Insider Pages Reviews for BONDST

1 Stars: Absolutely no "Style" whatsoever!!! (by jcollangelo)

jcollangelo — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 02:00:00 GMT

I dined at Bond Street about a week ago, for starters, don't drink the coffee at Bond Street!!! Upon entering the restaurant we were greeted with a Starbucks coffee cup on the podium in plain sight and another being transferred into another glass by the bar area....... TACKY! We waited at the bar until our party was "complete" and noticed a lot of loitering around the front area while customers dining in the restaurant had to flag down their server by raising their hand. And then there were times that there wasn't anyone at the front and new customers that were coming in the restaurant were greeted by uh, no one. The bartender finally said hello and that someone would be right with them. The hostess twice put on lipstick right in front of us - seriously... We noticed a server walking from the back of the restaurant toward the front with her arms stretched in the air the entire way????? What the @#$&. I don't want to see your armpits. The dining experience was okay, I might go back for the food and drinks. Oh, and we weren't even thanked as we left the restaurant. The two hostesses at the front didn't even raise their eyes to see us leave, they were planted on the screen in front of them. Does the phrase first and last impressions ring a bell. For as classy as the place is supposed to be, Bond Street fell far short from what I expected.

4 Stars: Delicious Sushi, Friendly Staff (by lizzyred8)

lizzyred8 — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 02:00:00 GMT

Had dinner here on Friday night - it was packed! Definitely a popular destination for a Friday night dinner, although it seemed heavily populated with international tourists/businessmen. Not being able to decide on what to order, we went with the Bento dinner - a little sampling of everything. The sushi was delicious, as were the accompaniments included on the Bento. We ordered the Sake Sangria, which had little to no alcohol in it - disappointing for $14/glass. Dessert, which was included, was delicious. Just enough food to be full but not bursting at the seams. It is a bit pricey, but I suggest going all in for the food, and then choosing a pub on the Bowery for a drink or 2.

1 Stars: Stay away! (by zvrabago)

zvrabago — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 01:00:00 GMT

I honestly have no idea how this made the top of Citysearch's Best of list. We went for a friend's birthday last weekend. The server was apathetic at best. The food was okay - definitely not worth the price tag. Our sushi wasn't rolled properly - the pieces started falling apart almost as soon as the runner set our plates down. The lobster tempura roll that everyone was raving about was bland. In fact, with the exception of the sake steamed sea bass, all our food was bland. I ordered a lychee martini that did in fact have a lychee in the bottom of the glass but didn't taste anything like lychee. Overall, this place is a must-skip.

3 Stars: OK Sushi (by LeeLee74)

LeeLee74 — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 01:00:00 GMT

The Sushi is not bad but not great. There are soo many places that have fresher and tastier sushi. The ambiance is boring but I suppose matches traditional Japanese simple decor. Not a bad experience but not all that either

5 Stars: Best Sushi in Town (by LOTACOTA)

LOTACOTA — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 01:00:00 GMT

I love BONDST!!!!! The Sashimi is incredible as well as the salmon niguiri... The envirnoment is really nice! Congrats!

5 Stars: So Fresh (by sharmagirl)

sharmagirl — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 01:00:00 GMT

One of the best asian fusion restaurants I have ever been to! I'm an avid seafood/sushi restaurant attendee and this was one of the best experiences I have ever had. My boyfriend really did his research when he took here for my birthday because I was in awe. Firstly, the service is impeccable. Although you may become a little confused on who exactly your server is, they are all extremely attentive. From pouring the wine, the drinks, the sake.. basically my water glass had the perfect amount of ice in it and was never below the half-way mark. We had the crispy sushi appetizer and the loberster tempura for appetizers. Absolutely amazing. The lobster was so fresh and tasty, cooked to perfection. In addition, we ordered 3 different sushi rolls which were savory and sweet as much as they were spicy in all the right places. All the plates were brought out one by one, and we never felt we were being rushed. The restaurant has an intelligent deisgn, it almost feels like you are waltzing into a bumping houseparty for young professionals. It does not look like your classic venue with unattractive neon lights starcasting the entire block. (aka sushi samba and its wannabes.) Although we didn't go on the 3rd floor, the 2nd floor is where we sat, which I'm sure is equally as impressive. The lounge downstairs was not too loud or overpacked, and you can definitely come here on a date or in a large group. Very chic and elegant. Well worth it, however I would recommend making reservations in advance.

4 Stars: Great Food! (by NYCfloyd)

NYCfloyd — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 01:00:00 GMT

Love this place. The food is excellent and the service is top notch. Skip the lounge till after dinner and head upstairs to the restaurant. Make a reservation in advance and skip the apps, head straight for the sushi menu. Oh and don't forget your wallet, this place is not cheap!

3 Stars: Dissapointed (by dj d.)

dj d. — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 18:32:00 GMT

This place has such a great reputation/ is mentioned by sushi regulars though the food quality is very much neutral (not very good or bad) and the decor is horrible. Expect to pay for a sushi experience that was not worth the bill.

4 Stars: Asian Fusion in NoHO (by Fanny K.)

Fanny K. — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 07:42:00 GMT

Another really good restaurant in NoHo. Take a break from shopping and art galleries and visit this trendy downtown restaurant. The menu is Japanese with European and Asian influences and the entrees will tickle your taste buds. I am a lover of Chilean Sea Bass and they serve on skewers cooked to perfection and absolutely delicious. No reservations here so be prepared to wait, but it is worth it! Recommended.

1 Stars: The food would taste a lot better without the attitude (by jajadeluxe)

jajadeluxe — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 01:00:00 GMT

I took my husband to Bond St for his birthday dinner, both of us being extremely fond of Japanese food,we were really excited to try this restaurant. Unfortunately, we were sorely disappointed. Although the food is fine, but hardly as creative and innovative as some reviews would lead you to believe, the overall attitude and pompeous atmosphere ruined our dinning experience.
We're not food snobs, but we have dinned at some of the city's top restaurants with far better food and far less attitude.
I believe what most ruined it for us was the rude service. Our server seemed bothered when we asked questions about the menu as well as when the meal was finished, instead of asking if we were ready for the bill, he just brought it over, dropped it down said thank you and walked off.
Although the decor is beautiful, there is nothing warm or welcoming about this restaurant.

4 Stars: Cozy (by coygrier)

coygrier — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 02:00:00 GMT

My friend reeaaaallly wanted to check this place out, and asked me to go with her...best decision i could make. I loved the food. the place is so cozy and cute. The service was perfect and very friendly.

It's a little pricey for me, but I won't knock it's score, I'd pay it if i could afford it.

5 Stars: Entire experience was amazing (by crackerc)

crackerc — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 02:00:00 GMT

We ate there last night with two other couples and if there is a "con" I don't know what it would be. I have always been impressed with Bond over the years but last night pushed me to write this review...simply an amazing all around experience. Our server was fabulous, the scene was hot (how do they constantly attract so many beautiful people?!) and the bottom line is the food was arguably the best I have ever enjoyed from apps to main to sushi. After our meal we went downstairs for a drink and the vibe was fun and our waitress attentive...not to mention hot. I hate to give 5 stars for anyone as I normally find something wrong - not this time. Great job.

5 Stars: even better than my last experience 5 years ago. Impressive (by dean111111)

dean111111 — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 02:00:00 GMT

Same food in the lounge, more hospitality. Sit at the bar and have one of the beautiful bartenders woo you. My girlfriends and i cant get enough.

4 Stars: Sophisticated Sushi (by lisapearly)

lisapearly — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 02:00:00 GMT

Bond St. is a warm and relaxing place to bring clients. I brought a party of 10 clients unannounced one evening and the hostess accommodated us in no time. The crowd is hip, sophisticated and sheek, but be prepared to deal with a snotty wait staff.

5 Stars: Amazing food, customer service, and overall experience (by stellagroove2000)

stellagroove2000 — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 02:00:00 GMT

We took clients out for dinner to Bond St, and had a wonderful experience. Not only was the food delicious, but the attention to detail and customer service was over the top. We had an interesting experience in which another table of customers were rude and out of line. The wait staff, manager and security immediately got involved and handled the situation with respect and professionalism. The situation could have gotten ugly but didn't because Bond St. has a top notch staff. I would go back in a heartbeat.

5 Stars: the city's best lounge experience (by Stef1122)

Stef1122 — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 02:00:00 GMT

I have been to many dinners at Bond St over the past 5 years, with satisfactory results, but have only recently dined at the bar in the downstairs lounge. I will never eat upstairs again.

