Sushi Ya Japanese - Garden City

I visited Sushi Ya around 5:30 PM last night (Saturday) and was seated right away. We began with the vegetable pan-fried dumplings and roast pork. The pork...

Sushi Ya? More like Sushi Nah! The hibachi chicken is just okay, and the vegetables are nothing special either. The only part of the meal I enjoyed was the soup, but the salad? Not so much.

I had a disappointing experience at Sushi Ya in Garden City Park and won't be going back. I called at 5:00 PM to specifically inquire about the prices listed on the online menu...

If you're a sushi enthusiast, this is the place to visit. Owner Kelly treated us like royalty through our meal preparation. The entire dining experience was impeccably planned, and the beef was absolutely magnificent. This restaurant is definitely worth the trip!

Their lunch specials are also very affordable. I took a co-worker here on a Saturday, and we each had two rolls, soup, salad, spicy mayo, and tea. Our total came to $26, which we easily split. Now, onto the food, which is my favorite part! I rate the sushi a solid 9.5/10 – I'm slightly disappointed in it, but my favorites are the Spicy Tuna, Boston, and Eel Avocado rolls. The miso soup deserves a perfect 10/10; it’s hands down the best I've ever had – no other sushi restaurant can compare. The appetizers are also fantastic. When I’m really hungry, I usually go for the Kani Salad or Garlic Edamame, both of which deserve a straight 10/10. As for dessert, I haven't explored the dessert menu much, but when I do, I always opt for the green tea ice cream because it's delicious. Now, let's talk about the hibachi. There are two hibachi tables right next to each other. The first time I tried their hibachi a few years ago, I decided to host my 23rd birthday party there with family and friends. I made a reservation a few days in advance to ensure our table was ready. Upon arrival, we were seated and welcomed right away. I ordered the Chicken and Steak Combo hibachi, which comes with rice and vegetables. The chicken was excellent, and my steak was medium rare, juicy, and flavorful. The vegetable fried rice was decent but nothing too remarkable. I did steal a piece of my friend’s roasted shrimp, and it was AMAZING! Definitely a must-try! The hibachi chef was clever, funny, and charming. Although their English wasn't great, it didn't matter! I had such a great time that I couldn't help singing as I left the venue. For my first experience, I’d rate it a perfect 10/10. Unfortunately, my second hibachi experience was quite different. The chicken was dry, the steak was overcooked, and everything was lacking in seasoning. The fried rice had far too much soy sauce. I was really disappointed. The service this time was surprisingly poor, and we were asked to give up our seats for a reservation that had arrived, which we were fine with. I guess it was just an off day for them. For my second experience, I’d rate it a 3/10. In summary: - Service: 8/10 - Sushi: 9/10 - Miso Soup: 10/10 - Appetizers: 10/10 - Hibachi: 7/10 (due to inconsistency; you may have a perfect 10/10 experience one day and a less than stellar one the next) - Dessert: Can't comment much as I haven't tried the entire menu - Venue: 8/10 Overall score: 8.5/10