Iki日式料理

Had the omakase. Great presentation. Loved the depth of flavors. Appreciated the variety of both raw and cooked food. Actually felt full. Very friendly staff. Totally worth it! Sharing pics of a few of my favorites.

Tucked away in Flushing next to the Hyatt Hotel, Iki Modern Restaurant is a hidden gem worth seeking out. While it’s a bit tricky to find at first, the discovery is more than rewarding. If you’re facing the Hyatt on 39th Ave, look to the left for a short staircase leading up to the restaurant. The lunch deals here are exceptional. We tried the sushi set, a tender short ribs plate (imported from Japan), and their surprisingly popular catfish set—which I now understand is a favorite. The catfish was delicate, fresh, and carried a clean, oceanic flavor that stood out. But the real star was the wagyu and uni on toast was an absolute highlight of our indulgent meal. We also sampled their lobster with cheese special (a very fair $13 for half, $26 for whole), and if you’re feeling luxurious, don’t miss their newest menu item: the truffle, foie gras, and caviar don. Each bite was decadent, rich and worth savoring slowly. To top it off, the staff kindly offered us a complimentary dessert. The bird’s nest coconut pudding is a must try for the adventurous, if you prefer something more familiar, their standard ice cream is just as satisfying. Service throughout was attentive, tea was quietly refreshed, dishes were cleared promptly and every detail was handled with care. Iki is a place I’d highly recommend if you want to experience something different than the typical Japanese restaurant. I appreciate that they experiment and elevate traditional Japanese dishes. A true dining delight in Flushing.

For some reason, we were the only customers in the restaurant. While I found that odd, it worked in my favor as all of the hot dishes came out piping hot! I am NOT saying that they would come out cold if there was a full house, but only stating how the food came out in their ideal temperature. I recommend the lobster. While it may be pricey, the melted cheese and refreshing lobster taste is worth it. Not only that, but it is easy to remove the meat from the shell. The other seafoods were delicious as well. There were no fishy aftertaste or any sand in the oysters. The atmosphere was relax and calming, although that could also be due to the fact that no one else was there. The only downside is that the ice cream is only one small scoop. However, given how this was a free dessert, we cannot be picky about that. The service was impeccable and the waiters/waitress were all patient and helpful! I will definitely come back, although not too often as the price are a little on the higher end of the spectrum.

The food here is good, but be careful with the pricing — it can be misleading and fraud. I ordered the uni sushi that was listed as $9 on the menu, but when I got the bill, it showed $13. There was no $13 uni sushi option on the menu at all. When I asked about it, the owner said it was “from Japan,” ? but they never mentioned that it would cost more when I ordered. If I did not ask nobody will mention anything. Make sure to double-check your bill to avoid being overcharged.

I’m very disappointed that for such high price sushi. There are fish scales on the sushi. The chef who prepared the fish with poor skill and attention. The fish should be perfectly clean with all scales removed. Proper sushi preparation requires the meticulous removal of all scales. Scales are hard, they can easily get stuck in the throat.