The food, the service, the ambiance all Hi, sushi snob here, and I think this food is delicious. Definitely try the tuna tataki, which comes out sizzling hot with crispy rice and fresh fish. Try the toro cakes for sure, their classed up version of a crispy rice spicy tuna except it's crispy rice and toro. Yummy. We also had the Hotsui which is a roll with snow, crab, butter, fish, yellowtail, black pepper, and a sizzling sesame chili oil. The people who work here were also amazing, they know their dishes well and what makes them unique and delicious. Truly felt the love for their food. read more

Super busy on a weekend!! Make sure to get a resy cause you won't be able to walk in and get a table. It is that good!! Service is also great. The staff are friendly and attentive. Everything was served on time right after another and the table was cleaned almost everytime. We enjoyed our dinner so much. The appetizers were incredible. Poke tacos 5/5: crispy, tasty, buttery, fresh, lots of fish, so yummy Tonkatsu sliders 4/5: really good, the tonkatsu is crispy and juicy and easy to bite. The buns were soft and warm, slightly fluffy Tanpopo 5/5: I'm not a huge fan of spicy tuna but this roll was good tempera style. My bf enjoyed it so much he got a second roll. Lots of sauce and flavor. Dojo 5/5: my favorite roll of the 3 that we tried. I love eel and the bbq eel was so delicious. I love the addition of the crunch. Killed the whole roll to my self Hantui 2/5: I can see how its buttery and melts in your mouth but I felt it wasn't as flavorful to me and I didn't enjoy it as much. It's still really fresh and buttery but also simple. Cookie dough roll 4/5: we had to try!!! Insane with the chocolate chips and the sauces drizzled. I loved the ice cream. The cookie dough is yummy but can be a bit much after a few bites, it's pretty chunky. I enjoyed it though, super sweet! read more

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Lovely. Ordered the following and enjoyed them all! Jack belly nigiri Umi masu sashimi Maguro sashimi Toro nigiri Ora king sashimi Really cool spot that felt perfect for an upscale date and service was polite and efficient. Plus you can check out Presidio nearby afterwards :) read more

Food (4/5): Solid, but there's definitely better in SF if you're strictly looking for quality and taste. The fish was all around was definitely fresh, but nothing mind-blowing. The rolls were pretty standard, but I really did enjoy the Toro Cakes and the dessert -- first time trying rolls with ice cream for dessert and loved the concept! Ambiance (5/5): I think this is what you're really paying for. Pretty upscale-y feel inside, nice dim ambiance, absolutely perfect for date night! Value (4/5): The prices aren't outrageous, we spent ~$120 for a dinner for two ordering 5 items. If you're looking more for a nice vibe than standout food, I think it's solid. Overall: Not sure if I'd come back to be honest, maybe for a nicer occasion but there's definitely other places in the city I'd prefer to go to for quality sushi. read more

Mamanoko - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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If you are particular about your sushi (as everyone should be), then this needs to be a regular stop. Fresh, fresh, fresh! And super unique dishes, sauces, and flavors. Of course they don't give it away for free, but if you focus on the culinary experience, it's all worth it. I'm a big sashimi fan. And they also have a number of individual dishes that separate themselves from other Japanese and sushi restaurants. Of course, if you're a role fanatic, they have some of the best. Hose specials and then usuals. The decor is modern and chic, but with a warmth. The bar feels quick with diners, so be prepared to have your name on a waitlist. The good news is the waitlist moves faster than they say it will. In the outdoor timing, kiosk is heated and lively. Highly recommend Mamanoko. Five stars. read more

Mamanoko - Tempura roll. So tasty - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Everything about this experience was top notch. It was a full house inside but they were able to get us outdoor seating immediately. Though it was cold at the time, they had heat lamps that made it very comfortable. Our server was amazing and attentive as he gave us great recommendations and made sure we had everything we needed in a timely manner. The fish here tasted incredible. They fly some of their fish in from Japan. The fish tastes fresh and delicious. My favorite was the Toro cakes, the rice cakes were nice and crispy with an amazing cut of fatty Toro tuna. I also ordered the citrus and dojo rolls and they were both delicious. Between my wife and I this was a perfect amount of food. I would highly recommend this restaurant and look forward to coming back. read more

