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My fiancé and I came here for dinner on Friday night from a friend's recommendation. We loved our experience and really enjoyed the meal! I see this is described as omakase in multiple reviews here but their tasting menu is Asian fusion as it says in its description and not omakase. Chef Robert was super entertaining and engaging. The tasting menu had a great variety of flavors and I genuinely enjoyed each course, including the monkfish liver mousse which surprised me because I usually don't appreciate monkfish liver. We really enjoyed our visit and would definitely recommend. I liked the courses and flavors much better than some other comparable Asian tasting menus we've tried in the area. The coconut panna cotta dessert made by pastry chef Peter was really good too. Aside from the food itself, Chef Robert made the experience fun and the service was very attentive!
Amazing... First of all I would NOT call 808 Zone an Omakase restaurant. The style of service is definitely along the lines of an Omakase experience. If you come here expecting a traditional Japanese Omakase, you will be severely disappointed. Just as the website states: "An exquisite Asian Pacific Fusion Cuisine experience in Foster City" https://808-zone.com/ 1000% ACCURATE The Fusion Tasting Menu changes form month to month as well. The dinners are led by a small team; Chef Robert, Carol and Peter the Pastry Chef. The setting is small and intimate, and they do a great job. Chef Robert is charming and informative. The interaction is very pleasant and every dish has a story. I took da Wahine out for her birthday dinner, so this is our December experience to remember... #Fusion Tasting Menu - Best of 2024: Welcome Apéritif: ~ Sparkling Lychee, Plum and Yuzu Cocktail - 5/5 An exquisite delicate, well balanced cocktail that was not too sweet. Salad: ~ King Crab/Chayote - 3.5/5 This was our least favorite dish of the evening. Best to eat together; a piece of Crab with Chayote in one bite. Cold Amuse-bouche: ~ Media - 4/5 Barrel fish with a strong truffle flavor, delicate and tender. ~ Ankimo Mouse - 5/5 Mouse made form Monk fish liver on a secret toast (I won't spoil the secret), topped with Parsley dust and Saffron flavored Caviar. Tasty! ~ Hamachi Cone - 5/5 Hamachi in a cone topped with Orange flavored mouse. Hot Amuse-buche: ~ Tuna Tartare - 4.5/5 Tuna Tartare topped with Gochujang, Mango Puree and Caviar accompanied with a Fried Lotus Root Chips. Very Unique flavor profile. ~ Anago - 4.5/5 Japanese sea Eel with homemade dashi sauce. ~ Crab Soup - 5/5 Delish Crab soup with Japanese yam at the bottom. Mix it up and enjoy! ~ Mentaiko Scallop - 5/5 Sashimi grade Hokkaido Scallop served on a Hot Stone topped with salad homemade spicy Mentaiko sauce. Main Courses: ~ Abalone/Hokkaido Uni Chawanmushi - 5/5 Excellent! Likely steamed; excellent flavor. Fusiion Chawanmushi with Uni and mushrooms, accompanied by pickled onion. ~ Fusion Iwana Sashimi - 5/5 A very creative dish with smoked Iceland Artic Char. I don't think I had Smoked Sashimi before. Brilliant presentation as well. ~ Chef Choice of Sushi Nigiri - - Stripjack - 4/5 - Pacific Bluefin Tuna - 5/5 - Golden Eye Snapper - 4.5/5 ~ Sushi Mini Don - 5/5 Amazing Mini Don topped with Grade A+ Uni form Hokkaido. I could eat this all day! ~ 808 Zone Signature Course: A5 Wagyu/Scallion Noodles - 5/5 Um...yes please. I could eat this as a dish itself. Noodles were not heavy. Brilliant portion control. ~ Tom Yum Soup - 5/5 Delicate flavor with a bit of heat. NOT traditional! It's a fusion take, so so don't expect a Thai Tom Yum or you will be disappointed. Dessert: ~ Coconut Panna Cotta - 4.5/5 A bit on the tangier side for my liking due to to Kiwi, but still brilliant! Great texture and presentation. Da Wahine got an extra treat for her Birthday. And as a Holiday bonus the form Pastry Chef Peter we got a little something to go as well. Mahalo! We left 808 Zone very satisfied, not overly stuffed nor hungry to the point we needed to go eat something afterwards. Chef Robert expressed his desire to make his patrons feel comfortable and content. Come on down to 808 Zone for a very memorable dining experience!
Let's start with the obvious: you need to love great food and have 3 hours and $200 to go here. It's worth every minute and every dollar. This is a small family run fusion restaurant, mostly Japanese style. The restaurant itself is small and clean. They clearly put in the time and effort to assemble a great product. The main chef (Robert ) is entertaining as he explains the thought process and origins of every dish and practically every ingredient. The other owner / pastry chef (Peter) also does a great job. The attention to detail is incredible. Normally I run down every dish and tell you the good and bad about each. This tasting menu has 16 different items so I'm not going to do that. The obvious highlights were the mini sushi Don with "A+" uni from Hokkaido, the A5 wagyu/noodles, the Tom yum (with the best Canadian shrimp ever), the nigiri sushi, the panna cotta and the birthday pastries. These dishes stood out as amazing. Runner up dishes were the hamachi cone (not sure all the flavors lined up with the various layers), the tofu replacement for the chawsnmushi (tofu could be a bit silkier and slightly more seasoning), scallop (great scallop but the spicy mentaiko sauce is missing something- idk what), anago with eggplant (needs something to kick up the flavor a bit). I thought the crab soup was a miss. It was a bit bland and really hard to eat with the tiny spoon. The sashimi fish was somewhat overpowered by the smoke infused flavor. Overall this was a fantastic experience. I highly recommend and I'll definitely return soon.