The bartenders, warren and shawn, engineered my entire meal with smiles and charm and it ended up being my best new york sushi experience ever. I got the feeling of genuine care, which in my experience doesnt exist in the "trendy" new york restaunt scene.

Extremely fun, and flirty scene.
100% reccommended

5 Stars: Best Japanese Restaurant in NYC! (by citilivin)

citilivin — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 02:00:00 GMT

Hands down the absolute best Japanese food/ dining experience in NYC! The service was friendly and prompt, & explained each dish as it was brought out. We decided to order the Chef's tasting menu - best decision we made! We got to sample many things on the menu on a smaller scale, and each dish was creative, beautiful and unbelieveably delicious! At our request, the chef added a lobster tempura roll to our sushi/sashimi sampler - it is so delicious! If you're not a fan of raw fish, try the NY Strip Steak with potato dice or Broiled Chilean Sea Bass marinated in saikyo miso - both are fantastic! This place is a scene, and does get packed. We had early reservations and avoided the rush but as we ate, the restaurant filled up. Will definitely be back soon!

2 Stars: Slightly Disappointing (by nysmosteligible)

nysmosteligible — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 02:00:00 GMT

Bond Street was disappointing. Overall, dinner was satisfying but did not live up to the price or hype. The sushi was top-quality but servings were small and generally uinspired. The toro marinated in bleu cheese was the only notable exception. Service was mediocre at best. Our server was slow and distracted but I think it was because the restaurant was simply understaffed. The biggest negative was our seating. On fairly short notice, I could only manage to score a reservation in the "casual dining room". The host assured me that many people prefer the "casual dining room" because it is more hip and fun. Let's call a spade a spade: I was seated in the kitchen.

Again, not bad but I get the feeling Bond Street has seen better days.

1 Stars: Horrible waiter who had the audacity to say to me: "I am never wrong" (by PurviShah)

PurviShah — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 01:00:00 GMT

Saturday night, my girlfriends who were visiting from out of town and I decided to try Bond St. One of the girls had been there before and had a decent experience the previous time. We made reservations, and were seated almost immediately. From there, the night went downhill. I am a vegetarian and knew there were a few options on the menu for my diet. I ordered a miso soup, the seaweed salad, and vegetable tempura (and two lychee martinis). The food was mediocre, considering the price we were paying for it. Our bill for the four of us came out to $300, which we wouldn't have minded if the food was good. The worst was the experience we had with our waiter. After bringing me shrimp rolls (which I don't eat because of my being vegetarian), he did not even apologize when we alerted him of his mistake. He left the shrimp rolls there, and we assumed that because he didn't take them away upon bringing me my vegetable tempura, that they were complimentary because of his mistake with my order. However, I scooted the plate to the middle of the table, and the food went untouched, because my friends had already ordered enough for themselves. At the end of the dinner, we checked our bill and saw that he in fact charged us for the rolls. When we made clear his second mistake, he claimed he saw ME, the VEGETARIAN, eating them. Moreover, he got in my face and said I must have made a mistake when ordering, because "[He] is never wrong and [he] doesn't make mistakes." THE AUDACITY!! It was a $12 plate that we wouldn't have minded paying for had it been our own mistake. The waiter, though, did not apologize, act humble, or appease us in any way. We called the manager over and told her about how rude he was, and initially, she too, was unpleasant with us. I AM NEVER GOING THERE AGAIN! I highly recommend that you avoid this restaurant. It's absolutely miserable!!!!

2 Stars: First time for everything (by tadevosy)

tadevosy — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 01:00:00 GMT

This was our second trip to BondST. The first time, we left impressed by the food and emphatically underwhelmed by service. We were made to wait for 30 minutes despite reservations without an apology or an explanation, pushed around by patrons and servers in the miniscule bar area, but loved the sashimi and decided to go back. This time around, it was a long weekend, and the restaurant was practically empty, so no problem getting to the table. The food was average (avoid the sweet shrimp sushi and the yellowtail sashimi appetizer at all cost), but palatable. And then, my husband and i decided to step outside for a smoke (bad habit, perhaps, but something we do pretty much every time we go out to eat somewhere). I called the waiter over to let him know and he made us leave a credit card to be able to go outside for a smoke! Apparently, the few thousand bucks we left behind in merchandise (coats, purse, etc), were not guarantee enough we'd return. I have never felt this offended by a ridiculous policy at a pretentious restaurant before. I am not going back. Ever. Nor should you.

5 Stars: A slice of heaven (by kervina)

kervina — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 01:00:00 GMT

Albeit the lack of a proper sign and slightly chilly dining room, this place was fantastic. The wait staff was incredibly attentive and friendly. I had the pan-roasted monkfish cheeks with orange sauce and leek fondue, which melted in my mouth. For a main dish, the arctic char and fugu (blowfish) sashimi could not have been freshef if I'd been in the ocean and speared it myself. Finally, I had one of the best desserts I have ever eaten. It was banana milk chocolate dim sum with a sweet sour cream dipping sauce. Yes, it is a pricey meal, but it's not like they try and hide it. You know what you're in for, and it's totally worth it.

1 Stars: Worst Value of... Ever (by godsgift_nyc)

godsgift_nyc — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 01:00:00 GMT

2 scotches and 4 pieces of sushi, $120. The look on my friend's face after telling him to go screw himself for having dragged me there, Priceless.

5 Stars: My fave omakase in the city! (by evillagefoodie)

evillagefoodie — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 01:00:00 GMT

What a great japanese dining experience this can be. I usually order the medium or large omakase (tasting menu) which never disappoints. The sushi is fresh and delicious. The hot food is unique and great as well.

4 Stars: Innovative Sushi, Good Looking People (by jamesb1234)

jamesb1234 — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 02:00:00 GMT

That basically sums it up. Not a great sense of value, but as long as you realize that - it is a good time. Good place to go if you want to splurge and feel like a pseudo-celebrity. Staff was attentive to all needs and the cocktails were slammin.

4 Stars: A pleasant surprise... (by erose232)

erose232 — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 02:00:00 GMT

The food was as great as my friend described. What I didn't expect was such kind service. My boyfriend and I arrived late when everything seemed to be dying down. I worried that we would get the "hurry up and eat" treatment but our waitress was the exact opposite. She patiently helped us order a terrific meal and even steered us away from over ordering! The only bad part was that she was so beautiful that i had to keep reminding my boyfriend to stop staring.

1 Stars: Worse Service Ever Experienced (by munch2)

munch2 — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 02:00:00 GMT

I've eaten in a lot of restaurants around the world from The French Laundry to street stalls in third world countries and this was beyond doubt the worst service I've ever experienced in my life. The same can be said by my four dining companions, two of whom are successful restaurateurs. Having to play tug-of-war with our still full plates, bottles and glasses with the twenty busboys (well, it seemed that many) who were sent to clear our table from about five minutes into our meal actually turned out to be the pleasant part of our service. Our waiter made himself unpleasant to the point where he actually stopped serving us when we dared to politely question why a half-full bottle of expensive sake was cleared away. Another waiter took over from that point--his idea of service was to slam down the bill in the middle of our table while the original waiter looked on. We had not yet asked for it. Then, because we were silly enough to think we could finish our drinks before we left, one of the hostesses came over to pointedly pick up each of our glasses and hold them up to the light before putting them back down on the table again. What the point of this exercise was except to annoy us I have no idea. We were astounded at the appalling service (I use the term loosely). The food may have been good but the service was so awful it is all we can remember. You couldn't pay any of us to go there again.

4 Stars: great sushi (by ritua)

ritua — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 02:00:00 GMT

really good sushi. service was ok......arrogant. but overall a good place. the ambiance is really cool.

3 Stars: expensive but delcious! (by maddeline)

maddeline — Thu, 17 May 2007 02:00:00 GMT

This is consistently great sushi-- very pricey , but always good.
the service is annoying -- they are pretty snooty-- but if you are looking for sushi in a cool atmosphere and have money to spend -- go here.

3 Stars: expensive, but a nice atmosphere (by happiness1234)

happiness1234 — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 01:00:00 GMT

Nice and trendy, but very overpriced for sushi that is about the same as you can get from any st. marks place for about 1/10 of the price. overall had a good time, though our bill came out to be $190 for two ppl, and didnt even have that many dishes. but the downstairs area lounge for drinks is cute, and overall, pretty ppl to look at and not a bad place out on the town..

