We have been going to Akiko's for years. When my wife's family visits, they want Akiko's. When my family visits, they want Akiko's. There are some omakase staples that we always look forward to: the shokupan and chawanmushi especially. We also love seeing what is in season, and I have seen the menu change weekly. In the dozen or so times I have gone, I have never been disappointed in the quality or quantity. I agree with other reviews that the taste is more fusion/experimental than straight traditional omakase. For me, that is part of the draw. I also agree that Akiko's is pricier, but we also go for special occasions rather than a standing weekly or monthly reservation. Parking can be tricky in the area, but there are apps that can help with that. read more

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We had a disappointing omakase experience at Akikos. Some of the fish had a nauseously fishy taste, and the texture was stringy and unappetizing. This was the first omakase place where there were dishes that I didn't want to finish. There were some good nigiri/dishes, but nothing particularly special. With all that said, the servers were attentive, and the restaurant itself had great ambiance. But for the price point, this experience was was lackluster. I have had better quality fish at other cheaper omakase spots in the city. read more

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I loved the experience here and what the restaurant is really about, the total dining experience. The space is absolutely beautiful and sets the tone the moment you walk in. There were six of us, and we were able to reserve the round table, which was perfect for the group and made the evening feel extra special. Wine selection is very good and reasonably priced, Omakase done to perfection. Every single piece felt like a work of art, both visually and in flavor. This is one of those meals you remember long after it is over. Definitely a special place in San Francisco. read more

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Came here to celebrate my birthday and the Akikos staff did not disappoint. Had an incredible selection of some of the best nigiri of my life, served to perfection. This paired with a crisp variety of sakes and wines made the day perfect. Loved the little bites ranging from plays on miso soup to the caviar and tuna belly cake. The service was incredible but not overly attentive which was perfect. The vibe was welcoming and busy but never loud. Would love to go back for a celebration in the future. read more

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First time eating at Akiko's and had the omakase. Space is gorgeous and food was delicious. Everything was timed to perfection, with the sake pairing. Jason was great and was engaging. Definitely will be back again read more

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We often choose an over-the-top-expensive omakase to celebrate my partner's birthday. Akikos did not disappoint- perfect sushi and service. Best ankimo of my life (and I always order it when available). Only quibble: for $32 a glass of Sancerre should be special and it wasn't. read more

Akikos - Sublime toro, milk bread and caviar - Sushi Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Came here to treat myself out to lunch after a long stretch of work and celebrate a long stretch of days off. Akikos lunch Omakase at the time of me making this review is $150 per person along with an à la carte menu at the end which I opted for. I've been to my fair share of omakase but it's not often do I see one with a lunch option which I thought was cool. The Otsumnami courses were really good. Most notably for me was the shokupan. Fatty tuna on crispy milk bread with kaluga caviar and the gold flakes on top. Chef's kiss. I also enjoyed the nigiri courses. All of the fish were very fresh. My favorite from the nigiri course was the zuke (coffee cured bluefin). I loved how it was torched on one end giving a nice contrast along with the coffee cured flavor adding more complexity. I also enjoyed the supplemental courses of Uni that they had. They had 4 different types of Uni with different levels of preparation. All of which were delicious, but my favorite was the Ensui Uni (organic sea urchin). It was an explosion of flavor and the level of creaminess it had was just built different. The dessert course was a house made black sesame ice cream with gold flakes which I found very enjoyable. A perfect finish to the lunch omakase. The service ofc was excellent and I really appreciated my interactions w/sushi chef Ray and the staff. The restaurant has a sleek modern upscale look to it. Finding parking also wasn't too bad surprising, I easily found a valet parking garage nearby. Definitely recommend checking this spot out. Try it out if you like. :) read more

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Had my birthday dinner here and absolutely loved the omakase experience :')) The omakase here leans more modern and less traditional Japanese. It starts with 7 courses of otsumami, followed by 10 pieces of nigiri, and ends with dessert. Among the otsumami, my favorites were the sawara, chawanmushi, shokupan, and the monkfish liver served with sashimi. The nigiri featured mostly familiar fish, but it was fun to try triggerfish and chub mackerel for the first time. The coffee-cured bluefin and cinnamon-cured barracuda were super interesting and unexpected flavors. My absolute favorite bite was the Hokkaido uni. I don't think I've ever had uni this sweet and creamy in my life. Also really loved the scallop which was a huge, plump piece that was unbelievably sweet. I did wish there was a small transition course between the nigiri and dessert, but ig I was pretty full at that point already. Dessert was a sesame ice cream sandwich which was good but not very interesting. Service was excellent overall, though the chef didn't interact much with us despite sitting at the bar. Overall super delicious and lovely birthday meal read more

