UME WILLIAMSBURG Reviews

UME in Williamsburg, was a wonderful Omakase experience. Chefs were professional and created each dish with perfection. The set given to us was stellar, and every piece of sushi was made to perfection, with an eclectic variety of sauces to elevate the taste. Other than the Omakase set we chose, there was still a great food menu as well as a beverage menu, with a wide range of alcoholic beverages and teas. Overall a 5 out of 5. Would come back again!

The food - Sushi plate is very instagram friendly,but only taste average to be generous. The plate of salt etc is gimmicky. If you are serving good quality sushi, a little soy will do, Uni was not fresh. The portion - The fixed menu is small. You will be hungry after you are done. The environment - Impostor. Presumably, the owner is going for the "zen" feel with the outdoor garden and simple decor. If so, they are failing with the table arrangement (You can hear everyone other diner's conversation) and the music selection and volume. The inconsistency gives a strong "pretender" feeling The service - Unjustified pretension. What's up with the forced hand washing? Maybe a hot towel at the table makes more sense? Why serving water in either large sake or small teacups? The value - $65 for set menu of that quality is a joke. Price is more than reasonable for a normal omakasa, But for what you get for the price, it is ridiculous. There are better options out there.

Ume never disclosed a strict 90 min limit for a birthday lunch booked over a month ahead of time, and was unprofessional / not accommodating at all when faced with their mistake. This is a gimmicky instagram restaurant but does not care about the customer’s dining experience at all. I booked for a birthday lunch (originally booked for 10, ended up as 14 ppl) over a month ahead of time, directly with Ume via text message vs a third party site like Resy. I made sure to ask clarifying questions when I booked, like if it would be okay to bring cake/balloons, even what the seating chart of the table would look like. There was NO mention of the strict 90 min dining time limit when I booked, or anytime in the month between booking and the reservation date. I was told via a standardized text the night before my reservation about the 90 min limit. I responded within 10 minutes to that text, and didn’t receive a response back until I was already at the restaurant the day after (screenshots attached). I was told I would be given a 15 min extension, but nothing else could be done, even though it was the restaurant’s mistake of not stating their policy. They only took one bottle of sake off of my bill of over $1,500. In addition, the service left much to be desired. We had to pass down our own cups/plates, there was no knife provided to cut the cake, no refills on sake or water, etc. I had to get up and ask for refills of the nori sheets. For this high of a bill, I was extremely disappointed with the lack of accountability, lack of transparency, basic to minimal service, and rushed in/out dining experience.

This restaurant is the epitome of pretentiousness. Overpriced meal in less than comfortable place. You leave feeling hungry and annoyed at this scam of a place. Symbol of the gentrification of Williamsburg this place is a no-go if you want to have genuine, tasteful and affordable experience. Do yourself a favor and do not go there.

The food was wonderfully presented and delicious. We loved everything about our meal. Having said that there’s a few things to note that have contributed to some of the low reviews (which I read). First the meal has a time limit so yes they do push you to finish and leave. Second, seating is on mats on the floor - may not be for everyone. Finally service was friendly but our waiter lacked a lot of knowledge but he was happy to ask and come back with answers. Bottom line - these flaws are not a big deal and the meal is wonderful. Glad we came.

The entire experience of dining at UME was incredible. From the authentic greeting entrance area to the floor seating that is true to Japanese culture was amazing. Tasting menu consisted of fresh and thoughtfully constructed combinations of fish and garnish. They provide recommendations of seasonings that compliment each bite that was savored. Definitely one of the best Sushi restaurants in Williamsburg. Thank you!

The service was rushed and the server very rigid. Their knowledge of sake was rudimentary and they preferred to repeat some banalities about sweet vs dry instead of engaging into a real conversation. The fish and seafood was of excellent quality. It is served all at once with no personalization. As such, the Ume experience would be better described as a very good quality, but way overpriced bento box. And you would be better off to take it to go and eat it peacefully at home ( or in a nearby park).

Ignore the bad reviews. Here’s my experience: First you go through a non-descript store front with a tiny sign hung the window indicating “Ume.” Then you’re faced with two unmarked doors, with a sign saying “Please ring the bell.” Then someone comes out to greet you and ask if you have a reservation. Then through the unmarked door you go, and immediately two wash basins confront you. They ask you to take off your shoes, then wash your hands, before you are shown to your table. Only traditional Japanese table where you have to sit cross-legged or sit sideways to stretch out your legs. The only main item on the menu is a twelve piece deconstructed sushi set. “Deconstructed” because you’ll have to put the piece of fish into the provided seaweed piece, along with seasoning, rice, or anything available, roll it up, and eat it. There’s a menu of “supplementals” if the 12 piece set dinner is not enough for you. Believe me: it won’t be enough! For supplemental, We ordered an oyster topped with tuna toro, kaluga caviar, sea urchin, and a piece of edible gold leaf. Then we ordered a don (rice bowl) topped with wagyu beef lightly torched, kaluga caviar, and a shisho leaf. Then for finale, we had the dessert, which is a yuzu sorbet with hot steaming homemade mochi drizzled with apple honey. That finally hits the spot! The evening meal is finally complete.

When you make a reservation you receive a long text message how they are going to punish you if you do not show up,( instead of saying that this is a small restaurant and every client matters and be mindful if there is a cancelation or delay). When you arrive to restaurant, they greet you and make you wait outside in the entrance (even if you are on time!) once you entered you have to wash your hands, like if you are going to eat with your fingers and they know better than you. The personne makes sure that you do, since she waits for that.(not even in Japan it exists) Once you are in your place you are told that even you made your reservation at the bar the menu of the bar is not available. Once you pass all this hurtles, you are not hungry anymore but you say let us try maybe the food will make it up. No and no. Food does not make up. fix menu 12 sort of fishes very nice to look at but does not have any taste. The chef prepares 4-6 plates together. A plate of 12 salts wonder why you should have since it is a sashimi restaurant and the fresh fish by it self with marinate should do the business. 2 personnes 220 dollars (2 menu+1 sake) It is not worth it

- Freshwater Eel (Anago) - Fluke - Amberjack - Salmon + Ikura - Sweet Shrimp - Tuna + Truffle - Sea Bream - Scallop - Squid - Cured Fish - Toro Tartare - Uni + Crab

The flavors and the experience is very unique, the place is small, authentic and the service is absolutely great. If you want to taste a very unique sushi and let your imagination fly this is one of the best places in NYC. Really worth the experience. It may be a little bit pricy but the ingredients are of the best quality and not easy to find...