Not a traditional Japanese omakase style, but a more modernized, "social media", creative food. One can tell they spent a lot of effort in creating the menu and finding different flavor pairings to certain dishes. If you are interested in a more modern style, photo opportunities, and a quiet atmosphere, this is the place for you. Nestled in an apartment community that is not obvious at first sight, it's very cozy. Parking is quite easy to find because it's Foster City and it's a really safe area to be in. The bar seats 8 and there's a few tables here and there. I recommend getting a reservation (not sure if it is reservation only). The interior is very clean and well lit for you to take social media food photos. Food was delicious! I loved all the dishes that came out and each had their own flair to them. Hard to pick a favorite of my own, everyone's tastes are different. The fish was exceptional quality and I made devoured every morsel quickly. I attached pictures of every dish as well as the menu. Note: for 2025, Chef is thinking about doing more seasonal items. Chef Robert was very talkative and entertaining. He was very welcoming and made sure that he got a chance to interact with everyone. He had a lot of fun entertaining all of us, giving us ample time to finish our food but enough time to chit chat. He's also very sharp with small details: one of the girls that sat next to us had an expensive camera and the server was about to pass the Tong Yum soup over the counter to her, but the chef stopped her, commenting it should be served next to her, not over the counter, as there is a chance the soup may spill over her camera, potentially damaging it. Now that is caring customer service! Priced at $150 a person, price is steep, but keep in mind you are paying for the art and time it took for the chef to create such extraordinary, unique dishes. And I really mean "unique". The service staff are also super kind and attentive, very hardworking as well (The pastry chef was the busboy and our waiter that night...wow). I would say it's a great place to try a different take on Japanese cuisine with more modern flair and flavors. It's worth a try for sure!
Celebrated my birthday here and had the tasting menu. Everything was really good! I think my least favorite was the king crab/chayote salad, which was the first dish. It wasn't terrible but it also wasn't amazing either. It was all pretty amazing after that though! I was trying to rank the dishes but it came to a point where I just couldn't pick one anymore so I figure I go based on memory for what stood out a week or so later and the winners are: the hamachi cone, mentaiko scallop (the saaaauuce), abalone/Hokkaido chawanmushi, and the sushi mini don with A+ grade uni. I'm drooling thinking of them. Loved the whole experience sitting at the chef's table. It was a really laid back vibe yet still very special. Got extra desserts that were not part of the tasting menu. The desserts were all so good and gets the highest Asian compliment, "not too sweet". Standout desserts for me were the coconut panna cotta, which was part of the tasting menu, the matcha, walnut, and peppermint chocolate tarts.
If you're looking for an unforgettable dining experience, this Japanese/Asian fusion restaurant is a must-try. The restaurant is pretty casual inside, but welcoming. The prix fixe menu is well crafted and changes every month. You can look for their menu on their website. For $150 per person, it's a lot cheaper than other places in the peninsula. Reservations are easily made on opentable. Each course perfectly balancing of Asian influences. Some of the stand out dishes were the "burger" made with mushroom and the fish in a cone. Really unique dishes, and oddly enough delicious. I ate many things that I haven't tried before. They also had 3 choices for sake flights. They refilled our flight after we finished it for free. Also, you can choose beer if that's more your style. The service is impeccable! Highly recommended for anyone seeking a unique, top-tier dining experience! Would love to try the bar seating next time.
December 2024 tasting menu: 10/10 Highlights: - Sparkling Lychee cocktail - Hamachi cone - Fusion Iwana Sashimi - Tuna tartare - Chawanmushi - Sushi mini don This was a unique omakase experience, and Chef Robert and his team were warm and welcoming. We'll be back!
This omakase spot has been on my bucket list for a while now and this place certainly lived up to expectations! I made reservations on open table this Sunday and when I arrived, I was warmly greeted by the host Carol and Peter as they sat me and the bar. They started me off with a light and sweet yuzu cocktail as the chef got ready with the courses. While I waited, I ordered the $80 seasonal sake flights on the side which were great. As for the $150 omakase for 15 courses, it was incredible! Chef Robert's creativity is insane. This is not your typical omakase spot. Their focus is on much more than just nigiri which is what I find very unique compared to other omakase places I've been to. The highlight courses in my opinion are the crab mochi, shellfish chawanmushi, sushi mini don, and the tuna tartar. But in general, all the courses on the menu were just an explosion of flavor, sophistication, and it just screams high quality. Another cool thing about this spot is that every month their tasting menu alternates which means there's always something new to try. As I am currently reviewing, this is the tasting menu for August 2024. The service here was also very consistent. Carol, Peter, and Chef Robert were very kind, friendly, receptive, and take into account customer preferences. The ambiance of the place is also very beautiful. The place is nicely decorated and located in a very nice area of Foster City. I will definitely be back! I highly recommend this spot for someone looking for a unique and personable omakase experience! Try it out if you like.
WHEN: Sun @5:30pm PARKING: Free right in front since it's located in an outdoor shopping center. I came here for 2 reasons: 1.) My sis loves doing Omakase for her birthdays 2.) There was a 20% discount just that month thanks to an influencer, which is how I learned of this place (should out of to Charissa!) This 16-course Omakase Tasting is $150 (before discount). I believe there is a limited seating of 8 for Omakase, and somehow during our slot, one party of 4 could not longer make it, so it was my sis and I, and 2 other lovely ladies. The entire engagement was 2 hours long The evening started with a lovely introduction of the entire staff, with a welcoming cocktail that tasted so good, we ordered a carafe of it, haha. WELCOME APERITIF - Sparkling Lychee, Plum, and Yuzu Cocktail. Everything else that came after that was phenomenal. The experience was unique and fun. There was a tasting trivia where they gave us an opportunity to win a piece of nigiri, which sadly we did not win. But it was fun to guess what the piece toast was made from! Oh another one is if we post something on social media, we receive a bonus dish! That bonus dish was what let to that fun trivia of guessing! Ahhh this place is all sorts of fun! Since we were there to celebrate my sister's birthday, they even brought out a bonus dessert for her, with a candle and everything! Most Omakase places dont even do that--maybe just a candle but that's it. Thank you 808 Zone for a wonderful birthday celebration!