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I dined here on a business trip and took myself out for a solo dinner. The atmosphere was full of other business people and those going out on a week day date night for omakase. The staff was very friendly and as it was not crowded, pretty on it when it came to refilling water, bringing out the non sushi courses etc. The quality of the food was good. The flavors leaned more towards fusion than traditional for me, especially with the non sushi dishes. I thought overall this was a fun experience. A really high price point for a one time try but I probably won't be back unless someone else is paying. read more

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sushi here is exceptional and the omakase experience is beautifully executed with incredibly fresh, high-quality fish.

My husband made reservations to Akikos for my birthday. What a wonderful treat! We were greeted and seated promptly. The drinks were refreshing. The waiter even encouraged me to double fist since it was my birthday. The omakase was delicious as suspected. Plentiful of unique fishes and unique flavors. We even had a piece of fish that tasted like chocolate. The chawanmushi was not my favorite. The texture was good however, the truffle on top was tasteless and I thought the egg was missing mushrooms, etc. Came on a Thursday evening at 6:30 so the restaurant wasn't too packed. Easy to find street parking right outside. Could imagine a crowd coming on a Friday or the weekend. A couple that sat down next to us asked for a vegetarian menu which was interesting. When they saw the menu they got up and left. I mean what did cha expect when you walked in? This spot isn't cheap either, I'd imagine they would've done their research in advance. Odd. Anyways, all in all probably one of my now top fav omakases in sf. Looking forward to coming back. read more

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Usagi creamsicle: white rabbit candy infused gin, vermouth, orange Jade coast: green chartreuse, Haitian claiming, pineapple, coconut, matching, lime Great cocktails and go down smooth! read more

Akikos - Milk clarified cocktails - Sushi Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

10/10 Everything was on point, from hospitality, to environment, and fish selection. The chefs answered all of our questions and servers did a fantastic job at describing every course we ate. read more

Akikos - Shokupan - Sushi Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Stopped by with a friend last Tuesday just cause. Plenty of seating, no reservations needed, even at the counter. Pros: + Phenomenal attentive service + Swanky, dim, and intimate + Parking on a Tuesday felt easy + Love the new location What We Ordered: + Omakase; 5/5 + Crémant D'Alsace Brut Réserve; 4/5 Absolutely a 10/10 dining experience. I loved the variety of nigiri offered and the execution of each piece. I think the lower priced omakase was $160ish? It came out to be $250ish per person with the bottle of bubbles and tip. It's been awhile since I had such a fun and delicious meal. Felt like I was 25 again, exploring the world of omakase. Will be coming back! read more

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San Francisco has no shortage of omakase experiences -- but AKIKOS quietly outclasses many with its focus on pristine sourcing, thoughtful dryaging, and balanced progression. It's not about flash. It's about craft. And it shows. We came in for lunch and left genuinely impressed. The setting -- sleek but warm, with counter seating that invites immersion -- makes you feel like you're in for something considered. And that's exactly what you get. Our meal began with katsuo tataki, delicately seared skipjack lifted by a whisper of ume sesame oil and microgreens. A crisp, tempura-style lobster followed -- all crunch and silk. Then came a chawanmushi layered with shrimp, mushroom gravy, and truffle, warming and earthy. A highlight of the opening sequence was the toasted milk bread topped with fatty tuna, Kaluga caviar, and gold leaf -- indulgent without being over the top. We finished the opening set with a sunomono of scallop, squid, and bell pepper -- cold, bright, and refreshing. From there, the nigiri progression was deliberate and well-paced. Isaki was sweet and clean, followed by firm kanpachi, and a rich cut of king salmon. Kuruma ebi came glazed with tsume, while soy-marinated bluefin was gently torched for depth. Ayu was seared, its skin adding complexity, and the toro finale left a smooth, lingering finish. We added a few extra pieces and didn't regret a single one. The goldeneye snapper was all elegance. Beltfish offered gentle firmness with a clean finish, and young barracuda -- lightly charred and paired with green chili -- was the sleeper hit. The uni flight was one of the best we've had in the U.S., reminding us of Toyosu and Tsukiji: Bafun, Ensui, and Murasaki, each presented with nuance. We closed with akamutsu (a.k.a. nodoguro or rosy seabass) -- beautifully marbled and seared just enough to bring out its richness. Finally, the shirayaki eel, served without tare, showcased its pure flavor with a touch of smoke. Dessert was a quiet delight: monaka filled with matcha ice cream and red bean, light, crisp, and just sweet enough. This is a spot for people who appreciate subtlety, technique, and the kind of restraint that only comes with confidence. Chef Ray and the team have really dialed in the ideal dry-aging window for each fish -- not something you see often at any level. Pro tip: Lunch omakase is a sleeper value here. Book through OpenTable, and go for the counter seat. read more

