Blue Ribbon Sushi SoHo — Original Sushi Location
Location ID: BR-NYC-002 Address: 119 Sullivan Street, SoHo, Downtown Manhattan, NY Status: ACTIVE — ORIGINAL SUSHI LOCATION Opened: 1995 Concept: sushi Cuisine: Traditional Japanese, Sushi, Sashimi
Overview
The original Blue Ribbon Sushi, opened in 1995 with founding partner toshi-ueki. Located two doors from the original brasserie on Sullivan Street, the sushi location established Blue Ribbon’s second major concept and launched the entire sushi division — now comprising 10+ locations tracing their heritage to this address.
Founding Story
eric-bromberg and bruce-bromberg met toshi-ueki in 1995 — a Japanese sushi master who had worked in New York City since 1969. Their shared commitment to quality and tradition made the partnership natural. bowie-fu joined as a waiter at opening; he would go on to run the entire sushi division.
Press Kit quote: “In 1995, Toshi met Eric and Bruce and together they opened the original Blue Ribbon Sushi on Sullivan Street in SoHo.”
Toshi Ueki — Founding Partner
toshi-ueki (1951–2020s) brought 26 years of NYC sushi experience to the partnership:
Career timeline:
- Age 16: Began in kappo-style restaurants of Kyoto
- 1969: Moved to United States (age 18)
- 1969–1976: Kiicho (kaiseki restaurant), 43rd St & Broadway, NYC
- 1976–1986: Sushi Kazu, East 50s, NYC
- 1986–1995: Owned and operated his own sushi restaurant
- 1995–2020s: Co-founder and partner, Blue Ribbon Sushi
His standards:
- Fresh fish flown in daily from Sea of Japan, Atlantic, and Pacific
- Traditional Kyoto kappo-style preparation and kaiseki influence
- Rice preparation perfection, knife mastery, seasonal awareness
- Warm, welcoming service — educational but never pretentious
Legacy statement (Press Kit):
“Toshi continues to be a powerful and enduring symbol of what we strive to accomplish in our restaurants and in life each and every day.”
Ueki omakase (West Village): 12-seat omakase opened in Toshi’s honor after his passing. Continues his legacy of excellence. Represents the culmination of his vision; this Sullivan Street location represents its origin.
Concept & Design
Cedar-Clad Interior
The defining design element of all Blue Ribbon sushi locations. Warm natural wood aesthetic creates an intimate, authentic Japanese atmosphere. Established here first — the template used in every subsequent sushi location.
Materials: Cedar wall cladding, walnut sushi bar counter, natural wood tones, warm accent lighting.
Architect: Eagle Benzwie Architects (formerly Asfour Guzy Architects) — 30-year Blue Ribbon partner.
Seating Layout
Sushi bar: Walnut counter with direct view of chef preparation. Traditional Japanese layout. Chef–guest conversation encouraged. Extended sake and beverage selection showcased.
Back room: Cozy table seating for groups. Mix of counter and table service. Designed for extended dining experiences.
Culinary Excellence
Fish Sourcing
Fresh fish flown in daily from Sea of Japan, Atlantic Ocean, and Pacific Ocean. Multiple daily deliveries. Personal relationships with suppliers. Toshi Ueki’s unwavering quality standards maintained through visual inspection, seasonal awareness, and pristine handling.
Menu
- Sushi & sashimi: Extensive variety of fish, seasonal specialties, traditional preparations, omakase, chef’s selection
- Japanese hot kitchen: Yakimono (grilled), tempura, traditional and seasonal preparations
- Sake & beverage: Award-winning sake list, sake and shochu cocktails, Japanese whisky, tea service
Zagat quote: “Like pieces of heaven on a plate, the super fresh sushi and unusual rolls are nothing less that sumptuous.”
Key Staff
- FOH: Golf & Karlo
- Head Sushi Chef: Karma
- Sushi Division President: bowie-fu (joined as waiter at this location in 1995; now oversees all sushi operations; trilingual: Chinese, Japanese, English)
- Regional Director: Ciaran Tyrrell (Director of NYC Operations)
The Sushi Division This Location Launched
10+ locations trace their heritage directly to 119 Sullivan Street:
- Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill — Columbus Circle (2007)
- Blue Ribbon Sushi Izakaya — Lower East Side (2012)
- Blue Ribbon Sushi — Palisades Village, LA (2018)
- Blue Ribbon Sushi — Kenmore Square, Boston (2022)
- Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill — Multiple Las Vegas locations
- Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar — Rockefeller Center, Brookfield Place
- Blue Ribbon Sushi & Steak — Penn 1 (2023)
- Blue Ribbon Sushi & Sake — Greenwich Village (2024)
- Ueki Omakase — West Village (tribute to Toshi)
Awards & Recognition
| Award | Source |
|---|---|
| Best Sushi Restaurants (multiple years) | Time Out New York |
| Top 10 Sushi Spots; Top Food in SoHo | New York Observer |
| Best New York Sushi (#1) | Citysearch |
| Best Sushi — Best of Metromix New York | Metromix |
| Michelin recognition | Michelin Awards (Press Kit reference) |
Food & Wine quote:
“The Brombergs are no strangers to multicultural dining. In fact, their restaurants are known for serving French, Asian and Jewish dishes side by side. Other chefs seem to love this mix. They come to Blue Ribbon Sushi, Blue Ribbon Bakery and especially, the original Blue Ribbon, to hang out and to eat after their own kitchens have closed.”
Video: Blue Ribbon Sushi - A Cut Above: https://youtu.be/Gee_kXSDDHs
Marketing Opportunities
Key Stories
- Toshi Ueki legacy — 26 years of NYC sushi mastery brought to Blue Ribbon; division now 10+ locations strong
- Bowie Fu career arc — Waiter at opening in 1995, now President of all sushi operations; 30-year journey at one company
- Daily fish from Japan — Unwavering sourcing standard since 1995
- Cedar-clad template — Aesthetic established here, replicated at every sushi location
- 30th anniversary (2025) — Press opportunities, tribute events, Toshi Ueki memorial programming
Content
- Photography: cedar-clad interior, sushi at walnut counter, fish quality, chef–guest interaction, sake displays
- Video: fish sourcing and selection, sushi preparation mastery, Toshi Ueki tribute, Bowie Fu career journey
- Social: BlueRibbonSushi, ToshiUekiLegacy, SoHoSushi, daily fish features, seasonal specialties
Location Details
Proximity: Same street as original Brasserie (97 Sullivan) — creates a “Blue Ribbon corridor” on Sullivan Street Transit: Spring Street Station (C, E); West 4th Street Station (A, C, E, B, D, F, M) Venue: Ground-floor/basement sushi bar Contact: bowie-fu (Sushi Division) | Ciaran Tyrrell (NYC Operations) | 212.229.0404 | media: sonia@blueribbonrestaurants.com
Significance
This location is the template for all subsequent Blue Ribbon sushi locations. Toshi Ueki’s methods, standards, and philosophy were established here first — and carried through bowie-fu’s 30-year stewardship of the division.
The Sullivan Street block — with both the brasserie at #97 and sushi at #119 — is the founding geography of Blue Ribbon. Both locations are still operating 30+ years later.
Related
- toshi-ueki — founding partner; honored by Ueki omakase restaurant (West Village)
- bowie-fu — joined 1995 as waiter; now President of all sushi operations