Address: 251-9 Northern Blvd Douglaston (Queens) NYC 11362
Tara is a charming Japanese restaurant located in the Douglaston area of Queens, basically on the borderline of Long Island.
It’s squeezed into a very busy food area of Douglaston. This gem honestly stands out from any of the other Japanese restaurants in this area, especially if you are looking for fresh fish, sushi, and a remarkable (and affordable) omakase experience.
Tara is popular for their hospitality (everyone says the main chef is a joy) and for their omakase.
For those who are new to Omakase it’s a very unique dining experience. The Michelin site describes Omakase as “a form of Japanese dining in which guests leave themselves in the hands of a chef and receive a meal which is seasonal, elegant, artistic and uses the finest ingredients available. In many ways, omakase is a spiritual companion and counterpoint to kaiseki, the elaborate multi-course Japanese meal built around seasonality, quality ingredients and simple preparations.”
If you decide to dine here and you are open to trying something other than sushi or sashimi they also serve Donburi (Japanese rice dish with meat or fish) and Ramen (a noodle dish served in a meat or fish-based broth, often flavored with soy sauce or miso, and uses toppings such as sliced pork, nori, menma, and scallions).
The great thing about Tara is the pricing for the quality of food. The fish they serve is top tier fresh and the pricing is minimal. You can order sushi rolls from $6.00 to $13.00. The omakase here goes for around $100.00 (each person) which is a steal. The quality is phenomenal.
I dined here with a group of Yelp Elites. Only a handful of us were scheduled for the Tara Omakase experience and I will say it was my first omakase. I was really excited to go because I’ve missed out on other omakase experiences and to be able to do this with fellow elites was right up my alley.
We were provided a set menu created by the main chef (images above):
1️⃣ Stella Bay #Oyster w/ Quail Egg & Ikura
2️⃣ Madai w/ fried ginger
3️⃣ Barracuda ( #Kamasu ) topped w/ Shishito Pepper
4️⃣ ShimaAji w/ Jalapeño Jelly
5️⃣ King #Salmon topped w/ Truffle
6️⃣ Japanese #Scallop (Hotate) w/ Yuzu Jelly
7️⃣ Butterfish w/ Shio Kambu
8️⃣ Octopus
9️⃣ Tachiuo w/ Yuzu Kosho
1️⃣0️⃣ #ToroKama w/ #caviar
The chef preparing the fish for us was a delight. He was so focused yet so hospitable. Once we all took our bites he seemed pleased that we all were enjoying the food.
I will definitely return to Tara for the omakase experience with my fiancé. We both enjoy the intimate dining experience and it’s a place we won’t have to travel too far to get to since we live in Queens. I think the ambiance of this place is perfect for date night or even dinner with the family.
Just a few tips if you plan on dining at Tara, make a reservation as the omakase table/bar fills up and the restaurant is not that large so evenings are pretty packed here. If you are traveling by public transportation, take the Long Island Rail Road to the Little Neck stop or use the Q30 bus to Little Neck. For those driving, parking may be a bit of a hassle because it’s located on a block with high traffic so parking a few blocks away from the restaurant may be your best bet.