4 Stars: Sushi is actually quite good! (by suebeelin)

suebeelin — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 01:00:00 GMT

The food is surprisingly wonderful! I was expecting the same old "trendy spot but average food" formula, but Bond Street pulled through. It is, indeed, trendy (a per their downstairs venue), but the sushi is fresh and very very good. Their sake selection is also pretty decent. However, the food is on the pricey side, and there are comparably good sushi places at a better value. But if you're looking for atmosphere and quality sushi, and price is not an issue, go here...

4 Stars: old time favorite which never lets me down (by suee9999)

suee9999 — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 01:00:00 GMT

I've been coming to Bond street for years and it has never let me down. You can either have an elegant dinner upstairs or hang in the lounge downstairs for something more casual. My favorite is the crunchy shrimp dish. It takes a lot for a restaurant to stay in NY for over 10 years and still pack inthe crowds so obviously Bond street must be doing something right. I would definitely not listen to all the negative reviews.

3 Stars: Underwhelming (by tbirdienyc)

tbirdienyc — Sat, 25 Nov 2006 01:00:00 GMT

My friend has always wanted to try Bond Street - we went for his birthday on a Saturday. I called two weeks in advance for a 9 o'clock reservation, which was no problem. We arrived at 8:30 for a glass of champagne before we sat down to dinner, which was fine, although the bar is too small for the space and really overcrowded. Our table was ready around 9:30. We had amazing appetizers and mostly great sushi. Our waiter recommended the special toro roll, which we ordered. It was good, but at $26 was not nearly three times as good as anything else on the menu, and that was before we bit into a bone in three out of the six toro roll pieces. I mean...I eat sushi 2-3 times per week, and I have never...ever...encountered a bone...until now. We mentioned it to our waiter, who frankly did not seem overly concerned. He said he would tell the kitchen, and eventually came back with a really lame little petite four platter thingie (double lame since we had both already ordered dessert). The desserts were good - the sake creme brulee is amazing - but I had specifically mentioned that it was a birthday when I made the reservation, and then again when I confirmed the reservation that morning. So frankly, when my friend's dessert came out without a birthday flourish (no candle...no Happy Birthday written on the plate) I was really annoyed. The check was $200 for two people, and I really am happy to pay $200 for dinner - but you pay that kind of money so that it's perfect. And there were just way too many little screw-ups for the price. Our table was half an hour late, the waiter was indifferent at best, bones in the exorbitantly priced special sushi roll (still reeling), no candle, and, to add insult to injury, our waiter dropped the check at the same time as our desserts...really tacky. The crowd was very B&T to boot, so the trendy ambience was wasted. Altogether, there are many, many other places to drop your $200.

4 Stars: Had a good dinner (by splashkpl)

splashkpl — Sun, 29 Oct 2006 01:00:00 GMT

Came here the other night with my sister. Made a 7:00 reservation warlier in the day with no problem (although a later time was not available). Service is generally OK (nothing special). We sat in the back by the sushi bar but a table in the dim-lit front would have been nice for better atmosphere. We shared the Mixed Green salad which was big and good but again, nothing special. Ceviche trio was very small but very good (a tad salty). My sister had the Sea Bass which was really good and had great natural flavor. It is served with radish (?) in a sweet orange sauce. I had the lobster tempura roll which was good and the soba noodle and crab roll which was very good. The soba noodle roll is slightly warm which was nice. The crowd is a little bit older and the noise level was pretty low. It was an overall nice experience but i don't think i will be returning anytime soon just because i like places with a little more engery.

5 Stars: Sushi is Sensational (by trojanchick)

trojanchick — Fri, 27 Oct 2006 02:00:00 GMT

I have been to BondSt many times and everytime it gets better. The sushi is always fresh and very tasty; the tempura is fried to perfection and the kobe beef is worth its weight in gold. Besides the ample seating (up and down stairs avail. for seating), the bar serves up some mean martinis and the ambiance is perfect for a romantic date or a fun night out with a group of friends or co-workers. I give this place two thumbs up in a "Z" formation!!!

4 Stars: Sushi was phenomenal! (by gurneet)

gurneet — Wed, 20 Sep 2006 02:00:00 GMT

I have never heard of this place before and i eat a lot of sushi. I completely missed the place when i walked by because you have to go up the stairs like you're going to an apartment building (which it is). There is a lounge downstairs and restaurant upstairs. I would recommend fried shrimp with aioli sauce for appetizer..it was so good!!!!! I had a wide variety of sushi and i was very impressed. The sushi was phenomenal but the service was quite pathetic. The waitress never came to ask us if we need anything else. The food took forever. We were waiting for quite a while before we had to ask her again if the food is coming. I would recommend this place for good sushi.

4 Stars: Food is so good... (by envymeny)

envymeny — Wed, 06 Sep 2006 02:00:00 GMT

I was seated by the sushi bar so it was very loud, but I didn't mind it because all the chefs there were very entertaining and friendly and everyone was happy. As appetizers I had their 'eel dice roll' which was cleverly made and tasted like heaven! Best sushi I've ever had thus far. The other appetizer I ordered was the fried sea bass that came with this spicy sauce which I wasn't too thrilled about. It tasted kinda soapy for some mysterious reason. As an entree I had their broiled chilean sea bass and it was so tasty! I loved it! For dessert I had this chocolate cake which I wasn't impressed with at all. I would definitely go back to try the other items on their menu. Service was just decent.

5 Stars: Zen Quality (by akh74)

akh74 — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 02:00:00 GMT

The irony is that despite everything on the menu [that we tried] being first rate, the 'basic' avocado salmon maki rolled in sesame seeds stands out as my favorite dish. For a chef to be able to make quintessential menu items memorable says something.

As for atmosphere, it's refreshing-- lighting, the wood floors, the upper and lower levels-- to have unpretentious chic.

5 Stars: the best sushi of new york (by nelidaroquet)

nelidaroquet — Fri, 30 Jun 2006 02:00:00 GMT

no other sushi place can be comparable with bond ( possible sushi 55 in LA). fresh is the point when eating sushi and you can't get any fresher ingredients like in this place.
dont' miss this japanese happy people greating!

4 Stars: Quality Sushi (by mekit8)

mekit8 — Mon, 19 Jun 2006 02:00:00 GMT

Meticulous Attention to Detail.
Unique place settings.
Worth the $ and the wait.
Exotic Sushi selections, not your everyday sushi.

5 Stars: favorite sushi (by bk_chic)

bk_chic — Mon, 05 Jun 2006 02:00:00 GMT

This is my favorite sushi restaurant in the city. Classy ambience, and the food is fresh and high quality. The upstairs dining area is great for a romantic date.

3 Stars: Yummy (by gc315)

gc315 — Tue, 23 May 2006 02:00:00 GMT

I've been to Bond St 4 times already. The food is hit or miss. Some dishes are great but others just okay. I always order the Lobster Chawan Mushi. I've never had this better anywhere else. The Fried Shrimp in Spicy Aioli sauce is very very tasty. However the fried oysters are not that great. The Risotto is also very very tasty. The miso fish is okay too.

3 Stars: such a nice place could do with better servers (by ecd0108)

ecd0108 — Wed, 10 May 2006 02:00:00 GMT

I went there last night with a couple of friends and we were so disappointed with our waitress we seriously considered not tipping. She was unprepared to discuss the menu and recommend sake and overall extremely rude. Even the fact that she was pretty-it seems to be the only criteria they consider when hiring- didn't do much for her since she was so unfriendly and pretentious.
The food was okay. I recommend the crab cake and the seared tuna with foie gras for appetizers. The sushi and sashimi were not great so I would probably order a hot entrée instead.
I really like going to nice restaurants but would go for good service + good food over trendy anytime.

5 Stars: BondSt. - better than ever (by brianxyz)

brianxyz — Tue, 02 May 2006 02:00:00 GMT

I recently went back to bondst. after not having been there in some time - it's now clear why they're still as popular as ever. Service was consientious and the food was delicious and fresh. The decor is nice but it could possibly use a bit of updating. It was also good to see that the same guy (with short dark hair) is still there at the front door. It's that kind of consistency that has turned bondst. into a New York institution.

5 Stars: Wow-what a great night (by bkeet)

bkeet — Tue, 18 Apr 2006 02:00:00 GMT

I have been coming here for years and the food is more consistent than ever. A few new faces, but all the srevers are friendly and HOT. It is the best of everything here at this Exceptional sushi place

3 Stars: Could have been better (by jd1557)

jd1557 — Tue, 21 Mar 2006 01:00:00 GMT

Nice atmosphere and trendy dining room but the food was only average and the service was confused at best and a disaster at worst. The waiter brought me a Sapporo, which was very nice of him but I ordered wine. Then they brought me a tempura entree, which I also did not order. We had to ask for my girlfriend's wine 3 times before it arrived. We even started joking with the couple next to us, who seemed equally disappointed. By the time we got our yellowtail, we both agreed that we'd had better at far cheaper places. Finally, it took them almost 45 minutes to get us our check after we asked for it. Maybe we just caught them on a bad night, but with so many great Japanese places in NYC, I can't imagine going back.

