MANHATTAN – For the second time during the Covid-19 pandemic, Upper East Side fixture Butterfield Market is expanding. First in the fall of 2020, the popular specialty foods purveyor opened a second market on Madison Avenue— now, the team behind the more than a century old family business are turning their attention to sushi— bringing the 77th Street Sushi Shop to Lenox Hill.
Just steps from the original market, the new to-go sushi restaurant quietly opened last Thursday at the corner of— you guessed it— East 77th Street and Lexington Avenue, formerly the location of a Butterfield Market Express store, which closed early in the Covid-19 pandemic.
Sushi may not be what you would expect from the Butterfield Market team, but co-owner Joelle Obsatz says she and her brother came up with the idea for the new to-go sushi shop after seeing how quickly rolls, wraps, sashimi and poke bowls were selling at the Butterfield Market Madison Avenue location at East 85th Street— and recognizing something was lacking from the Upper East Side’s dining landscape.
“Business has been very well, people seem very excited. We’re getting a very good response,” Joelle told Upper East Site in an interview Tuesday.
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Obsatz says the secret is chef Tsering Dawa’s creative menu featuring daily sushi specials. Step inside the newly renovated store and you’ll find a display case packed with tasty options.
“We have delicious sushi and I’m picky about sushi,” she noted.
From standard rolls to tempura to dumplings and fresh miso soup, there’s something for everyone— all made on site— even fishless rolls featuring rice and cucumber or avocado for the vegetarians and vegans seeking their sushi fix.
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“I happened to try a tofu poke salad, which was delicious!” Joelle told Upper East Site.
Just don’t forget to grab a cup of the 77th Street Sushi Shop’s tasty spicy sauce.
Sweetening the deal for hungry Upper East Siders, purchases at the new sushi shop will earn them points though the Butterfield Market’s Rewards program.
The 77th Street Sushi Shop’s hours are 10:00 am to 7:00 pm, Monday through Friday, and 11:00 am to 6:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday.
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