The atmosphere was great, the service was fine, but the food was disappointing. I was very excited to try out this new omakase place in Flushing and couldn't wait to bring my wife for our Valentine's week dinner. I guess you can't rely on new places like this with all the great reviews because they are likely from friends and families of the owner. With a price tag of $165 per person for a 12-course meal, I expected the food to be way better than places like Sushi by Bou, with every course being well prepared and amazing. Unfortunately, it did not meet my expectations, and everything was underwhelming. My wife couldn’t finish the tuna tartar with caviar because it wasn’t fresh, the sauce that came with the oyster didn’t complement the oyster, the dark rice was interesting but didn’t really make the fish taste better, and the ice cream… I could get better ones from any cream shops for 5 bucks. I have had much better omakase experiences for less. I would not recommend it.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 4
John K.
The service was attentive (I liked the chef and sous chef...cuz I respect their hustle game). Food was okay. The ambiance was irritating as hell. I came here with 3 people to have omakase for my father's birthday and enjoy good food, but it was so ANNOYING to be there...like purchasing a business class ticket to fly across the pacific so you can get some rest, only to be placed next to a crying baby the whole plane ride. The place allowed two of the omakase diners to acutally place their phone on the counter and do a full on live-streaming of them eating with their fans, having loud ass conversations with her followers for the WHOLE 13 course while seating next to us. Who the hell does mukbang with other paying diners at an omakase? Worse, which self-respecting establishment allows that? I didn't want to ruin the mood for everyone or have spit on my food so I bit my tongue, but you need to have rules and standards in place...it's not like we paying $8 for halal food at the truck. Never again...
G D
Better than Masa ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sushi, King Salmon with Truffle, Toro Tartar with Caviar, Mackerel, Monkfish Liver
Naixin C.
My go to Omakase spot in Flushing/Bayside area has always been Sushi by Bou. After reading raving reviews, I decided to come with my partner. A couple of things to discuss: Ambience - Speakeasy vibe, very cozy and chill. Service - Very attentive, friendly Food - Quality ingredients, but poor execution. We started off with the Chawanmushi which is essentially steamed egg with crab meat, topped with Uni. It was savory, well balanced and the sweetness of the Uni tied everything so well together with every scrumptious bite. I was thinking to myself, what a great way to start the meal on such a high note! Then came the toro tartare, topped with caviar and two slices of toasts. After taking the initial bite, I immediate knew that I should keep my expectation low because the scrumptiousness of the first course was non-existence. It was overall very bland. Maybe a hint of salt or citrus would have elevated or enhance this course. Third course was the Sashimi and as expected, nothing beats quality ingredients. Very fresh and no complaints here. 4th set was a A5 Wagyu Nabe. A thin slice of wagyu was cut in half, to be shared between two people. This didn't bother me as much as the nabe itself. It was very salty, tasted like powdered Dashi, and had barely anything in the bowl that was served. It had one slice of nappa cabbage, half a slice of wagyu, and one mushroom. At this price point, I would have expected a tad more than what looks like an unfinished painting. To wrap up the rest of the meal, came the sushi/nigiri. The fishes were on point, 100% loving it, but...the rice... traditional sushi/nigiri uses short grain. At Hitmisu, a type of rice that appears to be a mixture of brown and white rice was used. In my opinion, it didn't compliment the fishes at all! Each bite left a nutty taste that seems very foreign and left me in awed. Aside from a bland course, a salty course and a interesting choice of rice usage, the overall experience wasn't bad.
Angela Lo
A hidden gem in Queens!!! (Literally, because it's a speakeasy omakase tucked away in a Thai restaurant.) Attentive staff, cozy atmosphere, and amazing sushi! Highly recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sushi
Justin Pak
Truly an excellent dining experience with a beautifully curated menu and all of the delicacies you’d expect. They make the steamed egg right in front of you and it tastes AMAZING!!! The speakeasy aspect makes it perfect for a quiet, elevated meal in a cozy setting/atmosphere. Non-pretentious, quality dining.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Steamed Egg, Toro Tartar with Caviar
Tiffany L.
