Sakasama Brings Hand Rolls and Sake to a 20-Seat Counter in Midtown West, NYC

Sakasama, a hand roll, temaki and sake bar, has opened at 334 West 46th Street in Midtown West. The room is organized around a 20-seat counter. The official site describes the concept as great seafood, hand-selected Japanese sake and cocktails in an easygoing setting. The logo carries the name in hiragana, さかさま, above a sake bottle motif.

The kitchen is led by Executive Chef Georgie Castillo, a New York chef who has worked at Atoboy and at Michelin-starred Le Coucou. He has also run culinary programs at OASES and Chinato, and has been recognized by The New York Times and Forbes. By his own description, he brings a technique-driven, hospitality-focused approach to Japanese cuisine, with attention to pristine seafood, seasonality and the intimacy of the hand roll.

The seafood comes from both local waters and Japan, sourced through purveyors such as Aqua Best NYC. The hand rolls are where the luxuries appear: Kaviari caviar, uni, A5 Wagyu and eel are all on offer. Temaki are meant to be eaten right away while the nori is still crisp, which makes the counter the natural seat. Photos of the room show a long wooden counter lined with stools and a row of tables along the opposite wall.

Guests who prefer a table can pair temaki with cocktails there, and the bar pours a hand-selected list of Japanese sake. The restaurant describes itself as simple, intimate and fun, and as built for the neighborhood rather than only the theater crowd. That makes it a fit for a light pre-show meal or a longer evening centered on sake.

Reservations are taken through Resy. Sakasama is at 334 West 46th Street, New York, NY 10036, and can be reached at 413-351-4953. Photos on the official site are credited to Dan Ahn.