Otaki Sushi Opens in Garden City Park

Written by Victoria Espinoza

Japanese fusion has come to Garden City Park with the opening of Otaki Sushi. Located at 2136 Jericho Turnpike, the restaurant was previously home to a Greek-themed eatery as well as the seafood-faring Fulton Diner, but new manager Jimmy Chen is looking to add a new taste into the area’s restaurant scene.

“(This) is a great area for business,” Chen said when asked why he chose to open a new restaurant. Previously he owned a restaurant in Florida, but moved to New York to be closer to his family, in more ways than one as the head chef of Otaki is Chen’s brother Ski. Combined the two brothers have 20 years of experience in the food service industry.

Chen said that as head chef, his brother prepares many different specials that are offered free of charge to each table as an amuse bouche. These specials are not included on the menu, and are different for each table. 

The restaurant, which takes its name from Chen’s hometown in Japan, has a large dining room with an extensive 10-page menu. There is also a sushi bar where guests can watch fresh made sushi being prepared.

“I wanted to create a business that was my own to control,” he said, believing the establishment will stand out among the other sushi restaurants in the area because he offers “Japanese fusion,” using high quality ingredients and preparation with an emphasis on food presentation. The restaurant’s website also prominently features a gallery of all of the food the brothers have created to look as aesthetically pleasing as possible.

Chen also hopes to set the eatery apart with the quality of their service.

“Otaki Sushi only uses fresh and expensive fish, delivered daily from New York City,” he said. 

Some of the popular items on Otaki’s menu includes a pizza sandwich which combines spicy tuna, avocado lobster and more all wrapped in paper to form a triangular pizza.

Open since Nov. 9, Otaki is offering 15 percent discount for all customers throughout the month to welcome new business. They are also offering a $10 gift card for every person who ‘likes’ their Facebook page.

“We have only been open for about a week and every day business has gotten better and better,” Chen said. “I am very optimistic about our future here.”

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