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Wait: I came for dinner on Monday night and was told the wait would be about 30 minutes for two people unless we chose to sit outside. Luckily there were heaters outside so it was actually incredibly warm for December. Food: I ordered the Toro Cakes, the Citrus Roll and the Dojo Roll. Our server mentioned that the Toro Cakes normally come with three pieces and offered to make it four so it would be easier to share. I didn't realize this would be an extra $7. With four pieces the Toro Cakes ended up costing more than an individual roll. They did taste great and reminded me of a creamy, crispy hash brown but I wouldn't pay $7 for a piece. I was very impressed with the rolls. I especially enjoyed the Citrus Roll that had scallop and salmon. It was so fresh and the lemon flavor was incredible. The Dojo Roll was perfectly crisp and great for anyone who loves eel. Service: The service was outstanding. Our server was incredibly attentive and quick to refill water, bring plates and the dessert menu. He gave excellent recommendations and was one of the most knowledgeable servers I've ever met. read more

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We came here for Sunday brunch. And the service was amazing. The staff kept asking if we needed anything and kept asking how everything was going. The ambiance was like a casual bar with bar seating. Side table and center tables. We ordered the shrimp tempura, Brussels sprouts, and a veggie tempura. The veggie tempura is different. It's not your classic fried (pumpkin, broccoli, carrot ,etc). They decided to make strands and fry it like a round pancake. But it was really nice and crunchy. The shrimp tempura was really good. It's just the way I remember eating it in the fish market in Japan. They had sprinkled matcha powder before frying. And the dipping sauce was a wasabi, matcha aioli. We also tried a couple of rolls and some were a hit and come were a miss. I really liked the first one listed on the sushi section. It had blue fin tuna. read more

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This is such a great date night spot! I would suggest making reservations ahead of time, this place can get very busy especially during dinner. We ordered the Kinobi, Midori, and Citrus roll. My favorite hands down is the citrus roll (easy 10/10) which has king salmon, yuzu aioli, scallop, avocado, ahi tuna, and cucumbers. The fish is fresh here! Please do yourself a favor and come try this place. You won't be disappointed. read more

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Went on a Thursday evening and it was packed. For good reason! The rolls were unique and delish: highly recommend the wiki wiki. The cocktails were also fun; I recommend La Pagoda. We had edamame and shrimp shumai as well; everything was so yummy and the portions were sizable. We sat at the bar (which has big cushiony stools and purse hooks) and had fun chatting with the bartender and eating dinner. Great spot! read more

Mamanoko - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I'd probably rate Mamanoko somewhere around 3.5 stars. The food is not bad, but not great. A friend mentioned this was one of her fav restaurants, so maybe my expectations were too high. We went a few years ago for a birthday, but the food wasn't memorable, so I wanted to try it again. We tried A LOT of the menu and I thought the cooked dishes were more interesting, but the rolls were not very flavorful. My 2 fav dishes were the eggplant nasu (although it felt quite oily) and the miso cod (although it was more funky and prepared pretty differently than the typical dish at more traditional restaurants). The service was warm & attentive. My main takeaway was that it wasn't great value.. but it could be that I went with a large person who ate 2/3 of everything he liked (which was almost all of it). So maybe take this with a grain of salt read more

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What a trendy little spot! My friend and I went for a late dinner on a weekday, and it was packed...with a wait list - so I definitely recommend a reservation. We tried a variety of things on the menu - but my favorite were the carpaccio, the glazed cod and the wiki wiki roll - all so YUM! The crispy rice was seasoned/dressed so well and I enjoyed the shrimp shumai. My least favorite was the tuna tataki - it was still good, but I didn't love how it was served on a hot plate that cooked it very well done, very quickly. I also enjoyed the fun cocktails - such a fun vibe! read more