Solid omakase in a speakeasy-style restaurant behind Siam. They put in a lot of effort in presentation and creating an experience for the diners. Sake comes in a decanter dispenser and you get to fill it yourself and choose your sake glass from a LV box. You get a personalized menu with your name on it at the end of the meal along with a candle and matches. (Not sure why you get a candle and matches.. would've preferred something a little more in-line with Japanese/sushi theme) The rice is not the traditional white vinegar rice but a cross between brown and white. It's a bit grey in color and has a little more of a bite than regular sushi rice. My favorite courses are the toro with caviar toast, uni, shrimp, tamago, snapper and something that looks like a brain but we were told it was Milt, which I later learned was cod sperm. I've never seen or eaten it before but was pleasantly surprised. It was creamy like uni but without the sea brine taste. Service was good but the sushi chef kept cracking jokes when asked questions about the ingredients and at one point I just wished he would answer straight. Maybe I just don't get his sense of humor? He clearly put together a well thought out menu but didn't explain it to us unless asked. Ie: why is the rice grey? What is this item that looks like a brain? "His answer was if you don't have kids, you might after eating this". I will say that I wasn't exactly full at the end of the meal but I didn't leave hungry either. I would have preferred a hand roll at the end to finish it off in lieu of the candle and matches. The dessert was also an oddball and didn't match the Japanese theme. I think it was a chocolate/s'more tartlet? The price came out to be about $400ish for 2 people which includes tip and a small 300ml of sake. Overall it was okay for the price but there's room for improvement.
Elizabeth H.
TLDR: I haven't left below 3 stars on any restaurant since before COVID, but our experience here was so disappointing yet so expensive I think it'd be a disservice to other guests to not review. SETTING: my partner got a res for us and our friends on a Friday night at 8:30. After reading all the glowing reviews (and not having omakase for a couple months), we were very very excited. The omakase place is in a small cavern like room behind a regular Thai restaurant. There are about 15 seats and counter top serving only. FOOD: the quality of the sushi here was just not very good. It certainly was not worth the ridiculous price point for this kind of quality. First, the rice here is made with both brown and white rice. As my friend remarked: "the brown rice is giving texture that nobody asked for". The hardness of the brown rice really took away from the taste of the sushi. Second, there was only 10 or so pieces of actual sushi total... including two small appetizers. We got a bottle of sake, and four beers. The total was over $1,000! I just could not believe that people willingly drop $165 PP on this kind of sushi. SERVICE: the service was ... okay. The chef was nice enough but the server behind the bar who gave us all of our appetizers and took our orders was not welcoming by any means. The biggest problem I had with service is that there was an EXTREMELY unruly guest during the meal. I'm talking yelling across the room, saying to the woman waitress "you don't have a BBL that's why you're not married", among other misogynistic, ridiculous things. It was someone's birthday and he said: "great you're 18 that means you're legal". I can't make this shit up, it was the single worst behavior I have EVER seen at a restaurant. (This isn't even mentioning the other guest at the opposite end who was almost as obnoxious as the first, but seemed to pipe down when the first guy was going exceptionally crazy). If you're spending over $1g on a meal, you kind of expect a nice experience to go with it. Instead, because of this guest and the staff doing NOTHING but pouring him more shots and engaging with him, we could not get out of there fast enough. It really ruined any small chance this place had at redeeming itself. VERDICT: unfortunately, Himitsu has made me completely write off going to queens for omakase ever again. You can find PLENTY (and I mean plenty) of other sushi spots with much better food, much better service and much better ambiance. Trust me.
Tim D.
This place is special in every single way. Recommend going before it is impossible to get a reservation as it will undoubtedly become impossible once more people know about it
Helen Z.
High quality, no frills necessary. Eclectic chef made the experience extra enjoyable.
We had high hopes for this place because of the sparkling reviews, but ended up being super disappointed. The service was superb, the ambiance was excellent. Love the speakeasy theme where you walk through a bookshelf door. However--- omakase needs to be about the food!! There was not one piece that wow's us. Fish was bland and tasteless. Nothing special at all. We were given souvenirs candles and matches which was a nice touch. But again please focus more on food. For the price you're charging in queens you need to serve better food. 4 stars for great service and drinks and ambiance. 2 stars for the sushis.