2 Stars: Need to Do More to Earn My Business (by debfeldman)

debfeldman — Thu, 16 Feb 2006 01:00:00 GMT

Service: shamefully bad - the bartender was clipped and rude, setting the tone for the evening. It seems like the restaurant hiring practices are geared to cultivating an unfriendly, cooler-than-thou atmosphere. I got over aspiring to that level of obnoxious some time in the 90's, and wish the staff at BondSt would too!

If there is a redeeming factor about BondSt, its the food. It was inconsistent, though. The 6BondSt. and SushiSextet disappointed - over-marinated and combined with flavors that clashed versus complimented.

I recommend the kobe beef appetizer and the spicy tuna and crispy shrimp rolls. Skip the AkaDashi soup!

BondSt is run with a real sense of entitlement. They need to do more to earn repeat business to cultivate a strong following - their following is spotty at best, which doesn't bode well for staying-power in this tough city!

2 Stars: Pretentious Place (by yukster11)

yukster11 — Fri, 03 Feb 2006 01:00:00 GMT

Went there on a Saturday Night. Lots of pretty girls looking for a rich guy. $10 beers (they only have 3, Kirin, Sapporo, and 1 other). Gets pretty crowded, definitely need a reservation for dinner. Bartenders look like model wannabes and threw out my friend's beer before he was finished (about 1/4 left). When he complained, he was told, "you were done with it anyway." A place to see and be seen, but if you're just looking to chill out and hang, this is not the place.

5 Stars: Make sure you Bow! (by jackryan)

jackryan — Thu, 26 Jan 2006 01:00:00 GMT

We were lucky to get reservations a couple days before for a Friday nite. Super trendy...naturally. It's a nice spot though. Very romatic in the dining room. Because of our short reservations we had a table in the back by the sushi place.

The food was excellent and well presented. The salmon was very tastey and the sushi was very good. My only minus on the place....and if you are a fan of my posts you know I always have one, is that the smoked salmon sushi was too smoked. It hardend one side.

I hope to be back. If you are in the back room, must of the blue hairs don't know that they sushi people jaw at you when you leave and arrive b/c you need to show them RESPECT and bow. Most giggle and laugh.

5 Stars: Consistently good food & service (by koalakid)

koalakid — Thu, 19 Jan 2006 01:00:00 GMT

Have been going here for years and have always enjoyed outstanding food and service. There are cheaper places, but for the quality and atmosphere (and beautiful staff) I think it's totally worth it. They have always been very helpful about last-minute reservations and special occasions, too, which is definitely a big plus. I recommend sitting in the sushi bar area so you can watch the chefs - it's a lot of fun.

5 Stars: very trendy place (by dontwant2turn30yet)

dontwant2turn30yet — Thu, 29 Dec 2005 01:00:00 GMT

The food (sushi, the bass, tuna..yum!) and drinks (saketinis!) were wonderful. The decor was gorgeous and very zen-like. The restaurant even had an elevator. The place was packed. The hosts/hostesses looked like aspiring models/actresses. We made reservations and they called us up to offer us better seating, so that was a nice gesture. Our waitress unfortunately wasn't so great. She was a bit of an ice queen.

5 Stars: THE Absolute BEST (by rykane)

rykane — Mon, 26 Sep 2005 02:00:00 GMT

I recently dined at Bond St. for my 3 year anniversary. The food was top notch...I highly recommend the sea bass, it was sooooo good. Despite what I read about the service; our waiter went above and beyond to make us feel very special. Without any prompting on my part he brought out my girlfriends desert with a candle and he had the cook right "happy anniversary" on the plate in chocolate sauce. This made her night and made our getaway weekend absolutely perfect. THE FOOD AND SERVICE WERE UNBELIEVABLE! THIS IS A GREAT DATE SPOT! Price was not as bad as I thought...Our bill was around $200 including tip.

5 Stars: Great Date Spot... (by lindseynagel)

lindseynagel — Thu, 01 Sep 2005 02:00:00 GMT

I heard a lot about this place and finally decided to give it a try. I found the atmosphere to be very romantic... unlike all the couples around me, I was not on a date, but I still enjoyed myself. The Chilean sea bass is to die for. Our waiter was very friendly too. I would definitely recommend this restaurant.

5 Stars: the best sushi I've ever had (by bluekatnyc)

bluekatnyc — Wed, 10 Aug 2005 02:00:00 GMT

I have been here probably 10 times with friends and family, have had some pretty lousy service, but the food made up for it. Also went here for sake-bombers late one night and had a lot of fun. the bartender was super-hot. Absolutely stand-out food, and if you stick to one drink you can have a great meal of appetizers and rolls for under $100: my favorites are the apicy tuna-the best spicy sauce, orange shrip tempura with curry mayo, and surprisingly the sun-dried tomato and avacado rolls is really excellent. Also try the goat-cheese crab cakes. Call ahead or eat at the sushi bar....its always busy.

4 Stars: nice atmosphere with a bar (by monokoke)

monokoke — Mon, 08 Aug 2005 02:00:00 GMT

ordered the chef's tasting menu but is a grade lower than nobu's. i found some of the sauces to be a tad bit salty and the quality of the sushi was so-so. however, the desserts were very good as well as the sake selection. instead of the chef's tasting menu, order a couple of rolls and appetizers and you'll be set. the ambience was very nice although they turned down the lighting all of a sudden. the bar downstairs was convenient with good service - they could expand their saketini menu though.

5 Stars: ONLY WONDERFUL THINGS TO SAY! (by gsid)

gsid — Fri, 05 Aug 2005 02:00:00 GMT

I came here with a friend -- we were both STARVING -- we had reservations and we arrived over an hour early. They immediately accomodated us. Free edamame (nice perk) and we ordered four rolls between the two of us, and each of us had a drink. The rolls and dipping sauces were amongst the top 3 I've ever had in the world (yes, world). We were absolutely stuffed after we ate all of them (in fact, we ended up wasting a few pieces which was the only upsetting part). The bill came out to $35 each, including a really good tip, so it's not as expensive as people may think. Staff was friendly as well -- our waiter was chatting with us for a bit after we paid (we definitely were not rushed out).

5 Stars: Best Sushi in NY ! (by nikki_la_90210)

nikki_la_90210 — Mon, 13 Jun 2005 02:00:00 GMT

i love this place! i love this place! i love this place! i love this place!

bond st. is consistently good !! and that's why i keep coming back !

5 Stars: FIRST DATE (by denissem)

denissem — Fri, 10 Jun 2005 02:00:00 GMT

I Was There Yesterday On My 1st Date And It Was GREEEAATT, The Waiter was a Snob early in the night but at the end of the night he came around, the Lobster Tempura, Spicy Tuna And Avacado Rolls Were To Die For. YUMMY!! As Far As Cost I Was On A date So He Paid, But I Think The Service Was Great , It's A Good Looking Place A Little Bit Dark. I'll BE BACK!!

2 Stars: Do not go to Bond Sushi for Sushi (by thunderbunny)

thunderbunny — Mon, 06 Jun 2005 02:00:00 GMT

I heard this restaurant is so good, but I didn't think so. It may be good for drinking, but sushi was not good at all. However it's very expensive. If you want to eat sushi, do not go there, go to other sushi restaurants.

1 Stars: All the fluff without the substance (by droemmer)

droemmer — Sat, 28 May 2005 02:00:00 GMT

Table on top-of-each-other environment so you're closer to the person sitting next to you than the person you're with. Great for conversation, not. Worse yet, the sushi was disappointing at best. Quality was marginal and size of pieces makes you pull out your microscope. All for a cool two Ben Franklin's for two people. This place ain't gotta clue. Walk right by it next time you're in the neighborhood.

5 Stars: good food, worth of trying! (by jinmike)

jinmike — Sat, 21 May 2005 02:00:00 GMT

i had dinner here last night with my friends. I liked the ambiance, food. we had lobster tempura, crispy spicy shrimp, toro tartar, some kind of kobe beef and many different kinds (about 20)of sushi and sashimi. you have to order a lot because the portion of dish is very small. and ordered steak and some steam fish as Entree(don't remember the exact name of these two entree, because my friend ordered for us). I LIKED EVERYTHING I TASTED. THE WAITER WAS NOT PATIENT enough for us to finish each dishes. He kept asking us if he could take away the dishes we did not finished. That was a bit annoying.