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Really cute space in cow hollow/Marina and very friendly wait staff. Would highly recommend the seafood options (we loved the kuke chu toro and the hotsui house roll; the miso cod was also good although the filet was on the thinner side). We then decided to try something from the "land" menu so ordered the pork ribs. Honestly they weren't good at all.. super dry, very tough to eat. For desert we tried the matcha basque cheesecake, which was also overbaked. I've never had such a dry, non gooey cheesecake - part of it is probably because the matcha can have a dryong effect but then they didn't balance the rest of the cheesecake appropriately. The best part of the dessert was actually the black sesame cookies, which were good. Overall we really enjoyed our seafood dishes and really didn't like the pork ribs. read more

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Summary: Izakaya portion of the menu is better than the sushi--wasn't impressed by the rolls, wait staff was notably tepid. Rating is primarily because of the food. Good: prawn tempura, toro cakes, waygu nigiri These were the highlights--tempura and toro cakes were crunchy and had a good balance between the fried and fish aspects. Waygu was good but it'd be really worrying if they messed this up. Mid: umami sliders Okay but not something I would get again. Felt like eating a meatball wrapped in bread. Seasoning was t to my liking--not offensive, just slightly bland. Surprisingly bad: citrus and kinobi rolls Fish on the rolls were overpowered by the seasoning and toppings, and the latter two weren't tasty. Service: seated prompting but the staff who took our order and checked up on us felt rushed/ rushed other tables. Staff sending out dishes were solid. Vibes: the venue itself is cute, neighborhood is good and fun to walk. read more

Mamanoko - Umami sliders in the back, Kinobi and Citrus rolls - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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If you're tired of going to sushi restaurants and it all tasting the same, Mamanoko may be your reprieve. While they still have the traditional sashimi and nigiri options, Mamanoko also has a bunch of exciting fusion dishes. A couple of highlights are the toro cakes, featuring delicate toro on a fried rice base, the umami sliders, top quality beef enhanced by a savory shallot aioli, and the tonkatsu sliders, crispy pork paired with mustard slaw. In terms of rolls, the Kinobi and Hotsui are worth ordering. What sets both apart is the focus on umami and fragrance, primarily through the use of ponzu, sesame, and truffle oils. This makes the dishes have a rich and savory flavor in what normally would be a relatively pedestrian dish. For dessert the matcha basque cheesecake is a great option, paired with two black sesame cookies. Overall, this is a fantastic place to go for a night out or if you're just looking for a new approach to your traditional sushi dishes. read more

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Popped in randomly on a Friday for lunch and was promptly seated. They offer a happy hour menu, which I highly recommend. I ended up ordering a the poke tacos, tonkatsu sliders and spicy hamachi roll. The poke tacos and spicy hamachi roll tasted extremely fresh. While I enjoyed the flavors of the tonkatsu sliders, the buns were a bit much. For drinks, I ordered the Ginger & Honey. Another lovely and refreshing item on the menu that I absolutely enjoyed. The interior is pretty spacious and the food comes out pretty quickly. Definitely worth a try if you're in the area. read more

Mamanoko - Tonkatsu sliders - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Mamanoko is a hit! Everything, from the sliders to the toro cakes to the sushi, was absolutely delicious. You really can't go wrong with anything on the menu. If you like tuna, I especially recommend the Kinobi roll. The nigiri was exceptionally fresh and high quality. Our server was fantastic: attentive, welcoming, and on top of everything. The interior also had a warm, cozy atmosphere with low lighting that made the experience feel a bit more intimate. read more

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Omg the food is delicious!!!! We loved everything. The service is great. Very attentive. Ambiance is nice and chill. Loud but we had some parties next to us. It ewe really a great time with amazing food read more

Mamanoko - Sushi menu - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

Mamanoko is an absolute gem in the Marina. It's definitely not a cheap night out, but the quality is there. The location is gorgeous and perfect for a date night or a special celebration. We got the miso cod and the tuna crispy rice to start which were both incredibly delicious. Then we each got a roll, and I really admired how creative but also how full of different kinds of fish each roll was. Not only did they look beautiful but the rolls were delicious and truly unlike anything I had had before without covering the flavor of the fish. We of course had to end with the cookie dough roll which was incredible, and didn't melt too fast ! On that note, I also really appreciated our waiter who didn't feel like he was selling us on buying more and provided very honest answers. For example, we asked about ordering a second dessert and the advised us against it. He was right. I can't wait to return here and try some of the amazing looking drinks they have to offer ! read more

