Nami Nori: In the West Village, a Japanese Restaurant with a Beachy Vibe

Founded by three alums of the much-lauded Masa,  Nami Nori, a Japanese restaurant in NYC’s West Village, has a laid-back but design-minded, Scandi-Japanese vibe.  Nami Nori is the trio’s attempt to be more inclusive without sacrificing quality (at Masa, the only 3-Michelin-star sushi restaurant in the country, omakase costs $595 per person).

This translates to a more casual menu (entirely gluten-free) that focuses on temaki hand rolls reimagined as “tacos”—as well as a more casual atmosphere. The interiors, by MN Design Professional Corporation, are light and bright, inspired by “both modern beach houses and traditional Japanese residences,”  and counter dining dominates the 1,000-square-foot space.

Have a look.

Photography by Sebastian Lucrecio, courtesy of Nami Nori.