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I've traveled all over the world and I've eaten thousands of restaurants. If anyone leaves this place less than a five star review, they simply do not know what true class, taste, and experience looks like. Or maybe they're just cheap. The final bill will certainly be representative of the quality food and drink you will partake in. To visit this place every chance I can. The add on long spike uni, chutoro, and all the dishes in the tasting menu will linger on your mind for may days after. Run, don't walk to try this place! Coffee cured bluefin! read more

Akikos - Sushi Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Lunch omakase is not very common, so having it at Akikos was such a treat, especially for a lunch date. Service was great - our server was attentive and we were also able to have a nice conversation with Chef Hayashi. We had 4 appetizers, 10 pieces of nigiri, and dessert. Overall, the meal was very creative and well crafted. The nigiri was fresh and was a mix of familiar items with slight twist. For example, I personally never enjoyed uni, but the uni I had at Akikos was so creamy and fresh. It was different than the usual ocean-tasting uni that I am familiar with. I also really enjoyed the Sakura Masu, which is a seasonal fish and only available during Cherry Blossom season. It was little pricy for lunch, but it was a pleasant experience and definitely something I would consider/recommend for a special occasion. read more

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Thought about it some more and honestly feel like they are being super shady not disclosing the amount this Health Fee is. PSA: Just a note about the extra charge on the bill labeled as a health or wellness fee--there's no percentage disclosed, and no explanation of how it's actually used. In San Francisco, this kind of fee is often meant to cover employee healthcare, but there's no real oversight. It feels a little murky, and as a customer, I'd appreciate more transparency. read more

Akikos - BE TRANSPARENT Akikos. California law mandates that you disclose the percentage! If you want return customers. Let us know. - Sushi Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Thoroughly enjoyable lunch omakase. The counter edge was perfect for a group of three. The in-house smoked fish was . Service was top notch, both from the personal interactions with the sushi chef and the hostess. The omakase was well balanced -- though we opted for additional orders. Now one of my favorite spots in the city. read more