I saw this spot on social media, so I wanted to try it. The omakase was $150 per person and reservations can be made in advanced easily online. You get to pick standard seating or bar seating, but if you want more of an experience, then pick the bar seating. Upon entering, we were welcomed by Carol. We had a welcome apertif which was a delicious lychee and yuzu cocktail. All of the food were yummy and I love the creativity behind it. I really enjoyed hearing how Chef Robert came up with each dish and he was very interactive and funny. The desserts were made by Peter which was absolutely delicious. We even got a blueberry lemon loaf to take home! Their menu changes so I will definitely be back to see what other delicious courses Chef Robert comes up with.
Foster City is rarely a destination, now that I don't work nearby, and this area is an unexpected location for any non fast food restaurant, especially a high end one. The crew here is charming and attentive. The food is very good, though not spectacular. The night we were there for a 6:00 seating there was only 1 other table of 6 was seated. I hope they get a chance to prosper. I will mention here the highlights, because there just too many preparations to name them all: The crab salad opener with mango and cucumbers was one of my favorites. With dungeness season still not open it was king crab. It was sweet and briny. 4* In the following coarse, the hamachi with yuzu foam with a little sweet ikura on top was my favorite. The smoked salmon mousse with pomme soufflee was not very well thought out. The "mousse" was more like thick cream cheese texture, and pomme soufflee, was the texture of a thick potato chip. It was awkward to eat, and the textures didn't match up very well. 2.5* On the other hand, the sunshine dumpling, which I believe had shrimp in it, was their version of xiao long bao had great umami and a not too thin, not too thick near perfect dough. 5* The 808 Zone signature - A5 Wagyu fried rice was surprisingly wonderful. perfect fried rice with a good sized piece of meat on top and a good proportion of just right sized chunks within. It's a shame to cook wagyu too long, but its texture benefits, from being more on the medium side of medium rare. This was a perfect temperature. 5* Usually, chawanmushi is one of my favorites. This was described as shellfish chawanmushi. I was unable to find any seafood in it at all. I would like it a bit firmer also, this was just too soupy. 2.5* Sushi mini don was very good. all my favorite "eggs" on top. Domestic uni, Hokkaido uni, and ikura. Very fresh and luxurious. 4* The remaining dishes were good, but didn't stand out. They included a toro taku temaki, chef's choice nigiri, House special broth and dessert Service was heartwarming. Each dish was presented and described by the person who prepared it. The sushi chef came by at the end and asked for our favorites and any critiques. Great touch. Price was a bit high, but we didn't feel cheated. Food: 34/40 Service: 18/20 Atm/intangibles: 16/20 Value: 16/20 Overall: 84/100
Located in Foster City, this little gem is worth the drive! I first came across this spot from an Instagram post and just could not resist. I came twice in one month! (If that's not saying something then idk what will!) Chef Robert, Carol and Peter really display their passion for food and pay so much attention to the details. The restaurant is intimate and quiet but very welcoming. I believe they serve dinner in two waves: 5:30 and 7:30 dinner service. I would say sitting at the sushi bar versus sitting at a table gives you vastly different experiences. I really enjoyed sitting at the sushi bar and getting to chat with Chef Robert, Carol, Peter and the other patrons. At the table, the service is still excellent and Carol or Peter will still come and explain every dish to you but you definitely feel a little disconnected from Chef Robert. I loved that every dish was so specially curated and had a story behind it. The menu actually changes every month so your experience may be completely different. Robert, Carol and Peter are very knowledgeable in the food that they serve, where the fish come from, and even down to the dishes and silverware.My most memorable dishes were the pearl shrimp ball, mentaiko scallop and the shellfish chwanmushi. Absolutely delicious and hope that they'll keep a few of these on the menu. Also don't be fooled by Peter's quietness, he makes all of the pastries & they are absolutely delicious! As Carol said, they take the better parts of omakase and kaiseki to give you 808 Zone. If you're a stickler for tradition, you might not like this but personally, I truly enjoyed this experience and can't wait to be back to see what else is on the menu!
What an great experience I had in 808! My husband took me a surprise birthday dinner in 808 and I enjoyed and had so much fun from it! Food: we had 15 courses of tasting menu-from my experiences, the size always petite for most of the omakase but portion from 808 is better than I expected. Quality of each course are very unique especially the type of seafood, cooking method even though side dishes like pickles/gingers, they are totally different than what we had in elsewhere. Service: Carol & Peter are very attentive, caring and efficient. Full service being provided by the whole time. Ambiance: Super warm & fun atmospheres, lots of interaction between Chef Robert and guests. I like the way how he approaches to everyone, he introduce & explain us the food between each course, then assure & ask for feedback right after. I feel very relaxing and enjoying whole time. Therefore, 808 will be 1 of my favorite restaurant from now on. Trust me, I'm sure you will have a blast and unexpected experience from them!
