In New York, near Saks Fifth Avenue, a new exclusive sushi bar has emerged, nestled among the sparkling displays of The Vault jewelry store. Here, lunch comes at a cost of $100, but you have only 60 minutes.
The venue
Is sushi and shopping a winning combination? Saks Fifth Avenue in New York seems to believe so. Starting from June 22nd, customers at the Manhattan flagship store have a new dining spot within the luxury department store. Tucked away beneath street level, on the floor of The Vault jewelry section, you'll find Hoseki, a six-seat sushi tasting counter. As reported by Robb Report, hungry shoppers can seek out Hoseki, which means "jewel" in Japanese, behind a discreet velvet curtain in the underground space. The brainchild of restaurateur Maxwell Weiss and chef-business partner Daniel Kim, this omakase sushi spot offers a new luxurious and intimate dining option within department stores.
Weiss and Kim had already launched the successful Ten Homakase home delivery service during the pandemic; furthermore, and Kim had trained at Sushi Zo and Sushi by Bou. The counter, open only for lunch, provides "intensive omakase sessions" lasting a maximum of one hour. Currently, the restaurant operates only from Wednesday to Saturday, 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM, offering a 12-course menu for $95, with a maximum stay time of 60 minutes for each of the six customer slots. "Sushi is the perfect lunch for shopping," states Weiss. "Whether you're shopping or exploring Midtown, we offer a delicious escape from any activity, without taking up too much of your valuable time."
Hoseki's omakase is an elegant presentation of ocean "jewels" (fresh fish and seafood), displayed on understated ceramics that let the fish shine. Diners can watch Kim, carefully yet quickly, prepare each piece of sushi: selections often include delicacies like Hokkaido uni, ocean trout, and scallops, along with a taste of Japanese Wagyu beef that is then smoked. The final course is a handroll, perhaps toro with taku and chives, ocean trout and truffle, or yellowtail and shishito. Diners have the option to enhance their handrolls with a "Caspian Twist" – caviar on top – or the "Chef's Twist," Chef Daniel's personal touch. Most of the fish comes from Japan, says Weiss, but sourcing is global: the trout comes from New Zealand, the cod from Montauk, and the bluefin tuna from Spain, for instance.
Although the restaurant currently lacks an alcohol license (which is in progress), the current beverage menu is diverse and intriguing. Choices include a wide selection of hot and cold teas from Japan, all perfectly paired with the sushi. Perfect for summer, the refreshing Black Tea Spritz is made with black tea, yuzu juice, and soda. The drink menu also encompasses fruit juices, soft drinks, and Japanese kombucha. While guests savor their sushi, they can admire the luxurious and refined design of the compact restaurant, which seamlessly fits into The Vault's ambiance. "When I thought about the design, I wanted a very 'New York' look," Weiss says. "We serve a modern omakase in a historic New York department store. I wanted to focus on a minimalist design that highlighted elements of Japan, fish, fashion, and New York." With only 6 one-hour seatings per day, nabbing a spot might be more challenging than deciding which piece of jewelry to purchase before lunch.