Akikos - Sushi Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Got to try Akiko financial district in April. It was a fantastic top notch sushi experience with a lot of unique offerings. The restaurant and the aging boxes are visual arts to look at. This place is $$$$ or even $$$$$ expensive but it offers something unique : a tasting experience that is unique and shocking. It may be the best sushi in San Francisco! The sushi here has textures that delight sushi connoisseurs. The aesthetics of the restaurant is beautiful: dark modern tones near the aging fridges, clean lines, beautiful dry aged fishing including kinmeidai tuna on display, the visual contrast is sensual. The multi front (multi focal point), all wooden sushi counter allows multiple one-on-one interaction with the chefs both the executive and others. They try to place you in front of a specialist and sit you at one corner of the polygon sushi counter so you can get a good vantage view of the process, and the specialist almost serves you one on one with your group. Hence the price. We also got to interact with the main chef, he's also kind and patient explaining his process to us. His process resulted in some of the most tender, umami filled ( because it is aged) and unique sushi nigiri taste we ever experienced. We tried the Nigiri menu upon release in April because my friend cannot do pure omakase menu (too much raw fish). Even she was amazed. The dry aging process makes some of the fish more tender and mild easy for her to consume. No matter where you sit you will be able to observe Mr HAYASHI break down an aged tuna with his knife work. He is so friendly and kind he tries to talk to you. We really enjoyed meeting him!! And watching his knife work. Our specialist was awesome too. Made beautiful nigiri each decorated and brushed with the perfect amount of sauce and garnish if needed. There are group tables / low booths for more private groups. This place is perfect for special occasions, business meetings meals, executive meals, saving up for a very very special occasion. We tried the Nigiri menu upon release in April because my friend cannot do pure omakase menu (too much raw fish). Even she was amazed. The dry aging process makes some of the fish more tender and mild easy for her to consume. There's really good communications and teamworks among the chefs. Looks like they are offering the Nigiri Menu in the NYE celebration (with the latest seasonal fish) so our review might still be helpful somewhat. We ordered: 01 A glass of bubbly, served in thin stemmed crystal glass, the staff is friendly, most detailed oriented 02 Must supplement with their famous wagyu beef tartar short bread with caviar and gold leaf. 03 The April Nigiri menu : Excellent kuruma shrimp one of the best. Anago sea eel with excellence glistening sauce. Every piece was well thought out. Tuna, gizzard shad, cherry salmon, mackerel (SABA), toro tuna, all high quality and impressive. Dessert was underwhelming (hojicha ice cream I think) but by then I really couldn't eat anything. Basically it was chef's choice, seasonal and timely options. We noticed all the white fish and silver fish and tun are extremely well done. The aged meat has an unique texture. My friend is not used to, but for people who enjoy sushi it is unique and very impressive. The meat is tenderized to perfection. The aging process gives it unique umami and intense flavor. There's an additional supplemental menu at the end of the meal if you are still hungry or want to try new seasonal specials. It end uo being a big bill but we were very impressed at the quality, service and craftsmanship. Would want to come back for special occasions. And think Akiko has an unique place in Sf as a top sushis pot. read more

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Made a lunch reservation here, which in my opinion is the best deal you can get for omakase. It's $150 per person 7 pieces of nigiri and 4 appetizers, as well as dessert. I loved the creativity of the appetizers, and my favorite was definitely the milk bread with toro and caviar. So luxurious. Made me feel rich. I actually really didn't like the first fish we got, which is new for me. Normally I don't have such an adverse reaction to nigiri but this fish was super bland. Fortunately the quality got better from there. I wasn't wowed by any of the fish, but we did get the supplemental scallop, and that was surprisingly tasty. There was lemon salt and sesame seed, which really helped balance the flavor. They were nice enough to give us bubbles because we were celebrating an anniversary. I loved the interior of the restaurant too. It's very modern with pops of color. The green bathroom design is one I want to steal. read more

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Have heard such great things about this place but a bit of a let down. Went with the traditional omakase menu. It was pretty small in terms of amount of dishes. Didn't emit much wow factor. I've been to a handful of omakase in sf and the Bay Area and this was not bad but for the price I hoped for better. read more

Akikos - Sushi Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Akikos is located in downtown SF. Parking can be a bit of a challenge so consider that when planning. The Omakase is fantastic and highly recommended for a date night or small group celebration. Love the quiet simple ambience and the personalized chef experience. Everything is absolutely delicious and each course is prepared with elegance and sophistication. Wine selection is broad with a number of great pairing options. The cocktails are also wonderful. Highly recommended. read more

Akikos - Omakase - Sushi Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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This used to be my favorite omakase in the city because of the unique fish selection and dry-aged items. However, after going back recently, I've realized the quality is incredibly inconsistent depending on if the head sushi chef is there or not. Apparently, I've gotten lucky as the two previous times I went, chef Hayashi was there. He was not there when I went back for a third time recently on a Saturday night. The difference was pretty noticeable. Most notably, the sushi rice was not cooled down enough (literally was steaming as the sushi chef on shift that night - younger looking guy - was making the nigiri) and fell apart almost every time the sushi was picked up (with hands or with chopsticks, didn't matter). It was just such a rookie mistake at prime dinner time and inexcusable for the price point. Another thing to note was one of the servers was wearing a heavy scent (cologne, aftershave, perfume, etc.) and every time he brought something by or poured water, the scent would linger, in a bad way. Again, really rookie mistake and disappointing. I wouldn't expect so much if they weren't billing themselves as this "premier dining experience," and with the prices to match. But they are, so they really need to clean up their act. read more

