Umeko, a new West Village prix fixe chirashi restaurant, opened in January from the same team behind Ume in Williamsburg. Raw fish over rice is the draw here. The $48-per-person sets are great for budget-friendly splurges, especially for solo diners, since it lets you still try a lot. Though the restaurant takes walk-ins based on availability, it’s still buzzy enough that you should book a reservation to be safe — dinner seats go quickly unless you’re solo, but lunch is easy to snag.
You get the sense that they’re aiming for quicker seat turnover in the minimalist space, but you’re not here for a long sushi experience. You’re here for the pleasure of relinquishing the burden of choice and eating a lot of fish for a relatively affordable rate.
There are a few different ways to dine. Aside from standard tables, there’s “island” seating, at which you’ll be facing other diners at a large table, as well as floor seating on bamboo mats. For the latter, you’ll have to remove your shoes and sit on cushions on a raised platform.