This is an absolute awesome spot if you are looking to celebrate a special occasion and you appreciate Asian cuisine that is meticulously prepared in a very unique style. We prebooked the set menu. Boy was it a dining experience! From start to finish, every single dish was so deliciously curated. The waitstaff was also extremely friendly and did such a great job explaining all the intricacies of each dish. By the end of our meal, our tummies were full and the entire journey from appetizer to dessert was so satisfying. 808 Zone is truly a place that we will plan to revisit for our next special occasion. read more
I think it's more of a 3.5 overall score. There's so much potential but it lacks precision, execution and attention to detail. The ambiance is a bit similar to a fast casual restaurant than that of a high end course meal and the service aligns with that. Bathrooms are in a bit of a sorry state and chairs are peeling at the edges. Service is a bit clumsy and rushed. No one asks for any food restrictions before the meal and it isn't asked when reservations are being made, so you'll have to actively speak up if you need this addressed. Dishes are only fully explained at the bar, if you sit at the standard tables you'll get a very basic dish explanation. The food is mostly Chinese Japanese fusion and some dishes knock it out of the park, like the chawanmushi which is fused with flavors of Chinese egg drop soup. Some really drop the ball, like the scallion noodles which were soggy and overly greasy, the oil was not properly infused with the green onion and so you just got mushy soggy plain oil flavored noodles. The course lacked consistency. Some dishes were incredible, some average, and some downright bad. There's a lack of consistency in the prep also, there were crab shells in the orange crab dish, there was a bad bitter uni in one of the chawanmushi, etc. I think the ambiance, service, and course doesn't add up to the $150 price tag. There's definitely potential but the lack of effort does affect the overall experience. read more
Very thoughtful dishes with engaging Chef Robert! We came in for a date night and we are very impressed by the hospitality of the staffs. Chef Robert is also humorous and clearly shows his passion. He checks on everyone at the sushi station, asks for constructive feedback and explains his thought process of each dishes. I loved the creativity and how he was able to incorporate some Chinese fusion twist into a more modern style Japanese omakase. This is probably one of the most engaging omakase I have ever experienced for a while and loved Chef Roger's humor. Other staffs are also super nice and Chef Peter's dessert/pastries are delicious too! Highly recommend! You will have a good time here. read more
My fiancé and I came here for dinner on Friday night from a friend's recommendation. We loved our experience and really enjoyed the meal! I see this is described as omakase in multiple reviews here but their tasting menu is Asian fusion as it says in its description and not omakase. Chef Robert was super entertaining and engaging. The tasting menu had a great variety of flavors and I genuinely enjoyed each course, including the monkfish liver mousse which surprised me because I usually don't appreciate monkfish liver. We really enjoyed our visit and would definitely recommend. I liked the courses and flavors much better than some other comparable Asian tasting menus we've tried in the area. The coconut panna cotta dessert made by pastry chef Peter was really good too. Aside from the food itself, Chef Robert made the experience fun and the service was very attentive! read more
2 years ago
Amazing... First of all I would NOT call 808 Zone an Omakase restaurant. The style of service is definitely along the lines of an Omakase experience. If you come here expecting a traditional Japanese Omakase, you will be severely disappointed. Just as the website states: "An exquisite Asian Pacific Fusion Cuisine experience in Foster City" https://808-zone.com/ 1000% ACCURATE The Fusion Tasting Menu changes form month to month as well. The dinners are led by a small team; Chef Robert, Carol and Peter the Pastry Chef. The setting is small and intimate, and they do a great job. Chef Robert is charming and informative. The interaction is very pleasant and every dish has a story. I took da Wahine out for her birthday dinner, so this is our December experience to remember... #Fusion Tasting Menu - Best of 2024: Welcome Apéritif: ~ Sparkling Lychee, Plum and Yuzu Cocktail - 5/5 An exquisite delicate, well balanced cocktail that was not too sweet. Salad: ~ King Crab/Chayote - 3.5/5 This was our least favorite dish of the evening. Best to eat together; a piece of Crab with Chayote in one bite. Cold Amuse-bouche: ~ Media - 4/5 Barrel fish with a strong truffle flavor, delicate and tender. ~ Ankimo Mouse - 5/5 Mouse made form Monk fish liver on a secret toast (I won't spoil the secret), topped with Parsley dust and Saffron flavored Caviar. Tasty! ~ Hamachi Cone - 5/5 Hamachi in a cone topped with Orange flavored mouse. Hot Amuse-buche: ~ Tuna Tartare - 4.5/5 Tuna Tartare topped with Gochujang, Mango Puree and Caviar accompanied with a Fried Lotus Root Chips. Very Unique flavor profile. ~ Anago - 4.5/5 Japanese sea Eel with homemade dashi sauce. ~ Crab Soup - 5/5 Delish Crab soup with Japanese yam at the bottom. Mix it up and enjoy! ~ Mentaiko Scallop - 5/5 Sashimi grade Hokkaido Scallop served on a Hot Stone topped with salad homemade spicy Mentaiko sauce. Main Courses: ~ Abalone/Hokkaido Uni Chawanmushi - 5/5 Excellent! Likely steamed; excellent flavor. Fusiion Chawanmushi with Uni and mushrooms, accompanied by pickled onion. ~ Fusion Iwana Sashimi - 5/5 A very creative dish with smoked Iceland Artic Char. I don't think I had Smoked Sashimi before. Brilliant presentation as well. ~ Chef Choice of Sushi Nigiri - - Stripjack - 4/5 - Pacific Bluefin Tuna - 5/5 - Golden Eye Snapper - 4.5/5 ~ Sushi Mini Don - 5/5 Amazing Mini Don topped with Grade A+ Uni form Hokkaido. I could eat this all day! ~ 808 Zone Signature Course: A5 Wagyu/Scallion Noodles - 5/5 Um...yes please. I could eat this as a dish itself. Noodles were not heavy. Brilliant portion control. ~ Tom Yum Soup - 5/5 Delicate flavor with a bit of heat. NOT traditional! It's a fusion take, so so don't expect a Thai Tom Yum or you will be disappointed. Dessert: ~ Coconut Panna Cotta - 4.5/5 A bit on the tangier side for my liking due to to Kiwi, but still brilliant! Great texture and presentation. Da Wahine got an extra treat for her Birthday. And as a Holiday bonus the form Pastry Chef Peter we got a little something to go as well. Mahalo! We left 808 Zone very satisfied, not overly stuffed nor hungry to the point we needed to go eat something afterwards. Chef Robert expressed his desire to make his patrons feel comfortable and content. Come on down to 808 Zone for a very memorable dining experience! read more