Absolute delight and the best omakase and nigiri I have ever had. We sat at the bar. Each dish in the otsumami was incredible. I think my favorites were the Fuji Salmon, Sashimi, Robusuta, and Chawanmushi. I thought they had set the bar quite high with the otsumami but the nigiri did not disappoint at all. The rice is steamed very fresh and each piece was made in front of us. The fish intentionally at room temperature with the warm rice really made the flavors pop in a way I had never experienced before with nigiri. Just fantastic. Our chef was lovely to watch and everything she made was perfection. I think my favorites were Karei, Kanpachi, tokishirazu, and botan ebi. We liked all the items so much when they gave us the additional menu we ordered a few more pieces. Can't wait to come back! read more

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I was curious to try the new Akiko's on Folsom St. Akiko's used to be on Bush St and was a sushi classic in SF long before the omakase trend. Now they only serve an omakase menu and the place is clearly more high-end. First of all, the restaurant is splendid. Some might however regret that the added space makes it a bit less intimate than before. The bar is bigger and there are actually several of them. I ordered the $250 menu. The menu is really impressive. It starts with 6 otsumami, followed by 10 nigiri, and finally a dessert. otsumami: * osechi: tako, herring roe, black beans * sashimi: akami, mako garei (turbot), and another white fish (hirame?) * robusuta & chawanmushi: lobster with shaved truffles, chawanmushi with crab and lobster gravy * cioppino: lingcod, ikura, clam * shokupan: shokupan served with toro and golden kaluga caviar * sunomono: giant clam, cucumber, pear, raspberry The menu listed shirako for the sashimi, but they replaced it with a white fish (probably hirame) since they were out of shirako, which I preferred since I'm not really into shirako. The lobster was very good, as was the chawanmushi. The shokupan with toro and caviar is one of their signature dishes and it was absolutely decadent. nigiri: * zuke hon maguro * kawahagi (trigger fish) * ji-kinmedai * aori ika (bigfin reef squid) * nama hotate * umi masu * kamasu (barracuda) * uni * toro * anago The nigiri were served directly on the counter, not on a plate. This isn't uncommon for a high-end omakase restaurant, but it would have looked nicer on a plate. The menu listed kohada, but since I don't particularly like kohada, they kindly replaced it with kamasu. The nigiri selection was perfect: hon maguro, kinmedai, hotate, uni, toro, anago, all the classics of a good omakase were there. Everything was excellent. For dessert, a scoop of black sesame ice cream. In summary, a wonderful experience at the new Akiko's. read more

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Great food, mid service. But at this price point it's not just about food. Their menu is split into small plates and nigiri, so although we sat at the counter, the first half was served by another server instead of made in front of us by the chef. There's overall a lack of explanation for what the dish is, how it's designed, what went into the ingredient choices, etc. It might be fine for the small plates but for the nigiri I do expect a conversation with the chef, similar to what chefs are other omakase places do. Our chef seemed very inpatient, he just told us the name of the nigiri and immediately went away, reluctant to say another word. They also put nigiri directly on the table top (unlike most other places put the food on a plate or directly hand it to you). So good food but you can probably get the same from other places with same price but better service. read more

