| THURSDAY
Sushi extravaganza at Funayama For those of us with a $50-a-night habit, sushi can become as financially crippling as most narcotics. That's why raw-fish bingers can rejoice at Funayama. Chef Chow San brings out the whale-size cuts, popularized by places like Tomoe and Yama (he served as head sushi chef at the latter's flagship Irving Place branch), but he throws in an economical twist: an all-you-can-eat special every Thursday (and Monday) for $18.48—an even $20 after tax. The fish itself falls a bit short of transcendent Yama quality, but it still rates among the city's best, and the staff isn't stingy. Seconds and thirds are happily served, but make sure your stomach keeps pace with your eyes—a $3 charge is tacked on for uneaten pieces. 24 Greenwich Ave between Sixth and Seventh Aves (212-989-2500). Subway: 1, 2, 3, 9 to 14th St. Sushi special: $18.48. By Randall Lane Time
Out NY
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By CYNTHIA KILIAN
September 23, 2001 -- Meals & Deals Funayama
The waitress issues some cautionary words before letting you commit to the Monday and Thursday night all-you-can-eat $18.48 sushi specials at Funayama. If you're not really hungry, better order something else. Because should your eyes prove bigger than your stomach, there's a $3 charge for every leftover piece. Luckily, you really don't need a cut rate to feel as though you're getting a bargain at this Greenwich Village Japanese restaurant. The prices are so reasonable and the sushi's so hefty, chances are you'll be sated for less than an Andrew Jackson just by selecting from the regular menu. And the sweet service adds to the effect. Funayama's chef, Chow San, was formerly head chef atIrving Place's popular Yama Japanese restaurant, so thesushi here is that trademark jumbo size, with thick slices of seafood draped over mounds of rice. Flying fish roe sashimi ($2.75) comes as several bitesworth of hollowed cucumber piled to the rafters with delicately flavored ruby-red eggs. Ditto a cuke heaped with "real crab" ($3). Add some spicy crunchy yellow-tail roll ($4.75), ahalf-dozen little seaweed-wrapped cylinders topped with spicy mayo, for an adequate light dinner. Hungrier sushi-philes can spring for the deluxe: eight large pieces of mixed fish, roe and shrimp, plus a six-piece tuna roll, for$15.50. It's not the kind of seafood that sets you reeling, but itcertainly doesn't disappoint. And at these prices, you won't need a trust fund to indulge. Funayama also serves other Japanese dishes such as gyoza, negi-maki, tempura noodles and bento boxes that top out at $16. Ordering at least $10 worth of food buys a stamp on a frequent-customer card - 10 stamps will save you $10 on an order. And you won't get punished for not polishing off every last bite. |