If you're a matcha lover, Tadaima is worth checking out at least once. I kept hearing this was the…read morespot for all things matcha in the Bay, and it definitely lives up to the hype. We got there just before the line started, and by the time we ordered, it was wrapped around the block. It was wild! Don't sleep on the food, either. Their snack bites were delicious and made on the spot, great for the perfect fuel for a hike afterward. The matcha was smooth, not chalky, and flavorful - but personally, I don't think I'd wait in that long of a line for it. Would I go back? Probably not, but I'm still glad I got to experience it.

A delicious sando spot. I got there around 2 PM, and there was a long line outside the store. I was…read morereally glad I had placed an order online in advance for pickup. The space is very small and has limited seating for indoor dining. I ordered two savory sandwiches: tonkatsu with pineapple, and potato & egg salad. I also got a musubi with unagi, spam, and egg. Everything was really good. Their bread was so soft and airy--perfect with the hojicha latte. I can't wait to go back and try their fruit sando series and matcha drinks!

Be sure to make a reservation! On a random Wednesday evening this place was VERY busy. Luckily I…read morewas able to make a reservation on Open Table for later in the day. We started dinner with oysters. They were fresh, clean and the beet chili jam sauce was very vibrant. It was a great combination of flavors. It's topped with fried shallots which adds a nice crunch to end off the bite. For dinner I had the uni amaebi donburi. It comes with ikura, sweet raw shrimp and uni. There was also a layer of what seemed to be finely processed mushrooms under the ikura which added a nice texture. The egg yolk added a richness and creaminess throughout the dish. It is a very rich dish so I didn't mind that it was what others described as a smaller portion. I'd definitely stop in again for dinner with friends.

~4.5/5, best not-too-sweet matcha in sf fidi area this is a…read morereview just for the matcha/morning cafe to-go; hope to update review for the food since it's been a while.. I've been here several times since their first opening and through their numerous cup changes. I can say the matcha is consistently good, and glad the cup size is bigger :) Matcha einspanner is great, the latte is not sweet and you can taste the matcha quality, milk proportions are just right. Einspanner cream is delicious too and a sweet treat paired with the latte, and topped with matcha powder.

Had a great experience at Izakaya Yoki in San Francisco! They offer an AYCE option, but you can…read morealso order à la carte if you're just looking for something smaller to fill you up. The sushi tasted very fresh and high quality, and I was impressed by how extensive the menu was. There were plenty of options to choose from, so it's a great spot whether you're really hungry and want AYCE or just want to grab a few things. Definitely worth checking out if you're in the area!

-Food is just okay. 3 stars. Some good value sushi and cooked food won't be available in menu. It…read morelimited to order every single round. In average, waiting time for food is 10+ minutes each round. -Hopefully this staffs will have more training in buffet style dining. Server will give you check when there's still have available time to order in system. -Environment is just okay too. They just stuck some paper towel underneath the leg of table to balance.

I'll caveat this review by saying I came here for a private event, so this is not taking price into…read moreconsideration! The food though was amazing. Everything felt very fresh and flavorful, with my favorite courses being the tonkatsu, sashimi, chicken skewers, and hojicha panna cotta. The roasted duck chrysanthemum greens salad was a surprisingly good combo! Waiters were very attentive, checking in with dietary restrictions and drinks a lot.

Rintaro is a beautiful restaurant with gorgeous wood accents and thoughtful Japanese-inspired décor…read morethat makes the experience feel special from the moment you walk inside. As for the food, it was unfortunately just okay. We ordered the yellowtail appetizer, gyoza, chicken katsu, grilled mushrooms, and the tuna rice bowl. While everything was well presented, the flavors were fairly average and didn't stand out. The chicken katsu was a bit dry, and overall we expected more given the restaurant's reputation. Nothing was bad, but nothing really wowed us either. We made a reservation and ate quite quickly but we felt a bit rushed towards the end (understanding they probably needed our table). I'd still recommend visiting for the ambiance, but I was surprised that the food didn't quite live up to the beautiful setting.