My main takeaway from dinner at Mamanoko is that the Baby Kale Gomaae is sensational. The tofu is prepared in such a way that is Parmesan-esque and, along with the lemony dressing, is an absolute delight. This is the kind of dish I drive across town for. Every bite was wonderful; I didn't even want to take them since I wanted the salad to last forever. Unlike some salads, the dressing was consistent throughout with evenly spaced fixings (whereas some salads deceptively scatter 90% of the goodies on top). If I had any notes, I'd say that 1) the Delicata Squash is too thinly sliced so it doesn't even register as a separate flavor and 2) the raw Brassicas atop the dish were wholly unnecessary. Unfortunately, my other dish, the Eggplant Nasu, was only decent, with a rubbery consistency and only a hint of flavor; the sauce at the bottom of the bowl was decent but didn't cling to the vegetable at all. Ironically, my memory of my first meal at Mamanoko was phenomenal eggplant and middling salad. Hopefully, the Gomaae stays this amazing so I can just get two next time! It's a beautiful dining room with low lighting from minimalist fixtures. It's a great place for a date night, though for early bird Marina residents, the prices are reasonable enough for it to be a fairly casual weeknight choice. read more

Mamanoko - Baby Kale Gomaae Salad - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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1. Service - unfriendly and pretentious 2. Ambiance - too loud to have a pleasant conversation 3. Ridiculously overpriced for the overall experience. Used to be great but the overall quality went down over the years. The Omakase - the soy sauce should be on a side in this expensive dish and not ruining it with the rice completely soaked with soy sauce. Miso soup way too salty. Salads mediocre. read more

Food - 4/5 Service - 5/5 Ambience - 5/5 We started off with the edamame. However, it was overcooked. I couldn't fully enjoy it. Our server was the best. She was very knowledgeable & helpful. Our rolls came out quick and were so delicious. I would definitely visit again to try other rolls. read more

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I was excited to Mamanoko after hearing good reviews. It's becoming popular on social media but I wasn't sure what to expect as the menu is pretty typical for a sushi/izakaya spot. Honestly I left pretty disappointed. We made a reservation for Friday night dinner and were promptly seated when we arrived. We started with the toro cakes and eggplant nasu. Both were good but nothing special to be honest. The eggplant was flavorful and soft - a nice vegetable dish to share. The toro cakes aka tuna crispy rice had a great crunchy rice base but the actual tuna belly didn't add much flavor and given it's chopped finely doesn't really showcase the fish. It's more of an app for people who don't like raw fish. In addition, we shared the Citrus and Midori rolls. Both rolls were good and had a nice portion of fish. I enjoyed the rolls more than the izakaya apps but in general they tasted pretty standard and after reading the ingredients on the menu, it felt like I couldn't taste the fish or the various ingredients in the roll. Based on the rolls alone, I wouldn't come here for omakase/nigiri/sashimi. Finally we got the cookie dough rolls which is what it's advertised as. Raw cookie dough rolled with vanilla ice cream inside. To me it was overly sweet and nothing I couldn't make myself easily. I wouldn't recommend coming here for Japanese food unless you're already in the Marina or are new to Japanese food. Honestly there were a couple of tables around us with people who didn't eat raw fish which is fair but it definitely is catered to a certain crowd. read more

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My gosh. The saddest part about writing this review is that I live on the other side of the country and it was one of the best meals I've ever had. This food is insane. The service... also impeccable. Do yourself a favor and go to Mamanoko! We had reservations outside on a Monday evening, but it was pretty chilly, so luckily we were able to sit at the bar without a wait! They did have heaters outside that were pretty warm, so we would've been okay. Ashley (one of the owners) took care of us, and she was awesome. So helpful with food recommendations, let me try multiple wines without asking before making a decision, and was just so personable and fun to talk to. We landed on 2 rolls (the hotsui and wiki wiki) and the tuna tacos. Everything was perfect. Truly. My friend had a soy allergy, and they were even able to accommodate that (not easy at a Japanese restaurant). We finished with the ice cream cookie dough roll - SO fun. I will dream of this meal!!! read more

