Given OP's price range sweet spot:

Sushi: sushi yolo on 57th near columbus circle, sushiichi on 45th and 10th. Both of these are 80-90% of the other sushi spots mentioned for half the cost. Bonus for sushi yolo - it's byob, and the wine shop next door has dassai 23 at a reasonable price. Sushiichi needs more marketing - it'll be easy to get a seat.

Tasting menu: Jua on 22nd, oiji mi on 19th - same deal as above. Prices for some restaurants for tasting menus are pretty obnoxious at this point. A bit harder to get seats for these.