It's been a while…read more I actually came here for dinner a couple years ago after taking a long gap after the world changed in 2020. They stopped serving lunch, a rotational place for business lunches and when entertaining visiting friends. I noticed a sign a few weeks ago that they started serving lunch again (started in April, as told by our waiter). I was happy that this is now an option for these lunches again. In studying the menu, the selection hasn't changed much though it is pared down a bit with a few of my favorite appetizers gone (shishito peppers). My go-to in the past was the business set lunch, still available and what I ordered on two business lunches on consecutive Fridays. It comes with choices for a two-course meal, not counting the provide bowl of miso soup (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=48&select=oIkVbbqPY0HWG9y3YbriEA) and a bowl of rice. Here's what I had: a. Yellowtail sashimi (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&select=rSCkN5J6l_tJ419JdnxrUg) with shallots and poached garlic ponzu - This is as I remember and a great start to this meal. b., 1st visit NY strip steak (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&select=4TTrlrBTj60xo_ejeBNg7A), medium rare, with sauteed Japanese mushrooms - I don't recall whether this was Wagyu or not prior to Covid but, with inflation since that time, it's still a pretty good deal at this price. It was hearty and the mushrooms were a good complement along with the bowl of rice. b., 2nd visit Black cod (4 oz) with mixed green salad - Sorry as the conversation was serious so I forgot to take a photo. I passed on this on my 1st meal but knew it would be my 2nd entree here. It was miso marinated with the meat being tender and flavorful. Again, great with rice. Do pay attention for bones (they are larger) as I got two on my piece. Shared dishes: a. Sweet corn with soy garlic butter (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&select=Fviru3AbJYA_41PQ8geaTg) - There are four to an order so one diner had an extra cob. The portions are perfect as a pre-meal or accompanying bite for our meals. We had this both lunches. b. Crispy brussel sprouts with mustard and bonito flakes (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=48&select=yUjFMqXOxfF-UyYN6ltybw) - We had this on our 1st lunch and, again, a nice dish to mix with rice. c. Salmon tataki (4 pc) with brown butter ponzu (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&select=I18uKPl-QG0wVQrUUWAglQ) - A lighter shared dish where the ponzu didn't overpower the salmon. On our first visit, there was one large table near the entrance occupied and scattering of tables with two diners. The following week, the dining room was about 2/3rd full and there were two waiters manning the dining room. Our waiters, two different ones for each lunch, were very professional and cordial. With the neighborhood offices filling up with workers onsite, the return of lunch service makes sense. Looking forward to dining here again.

My wife and I had our anniversary dinner at Roka Akor and overall we had a good experience, but,…read morefor us, it didn't quite feel like the fine dining experience you'd expect for the price point. The service was decent, but nothing special and felt distant. While they wished us happy anniversary, there was no complimentary dessert, glass wine, decoration, etc. Which is okay, some places do and some don't. We ordered a couple of appetizers, a carafe of sake, and a couple of entrees and there was some difficulty and confusion with the order in which the dishes came out, which wasn't a big deal, just as little out of sync with the meal. The appetizers were great, I had the edamame which were perfectly cooked and salted, and my wife loved her rolls and sushi. My steak was beautiful, the presentation was immaculate, and the garnishes were delicious and overall tasted good, but there was something about the combination or maybe the chimichirri sauce that didn't quite hit as there was no high note, just a good baseline steak. I also ordered the sweet corn and that was simply amazing, the flavors were outstanding and utterly delicious. Overall a good dinner, but it didn't really feel like a $300 experience. I probably wouldn't return at that value.

Bon, Nene is a cute small Japanese spot with excellent food at a fair price for the quality. We got…read morethe Gyudon over udon noodles, curry with chicken katsu, and shared the Hokkaido cheesecake. The gyudon was excellent with a lightly sweet and savory flavor, I'd definitely get this again! The Hokkaido cheesecake was light and had what seemed like whipped cream in it which isn't my preference for cheesecake so I would skip this item next time. You put your name and number of people in your party at the list on the door, but the wait goes bye fairly quick. They have indoor and some outdoor seating. We loved their entree items and would definitely come back here!