Mamanoko - Wiki wiki (front) andj Hotsui (back) - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Words cannot explain our experience at Mamanoko. The ambience is modern, welcoming, and romantic. We sat at the bar and had a great time chatting with the friendly bartender and other diners. The staff is amazing, attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely warm. The food is incredibly fresh and beautifully presented. I highly recommend the omakase, oo toro nigiri, toro cake, umami sliders, and the uni/ikura. We will definitely return! read more

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3.5/5 stars Not that the food was bad, but it wasn't anything special and it wasn't filling either. I honestly don't eat a lot but for me to feel like I could still down an In n Out burger after the meal was a little surprising. I tried the toro cake, spicy hamachi roll (happy hour item), Alaska roll (happy hour item), and citrus roll. Toro cake came as three pieces and though I liked the crunchiness of the crispy rice cakes, the combination of the toro and crispiness contrasted a little too much for me. I thought the happy hour rolls were pretty worth it and tasted good (especially liked the Alaska roll). My only comment was that a couple of them looked like they could have been wrapped better. Service was great and ambiance was classy and romantic-like. Appreciated the experience but just felt like it didn't stand out that much! read more

Mamanoko - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I wanted to try Mamanoko for so long, especially seeing the hype on social media but it fell short of my expectations. The service and ambiance is just ok. Even though I came on a Sunday evening when it was basically empty, our server was so flustered and it felt more like a fast casual experience for 2x the price. The crispy tuna rice was great! I tried the Kobe beef umami sliders as well and was thoroughly disappointed - the bun tasted like it was thawed from the freezer and the sauce was not good. Also got the hotsui sushi which was fresh and a sizeable portion but not the most flavorful sushi - primarily tasted of sesame oil. Also tried their hamachi house roll and it was extremely salty. Overall, Mamanoko is ok if you're in the area but not worth the hype. There's much better sushi in SF. read more

Mamanoko - Toro cakes - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

Came in for dinner tonight! Was really busy, but luckily we were able to snag an outdoor table by the door (and even luckier were able to finish given that they closed as we were paying due to a plumbing emergency!). I'll start off by saying the service was good. They were quick and were willing to replace a roll that had tempura in it (I am allergic and didn't realize). The rolls themselves were just okay, though. I ordered two rolls and was unsatisfied by the taste and quantity, especially for the price. The total for two was $85 with tip, which is a little more than I was expecting given that we both walked away hungry. The negihama was good but featured very little fish, and the midori roll lacked flavor balance; it was basically just a salmon roll with avocado on top. Overall, the experience was just fine. Decor was nice and they have a nice bar area, but I'm unlikely to come back unless I have a specific reason to. read more

Mamanoko - Buddha roll, Midori roll and negihama - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

Had a friend in town and decided to check this place out. The vibe of the restaurant was upscale and trendy. We were sat at the bar and the service was incredible. The cocktails were really nice, but the sushi was pretty average. We ordered the omakase and nothing really stood out. I think this place might be better for a drink and a small bite before maybe going somewhere else. read more

Mamanoko - Omakase - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

Reviewing this as someone who does not eat seafood: I love that the menu offers a selection of veggie rolls and meat dishes. Be aware that the miso soup has seafood ingredients. The vibe and ambiance is great, teetering towards upscale. Obviously the ice cream roll is a must-get. read more

Okay safe to say that I'm obsessed with mamanoko. I came for a second time and even the simplest rolls are above and beyond. This second time, I went specifically for the toro cakes and the two tables beside us also got it. The waitress was kind and suggested getting 4 instead of the 3 it comes with since I was sharing it when a friend. The cod was delicious too. I didn't take a photo but we got the cookie dough roll (?) which was surprisingly amazing.. not just a ton of sweet flavors tossed together, but really well done with a depth of flavors, and textures. Overall really great - I would make reservations when you can! read more

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Everything was amazing, from the super sweet hostess to the excellent food. Such a great experience