Conclusion: GREAT FOOD, but VERY SMALL PORTION and PRICEY. I left almost hungry after eating so many different dishes. Bill came out to be more than $150 per person with two bottle of wine. I WOULD GO BACK

4 Stars: Beautiful but. . . (by dodat)

dodat — Wed, 11 May 2005 02:00:00 GMT

the food at Bond Street does not fit the scenery. My friends and I ordered an Omakase (12 pieces of sushi selected by the Chef) and I was definitely dissapointed. First of all, the size of each sushi was uncommonly small. Why so small? I guess I'm paying for the atmosphere, which seductive and chic. A geat place to take your first date but not a place to fill your appetite. A full course meal of two appetizers, omakase, and dessert left me yearning for a can of Campbell's New England Chowder. A great place to be seen at but it is nothing more than that. The hype drew me in but the emptiness of my stomach drew me out. Once in a lifetime deal and I'm glad I experience it when I am still young.

4 Stars: Nice place (by mjmaherjr)

mjmaherjr — Sun, 08 May 2005 02:00:00 GMT

My girlfriend and I ate downstairs and she loved it and I thought it was pretty good. Sushi was excellent. Wasnt that much of a bargain. It was so crowded though people at the bar and the bar so small people were basically standing right over us which was annoying. I dont need to see people staring at us eat wondering what we got. Mind your own freakin business and order a drink. Service was pretty slow when I needed a new drink. Can someone turn on the air conditioning so I dont feel like a purdue turkey in an oven on thanksgiving ?

4 Stars: This is the famous Bond St.!!! (by robino35)

robino35 — Wed, 06 Apr 2005 02:00:00 GMT

After hearing so much about the Bond St., I finally got a chance to experience the buzz. What I found out was that my wife and I had been there when it was under construction. The sushi was excellent. I had not had sushi that melt in my mouth for a while. It was definitely a very romatic place and a place for people-watching. I will come back again and again for the sushi; however, the appetitizers were just so so. I was not so impressed by the decoration. Nice leather sofa, but so what. Mega has better design. Only if Bond St. had Sapa's interior design, or Sapa had Bond St.'s food...

5 Stars: I LOVE THIS PLACE (by iamny)

iamny — Tue, 01 Mar 2005 01:00:00 GMT

Amazing sushi (the best tuna sashimi), cocktails and ambience. I recommend this place for dates, dinner with friends, anything!

2 Stars: not worth it (by shadeeoak)

shadeeoak — Sat, 26 Feb 2005 01:00:00 GMT

the food was average at best and the service was far worse. My date and i left hungry.

4 Stars: good fancy dinner (by yeah88)

yeah88 — Thu, 02 Dec 2004 01:00:00 GMT

my boyfriend took me there for a fancy birthday dinner and it was really yummy! the risotto appetizer was REALLY good and the sea bass entree was pretty yummy too. the sushi was ok... i wasn't that impressed. we got 2 rolls - lobster tempura which i wouldn't go for again, and the shrimp roll with some kind of curry sauce. that was good. i would get the shrimp one again. anyways, i would definitely go back - but for a special occasion cause it's kinda pricey (as expected).

5 Stars: Still an Excellent Restaurant (by jpcnyc1)

jpcnyc1 — Mon, 02 Aug 2004 02:00:00 GMT

Obviously if cost is your main concern, then you'll probably spend more time on your calculator watch adding up your dishes than enjoying the meal. On the other hand, if you want expensive and overpriced, go to MEGU. Bond street, after so many years is still NOT passe' and offers a fun atmosphere, excellent menu and staff (both here and Miami). The crowd, often a nouveau riche/eurotrash Wall Street blend, has lost its luster (as well as some of the interior) but overall it's still a great environment for date or small groups.

5 Stars: Great Place (by ozstu)

ozstu — Mon, 02 Aug 2004 02:00:00 GMT

I took my girlfriend here for my birthday and we had a great time. Sushi was great and so was the service. The Soft Shell Crab Roll and Lobster Tempura are awesome. I would definetly recommend for a date. Price was not too bad, especially for a restaurant of this level.

4 Stars: Waste of Money (by abonito)

abonito — Thu, 10 Jun 2004 02:00:00 GMT

Absolute total waste of extra money. If you feel like paying extra for them to turn the lights down and give you a rock to put your sticks on - then go. However, if you're going out for good sushi, just remember that for the most part, it really just gets more expensive. The quality is not remarkably different. Go to Yama.

5 Stars: The Epitome of an Outstanding Restaurant (by smoky_blue)

smoky_blue — Wed, 02 Jun 2004 02:00:00 GMT

Bond Street has become the yard stick by which I measure all other restaurants, sushi or otherwise.

The ambiance and atmosphere are great. If you are going for a romantic dinner, try the second floor dining area. If youd like a bit more fun, sit at the sushi bar. The sushi chefs have interesting personalities, interact quite a bit and seem to enjoy their work.

The service has just the right balance of attentiveness and discreetness. When you find that your sake glass has been filled and you didnt notice the waiter doing it, you know the staff has been well trained.

And, the sushi is unmatched anywhere. Really. Surprisingly, the non-sushi items are also superb. The ume-soba is wonderful, the Chilean sea bass is done just right, and the filet is great.

If you are getting a bottle of sake, Id recommend the Maebo; one of my favorite sakes.

5 Stars: Get what you pay for (by shinatra75)

shinatra75 — Fri, 21 May 2004 02:00:00 GMT

We tried the chef's tasting menu that was perfect. Perfect blend of flavors, perfect portions, and perfect presentation. A+ for the food but the wait staffs need to educate themselves better.

1 Stars: not worth it (by laugone)

laugone — Thu, 29 Apr 2004 02:00:00 GMT

bond street sushi is not worth the high price you pay to eat there. don't go there if you are hungary cause the portions are minute. if you have a special roll to your liking that you would like to order forget about it cause they will not make it for you. the ambiance was great but thats all bond street sushi had to offer

4 Stars: Top Notch (by hegle)

hegle — Sun, 18 Apr 2004 02:00:00 GMT

I've tried many highly-rated sushi places and this one is the best. However, I haven't been to Nobu so perhaps Bondst. is second place. I'm not sure if it's #1 but the sushi is delicious, fresh, and comes paired with wonderful, exotic sauces, which combinations are clearly well thought-out and executed.

1 Stars: Don't Bother (by jbrouss105)

jbrouss105 — Tue, 30 Mar 2004 01:00:00 GMT

Went to Bond St. on a Monday night to try the sushi. Upon seating, was very rushed by the waitress. Tried the Omakase menu sashimi and although the fish was good, the portions were pitiful. Been to Nobu and Blue Ribbon many times and have always left full and extremely satisfied ... left Bond St. and wanted to go to Wendy's (ended up at Magnolia Bakery.) Especially disappointing was the otoro. All in all, this place is a joke. DON'T BOTHER ... too many other good Japanese restaurants in NYC.

5 Stars: They Were Right!!! (by dwildridge13)

dwildridge13 — Tue, 27 Jan 2004 01:00:00 GMT

I have a few well heeled friends that frequent all of the best that NYC has to offer...Il Mulino, Nobu, Etc...and they were right. I was told to prepare for an outstanding sushi experience and this place was a "can't miss". The staff and ambiance were understated, yet gorgeous. The "front door" staff was courteous and treated my party with more attention than I expect, and of course the sushi was second to none. I can now go to Nobu for the entrees and save my sushi "jones" for Bond St.

1 Stars: some w(h)ine with that? (by ejohnsto)

ejohnsto — Wed, 21 Jan 2004 01:00:00 GMT

It was somewhere between our waiter not knowing what sushi came as part of the tasting platter and the copious amounts of wine that he spilt while trying to pour me a taste that I realized...the service here? not so great. This was followed by various wacky hijinks: overly sweet foie de gras, lack of extra ginger/soy sauce, minute portions even for sushi, appetizers arriving at different times...I could go on, but reliving the experience traumatizes me. just say no.

3 Stars: leaves you feeling empty (by nyc2caligal)

nyc2caligal — Mon, 22 Dec 2003 01:00:00 GMT

Well, this place was one of the selections for the girls' and I monthly G.N.O dinner....but it sort of sux that we wanted pizza after dining here. (well most of us) i guess if you're Cameron Diaz, a Supermodel, or simply watching your weight, then it's the place for you. But if you're a normal eater, well just pack a sub or something in your purse. The good thing is that it never fails to come up in conversation when we are all together so although, we were empty in the bellie, our mouths are full of talk about how hungry we were.