Let's start with the obvious: you need to love great food and have 3 hours and $200 to go here. It's worth every minute and every dollar. This is a small family run fusion restaurant, mostly Japanese style. The restaurant itself is small and clean. They clearly put in the time and effort to assemble a great product. The main chef (Robert ) is entertaining as he explains the thought process and origins of every dish and practically every ingredient. The other owner / pastry chef (Peter) also does a great job. The attention to detail is incredible. Normally I run down every dish and tell you the good and bad about each. This tasting menu has 16 different items so I'm not going to do that. The obvious highlights were the mini sushi Don with "A+" uni from Hokkaido, the A5 wagyu/noodles, the Tom yum (with the best Canadian shrimp ever), the nigiri sushi, the panna cotta and the birthday pastries. These dishes stood out as amazing. Runner up dishes were the hamachi cone (not sure all the flavors lined up with the various layers), the tofu replacement for the chawsnmushi (tofu could be a bit silkier and slightly more seasoning), scallop (great scallop but the spicy mentaiko sauce is missing something- idk what), anago with eggplant (needs something to kick up the flavor a bit). I thought the crab soup was a miss. It was a bit bland and really hard to eat with the tiny spoon. The sashimi fish was somewhat overpowered by the smoke infused flavor. Overall this was a fantastic experience. I highly recommend and I'll definitely return soon. read more
Not a traditional Japanese omakase style, but a more modernized, "social media", creative food. One can tell they spent a lot of effort in creating the menu and finding different flavor pairings to certain dishes. If you are interested in a more modern style, photo opportunities, and a quiet atmosphere, this is the place for you. Nestled in an apartment community that is not obvious at first sight, it's very cozy. Parking is quite easy to find because it's Foster City and it's a really safe area to be in. The bar seats 8 and there's a few tables here and there. I recommend getting a reservation (not sure if it is reservation only). The interior is very clean and well lit for you to take social media food photos. Food was delicious! I loved all the dishes that came out and each had their own flair to them. Hard to pick a favorite of my own, everyone's tastes are different. The fish was exceptional quality and I made devoured every morsel quickly. I attached pictures of every dish as well as the menu. Note: for 2025, Chef is thinking about doing more seasonal items. Chef Robert was very talkative and entertaining. He was very welcoming and made sure that he got a chance to interact with everyone. He had a lot of fun entertaining all of us, giving us ample time to finish our food but enough time to chit chat. He's also very sharp with small details: one of the girls that sat next to us had an expensive camera and the server was about to pass the Tong Yum soup over the counter to her, but the chef stopped her, commenting it should be served next to her, not over the counter, as there is a chance the soup may spill over her camera, potentially damaging it. Now that is caring customer service! Priced at $150 a person, price is steep, but keep in mind you are paying for the art and time it took for the chef to create such extraordinary, unique dishes. And I really mean "unique". The service staff are also super kind and attentive, very hardworking as well (The pastry chef was the busboy and our waiter that night...wow). I would say it's a great place to try a different take on Japanese cuisine with more modern flair and flavors. It's worth a try for sure! read more
Celebrated my birthday here and had the tasting menu. Everything was really good! I think my least favorite was the king crab/chayote salad, which was the first dish. It wasn't terrible but it also wasn't amazing either. It was all pretty amazing after that though! I was trying to rank the dishes but it came to a point where I just couldn't pick one anymore so I figure I go based on memory for what stood out a week or so later and the winners are: the hamachi cone, mentaiko scallop (the saaaauuce), abalone/Hokkaido chawanmushi, and the sushi mini don with A+ grade uni. I'm drooling thinking of them. Loved the whole experience sitting at the chef's table. It was a really laid back vibe yet still very special. Got extra desserts that were not part of the tasting menu. The desserts were all so good and gets the highest Asian compliment, "not too sweet". Standout desserts for me were the coconut panna cotta, which was part of the tasting menu, the matcha, walnut, and peppermint chocolate tarts. read more
2 years ago
If you're looking for an unforgettable dining experience, this Japanese/Asian fusion restaurant is a must-try. The restaurant is pretty casual inside, but welcoming. The prix fixe menu is well crafted and changes every month. You can look for their menu on their website. For $150 per person, it's a lot cheaper than other places in the peninsula. Reservations are easily made on opentable. Each course perfectly balancing of Asian influences. Some of the stand out dishes were the "burger" made with mushroom and the fish in a cone. Really unique dishes, and oddly enough delicious. I ate many things that I haven't tried before. They also had 3 choices for sake flights. They refilled our flight after we finished it for free. Also, you can choose beer if that's more your style. The service is impeccable! Highly recommended for anyone seeking a unique, top-tier dining experience! Would love to try the bar seating next time. read more
December 2024 tasting menu: 10/10 Highlights: - Sparkling Lychee cocktail - Hamachi cone - Fusion Iwana Sashimi - Tuna tartare - Chawanmushi - Sushi mini don This was a unique omakase experience, and Chef Robert and his team were warm and welcoming. We'll be back! read more
1 year ago
