THE GREAT FOOD AT AKINA
ADDRESS:
424A EAST 14TH ST
NEW YORK NY 10009
TELEPHONE:
212-388-1127
FAX:
212-388-1135
ONLINE MENU:
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OPEN HOURS:
MONDAY-THURSDAY
11:30 AM - 11:00 PM
FRIDAY-SATURDAY
11:30 AM - 11:30 PM
SUNDAY
12:00 NOON - 11:00 PM
Dine In or Take Out
Delivery Available
Grand St. - 34th St.
Sixth Ave. - Avenue D
by Joel R. Simon
The fascinating neighborhood, great public transportation, and wonderful ambience of Akina would mean nothing if the food was second-rate. However, from my personal experience, I can tell you that it is excellent. Of course this is my subjective opinion, and I cannot guarantee that you will feel the same way, but judging from the comments and reactions of my fellow diners, I am far from alone in my view. Furthermore, I have dietary restrictions (and am a finicky eater besides) and I am able to eat almost everything on the menu, although I do have my favorites. More important, Tim is dedicated to preparing healthy food, using oil sparingly, for example. If you prefer brown rice, just let the server know when you place your order. The health benefits of eating the fish and vegetables that make up a major part of Akina's offerings almost go without saying. Like every other restaurant or food store owner, Tim has to meet the challenge of getting his ingredients from the source to the customer as quickly and economically as possible. My own experience is that the sushi in Akina tastes so fresh that I have more than once accused Tim of going out early in the morning with his fishing pole and catching it himself (but if he literally did this, we would hope he first drove out into the country and found a clear stream rather than fishing down the street in the East River!). Actually, there are several steps between that tuna swimming around in the Pacific and your beautifully-arranged sushi on the plate. The fish must be caught (and hopefully by Santiago rather than by a factory ship which vacuums the ocean and leaves nothing for the future), and then transported quickly to the wholesale market, where suppliers purchase it and finally deliver it to Tim each morning, knowing his needs and high standards. We are in awe of the "inventor" of sushi, one Hanaya Yohei (1799-1858), a Tokyo food seller who somehow made a viable (and edible) product before there was refrigeration, air transport, etc.We can divide the menu into two parts: Sushi and related dishes, and cooked food. Although sushi is the main reason most folks come to Akina, you may also enjoy a cooked appetizer, and if cold fish is just not your thing (but try it before you make that decision), the cooked entrees are excellent as well. There is also a special lunch menu, available between 11:30 AM and 4:00 PM, including both sushi and cooked items in interesting and economical combinations. As if all this was not enough, Tim has daily specials, announced on a little board in front of the restaurant.Please read the essays I wrote about "The Sushi Bar" and "From the Kitchen" to learn more about the great food at Akina Sushi.
SALMON AND YELLOWTAIL NIGIRI
BEEF NEGIMAKI APPETIZER
Most entrees come with a choice of miso soup or a fresh green salad. Hot green tea (full of antioxidents!) or ice water are served with every meal. The miso soup is delicious, home-made rather than from a mix. Hibachi and other entrees come with a bowl of plain white rice.
AKINA'S GREAT MISO SOUP
HOT GREEN TEA
WHITE RICE
