All photos by Arlo Dobbie @arlofoto

The Spotlight feature is reserved for the businesses that have been around awhile and don’t get the coverage they should. And in this case, it’s Akimoto Sushi, which has been on Church and Duane for 17 years. 

I have to admit: I have never been in to Akimoto, and had never even given it much thought. (I was exclusively Tokyo Bay for years, then Takahashi for takeout, Zutto for eat-in.) But J. sent a text: “Akimoto is our favorite — we’ve been coming regularly for years.” Her high schooler even wrote about it in third grade for an assignment on his favorite place in his community. “They are just the nicest people ever, not to mention that the food is outstanding! Just bringing it to your attention because I don’t remember ever seeing it mentioned on Tribeca Citizen.” (True!)

So I sent my summer photog intern, Arlo Dobbie, in with his brother — this seemed like a great assignment for two 20-something boys. The owner came from China in 2003, they learned from the cashier, and opened the restaurant in 2008 from the previous owner, also a sushi restaurant.

The specialty rolls are particularly popular, including the Golden Roll (deep fried with kani, eel, cream cheese with chefs special sauce, spicy mayo and eel sauce) and the Akimoto Roll (tuna, salmon, yellowtail and asparagus). They also serve rolls wrapped in cucumber instead of rice; teriyaki and curry entrees; hibachi entrees; udon noodle dishes. The sushi special, nine pieces, a yellow tail roll, miso soup and salad, is $27.

Find them on the website here. Googling takes you to the wrong spot!

Akimoto Sushi
187 Church | Duane & Reade
212-766-3350
Monday to Saturday, 11a to 10p
Sunday, noon to 10p