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After clarifying which Akiko's we booked, we headed over to Folsom and entered a very spacious dining space with very tall ceilings and a pristine looking dining room. We came for a weekday birthday lunch, and we were seated at the chefs' counter, where we enjoyed the view of our chef plating each course of the $150 omakase. Apparently, it is omakase only. In front of us lay a warm, damp cloth and Aesop hand sanitizer. We started with Taiheikai sake, which surprisingly came in a wine glass. Makogarei - flounder, seasonal vegetables Great! served with skinned, sweet tomatoes and topped with greens Robusuta - lobster, leek, caviar Great! Lobster was cooked perfectly and sweet. Chawanmushi - egg custard, snow crab, lobster Good! Silky custard with shredded crab and lobster bits in savory broth. Shokupan - milk toast, toro, golden kaluga caviar Excellent! Perfect presentation of toasted shokupan with what looked like very precisely shaped toro, with a generous serving of caviar, topped with salt flakes and gold flakes, although I usually find gold leaf to be quite useless, but it does look nice here. Sunomono - surf clams, scallops, cucumber Good! I was most interested in the plate which looks just like a crumpled paper napkin. The sweet, tender scallops stood out the most on this plate. Before our nigiri courses, we received a small, wet, black, finger towel, which looked like it was in the shape of an Omega. Zuke - soy cured bluefin tuna Great! thick and meaty texture Kuromutsu - blue fish Great! smooth texture with a fatty taste Sawara - Spanish mackerel Great! sweet and meaty, torched to golden brown Shin Ika - young cuttlefish Good! smooth feel Sujiko - salmon roe Good! briny, bright orange, the only nigiri served in a golden spoon Kurodai - sea bream Great! sweet and meaty Toro - bluefin belly Good! Not the best toro and could be fattier, but still delicious. From the raw menu, we ordered 2 types of uni, which was fun to try side by side. $13 Nama Uni - short spine sea urchin, $13 Ooita Uni - organic long spine sea urchin Excellent! Both were delicious and served in golden spoons. The ooita was slightly creamier and sweeter. Matcha Ice Cream - sesame crumble Good! Matcha and black sesame are always nice together. Once again, topped with gold flakes. Great nigiri with quality fish and rice. I was pleased to have been served by a female sushi chef, who provided excellent service. It is not often that you see a woman behind the counter. read more

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Very nice and quick lunch omakase. Highlights were the cooked dishes, especially the lobster and shokupan. The nigiri was solid. Ice cream was very flavourful. Only misstep was the sashimi appetizer was extremely cold. I think lunch is a better deal than dinner since dinner offers only a couple more apps and three more nigiri. I was in and out in less than 40 minutes. read more

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What an amazing experience here! We reserved this only a few weeks in advance and it was the perfect spot. It wasn't crowded, the aesthetics are really nice. We had an amazing chef named Todd!!! The price is about $250 per person not including pairings. About 12 courses! We also ordered additional courses just because we had an amazing chef and the quality of the fish was high end. The uni is all imported from Japan which we were in love with! The service was excellent and I loved the seating concept. Overall an amazing experience and I would totally recommend this play to all. Cocktails are also really good!! However, there is no hot sake here which was interesting to us. read more

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Still drooling from this dinner. Amazing service, ambiance and quality. Sharing some photos of my favorite pieces of the evening. read more

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shokupan with toro and caviar was insane. monkfish liver was creamy and rich. sat at the counter and watched the chefs work. pricey but worth it for a big night. read more

I always wanted to come here. I'm so happy I did. All the sushi we ordered was so fresh and delicious I couldn't get enough of it. And yes this place is just a little pricy but we'll worth it. It was a 14 piece omakase course. All the fish was so fresh and delicious. I can't wait to come back again. read more

AKIKOS may have moved locations, but the food and service haven't changed a bit. The restaurant over delivers on both fronts. If you're looking for an incredible omakase experience, look no further than AKIKOS. Our menu consisted of: 1) Osechi - tako, herring roe, blackbeans 2) Sashimi - akami, shirako, makogarel 3) Robusută - lobster, leek, caviar 4) Chawanmushi - egg custard, duck liver, king crab & lobster gravy 5) Cioppino - cod, tomato & clam sauce 6) Shokupan - milk bread, toro, golden kaluga caviar 7) Sunomono - mirugai, pear, raspberries, muscat, cucumber 8) Zuke - soy cured bluefin tuna 9) Kawahagi - trigger fish 10) Ji-Kinmedai - goldeneye red snapper 11) Aori Ika - bigfin reef squid 12) Uni - sea urchin 13) Buri - matured yellowtail 14) Kohada - gizzard shad 15) Kamasu - young barracuda 16) Toro - bluefin belly 17) Anago - wild sea eel 18) Dessert - White sesame We also ordered an additional serving of Hotate (scallop) nigiri. read more

