Ono

Outside seating was reserved for some gatherings so we sat inside.
The food was so-​so, though we didn’t order that many.
I just had bottles o Heineken so can’t really attest to their mixology much but a friend’s mojito was filled with so much mint. It was serious business.
They can go a bit easy on the sound. I was screaming by the end of the night.
Interesting bathroom. Red everywhere.
It would be nice to sit outside away from the sound and tall chairs on a warm night.

I came here for lunch on Memorial Day and Ono was literally empty (oh no!). In fact, I was the first and only person seated at noon (a lil eery!). I hadnt had Japanese food in awhile and I thought this place would be trendy enough for my friend from out of town.
I have to say, the food was fine … not memorable, but rather average. My favorite small plate was the spicy crab pizza with avocado. It was delicious and light — just a bit expensive overall.
Not sure I would come back … only because there are better places to get Japanese food I think.

I came to try the restaurant week dinner menu. After we waited a couple minutes for our reserved table (and being harrassed to check our coats and firmly declining, «back the hell off!!» jk), we were seated in the corner where no one would see us frumpily dressed girls. Our waitress was really nice and didn’t recoil in disgust when we said we wanted to order from the restaurant week menu.
We got the rock shrimp tempura (large and in charge! woo!) and pork dumpling (yummy) app’s. For entrees — the half duck (dry) and surf and turf (also dry. and tough) and wasabi mashed potatoes for side (tasteless). I was disappointed because I thought they’d be better since the app’s were good; unfortunately it tasted like they’d been sitting out for a while and then reheated. But the chocolate miso dessert I loved! Light but chocolate-​y and not too much miso!
There was a huge group of girls dining behind us and were loud, which I didn’t mind because it made the place feel less stuffy. I got lost going to the bathroom (almost walked into the kitchen) and then forgot the door to get out, uh der!!! The place has a sexy vibe thing going on so I want to come back when it’s warmer out to try the outdoor seating and pretend like I’m somebody.

For Momma’s last night in the City, she wanted some sushi, so I had made a reservation at Ono to appease her. We went on the first night of Restaurant Week, on a Sunday, and the place was packed. The food was pretty good, but it’s pricey for the quality.
Food:
I kept to the pre fix menu they were offering, but Mom went off menu and ordered a la cart, starting with the wakame salad. It had everything in there, but was missing something acidic to wash it down. Some extra vinegar would have made the dish better. For my starter I got the spicy tuna roll from the pre fix, and it was, well, a bit disappointing. Mother and I agreed that they had minced and mashed the tuna too much to make it spicy. The best spicy tuna anything always has discernible fish in it, because smashing it too much make the mixture stringy. There was so much filling and so little rice, not to mention only four pieces, that I just had to say I’ve had better sushi.
The next course for me was the duck in plum sauce, and that was one of the shinning plates of the night. Just the right amount of fat, and the duck was still juicy. The sauce was full and rich, and if we hadn’t had more food I would have consumed the entire half fowl for sure. Mom got the sashimi platter, which, for one being overpriced, wasn’t fantastic. The tuna was tough, the salmon fishy, and for once I think I can say the snapper was the best cut on the plate.
After that, we got my dessert, which was odd, because we had ordered a prawn robata. I thought that would be the quickest thing out, but instead, it took forever to get it. It was the second best dish, though, no questions. It comes with five different sauces: pesto basil, ponzu, spicy mustard, plum miso and kimchee. The mustard and miso were the best. In a proper order, the dessert would have come last, so there it will be described. A miso chocolate lava cake with, while I couldn’t taste the miso at all, it was really good. I almost ate it all, by myself. Mom got a couple of bites in and like it as well.
Overall, dinner was good, but not as good as we were expecting. Might’a been restaurant week, but I can’t see the hype with the food. The space is awesome though.
Venue:
I’ll say this for China Grill Management: they know how to decorate. Lots of dark woods and bright accent lighting make the space comfortable and clean without having to strain your eyes. The overall theme for this restaurant, aside form Asian-​influence, is circles. If you look close, you’ll see them everywhere, from the staircase to the bar, the bathroom and restaurant shape. It’s a nice subtle touch that brings the whole area together.
There’s an upstairs that can sit probably 40 for a private party. The outside stretch is long, and while we dined in the winter, I’ll bet it’s jam packed with people. Main dinning area looks to hold over 120 for sit down, and there’s a private table in a semi-​enclosed room as well, for another 15 or so. A sushi bar is also present, and while it had table settings on it, no one was sitting there. They may not use it any more. The bar’s got high tops and stools as well, so I’m impressed by the sheer size of the place.
A word on the bathrooms, though: I didn’t find them that confusing. Then again, I spent a summer in Japan, and they have toilet museums. Toilets in Japan are revered, for some odd reason, so Ono’s bathrooms are a nod to that. Impressive, and confusing (I’ll give you that), but still different than most anything you’ll find in NYC. Bonus Points!
Located at Hotel Gansevoort, it’s not the easiest place to get to if you’re public transiting it, but most of the cabbies know where to go. If nothing else, start your West Village bar hopping at Ono. Their $ 7 specials seem good, and their sake’ll get you trashed so as to further enjoy the West Village experience. Have dinner if you’re craving it, but get ready to talk loud, as the DJ doesn’t know how to lower the volume.

Oh nooo. Ohhh YESS!!!
Ono is one of those sushi spots where you know you’re going to have beautiful fish, beautiful people, and beautiful drinks just the way you like it.
NOTE: If you’re into the casual crowd/​non-​scene type of scene this definitely is not the place. Check out something with less flair.
You will feel gorgeous just walking into this place. Definitely puts you in a mood. Came here for several parties with various groups of friends have to say that I to this day I haven’t had a bad time yet.
Can’t quite give these guys 5 stars, but can say that if you’re with the right group, on a good night then you’ll probably write a 5 Star review. Just be prepared for a scene.
Date Rating: 7
Pick up Scale: 6
Strong Suggestions: Make a reservation if you’re heading there on the weekend.

Holy crap — this place is good! But read on for the full warning.
Good:
— Amazing sushi — nice selection of non-​traditional riceless rolls
— Good selection of appetizers
— Good drink selection, although we had standard sorts of beverages
— Beautiful to look at it. they should charge for just a walk-​through
— Unique dishes and presentation. it looks real good, so good that I had to upload some pics
— Great location, right in Chelsea
Not-​so-​good:
— You better be proposing or with clients, this place will give your wallet a whallop. The dishes are teeny, well, except in price
— Prices. oh, I mentioned that already? Allow me to do so twice :-)