Kiwami is tucked inside Brooklyn Bridge Park, slightly off the beaten path. While not the most convenient destination for those coming from outside the neighborhood, it does function as a possible local sushi option for nearby residents.
Our reservation was on the early side of a cold, snowy Sunday evening. Upon arrival, we were welcomed by a very warm, smiling host who immediately took our jackets and led us to the sushi bar, where two other guests were already seated. We were the only four customers for the first hour and a half of the evening.
The dining room itself felt surprisingly bright, paired with soft elevator music playing in the background. A combination that felt somewhat at odds with the refined omakase experience described on Kiwami’s website.
That initial impression shifted once we sat down. Personalized menus were set at each seat, tucked behind black trays with gold chopstick rests. The place settings were precise and orderly, making it clear that presentation was meant to be part of the experience.
The omakase experience is priced at $238 per person and begins with five small appetizers before moving into a twelve-piece nigiri progression. While the opening courses were enjoyable, the experience began to falter once the nigiri portion started.
Although the fish portions were generous, several pieces lacked the freshness expected at this level. A few bites were noticeably fishy, to the point that both my guest and I independently set pieces aside after a single bite. Each nigiri arrived heavily saturated in soy sauce, so much so that, at first glance, it appeared the restaurant was serving brown rice rather than white shari.
At this price point, those issues were difficult to overlook.
Ultimately, Kiwami excels in presentation and thoughtful service touches, but the execution of the nigiri itself did not consistently meet the expectations set by its price point or reputation. It’s a restaurant I genuinely wanted to love, and while there are clear strengths, the omakase left me more puzzled than impressed.
