Hajime has been serving authentic Japanese sushi in Harrison since 1996 but we just discovered this gem last weekend. Located on Halstead Avenue the façade has little to distinguish it from other Japanese restaurants in town. But once you take a seat at the long sushi bar you’ll quickly realize that their fresh, high quality sushi puts Hajime in a league of its own.

Chef Sam Takahashi has been serving sushi since he was a young boy. He hails from Osaka were his father had a sushi restaurant. After training there he moved to the United States in March, 1985 to work at Cho Cho Son in Thornwood. Now Sam can be found behind the sushi bar at Hajime serving sushi to local customers who appreciate the excellent Japanese fare. Sam estimates that 45% of his clients are Japanese -- a testament to the reliability of the cuisine.

When you visit Hajime you may want to order the “Omakase” or chef’s menu and let Sam design a meal for you. Just let him know your likes and dislikes and he’ll custom design a memorable meal for you.

He often begins with tuna tartare, black cod in miso paste or an asparagus salad. On the chilly night we visited, one of our appetizers was warm broiled eel. Takahashi has an eye for the best fish and serves tuna from as far away as Spain and Ecuador, yellow tail, mackerel, squid, octopus and scallops from Japan, and fluke, striped bass and tilefish from local sources in season. He boasts that he is the only restaurant in Westchester served by his very choosy supplier, assuring that you’ll be served tasty, fresh fish that is cut minutes before you eat it.

If you sit at the bar it’s highly entertaining to watch Sam and his sous chef craft dinner for up to 50 guests in a flash. We ordered cold beers and Saki and sat back and admired Sam’s quick hands. Moving rapidly between his knives, large hunks of fish and his rice warmer, he makes beautiful platters of colorful sushi and tamago appear like magic. The results are simply delectable.

Hajime also offers a full menu of hot dishes such as chicken or salmon teriyaki, shrimp and vegetable tempura and udon, though Sam reports that 85% of customers come in for the sushi.

Venture to Hajime in Harrison for lunch and dinner soon. Reservations are recommended for Friday and Saturday nights.

Hajime
267 Halstead Avenue
Harrison, New York 10538
(914) 777-1543

Lunch: Tuesday – Saturday 12-2:30
Dinner: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday 5:30 – 10:00
Friday, Saturday 5:30 – 11:00