Take a Look Around Akashi, an Underground Omakase Counter in the West Village

Last week chef Yoichi Akashi opened his new Japanese restaurant on the corner of Christopher and Gay streets. Akashi is a native of Japan with 25-plus years of experience in restaurants, including stints at Sushi Yasuda and Sushi Nakazawa. At Akashi, the chef will exclusively serve kappo-style omakase (a multi-course menu determined by seasonal offerings) for $200 per person, plus tax and gratuity. While the menu will change frequently, some sample dishes include flounder sashimi, beef with seaweed salt & cucumber, mackerel with sweet miso mustard, and pike with matsutake mushrooms. The beverage list from general manager/beverage director Melissa Avis includes everything from Slovakian wines to Japanese beers and teas. The 10-seat, 500 square-foot restaurant sits on the lower level of 14 Christopher Street, underneath Dominique Bistro. Take a look at the space below, and let us know what you think if you stop by.