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I came here on a Thursday afternoon to celebrate my friend's birthday and try their omakase menu. My first impression is that the restaurant's interior is beautiful. I loved the atmosphere and the staff was extremely welcoming. We had reservations so we got seated immediately at the bar. We then got offered either still or sparkling water and a hot towel for the hands. The menu consisted of 13 items for $150. The standouts to me were Robusuta, Chawanmushi and Kurodai. The nigiri's were all pretty good, but the pieces were on the smaller size compared to other omakase spots I've been to. Note that you can order more pieces after the set menu is finished for additional cost. At the end, we were served with a white sesame ice cream for dessert which I didn't find to be too special. Overall, I did enjoy this place (food, service, ambiance) but I do think the price is a bit steep for what you are getting. read more

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Quite an experience from the usual. Received lovely experience here with knowledgeable and attentive staff. From when I walked through the doors and when I left I was treated like a true guest! I highly recommend a seat at the sushi bar so we can see all the action and also talk with the chefs. They know the fish very well and can tell you the differences. All the dishes I had were unique from each other and the flavors really came out. read more

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If you're familiar with Akiko's Sushi Bar on Mason St you'll be a little surprised by the direction of Akiko's Restaurant. It's also been dubbed Akiko's at Avery Lane. It is a luxe restaurant in an area with luxe high rise residential buildings on Folsum St Taking inspiration from a similar project, Friends Only, on California and Larkin, there is a conscious effort to get creative with food and drink flavor combinations and presentation. So know right off the bat this is not edomae styled sushi. The restaurant tries to remain refined while adding stylish upscale looks to a traditional omakase. The counter is four sided but not quite in a square with the chefs working on the inside. You'll have no problem watching the chefs work with the seafood. The wood is not a cypress or pine and it feels a little odd to have nigiri served right at the edge. The otsumami portion of the omakase features dishes finished back at their open kitchen space. Drinks are created at a workstation like area right at the entrance. The primary thing you'll notice is the emphasis on dry aging medium and large fish. Dry aging is not a new thing to Japanese, but using UV-C light in a refrigerated setting is more modern. It's basically controlling the temperature around the fish and getting rid of the excess blood, slime, unpleasant fishy smell, and moisture to leave a more satisfying, cleaner, firmer texture. They're enhancing the neta with all kinds of subtle flavors and using a lot of higher end ingredients. The shari is darkened by akazu rice vinegar and subtly sour. The rice is the highlight though you will probably not notice it (unless it falls apart like a couple of my nigiri). Despite the price, don't expect toro, toro, more toro, uni, uni, more uni, and A5 wagyu. The omakase is balancing flavor, texture, and seasonality. As good as it is, at the current price point, there are areas for improvement. The shari is fine tasting but the techniques of shaping by some of the chefs could improve. The cuts are well executed but lack fine detail to highlight the beauty of particular neta. And brushing on nikiri and presenting the nigiri could be done more neatly. If you liked the original Akiko's definitely step up a level and try this place. read more

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I came with my best friend here and we were the last two that were seated. The staff here are really friendly, kind and accommodating. However they ran out of two fish that were supposed to be on the tasting menu and were replace with two other that was not up to par. We were really disappointed and we thought they would get us another fish to replace the one that we did not enjoy but they didn't. Overall it was a great experience and the dishes and nigiri were really fresh and delicious. Definitely worthwhile and worth trying at least once! read more

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My previous review was removed for unknown reasons, so here's my honest review again. The omakase set was disappointing and felt very cheap. There was no uni, sweet shrimp, or toro (only cheap ground one on bread lol) The variety and quality of the sashimi seemed far below what's advertised in their photos. The rice was extremely sour something I've never experienced in all the omakase meals I've had, even though the staff claimed it was meant to "balance out the fish."Service was minimal with almost no interaction between the server and chef. Overall, I cannot recommend this place. The quality, variety, and service were all far below expectations. Waste of money. read more

Had a wonderful experience here recently with a date. I arrived early so ordered a cocktail. Their version of an old fashioned was excellent. Smoked the cherry wood at the table then poured in a sweeter than usual Japanese whiskey. Different and delicious way to start the evening. The hostess was very kind and brought the bottle over to satisfy my curiosity. The chef's choice menu was excellent and the overall feeling in the restaurant was super relaxing. I'll be back! read more

Akikos - First time trying this one so the kind hostess brought over the bottle. - Sushi Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California