This omakase spot has been on my bucket list for a while now and this place certainly lived up to expectations! I made reservations on open table this Sunday and when I arrived, I was warmly greeted by the host Carol and Peter as they sat me and the bar. They started me off with a light and sweet yuzu cocktail as the chef got ready with the courses. While I waited, I ordered the $80 seasonal sake flights on the side which were great. As for the $150 omakase for 15 courses, it was incredible! Chef Robert's creativity is insane. This is not your typical omakase spot. Their focus is on much more than just nigiri which is what I find very unique compared to other omakase places I've been to. The highlight courses in my opinion are the crab mochi, shellfish chawanmushi, sushi mini don, and the tuna tartar. But in general, all the courses on the menu were just an explosion of flavor, sophistication, and it just screams high quality. Another cool thing about this spot is that every month their tasting menu alternates which means there's always something new to try. As I am currently reviewing, this is the tasting menu for August 2024. The service here was also very consistent. Carol, Peter, and Chef Robert were very kind, friendly, receptive, and take into account customer preferences. The ambiance of the place is also very beautiful. The place is nicely decorated and located in a very nice area of Foster City. I will definitely be back! I highly recommend this spot for someone looking for a unique and personable omakase experience! Try it out if you like. read more
WHEN: Sun @5:30pm PARKING: Free right in front since it's located in an outdoor shopping center. I came here for 2 reasons: 1.) My sis loves doing Omakase for her birthdays 2.) There was a 20% discount just that month thanks to an influencer, which is how I learned of this place (should out of to Charissa!) This 16-course Omakase Tasting is $150 (before discount). I believe there is a limited seating of 8 for Omakase, and somehow during our slot, one party of 4 could not longer make it, so it was my sis and I, and 2 other lovely ladies. The entire engagement was 2 hours long The evening started with a lovely introduction of the entire staff, with a welcoming cocktail that tasted so good, we ordered a carafe of it, haha. WELCOME APERITIF - Sparkling Lychee, Plum, and Yuzu Cocktail. Everything else that came after that was phenomenal. The experience was unique and fun. There was a tasting trivia where they gave us an opportunity to win a piece of nigiri, which sadly we did not win. But it was fun to guess what the piece toast was made from! Oh another one is if we post something on social media, we receive a bonus dish! That bonus dish was what let to that fun trivia of guessing! Ahhh this place is all sorts of fun! Since we were there to celebrate my sister's birthday, they even brought out a bonus dessert for her, with a candle and everything! Most Omakase places dont even do that--maybe just a candle but that's it. Thank you 808 Zone for a wonderful birthday celebration! read more
I saw this spot on social media, so I wanted to try it. The omakase was $150 per person and reservations can be made in advanced easily online. You get to pick standard seating or bar seating, but if you want more of an experience, then pick the bar seating. Upon entering, we were welcomed by Carol. We had a welcome apertif which was a delicious lychee and yuzu cocktail. All of the food were yummy and I love the creativity behind it. I really enjoyed hearing how Chef Robert came up with each dish and he was very interactive and funny. The desserts were made by Peter which was absolutely delicious. We even got a blueberry lemon loaf to take home! Their menu changes so I will definitely be back to see what other delicious courses Chef Robert comes up with. read more
Foster City is rarely a destination, now that I don't work nearby, and this area is an unexpected location for any non fast food restaurant, especially a high end one. The crew here is charming and attentive. The food is very good, though not spectacular. The night we were there for a 6:00 seating there was only 1 other table of 6 was seated. I hope they get a chance to prosper. I will mention here the highlights, because there just too many preparations to name them all: The crab salad opener with mango and cucumbers was one of my favorites. With dungeness season still not open it was king crab. It was sweet and briny. 4* In the following coarse, the hamachi with yuzu foam with a little sweet ikura on top was my favorite. The smoked salmon mousse with pomme soufflee was not very well thought out. The "mousse" was more like thick cream cheese texture, and pomme soufflee, was the texture of a thick potato chip. It was awkward to eat, and the textures didn't match up very well. 2.5* On the other hand, the sunshine dumpling, which I believe had shrimp in it, was their version of xiao long bao had great umami and a not too thin, not too thick near perfect dough. 5* The 808 Zone signature - A5 Wagyu fried rice was surprisingly wonderful. perfect fried rice with a good sized piece of meat on top and a good proportion of just right sized chunks within. It's a shame to cook wagyu too long, but its texture benefits, from being more on the medium side of medium rare. This was a perfect temperature. 5* Usually, chawanmushi is one of my favorites. This was described as shellfish chawanmushi. I was unable to find any seafood in it at all. I would like it a bit firmer also, this was just too soupy. 2.5* Sushi mini don was very good. all my favorite "eggs" on top. Domestic uni, Hokkaido uni, and ikura. Very fresh and luxurious. 4* The remaining dishes were good, but didn't stand out. They included a toro taku temaki, chef's choice nigiri, House special broth and dessert Service was heartwarming. Each dish was presented and described by the person who prepared it. The sushi chef came by at the end and asked for our favorites and any critiques. Great touch. Price was a bit high, but we didn't feel cheated. Food: 34/40 Service: 18/20 Atm/intangibles: 16/20 Value: 16/20 Overall: 84/100 read more
Located in Foster City, this little gem is worth the drive! I first came across this spot from an Instagram post and just could not resist. I came twice in one month! (If that's not saying something then idk what will!) Chef Robert, Carol and Peter really display their passion for food and pay so much attention to the details. The restaurant is intimate and quiet but very welcoming. I believe they serve dinner in two waves: 5:30 and 7:30 dinner service. I would say sitting at the sushi bar versus sitting at a table gives you vastly different experiences. I really enjoyed sitting at the sushi bar and getting to chat with Chef Robert, Carol, Peter and the other patrons. At the table, the service is still excellent and Carol or Peter will still come and explain every dish to you but you definitely feel a little disconnected from Chef Robert. I loved that every dish was so specially curated and had a story behind it. The menu actually changes every month so your experience may be completely different. Robert, Carol and Peter are very knowledgeable in the food that they serve, where the fish come from, and even down to the dishes and silverware.My most memorable dishes were the pearl shrimp ball, mentaiko scallop and the shellfish chwanmushi. Absolutely delicious and hope that they'll keep a few of these on the menu. Also don't be fooled by Peter's quietness, he makes all of the pastries & they are absolutely delicious! As Carol said, they take the better parts of omakase and kaiseki to give you 808 Zone. If you're a stickler for tradition, you might not like this but personally, I truly enjoyed this experience and can't wait to be back to see what else is on the menu! read more