Mack C.
Himitsu is a great omakase restaurant hidden inside an amazing Thai restaurant named Siam. Great selection of fresh fish and an extensive sake menu. It's a great date spot! A Must go in flushing! This is the only omakase worth going to in Flushing! Excellent service! Chef Mark is very knowledgeable and has been around the omakase game for a long time!
Able R.
If I had the ability to award more than 5 stars to this experience, I certainly would. The journey out to Queens is absolutely justified, especially if you're seeking a distinctive omakase adventure.To begin with, the freshness of the fish was truly exceptional, although this is somewhat anticipated in upscale omakase establishments. What truly astounded me was the ingenuity displayed by Chef Mark. The treatment of the scallop, for instance, was unlike anything I've encountered before, resulting in heightened flavors, varied textures, and increased surface area. Furthermore, Chef Mark deviates from the conventional sushi rice, opting for a hybrid blend of white and brown rice. This choice bestows upon the rice a delicately soft texture akin to white rice, while retaining its nutritional value.My partner and I were fortunate enough to be the sole reservation for our chosen time slot, affording us undivided attention. However, I cannot comment on their approach to larger groups.Himitsu operates as a clandestine omakase haven within a Thai restaurant, offering an exceptional experience fitting for commemorations such as anniversaries or birthdays.
Restaurant Groupie
One of my favorite sushi chefs Mark has landed in his new home. An omakase speakeasy in Flushing, hidden behind Siam Thai restaurant. An intimate counter with great music selection, sake chilling towers and great sushi of course.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jonathan T.
Super intimate setting and a great dinner date spot. Staff is very intimate and get to know you well they make conversation and treat you well. The food is undoubtedly some of the best Omakase food I've had. We also left without needing a second meal which is always a plus!! I'll let the pictures speak for themselves but if you can snag a reservation i recommend you try it. Omakase takes a solid 2 hours plus so don't come on a time crunch!
The atmosphere was great, the service was fine, but the food was disappointing. I was very excited to try out this new omakase place in Flushing and couldn't wait to bring my wife for our Valentine's week dinner. I guess you can't rely on new places like this with all the great reviews because they are likely from friends and families of the owner. With a price tag of $165 per person for a 12-course meal, I expected the food to be way better than places like Sushi by Bou, with every course being well prepared and amazing. Unfortunately, it did not meet my expectations, and everything was underwhelming. My wife couldn’t finish the tuna tartar with caviar because it wasn’t fresh, the sauce that came with the oyster didn’t complement the oyster, the dark rice was interesting but didn’t really make the fish taste better, and the ice cream… I could get better ones from any cream shops for 5 bucks. I have had much better omakase experiences for less. I would not recommend it.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 4
The service was attentive (I liked the chef and sous chef...cuz I respect their hustle game). Food was okay. The ambiance was irritating as hell. I came here with 3 people to have omakase for my father's birthday and enjoy good food, but it was so ANNOYING to be there...like purchasing a business class ticket to fly across the pacific so you can get some rest, only to be placed next to a crying baby the whole plane ride. The place allowed two of the omakase diners to acutally place their phone on the counter and do a full on live-streaming of them eating with their fans, having loud ass conversations with her followers for the WHOLE 13 course while seating next to us. Who the hell does mukbang with other paying diners at an omakase? Worse, which self-respecting establishment allows that? I didn't want to ruin the mood for everyone or have spit on my food so I bit my tongue, but you need to have rules and standards in place...it's not like we paying $8 for halal food at the truck. Never again...
