well, we don't have much good japanese restaurants down here in fresno, so when ever i'm in the bay area, i look for some good eats. I've been to ebisu once, its pretty good.

 

I still stand by my comments in these 2 threads:
https://www.i-club.com/forums/showth...ighlight=sushi
and
https://www.i-club.com/forums/showth...ighlight=sushi

Add Kuishinbo in the Miyako Mall of Japantown S.F. to the list. Country style Japanese food; cooked food is better than sushi (which is okay but not quite up to my standards). Tatsutage is my recommendation.

Santa Ramen in San Mateo is one of the best ramen shops in the Bay Area, but you may be slightly disappointed still if you're used to JDM calibur ramen (a la Tenka Ippin, Yottekoya, etc.) Sapporo Ramen in S.F. Japantown (Kinokuniya Building) has good Hokkaido style ramen.

Tanpopo in the Buchanan Mall at S.F. Japantown is a nice little restaurant that is just like a modern urban restaurant that you'd find in Tokyo. Their lunch specials are great! At one point, I would go there weekly with a friend from Japan to have lunch there. But she's gone back to Japan and all I have now are pleasant memories. I went back again recently and the waitress asked where my friend is. Man was that a tough question

All of my recommendations are authentic Japanese restaurants owned and operated by Japanese managers and chefs, and all have passed the "everyday Japanese guy/girl" dining test

I also have a secret trump card restaurant, but I don't wanna tell...

 

Mikaku in San Mateo right across from the Draeger's on 4th ave.

best non-sushi J-food

 

Another vote for Kitaro in the city and Kabuto A&S as well on geary and 17th I believe. Angelfish in Alameda(Bayfarm) does some great sushi as well and the artwork there is amazing (shameless plug for my mom's art).

 

For local sushi, sushi boat isn't bad. The one off of Santa Teresa and Bernal.

Otherwise Yoshii's jazz club in Oakland, Jack London Square is cool

 

I agree...but set aside a good two hours of your day...oooh santa sounds good right about now. Try the Stewed Pork with Soy Bean flavor broth..I always ask for Kim Chi as an extra bonus.

 

you guys are kidding me when you say that kiki and kitaro is pretty good right? because with experience, they are horrible. they are cheap, but what do you get? it's just not worth it. can't go cheap on fish. my favorites are ebisu (expensive, but good), Yum Yum Fish (on irving, cheap fish place no seating though), shimo (two locations in sf), this place next to arco in millbrae, and for the BEST all you can eat sushi, Nara on polk (all you can eat is only wed and sunday nights).

 

I tried Oyaji on Clement and 36th in the City tonight. Very nice place, I think it's one of the few full izakaya's in the City.

 

I would have to say my favorite is Sushi Main Street in Half Moon Bay. On the other end of the spectrum, don't ever try Furu Sato in Campbell. Their sushi was really bad, and their service was even worse.

 

do any of these places have happy hour and even private booths??

 

Oyaji has semi-private booths, Takara has private tatami rooms. Those are the ones that I can think of right now.

 

Ozumo in San Francisco. Great place, but expect to pay $100-125 for two people without alcohol in order to be full.

Oleg

 

damn, that's pretty expensive, guess i can't try that anytime soon

 

where are they at? for that price, they better be good.

 

They're in downtown SF. If you want to see their menu and stuff, here's their website: www.ozumo.com

It's pretty good, everything looks amazing, portions are small and the restaurant is pretty high class.

Oleg