aja fusion cuisine

It's all in the details: bamboo beams on the ceiling, bamboo plants all around, dark wood
lattice-work screens to divide the room, dimly lit highly polished dark wood tables,
and raking light on the textured stone walls create a sexy atmosphere.


The Tuna Tataki was delicious. Fanned out on a glass plate with two dipping sauces.
Here is a recipe I found online, just in case you are feeling adventuresome.

You must sample the tasty dishes at Aja Sushi Bar & Cocktail Lounge on 1st Avenue and 58th, right down the street from The Conran Shop and the 59th Street Bridge. The 'Asian fusion' menu presents quite a pleasing variety of Japanese, Chinese and Thai dishes, with plenty of delicious fish options. There is also a sushi and sashimi menu with all the favorite standards. We tried the Tuna Tataki with two dipping sauces from the Japanese side, pictured above, and the Char-Grilled Chilean Sea Bass with sake-miso glaze on a bed of greens.

The food was great, but my favorite part about this place was the decor, and in particular, the textured surfaces, the lighting, and the Buddha in the back of the dining room. I chatted with the owner a bit and he told me that the designer of the restaurant is from China. The Buddhas are from China and Thailand. The blue-lit Buddha, pictured below, is even more dramatic in person. The lighting changes very subtly from red to blue to green as you dine. There is a submerged koi pond leading up to the Buddha, which is built into the floor. You can view the colorful fish through a plexi pathway in the floor. Quite dramatic. The surfaces are pretty great too, dimly lit at a raking angle to accentuate all the different textures. I love the stone walls. The bar has a ray skin-like wall to imitate the handle of a samurai sword. I am a particular fan of ray skin (samekawa in Japanese, if you want to impress your friends). The hanging lamps are also interesting with a faux-bark texture.

I would have to say that Aja is a treat for all the senses, and I would recommend it for a festive evening out. Check out their full menu on their Website.


Aja Sushi Bar & Cocktail Lounge
1068 First Avenue (at 58th St)
New York
212.888.8008

People have made many monetary offerings to the large Buddha from China.


The bar area is to the right, the dining area is to the left.


Anything that imitates wood gets me everytime.
I love a good faux-bois.