Loved the experience at Mamanoko! The sushi was delicious and I loved the portion sizes. The restaurant vibes are great for business dinners and date, they have so many great plates to share. The service was just okay, our server acted like we were bothering her with any questions until the very end when she suddenly became nice. We didn't let that ruin the experience as the food and drinks were devious so would definitely return! read more

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I wanted to love this place because of its great reviews but have to say in terms of food it was just okay. However, in terms of ambiance and service I had a great experience! I came here for two of my friend's birthdays and the staff were great and very accommodating, ensuring that my friends had great birthdays. The vibes inside are very nice as well with great lighting and layout. The food was just slightly underwhelming. The sushi rolls weren't my favorite and the apps were just alright as it felt slightly gimmicky and not super authentic. If there was one dish I would go back for though, it would be the tuna tutaki. You can probably skip on the umami sliders and the toro cakes were just alright. read more

Mamanoko - Dessert sushi - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

We went before a show at the Palace of the Fine Arts. We were craving sushi and found this place by accident. The cocktails were sublime and the food was even better. Fresh, gorgeous presentation, super chill guys at the bar. My only complaint is we didn't have more time to try the different sashimi combinations on the menu. Next time! read more

Mamanoko - Sushi and cool ice cubes in SF. - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

Great meal - amidst a flurry of activity, we got a great combo of rolls - including the Citrus roll, curiously spiced edamame, sizzling hot ahi appetizer with crunchy rice, and excellent thoughtful service by Charlotte. The only thing worth 3.5 stars were the cocktails, but that's a highly subjective thing. The only thing worth 2 stars - not the restaurant's fault - was a patron one table over who's comfy space is speaking very very loud - and she was seated against a hard surface that echoed everything. So be mindful that the outside tables in the shed can be loud. However, my wish was granted... once she had food in front of her, she ate with her inside voice. read more

For sushi in SF, the prices weren't all that bad! Environment was chill and service was fantastic. Sushi was solid too. I wouldn't say it was the best sushi I've had, but above average forsure. Would come back again at some point. read more

Stopped by for lunch on a day kicking around the area, being a tourist. Japanese fusion dishes are solid - we had Tuna Tataki and Toro Cakes. Hotsui roll was also really good. Service was great. Highly recommend, this should work for most folks. read more

Incredible Japanese food in the Marina. The ambiance is very elegant with glowy lighting and paper lanterns. We came on a weekday night and got seated right away at an outdoor patio. Food was delicious. Standouts were the steak tartare and wiki wiki sushi roll. While portions were smaller, the taste quality makes up for it. Steak tartare: 10/10 So fresh with a tangy richness to it. Also came with a side of thick-cut gourmet potato chips that you can dip with the tartare. An unlikely yet great combo! Miso cod: 9/10 Juicy miso served over crispy baby kale. The miso glaze adds a savory sweet crisp. Fish was so tender, just wish there was more. Waki waki roll: 9/10 Amazing! Tuna cuts are buttery soft, paired well with crispy garlic oil. Rock n roll: 4/10 Bland and only comes with 6 tiny rolls, tasted like convenience store sushi. Was surprised this roll was so different from the rest. Would be careful ordering off the "usual suspects" section of the menu. This was definitely the suspect our meal. Citrus roll: 7/10 A little sour but still refreshing. Cookie dough roll: 8/10 A cool dessert spin on sushi rolls. Ice cream wrapped with cookie dough like mochi. It's pretty sweet. Also funny experience with the restrooms, they play audio clips of common Japanese phrase translations while you're in there so you can learn while you're in there. Overall this place is one of the best Japanese food spots I've tried in the city, would recommend if you're looking for fancy sushi! read more

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The food here was really good. My favorite dish was the miso seared cod. It was served on a bed of baked kale, and it was so flavorful. The sushi was good and I did enjoy their eggplant appetizer, but I did think the eggplant skin was too tough. But the flavor was still good. Their cocktails are decent. Overall the food and drinks were enjoyable, but I feel like it didn't match the price point. The servers were helpful and quick with bringing out our food. read more

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