Better than Masa ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sushi, King Salmon with Truffle, Toro Tartar with Caviar, Mackerel, Monkfish Liver
My go to Omakase spot in Flushing/Bayside area has always been Sushi by Bou. After reading raving reviews, I decided to come with my partner. A couple of things to discuss: Ambience - Speakeasy vibe, very cozy and chill. Service - Very attentive, friendly Food - Quality ingredients, but poor execution. We started off with the Chawanmushi which is essentially steamed egg with crab meat, topped with Uni. It was savory, well balanced and the sweetness of the Uni tied everything so well together with every scrumptious bite. I was thinking to myself, what a great way to start the meal on such a high note! Then came the toro tartare, topped with caviar and two slices of toasts. After taking the initial bite, I immediate knew that I should keep my expectation low because the scrumptiousness of the first course was non-existence. It was overall very bland. Maybe a hint of salt or citrus would have elevated or enhance this course. Third course was the Sashimi and as expected, nothing beats quality ingredients. Very fresh and no complaints here. 4th set was a A5 Wagyu Nabe. A thin slice of wagyu was cut in half, to be shared between two people. This didn't bother me as much as the nabe itself. It was very salty, tasted like powdered Dashi, and had barely anything in the bowl that was served. It had one slice of nappa cabbage, half a slice of wagyu, and one mushroom. At this price point, I would have expected a tad more than what looks like an unfinished painting. To wrap up the rest of the meal, came the sushi/nigiri. The fishes were on point, 100% loving it, but...the rice... traditional sushi/nigiri uses short grain. At Hitmisu, a type of rice that appears to be a mixture of brown and white rice was used. In my opinion, it didn't compliment the fishes at all! Each bite left a nutty taste that seems very foreign and left me in awed. Aside from a bland course, a salty course and a interesting choice of rice usage, the overall experience wasn't bad.
A hidden gem in Queens!!! (Literally, because it's a speakeasy omakase tucked away in a Thai restaurant.) Attentive staff, cozy atmosphere, and amazing sushi! Highly recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sushi
Truly an excellent dining experience with a beautifully curated menu and all of the delicacies you’d expect. They make the steamed egg right in front of you and it tastes AMAZING!!! The speakeasy aspect makes it perfect for a quiet, elevated meal in a cozy setting/atmosphere. Non-pretentious, quality dining.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Steamed Egg, Toro Tartar with Caviar
Solid omakase in a speakeasy-style restaurant behind Siam. They put in a lot of effort in presentation and creating an experience for the diners. Sake comes in a decanter dispenser and you get to fill it yourself and choose your sake glass from a LV box. You get a personalized menu with your name on it at the end of the meal along with a candle and matches. (Not sure why you get a candle and matches.. would've preferred something a little more in-line with Japanese/sushi theme) The rice is not the traditional white vinegar rice but a cross between brown and white. It's a bit grey in color and has a little more of a bite than regular sushi rice. My favorite courses are the toro with caviar toast, uni, shrimp, tamago, snapper and something that looks like a brain but we were told it was Milt, which I later learned was cod sperm. I've never seen or eaten it before but was pleasantly surprised. It was creamy like uni but without the sea brine taste. Service was good but the sushi chef kept cracking jokes when asked questions about the ingredients and at one point I just wished he would answer straight. Maybe I just don't get his sense of humor? He clearly put together a well thought out menu but didn't explain it to us unless asked. Ie: why is the rice grey? What is this item that looks like a brain? "His answer was if you don't have kids, you might after eating this". I will say that I wasn't exactly full at the end of the meal but I didn't leave hungry either. I would have preferred a hand roll at the end to finish it off in lieu of the candle and matches. The dessert was also an oddball and didn't match the Japanese theme. I think it was a chocolate/s'more tartlet? The price came out to be about $400ish for 2 people which includes tip and a small 300ml of sake. Overall it was okay for the price but there's room for improvement.