4 Stars: seems played out... (by cujo13)

cujo13 — Mon, 01 Dec 2003 01:00:00 GMT

the sushi was good and the service was not as bad as some would have you think but the crowd was more business than hip, more wall st. than style. big tables in the corner were great for six of us.

5 Stars: Wow (by ochun)

ochun — Sat, 22 Nov 2003 01:00:00 GMT

Definately one of the best sushi restaurants in NYC. The blue fin tuna, good portion. The bleu cheese tuna was out of this world. If you go I would definitely recommend a sushi omakase. The live eel, lobster all excellent. Very creative rolls. The arugula roll is very creative and delicious. Also great sushi specials. The regular food was definitely not worth it. I wasn't sure if I was eating shortribs or cardboard. The chawanmushi was just wrong. The desserts were spectacular. I had a strawberry custard cake which blew my mind it was so good. Creme caramel was perfect as well as a sesame apple dessert. The Maitre'd was very polite.

3 Stars: ON IT'S WAY OUT? (by discerningdiner888)

discerningdiner888 — Sat, 22 Nov 2003 01:00:00 GMT

Bond Street has been serving very good sushi for many years to an increasingly less hip crowd. The reservationists and hosts can be a bit off-putting and arrogant, given how uncrowded they can be, but the bar can be quite the scene and your date will be impressed. The sushi bar area is particularly fun to dine in because the sushi chefs great you loudly and cheerfully as you arrive and depart. Get points by making a reservation via Open Table (which indicates just how desperate they are getting but Bond St. will always be around).

5 Stars: Awesome! (by rqd2)

rqd2 — Mon, 13 Oct 2003 02:00:00 GMT

The only problem I had with Bond Street was that it was hard to find, as a tourist. Besides that, I think it was some of the best sushi i have ever had. The service was great and we were seated promptly even though we were approximately an hour late. If you are single and hoping to mingle, I would definitely recommend sitting downstairs. Upstairs is nice but much quiter and the tables are too far apart to talk to any beautiful ladies sitting nearby.

The longe in the basement was packed with beautiful people and we had a great time there as well.

3 Stars: Shabby Street (by kinky99)

kinky99 — Fri, 22 Aug 2003 02:00:00 GMT

For what you pay, Bond Street failed to impress, the Sushi on the night was average. The wait to get a table was outrageous, and the waiters need to start using what few brain cells they have instead of hoping to be asked to be the next Calvin Klein model

5 Stars: delicious (by richwg)

richwg — Mon, 21 Jul 2003 02:00:00 GMT

I always come here with a frame of mind. First of all the sushi is great and with that i can understand the place can be crowded and busy. So i can live with a little wait, especially with the cute guys waiting by the bar.

5 Stars: Fancy Sushi (by fongkx)

fongkx — Fri, 27 Jun 2003 02:00:00 GMT

This place is one of my favorite sushi places but not because of the sushi. The atmosphere is very trendy and the people very chic. The sushi is pretty good but not what you come for. You come for the scene and the people watching. Tables are really close together but that shouldn't stop you from chatting up the cuties next to you. Of course with any "Hot" scene, its gonna cost you a pretty penny.

3 Stars: A Bit Overrated (by MJNYC)

MJNYC — Thu, 05 Jun 2003 02:00:00 GMT

As far as the food goes, it is inventive, but certainly not excellent. And the service was indeed shoddy. We asked for a birthday cake for a friend, which was completely dismissed. When we asked the waited what happened to the missing cake, he shrugged his shoulders and walked away...

It's unfortunate the service can ruin this place.

1 Stars: The service sucks! (by josie72)

josie72 — Wed, 04 Jun 2003 02:00:00 GMT

I took my significant other to this place for a birthday dinner the other night, and it was a disaster!

Anyway, the food was admittedly delicious, but during the meal a waiter accidentally slammed my significant other in the head with his elbow. He barely apologized and when we confronted him about it, was very defensive and tried to say that it was our fault. We called over the manager, who was apologetic and sent over a free dessert and free drinks, but this did not make up for a ruined birthday dinner and a sore head.

Even putting this incident aside, the service was at best, spacey and indifferent, and at worst, arrogant, and full of itself. They need more professionals and fewer black-clad actors with self-consciously mussed haircuts. This place needs to get over itself. It isn't 1999 any more!

5 Stars: A Great Night! (by Missiek)

Missiek — Sun, 18 May 2003 02:00:00 GMT

Went to Bond Street last night and had a fantastic time. We were seated promptly and were honored, without any trouble, a table change. We did not have the same experience other reviewers have had with the service at all. Everyone was prompt and more than polite, particularly the manager, although I can't remember her name. The food was incredibly good and the portions were hardly stingy. No one at our table was able to finish their meal! After at least 15 drinks for 4 people, two appetizers each, two entrees, scores of sushi and caviar, two desserts, and expresso the bill came to 400.00 without tip. I'd highly recommend it for a special birthday!

5 Stars: OH MY GOD! (by Bianca_Lee)

Bianca_Lee — Wed, 16 Apr 2003 02:00:00 GMT

This place has turned me into a sushi snob. I won't go any where else.

5 Stars: Incredible!!! (by nyc_eats)

nyc_eats — Sun, 30 Mar 2003 01:00:00 GMT

Bond Street has some of the most incredible sushi you will ever put in your mouth!! Ambiance could be better, and it is pricey, but the food makes up for all of this. INCREDIBLE!

5 Stars: Hip and Fun (by lancemanhattan)

lancemanhattan — Thu, 13 Mar 2003 01:00:00 GMT

Lots of fun at this trendy, hip restaurant. I've heard of the bad service but it actually was incredibly good. They seated us and actully added 1 more to the table last second. The bartenders were friendly while I waited and the food was good. It was spaced out (we had the 80pp), toro appetizer was so smooth, we had quail, numerous sushi, soup, pumpin puree and more. It just kept coming. All in all for 4 people w/tip came out to $500, not bad at all.

2 Stars: 'tude maki (by grah17)

grah17 — Wed, 12 Mar 2003 01:00:00 GMT

Perhaps I was there on an off-night, but I had a terrible experience at Bond Street. While at first glance the ambience appears chic, the obnoxious service and cramped seating destroy any and all luster of "coolness". The hostess "didn't know we still wanted to eat" after we waited at the bar for over an hour and she skipped right over our name on the list. After being seated and what felt like an eternity for us to receive our food, the sushi was surprisingly decent. It was enjoyed, however, on a 2 x 2 table for 3 people as 2 of us sat crammed on the end of a bench and the third on a mini-stool. The crowning moment, however, was when the hostess rolled her eyes at us when we asked for change paying our bill. I was wholly unimpressed with this place.

3 Stars: avoid omakase tasting menu! (by toujours28)

toujours28 — Sat, 15 Feb 2003 01:00:00 GMT

I understand understated lighting, but when the only light for your meal comes from the 2 votives on your table and the glaring neon sign across the room, you know that something is wrong. Ignoring that fact, the atmosphere was quite cool. Service was sketchy.

The food: although the seared tuna was very good, the $60 tasting menu included some of the toughest quail I've ever had to fight my way through. Sushi was good but not noteworthy. Hake flavored with miso was overpoweringly sweet. Desserts were actually the best part of the meal, but that's probably because we were still hungry.

Finally, after waiting 10 minutes for our coats (no queue, they'd just misplaced them), they handed them out in no particular order so that the lady in our party ended up struggling with her own coat.

Verdict: nice decor, but don't go there for the food.

2 Stars: dont believe the hype (by garyty)

garyty — Tue, 11 Feb 2003 01:00:00 GMT

Service was okay, atmosphere was cool, food blew. If you are going to be spending this kind of money for sushi, there are hundreds of better and in 99% of the cases cheaper alternatives in the city. The sushi was not only mediocre, but tiny. I would never recommend this place to anyone.

5 Stars: Yummy food, yummier staff (by lovinporn69)

lovinporn69 — Thu, 06 Feb 2003 01:00:00 GMT

love, love, love, those boys in the lounge! The food is worth going for, but the boys in behind the bar in the lounge are what keep me coming back! Especially the one they call EROCK????

