It would be easy to call Nami Nori a basic choice for the West Village girlies turned Williamsburg girlies. Perhaps the neighborhoods the two NYC locations are situated in don’t do it any favors demographically, but it would be a cop out to simply call it basic. Because though it has become an inevitable part of the city’s competitive reservation driven dining scene, it is admittedly quite good, fairly accessible and a very reliable option for sushi.

Since opening in 2019 as the vision of three alumni of sushi institution Masa, Nami Nori has become a staple in the downtown diet. It survived the pandemic and has thrived since, in many ways transcending hype to becoming an institution in its own right. The menu is simple. The main event is temaki “rolls,” with a la carte or signature set options that feature fresh seafood and crisp nori. An impressive balance of premium ingredients and meticulous craftsmanship delivered in an accessible format and at a moderate price point. The space is also simple. Japanese minimalism at its best: sleek and contemporary but still informal. So perhaps they really did perfect the high demand niche, a sushi concept for a casual yet refined dining experience as a welcome alternative to the crazy omakase scene in this city.