"Many Japanese spots in town focus on perfecting a single specialty—sushi, ramen, and katsu sandwiches. We love this minimalist institution, which has been around since 1995, because they serve all the above in one place. The tempura and deep-fried dishes, like the perfectly crunchy fried chicken, and cocktails inspired by Japanese pop and punk culture, keep us coming back. As does the fact that they’re located in a less gentrified neighborhood, so we never have to squeeze into a cramped sushi bar or struggle for a reservation. What else Diego has going for it is Kaito, an upstairs izakaya bar that’s become a destination in its own right." - Mariana Camacho