1 year ago
What an great experience I had in 808! My husband took me a surprise birthday dinner in 808 and I enjoyed and had so much fun from it! Food: we had 15 courses of tasting menu-from my experiences, the size always petite for most of the omakase but portion from 808 is better than I expected. Quality of each course are very unique especially the type of seafood, cooking method even though side dishes like pickles/gingers, they are totally different than what we had in elsewhere. Service: Carol & Peter are very attentive, caring and efficient. Full service being provided by the whole time. Ambiance: Super warm & fun atmospheres, lots of interaction between Chef Robert and guests. I like the way how he approaches to everyone, he introduce & explain us the food between each course, then assure & ask for feedback right after. I feel very relaxing and enjoying whole time. Therefore, 808 will be 1 of my favorite restaurant from now on. Trust me, I'm sure you will have a blast and unexpected experience from them! read more
Getting tired of the same old omakase experience? Too intimidated to even go to your first one? 808 Zone may be the perfect place for you! With a contemporary kaiseki meets omakase fused with western inspiration and unexpected flavor combinations experience, your taste buds are surely to thank you for delighting them with something unique and different. Every dish aims to bring something innovative to the table while highlighting the freshness and beauty of the ingredients themselves. I also respect the fact that they haven't gone completely overboard to the point where the meal would break the bank. If stuffy and serious chefs with top hats aren't really your thing, you'll find Robert and his team to be a breath of fresh air; the vibe is laid back and relaxed. He'll be the first to tell you he isn't your traditional sushi chef and in many ways that's a good thing. This allows the whole team to be more creative, less bound by traditional sushi and kaiseki making norms, and just gives them the freedom to focus on having fun and delivering a delicious product, regardless if "that's how it's supposed to be done." Excited to try monkfish liver pate on crostini-style mantou bread? How about a pesto tart with truffle oil? Ready to finish it all with a coconut panna cotta that tastes like an Asian light and fluffy goodness that's not overly sweet? If you are a stickler for tradition, you'll be thoroughly confused and perhaps mildly offended by what 808 Zone offers. But if you want something that perfectly blends Japanese, Chinese, Italian, French, and many other cuisines and preparation styles, you'll be rewarded by dining here. If you want to break up the monotony, have some fun, experience fusion cuisine the way it's meant to be enjoyed, chat with the chef and have a great time while surprising your taste buds with new flavors with every bite, you should seriously consider 808 Zone for your next adventurous meal. read more
High end sushi in foster city? I was also skeptical and even as you walk in, you wonder what you're getting yourself intoBut every single dish I had was amazing. The flavors were on point, the fish was so fresh and to top it off the cute little couple that owns the place is so adorable that I just want to go back every day if my wallet could handle it. It's so much food so make sure you come super hungry! read more
Chef Robert, along with Carol and Peter, have a passion for food. They're creating something special with a ton of thought, care, and effort. It was a pleasure engaging with them. Hearing their journey and iterations and intentions behind each course was refreshing and insightful. We had a great time and hope to see the restaurant continue to grow and develop with new exciting menu items read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
This place is full of surprises. it's omakase style. You are basically given by a menu for that day. The food is Japanese fusion style. The service is great. The chef even made us extra noodle since we were still hungry by the end of dinner. The only thing I think they can improve is to have more sushi/ sashimi courses :-) read more
2 years ago
This is one of my new favorite tasting menus in the Bay Area! We reserved counter seating (which I highly recommend if you want to be entertained and engaged for your dinner), and had a blast with the chef throughout the night. We chatted about different flavors coming together, shared ideas on ingredients to play with, and he seemed even open to experimenting with new dishes on future menus. The food was excellent. My husband is allergic to uni, so chef made it a point to add his portion to my mini don while he substituted with chutoro, which we both very much appreciated. It was very unpretentious and personable dining experience, and I can't wait to come back again. read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
We loved our tasting menu omakase-like experience here! They have counter seating for the interactive omakase experience with the chef or table seating if you'd rather chat with your group (same tasting menu). The ambiance is very warm and comfortable - we were immediately congratulated for our anniversary when we arrived which was so sweet and personal. Every dish was amazing, and the chef really goes into the background of each dish and is happy to converse and get feedback on dishes too. The food has more of an Asian fusion take than traditional omakase, and the experience feels unpretentious and fun without taking away from the delicious and unique food. Our favorite dishes were the medai, hamachi cone, crab soup, A5, and nigiri. Especially, the presentation, texture, temp, and flavor of each nigiri blew us away! The coconut panna cotta was also the perfect light and flavorful dessert at the end. We loved our experience here and will definitely be returning for more special occasions! read more
2 years ago