2 Stars: are you joking??? (by EricaDK)

EricaDK — Mon, 03 Feb 2003 01:00:00 GMT

Having eaten at Yama the night before, I was sorely disappointed that the rolls were 1/4 the taste and 1/4 the size, and with half the alcohol ordered, this meal was still double the price. I thought it was supposed to be better than Nobu- this place was a joke in comparison- Please don't waste your time, especially since the people working there are totally clueless.

4 Stars: Great Sushi (by Katjh80)

Katjh80 — Fri, 24 Jan 2003 01:00:00 GMT

Bond Street has consistently great sushi and rolls. I especially love their spicy tuna roll and the sesame shrimp roll. The atmosphere is great and so is the service. I went on a Sunday night so the scene was a little less crazy than usual and it was nice. The sushi itself is also very fresh and the waitress really helped by recommending the best things on the menu. The desserts are also wonderful. The price is what I expectwhen I go to a great sushi restaurant so it didn't surprise me that it was a little pricey.

2 Stars: Ok Food, Overpriced (by ap277947)

ap277947 — Mon, 20 Jan 2003 01:00:00 GMT

This was our first time at Bond Street, and the prices were absurd!! The portions were small, and the lighting was way too dark. The food was good, but not worth the price. The cheapest roll was eight bucks!!!! If I ever won the mega millions, I may go back, but that is the only time.

4 Stars: Pricey.. (by soogah)

soogah — Sat, 18 Jan 2003 01:00:00 GMT

I've been to Bond st. quite a few times and I usually eat right above the bar area. The food is good but it wasn't as good as the amount they were charging. I would go there again yes but not all the time! I can't aford it! If you like your sushi cut large and juicy like.. this isnt the place for you.

3 Stars: had better (by qt_lamb)

qt_lamb — Mon, 13 Jan 2003 01:00:00 GMT

the portions were small food without taste, expensive and crowded

4 Stars: Can't get enough Bond (by csm5)

csm5 — Mon, 13 Jan 2003 01:00:00 GMT

I've never eaten at Bond St's upstairs area. Why? Because the lounge is the best place to take a new date who likes sushi. As with most NY chic spots, its low candle light and awsome music mix make for a great atmosphere. Yeah, the service is not prompt, but I dont go there to eat fast food. Besides, this place is becoming known for the attitude of the staff. In NY, who doesn't have a little?The unique sauces are perfect for the person who likes more than just ginger, wasabi, & soy sauce with their sushi.

5 Stars: Great torro and eel dishes. (by WolphGang)

WolphGang — Mon, 23 Dec 2002 01:00:00 GMT

The toro is very good. The eel dishes are very creative. I can't get enough of the warm eel roll with sliced almonds.
The warm chocolate desert is surprisingly good too.

The staff needs a SERIOUS make over though. They are very obnoxious and snotty -- the lot of them.

1 Stars: bad service! (by eple)

eple — Sat, 14 Dec 2002 01:00:00 GMT

I went to Bond St. for the first time last night. The food was okay, not bad, it's soso. but the service was terrible! They seemed to have us hurry to get out due to other reservation. I would have ordered more, but then they took our chop sticks as well! The lighting there was too dark to eat too! I couldn't read the menu!
I wasn't sure all the $$$ I spent was valuable. Just bunch of snob goes... not really cool.

1 Stars: fails on every count (by jajjguy)

jajjguy — Wed, 11 Dec 2002 01:00:00 GMT

Food: The fish was not terrible, would be fine for a decent neighborhood sushi joint. Chu-toro was a little old, everything else was ok, but NOT WORLD CLASS.
Atmosphere: Ok, some people probably like this, but Tone-Loc on the stereo and a rude bartender does not equal hip in my book.
Price: A modest dinner for two cost me $130, including tax and tip. It was worth more like $60. I'm not opposed to paying a lot for great stuff, but this was not it.

4 Stars: Ignore the cheese, enjoy the sushi (by foodie21)

foodie21 — Tue, 03 Dec 2002 01:00:00 GMT

Go with friends you like and simply enjoy the freshest and most delectable sushi. You will be surrounded by a horrible cheesy B&T and/or think-they're-cool ibanker crowd but the food is well worth it. Helpful tip: Order all your stuff once you get a waitperson - even ordering your drinks ahead...they seem to disappear into thin air for hours.

3 Stars: Party like it's 1989 (by TJBNYC76)

TJBNYC76 — Sat, 23 Nov 2002 01:00:00 GMT

I know that Bond Street opened in 1997, but I can't shake the feeling that I've time-warped to the Big 80s whenever I'm there: from the sleek-yet-cold decor to the loudmouthed investment bankers seated across from me, everything screams "The Me Decade." Which is not necessarily a bad thing. If you're prepared to deal with all the egos (the staff AND the clientele), you can settle in for an enjoyably over-the-top kinda-sorta-Japanese meal. Don't look for too much authenticity from a Japanese restaurant that offers foie gras. Everything lacked salt, and the tab will make you wish Gordon Gekko were footing the bill, but you'll feel important and snazzy for the duration of your meal. And who doesn't need that every now and then?

5 Stars: Best chilean seabass (by kayko)

kayko — Thu, 21 Nov 2002 01:00:00 GMT

This is one of my favorite restarants in NYC!! It is especially a wonderful place to bring out of towners to experience NYC and great for large groups. Great lounge

2 Stars: Overrated (by bellacvn)

bellacvn — Sun, 17 Nov 2002 01:00:00 GMT

This trendy New York restaurant is a disappointing dining experience, especially when compared to the sushi restaurants I have frequented in this vast metropolis. The food portions are meager and the prices are exorbitant. When I go out to dinner I find pleasure in eating a sizeable meal and paying for what I get. At Bond Street, not only do you leave you still feeling hungry, you also leave feeling cheated - definitely NOT the best bang for your buck!

4 Stars: I love it, but my honey can't stand it! (by lc_blank)

lc_blank — Tue, 12 Nov 2002 01:00:00 GMT

I love Bond Street; the decor, the drinks, and especially the food. The sushi is not traditional sushi, but if you're looking for something different, it's great. Love the sesame-crusted shrimp roll, lobster tempura roll and spicy tuna roll-they're all served with yummy dipping sauces. Makes my mouth water just thinking about it! My husband refuses to go there ever since we have had rude service from waiters and hosts. I don;t blame him, I was not very happy myself, but he food is so good I can't give it up. If you go, just realize they think they're too cool and give attitude.

1 Stars: Nasty...Nasty...EXPENSIVE (by AMess11)

AMess11 — Tue, 12 Nov 2002 01:00:00 GMT

Had a late reservation. They stuck us at the table up front by the bar and REFUSED to change our seats even though we were willing to wait. The twerpy male host had a MAJOR attitude and refused to accomodate us and the waitress was unwilling to take out order since one person wasn't at the table even though we knew what they wanted. The ashes from people smoking were falling into our food. The food was decent but not worth the prices. The staff needs a dose of reality.

2 Stars: Lousy Service (by star67)

star67 — Tue, 05 Nov 2002 01:00:00 GMT

The sushi @ bond st. is the best i've had, hands down, but do they have to be so rude-- The hostess wouldn't allow us to save a seat for a late friend (15 minutes), and gave us dirty looks the whole night. Also, right as we finished our meal, the servers took our plates and started setting up while we were still seated--and before the check came. Oh, yeah, we were still hungry when we left--each of us having spent @ least $50.

4 Stars: Good Atmosphere, Decent Sushi (by lgolds79)

lgolds79 — Mon, 28 Oct 2002 01:00:00 GMT

I went there with a friend, and we didn't think that it was anything extraordinary. We got there pretty late, so we didn't have to wait. The sushi was presented very well, but they messed up our order. It's also difficult to eat it because you're bending over these low tables. The sushi was good, but overpriced. Overall, I would recommend it because it's different. But don't expect something out of this world because you'll be disappointed.

5 Stars: Sexy sushi (by kal102374)

kal102374 — Mon, 14 Oct 2002 02:00:00 GMT

The descriptive picture for this restaurant does not do this place justice. This place is sexy, sleek and serves designer dishes! The sushi is very fresh and tasty! Off on a side street in Soho, this place is a gem. There are cool places to venture on the Bowery around the corner if you decide to leave after dinner, but who needs to leave when the bar is packed with just enough people.

5 Stars: Always GREAT FOOD! (by loulouloulou)

loulouloulou — Wed, 09 Oct 2002 02:00:00 GMT

..been there a few times-upstairs and lounge..great presentation..delicious,fresh food...great atmosphere...wait staff with attitude-too cool for school...though the host & waitress with the long,black hair in the lounge were very friendly and pleasant .

