THE GALLERY by odo

A very quaint and charming gallery where you can even enjoy lunch. The featured art during our visit was a one-piece animation display, which was fun to see. We ordered the lunch bento box, and it was beautifully prepared. It was with small temari sushi, soba noodles, and fall-themed appetizers all arranged so elegantly. The food and ambience were cozy and relaxing, and the service was very warm and welcoming.

Let me start with some background on this restaurant. THE GALLERY by Odo is created by two Michelin star chef Hiroki Odo and is located in New York City’s Flatiron District. It’s a unique concept that combines a restaurant with an art space, and it is the sister restaurant to Odo, a two Michelin star kaiseki restaurant next door. According to their website, it offers high quality Japanese cuisine while also serving as a creative platform for exhibitions, workshops, and live performances. I came across this restaurant online and decided to give it a try, and it happened to be during NYC Restaurant Week. At first glance, the menu looked appetizing, and $60 per person felt reasonable. There were four of us, and we all ordered different dishes to share. However, the very first appetizer wa

The food was delicious and our waiter was really friendly. I meant to take photos of everything, but the food was so good I kept forgetting, so I only got one picture. The art gallery was great too, and I’m excited to see what they change it to next month.

Overall: 4/5 – Mostly for the service and food. We arrived on time, and the receptionist checked us in and gave us wristbands. From there, we made our way to a room with paintings hanging on the walls and a central table displaying Chinese-style artwork. However, the art table looked like something you’d find at a wholesale market—everything was stacked on top of each other with no real organization. A group of people stood around the room, awkwardly avoiding eye contact. Eventually, we were led to another table, and people began lining up for food. The food itself wasn’t bad, but the menu was a complete mystery until we arrived—we had no idea what we’d be eating. The whole experience felt chaotic. No one gave clear instructions, and the setup felt more like a lunch buffet at a conventi

Loved the concept of dining surrounded by art. Restaurant week menu offered a taste of everything within a good budget. Especially enjoyed the chicken nanban udon.