TLDR: I haven't left below 3 stars on any restaurant since before COVID, but our experience here was so disappointing yet so expensive I think it'd be a disservice to other guests to not review. SETTING: my partner got a res for us and our friends on a Friday night at 8:30. After reading all the glowing reviews (and not having omakase for a couple months), we were very very excited. The omakase place is in a small cavern like room behind a regular Thai restaurant. There are about 15 seats and counter top serving only. FOOD: the quality of the sushi here was just not very good. It certainly was not worth the ridiculous price point for this kind of quality. First, the rice here is made with both brown and white rice. As my friend remarked: "the brown rice is giving texture that nobody asked for". The hardness of the brown rice really took away from the taste of the sushi. Second, there was only 10 or so pieces of actual sushi total... including two small appetizers. We got a bottle of sake, and four beers. The total was over $1,000! I just could not believe that people willingly drop $165 PP on this kind of sushi. SERVICE: the service was ... okay. The chef was nice enough but the server behind the bar who gave us all of our appetizers and took our orders was not welcoming by any means. The biggest problem I had with service is that there was an EXTREMELY unruly guest during the meal. I'm talking yelling across the room, saying to the woman waitress "you don't have a BBL that's why you're not married", among other misogynistic, ridiculous things. It was someone's birthday and he said: "great you're 18 that means you're legal". I can't make this shit up, it was the single worst behavior I have EVER seen at a restaurant. (This isn't even mentioning the other guest at the opposite end who was almost as obnoxious as the first, but seemed to pipe down when the first guy was going exceptionally crazy). If you're spending over $1g on a meal, you kind of expect a nice experience to go with it. Instead, because of this guest and the staff doing NOTHING but pouring him more shots and engaging with him, we could not get out of there fast enough. It really ruined any small chance this place had at redeeming itself. VERDICT: unfortunately, Himitsu has made me completely write off going to queens for omakase ever again. You can find PLENTY (and I mean plenty) of other sushi spots with much better food, much better service and much better ambiance. Trust me.
This place is special in every single way. Recommend going before it is impossible to get a reservation as it will undoubtedly become impossible once more people know about it
High quality, no frills necessary. Eclectic chef made the experience extra enjoyable.
Restaurantji Recommends
We had high hopes for this place because of the sparkling reviews, but ended up being super disappointed. The service was superb, the ambiance was excellent. Love the speakeasy theme where you walk through a bookshelf door. However--- omakase needs to be about the food!! There was not one piece that wow's us. Fish was bland and tasteless. Nothing special at all. We were given souvenirs candles and matches which was a nice touch. But again please focus more on food. For the price you're charging in queens you need to serve better food. 4 stars for great service and drinks and ambiance. 2 stars for the sushis.
Himitsu is a great omakase restaurant hidden inside an amazing Thai restaurant named Siam. Great selection of fresh fish and an extensive sake menu. It's a great date spot! A Must go in flushing! This is the only omakase worth going to in Flushing! Excellent service! Chef Mark is very knowledgeable and has been around the omakase game for a long time!
If I had the ability to award more than 5 stars to this experience, I certainly would. The journey out to Queens is absolutely justified, especially if you're seeking a distinctive omakase adventure.To begin with, the freshness of the fish was truly exceptional, although this is somewhat anticipated in upscale omakase establishments. What truly astounded me was the ingenuity displayed by Chef Mark. The treatment of the scallop, for instance, was unlike anything I've encountered before, resulting in heightened flavors, varied textures, and increased surface area. Furthermore, Chef Mark deviates from the conventional sushi rice, opting for a hybrid blend of white and brown rice. This choice bestows upon the rice a delicately soft texture akin to white rice, while retaining its nutritional value.My partner and I were fortunate enough to be the sole reservation for our chosen time slot, affording us undivided attention. However, I cannot comment on their approach to larger groups.Himitsu operates as a clandestine omakase haven within a Thai restaurant, offering an exceptional experience fitting for commemorations such as anniversaries or birthdays.
One of my favorite sushi chefs Mark has landed in his new home. An omakase speakeasy in Flushing, hidden behind Siam Thai restaurant. An intimate counter with great music selection, sake chilling towers and great sushi of course.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Super intimate setting and a great dinner date spot. Staff is very intimate and get to know you well they make conversation and treat you well. The food is undoubtedly some of the best Omakase food I've had. We also left without needing a second meal which is always a plus!! I'll let the pictures speak for themselves but if you can snag a reservation i recommend you try it. Omakase takes a solid 2 hours plus so don't come on a time crunch!