5 Stars: Tremendous (by samborek)

samborek — Wed, 25 Sep 2002 02:00:00 GMT

Sushi melts in your mouth, fresh fish, perfectly cooked rice. You will not find better sushi in the city.

4 Stars: Melts in your mouth, not in your hands (by gothamgirl)

gothamgirl — Tue, 24 Sep 2002 02:00:00 GMT

I have been here 4 times. Quality-wise, it's tough to beat. If you are willing to drop a little dough, you can count on quality, melt in your mouth cuts of fish. While I tend to be a fan of rolls, you will certainly be missing the true experience if you pass on trying some of the excellent quality sashimi they have to offer. They get fresh fish on a DAILY basis, and it shows. Overall, I love this place. However, the last time I was there, our waitress was TERRIBLE. By the time our food got there (not too long...after she actually remembered to turn in the order!), I was ready to eat my arm, which obviously compromises the experience... A place of this caliber should be seemless--always. Overall, the sushi is good enough for me to to accept server's bad day.

5 Stars: It's got it all (by mormox)

mormox — Wed, 18 Sep 2002 02:00:00 GMT

Great food, atmosphere, location, vibe, decor, and service. It's pricey, but it's a great place to go with friends for a special occassion. Especially for those who like sake and sushi. Bar downstairs is great for a pre-meal drink or five. Lots of celebrity sightings too, but it's low-key, which is good.

2 Stars: Horrid (by almg)

almg — Thu, 05 Sep 2002 02:00:00 GMT

How someone who has actually eaten here and experienced the service can give this place a good rating is beyond me. Perhaps the clientele simply doesn't know a thing about sushi except that it's trendy. The food is absolutely mediocre, with peculiar combinations that bastardize sushi. And the service is unbearable - I waited for ages to get my drink, got the wrong sushi order, and had my appetizer whisked away prematurely. This was all after the waitress spilled a drink into my gym bag. Despite being nice about the martini-soaked gym clothes, the waitress offered my table nothing - no free round, no free dessert, and had the gall to add a 20 percent tip at the end. This place needs to learn that good service means acting responsively even when a guest has been understanding. And that being trendy doesn't make your restaurant any good.

5 Stars: sushi heaven (by spagetti)

spagetti — Wed, 04 Sep 2002 02:00:00 GMT

Expensive, but totally worth it. Went two nights in a row with friends from out of town. Great sake menu, but almost too tasty, watch out. If you like eel, they have a killer roll. Great longe downstairs for late night eats.

5 Stars: Fresh & Trendy (by Alaythya)

Alaythya — Mon, 02 Sep 2002 02:00:00 GMT

Sort of hidden but well worth the investigation of finding it. We suggest sitting at the bar and having a closer look at the 6 sushi chefs there to serve you. Sushi was fresh and presented beautifully. Service was upscale but not stuck-up. Have been to resturants in DC and Boston and so far this tops the list.

5 Stars: Great time out! (by nyc124)

nyc124 — Wed, 28 Aug 2002 02:00:00 GMT

Wow, what they say is true, we had a great time! The sushi is beyond compare for the big, well-known sushi places. The service was surprisingly NICE! We were seated immediatley and they were so accomodating. You can tell most of the staff are from the midwest, very polite and good-looking-both very important to me.

5 Stars: Spectacular Sushi (by kpeterson)

kpeterson — Wed, 28 Aug 2002 02:00:00 GMT

BondSt. is one of those places that comes along all too seldom. It combines amazing food at a valuable price and a casual chic atmosphere. Here's to BondSt!

3 Stars: Hip, yes. Good, no. (by JSEJPM)

JSEJPM — Thu, 22 Aug 2002 02:00:00 GMT

Bond Street goes to show that cool and hip don't mean much when it comes to high quality food. With the exception of the excellent tempura soft-shell crab, the food was not of high quality. Sushi rolls were dry and lacking flavor, explaining the need for dipping sauces a.k.a. flavored mayonnaise. Only the yellow tail was of decent grade. Service was ok, and some reasonable wines on the list, but the check is a killer for such mediocrity.

5 Stars: What a dinner! (by dianar5)

dianar5 — Fri, 16 Aug 2002 02:00:00 GMT

Went there last night for a fanulous birthday dinner. The fish was so fresh and the atmosphere is great. Prices are steep, but well worth it for a special occasion!

5 Stars: Delicious (by skylarchloe)

skylarchloe — Thu, 15 Aug 2002 02:00:00 GMT

The sushi is creative and delicious, the setting is very hip, the waitresses are beautiful, but the service is surprisingly good. There are some good wine deals on the menu and a huge list of saki. I would recommend the omakase choice, but it is pricy. The lounge downstairs is also very good for people watching.

5 Stars: better than nobu (by kkim3315)

kkim3315 — Thu, 08 Aug 2002 02:00:00 GMT

better than nobu, a favorite for years, every bite is a work of art

5 Stars: SCRUMPTIOUS! (by bmonkey1121)

bmonkey1121 — Thu, 01 Aug 2002 02:00:00 GMT

Bond Street is so delicious. The restaurant provides a hip and fun atmosphere, but it also serves serious food. The quality is always high; the fish is so fresh and the presentation is beautifully creative. I would come here every night, if my wallet would allow. For a consistently excellent show, Bond Street is the place to go!

5 Stars: Little rolls of happiness! (by emma3)

emma3 — Wed, 31 Jul 2002 02:00:00 GMT

This is the most wonderful place to have sushi. I love the back bar, though can not stand the dining room. Even the bathroom is wonderful. I can not pass up ordering the same things every time. The duck soup and crispy shrimp rolls. I spring for the otoro (sp?) tuna and it is worth every penny. The weirdest thing is that they make the best pana cotta we have ever had--even in Italy! How weird is that? Again, RUN don't walk.

5 Stars: don't miss it! (by rebeccamun)

rebeccamun — Tue, 30 Jul 2002 02:00:00 GMT

i visit bond st. each year on my annual visits to the city. the best sushi i have ever had anywhere. the presentation is fabulous and the variety available is astounding. i hear the fresh fish is flown in daily from japan! amazing! don't miss the the buckwheat soba (?) risotto! (share it though...it's pretty filling). the service was terrific and i loved the constant refilling of my water glass. i love bond street! see you this october for my visit. Rebecca M. houston,tx

5 Stars: i fantasize about their food! (by tinadunn)

tinadunn — Wed, 24 Jul 2002 02:00:00 GMT

Sesame Crusted Shrimp Roll. I have dreams about it. Goat cheese crab cakes. I can't tell if the hot food is better than the sushi, but its always a quandry which to order. Pleasent staff, both in personality and in looks. Big tip: you can usually sit at the sushi bar with less than a ten minute wait.

1 Stars: 1 (by Scooterpie)

Scooterpie — Sun, 21 Jul 2002 02:00:00 GMT

Hands down the worst dining experience that I have every had. The sushi sucks and the service is terrible. Try complaining to the manager about the horrible service and obnoxious staff and they will make you try to escort you out of the restaurant before you even get your dinner. Bottom line this place SUCKS!

4 Stars: Yes Yes Yes!! (by nyc_girl)

nyc_girl — Mon, 01 Jul 2002 02:00:00 GMT

In a word - loved it. I'm not a huge sushi fan, but a friend took me here on my birthday and I fell in love. The most amazing sushi I've had, although I would advise you to bring a fat wallet. Much better than Blue Ribbon in my opinion. Taste was perfect and service very friendly. Just don't be surprised when the Japanese men yell as you walk past them behind the sushi bar. As I learned, it's a Japanese custom to welcome you (albeit loud and at times distracting). The food will keep me coming back again and again and again ...

2 Stars: Are you kidding me? (by Jason)

Jason — Thu, 23 May 2002 02:00:00 GMT

Okay so the drinks are strong and the food is good but it's not good enough to compensate for the wait staffs attitude. From the moment that we were seated our waiter and service continued to get worse and worse. The only time we saw a spark in our waiters eyes was when he brought out a check for $535 (that was for five people). I will not return to Bond Street for the simple reason of poor customer service. Too many good Sushi restaurants in the city to put up with poor attitudes at such a high cost.

5 Stars: Great place! (by melissa_friou)

melissa_friou — Mon, 20 May 2002 02:00:00 GMT

This is the best sushi place in NYC. The lobster roll and eel roll can't be beat. Try the Purple Dragon: a drink made with Sake and chambord. And the service is impecable. I went there for a b-day party for one of my friends. And I have to say that it was a perfect experience. Reservations are a must.