U offers a non-traditional approach to Japanese fine dining. Omakase’s literal translation is “I leave it up to you” — from the moment you arrive, you’ll enjoy a curated experience from veteran sushi masters.

The meal is made up of 13 courses, sourcing only what is fresh, seasonal and delicious that day. This experience is meant to be social, sensory, surprising and most of all - fun!

We look forward to welcoming U!

Yasu Hirashiki (head chef) is a veteran sushi chef with nearly 50 years experience. Born and raised in Okinawa, Yasu spent his childhood diving for sea urchins off the Japanese coast and bringing whatever he didn’t eat on the beach to his father’s restaurant. By 13, he was working there — the beginning of a long apprenticeship under several master sushi chefs, including a two-time winner of Japan’s equivalent to “Iron Chef”.

Yasu moved to America in his twenties, eventually opening a fish market that also served sushi from a small storefront.  He brings the soul as an artist to his food, experimenting with tastes, textures and colors. As his reputation grew, Yasu expanded Sushi Yasu to Forest Hills, where he continued to surprise his customers. Sushi Yasu was forced to close doors during the pandemic, and much to his fans' delight, he has a new home at U Omakase.

Luis Durand (co-owner, chef) was born in Asuncion, Paraguay and moved to the US at the age of 9. From a young age, Luis became his family's official translator, seamlessly traversing the many cultures of Woodside, Queens. 

In his early twenties, Luis suffered an accident that left him bed-ridden for a year and caused significant weight gain. He met Yasu while working for the Health Department and at Yasu's insistence, shifted his diet in favor of vegetables and raw fish. A decades-long friendship and obsession with sushi was born, also infecting Luis' 10-year-old son, Jake, who from the age of three could taste the difference between salmon and king salmon.

Prior to U, Luis worked for decades as a contractor and interior designer. He met his wife, Kate, while building her yoga studio's Greenpoint location. Kate became Luis' partner in parenthood and in the restaurant.