Came for a weekend lunch with friends. It was pretty sunny and I wish they had umbrellas for the…read moretables outside, but we did get a table pretty quickly! Ordered a few things to share, the portion sizes didn't feel that large. If I was just eating one main I don't think I would be full but it's good to share. The pastas both had good flavor but felt a little dry to me. The tuna bowl was super fresh and well-seasoned! The gyudon bowl was good as well. The onigiris felt well-packed and we enjoyed all the flavors. Didnt get a chance to see inside but it looked cute! Good spot to hang with friends or on a date.

Our server jane was very sweet and explained the menu for us as first timers. Food came out in less…read morethan 5 minutes and it was very delicious. Everyone was attentive to their tables and guests and every employee greeted their guests as they entered. 10/10 im coming back here ASAP

Loved the place, food was awesome, service was perfect! Not too loud. Thank you Jeff!read more

Kusakabe creates the kind of dining experience that feels carefully designed from the moment you…read moresit down. We walked into a refined but welcoming space where the sushi counter is the main focus, and the meal unfolds course by course in front of us. There is a sense of calm throughout the room, allowing the attention to stay on the chefs, the ingredients, and the details behind each dish without the distraction of a busy dining room. The omakase experience balances traditional sushi with more creative touches. Each course brings something different, from fresh sashimi and nigiri to warmer dishes like chawan mushi that add depth to the progression of the meal. The sushi highlights the quality of the fish while incorporating thoughtful flavor combinations, with dishes like scallop and the dry-aged fish courses standing out for their texture and seasoning. The sake pairing fits naturally into the experience, adding another layer without overpowering the food, and the sommelier's selections complement the progression of flavors across the meal. What makes Kusakabe memorable is the craftsmanship and pacing of the meal. The chefs take time to explain each course, making the experience feel personal rather than rushed. Sitting at the counter adds to the atmosphere because you get to see the precision and care that goes into every piece, from the way the rice is formed to the final brush of sauce on the fish. The pacing of the meal allows you to appreciate each course without feeling rushed, and the team's attention to detail creates a rhythm that keeps the meal engaging from start to finish. Kusakabe feels like a place made for special occasions, celebrations, or anyone looking for a more elevated Japanese dining experience. It combines technique, hospitality, and creativity in a way that makes the entire meal feel like an event rather than just a dinner. The balance of traditional and modern elements, along with the warmth of the service, leaves you with the sense of having experienced something complete and thoughtfully composed.

What an experience! We were celebrating an anniversary and planned a bit last minute, but were able…read moreto snag a reservation here pretty easily. Immediately, the ambiance and service was quite nice. We were seated at the table, but typically I enjoy sitting at the bar to watch the chefs make our food. The service was amazing and they were very attentive. They also offered to take photos and gave us a little gift of hojicha tea since we were celebrating. We got the omakase, which was massive and had 18 courses. They gave us a menu so we knew what to expect for each course, and we ordered some sake. The omakase was delicious and more traditional than other places, each course was so beautiful and delicately made. This is definitely a lot of food, I would recommend the petite omakase in the future as I was stuffed, but it was a great experience if you come hungry! Courses: - Chawan-mushi - super tasty and every bite was delicious and umami forward! - Otsumami - 7 seasonal appetizers presented in a beautiful box, there was a stuffed crab claw in there that was delicious - 4 kinds of sushi - each piece came out one at a time, the first piece was my absolute favorite and blew me away, it was a seared chutoro that immediately melts in your mouth and tastes smokey - Hamachi soup - very tasty and warming soup with hamachi inside, was perfect in between the sushi course - 4 kinds of sushi - A5 Waguyu shabu - this course was extra $10 pp but was so delicious, the wagyu was melt in your mouth and had some grated daikon on top in a ponzu dashi, the toppings help balance the meat so it's overwhelming since it does melt in your mouth, one of my favorite bites! - 4 kind of sushi - they brought out some really great sushis, including more chutoro and an unagi handroll, but I was so stuffed at this point that I felt I couldn't enjoy it as much - miso soup - this soup was so tasty and kind of revived me after all that food, it felt comforting and a great way to end - dessert- I got the hojicha ice cream in a waffle like cookie and it was delicious!