service
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Terrible Experience — Disrespectful Service
I’m writing this review to warn both current and future customers about the unacceptable treatment my friends and I (a group of five) experienced at Okinii. What was supposed to be an enjoyable dining experience quickly turned sour due to the rude and disrespectful behavior of the staff.
When it came time to pay the bill, we were still deciding whose card to use when the waitress stood over us as if monitoring our payment. One of my friends politely asked for a couple of minutes, and she walked away. However, when she returned, she snatched the bill right out of my hand. I calmly told her, "I'd appreciate it if you don’t snatch things out of the hands of paying customers." Shockingly, she laughed as if it was funny and then returned with a new bill showing a higher total ($177 increased to $188) without a clear explanation.
When we asked why the amount had changed, they gave us vague responses, claiming it was an error but refusing to provide specifics. By this point, we were fed up with the blatant disrespect.
Sadly, I couldn't help but notice how other patrons were treated with far more courtesy. No bills were snatched from their hands, and their questions were answered politely. It was hard not to feel that our treatment was racially motivated.
If you're Black, I urge you to avoid Okinii. They do not treat Black customers with respect. We need to stop giving money to establishments that blatantly disrespect us. This experience was not just disappointing—it was dehumanizing.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 1
The Chicken Katsu, a Thompson Roll, a Sopporo and a saki.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I enjoyed the meals and atmosphere here. I would reccomend anyone to give this place a try.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Perfect all-around!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I had an amazing birthday with my family, it was fun good vibes , great food Hibachi is the way to go 👍
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sauce, Roll, Miso, Steak
The food, the presentation, the service and the prices of this place were incredible. We will definitely be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Seafood, Sushi
Great sushi, great staff, romantic but also casual atmosphere. Also has a good sake selection
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Probably the best sushi in town. Loved King of the Sea. It's something about the rice that made sushi almost melt on first bite.
Great vibe and nice environment to hang out with friends after work. They also have a good selection of drinks.
Miso soup was great too, perfect for a winter evening.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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