Amazing prepared food. Every one of the 15 dishes are thought prepared and surprisingly novel in taste and style. Chief Robert is ingenious and funny. Would definitely bring friends and family back for business and family special occasions. read more
2 years ago
First time trying out this place! It is small venue close to some apartment buildings. There is parking to the side for the shops/restaurant. We sat at a table for our party of four but there is limited seating at the counter. The decor inside could use some work but the food was good so that's all that mattered to us anyways. Started immediately with all the dishes and each one was explained in depth. The pace of the food was good as well. We spent about 2 hours to finish the set menu. The food was amazing not like your traditional omakase that only has sashimi/nigiri. They incorporated the fish/seafood/meat in different ways that left us wanting more. Our top favorites were the hamachi cone and shrimp burger. The chefs did amazing with presentation as well! We left feeling full too, it was the perfect amount of food! We opted for the seasonal sake flight which was $80. You just drink these on your own and pair it with whatever dish you want. They did refill our sake so it felt like a decent deal but wished they went over the sake to know which one would pair with certain dishes. Overall, I would come back to try a different menu! Price point with tip/taxes and seasonal sake flight and 3-4 beers. It came out to $260 per person which I feel for the bay area is pretty common. I recommend sitting at the counter as the chef was more interactive with the people sitting there as he explained the dishes more intricately with them. We had kind of wished we opted for the counter instead. Also, there is basic sake flight for $60 which I might try for next time! read more
1 year ago
2 years ago
All I have to say is your experience will be amazing The food is so delicious and delicately hand made. It's so pretty you don't want to eat it. You wish they can serve you MORE!!! Every bite is so savory and delicious, I wish there were words to express what my pallet was experiencing. The service was top notch!!!! I plan on taking my husband there. We celebrated our hula sisters 50th birthday, it was very special. This place is a return for me. read more
3 years ago
2 years ago
Hidden gem in Foster City! My boyfriend took me here for Valentine's Day, and we were blown The staff is really friendly and you can tell they put a lot of thought and care into each dish. I love that the employees all collaborate on ideas for their rotating menus, and everyone's talent shows through with the use of different techniques and flavors. The sushi was also fresh and straight from Japan! The portions are generous for the price point and they even add bonus items such as a yuzu welcome drink and mini desserts to take home. Some of my favorites were the uni chawanmushi and the rose osmanthus panna cotta. Can't wait to go back! read more
What a deal! $150 for a 15 course omakase! O R D E R E D Omakase of course! V E R D I C T The team is amazing here - everyone is so friendly, attentive, and gives such a warm feeling when you're dining there. Chef Robert, Carol, and Peter are such an awesome team. You can tell they put so much creativity and heart into every single dish in their omakase menu. And get this, their menu changes every month, so you never have to feel like you're eating the same thing they always change it up with a few dishes maybe even more and it's all part of Chef Roberts creativity process. Did I have a favorite dish? Yes! What was it? EVERYTHING! But in all seriousness, my top picks would be their steamed egg, fusion sashimi because of the show it came with by sitting at the bar, mini don, and the crab soup. Honestly, there wasn't anything I didn't like on the menu, I had a wonderful experience with my mom and we will def come again! Did I mention Peter's dessert are all housemade and you can't get enough of it? Just like the omakase itself. read more
2 years ago
Awesome experience, love every single dish...!! Great fusion of Japanese, Chinese and Thai. read more
3 years ago
Everything is so carefully designed by Robert, Carol and Peter. They put so much thought into each individual dish and it was the BEST ikura I have ever had in the States. The place was very quiet and intimate and everyone was very welcoming and passionate about what they created! I already recommended to all of my friends and hope more people will try the experience! read more
Came here on a Thursday for my friends birthday. We sat at the counter & next to us was another party of 2. I believe they only open up the reservations for a certain amount of people so it's not too overwhelming. The food exceeded my expectations. I was pleasantly surprised with the different flavors that were incorporated. I have already made another reservation to come here for my birthday. Their chawanmushi was soft & memorable topped off with uni & abalone, i could eat a giant bowl of this. The chef was nice and talkative. I will definitely be back. read more
3 years ago
The service was amazing. Had a wonderful time getting to know our server who was very sweet and explained all the dishes. She explained why they prepared each dish the way they did and had such a sweet bubbly personality which made the entire experience extremely fun. Its a 15 course dinner that lasts about 2 hours. We were told they take 8 reservations starting at 530pm then a second group of 8 at 730pm. One of the best fixed menu I've had and food was delicious. My top 3 favorites that were memorable: 1. Chawamushi 2. Salmon tar tar 3. Sushi don read more
9 months ago
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More info about 808 Zone
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Ask the Community - 808 Zone
Are dietary restrictions accommodated? Nothing crazy, I'm pescatarian and also don't eat tako.
It is omakase. And they are very small, so I think it would be hard to accommodate restrictions. You could probably ask not to have tako, but they have their whole menu carefully planned in advance. It doesn't have an a la carte option
Cost for tasting menus?
The current price for 15+ course Tasting menu is $150 per person.
Do they take walk in?
Walk in is not recommended. However, you might want to call the restaurant to check the seating availability on the day of the visit if you don't have reservations.
Never been to restaurant like this. Is it set menu and how much?
We feature an exquisite dining experience with 15+ small course tasting menu. The menu will be updated as frequently as monthly. The current regular price is $150 per person. There are two seatings available from Thursday thru Sunday weekly and…
