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New York City loves a restaurant in an iconic address. The latest addition to that roster is Sushi Beauu, the Japanese restaurant that quietly soft-opened inside the Empire State Building this fall. The eatery is officially unveiling its 10-seat omakase counter this Thursday, December 11—and it’s shaping up to be one of Midtown’s most approachable splurges.
The concept comes from hospitality veteran Keisuke Kasagi, the Hokkaido-born operator behind Chinatown’s Dr. Clark. For his latest project, he tapped executive chef Tetsu Kaminakaya, who just relocated to New York after decades running his own restaurant, Hanabi, in Japan. The result is an 18-course omakase that leans premium without the price shock.
Two tiers anchor the menu—the classic ($100) and the seasonal ($140)—both built around Kaminakaya’s unique flavor combinations. Expect a rotating amuse-bouche (right now the team is leading with monkfish liver and ponzu) before diving into nine pieces of nigiri. Highlights include sea bream brushed with a proprietary soy, torched mackerel wrapped into a seamless log and tamago with seasoned sushi rice hidden inside the omelet.
A warm chawanmushi egg custard is followed by handrolls like Japanese tempura and the ESB roll, short for eel, shrimp and buri (and the Empire State Building, natch.) Miso soup resets the palate before a final, traditional dessert: imo yokan, a jellied sweet potato cake. It’s a tidy, thoughtful arc that fits snugly within the new restaurant’s serene wood-and-stucco interior, designed by Yuta Tsuchiya. (The giant paper pendant glowing above the counter? It’s from Kyoto.)
If omakase isn’t your lane, the 20-seat dining room also offers à la carte breakfast, lunch and dinner. Morning options include traditional sets with onigiri, miso soup and tamago; lunchtime expands to udon, chirashi bowls, curry rice and sushi plates. The team has also built a well-curated list of sake and shochu selections, as well as a tea program curated by tea expert Katsuhito Imaizumi.
Sushi Beauu is open daily on the Empire State Building’s 33rd Street side, welcoming guests from 10am to 3pm and again for dinner Tuesday through Sunday. Reservations for the omakase counter are available now.