Friends Only is an ultra-exclusive 10-seat omakase haven in Lower Nob Hill, blending high-end sushi with a relaxed, intimate vibe and ever-evolving culinary creativity.
"Friends Only is an extremely exclusive 10-seat omakase counter that doubles as an R+D kitchen of sorts for chef Ray Lee and the team behind Akikos. Diners indulge in a multi-course omakase meal that’s absolutely overflowing with premium ingredients including caviar, uni, Hokkaido scallops, and other hard-to-find fish. Cocktails, wine, and sake make for thoughtful pairings at this dinner spot that feels somewhat like a super fancy dinner party. Reservations are required." - Dianne de Guzman, Eater Staff
"Friends Only is the even more exclusive omakase counter from the team behind Akikos at Avery Lane. With just 10 seats, it’s not just the $330 starting price that makes this a hard reservation to score. But should you snag a stool at this L-shaped counter, you’ll be in for a multi-course meal that’s intended to flaunt a long list of premium ingredients including golden Kaluga caviar, black truffle, bluefin tuna, and a hell of a lot of uni. During the back half of the dinner, chef and owner Ray Lee showcases his unique approach to aging fish through a colorful parade of nigiri, which might include keiji sake, a hard-to-find dwarf salmon, and single line-caught deep-sea perch. Thanks to the small team and communal dining format, expect a lively meal with lots of opportunities to chat with both the chefs and your companions." - Flora Tsapovsky, Eater Staff
"In one of the more surreal moments of my food writing career, I was invited to try a new cultivated meat product from Australia-based Vow at San Francisco’s own Friends Only. The dinner signified the U.S. debut of Vow’s Forged Parfait, a foie gras made of Japanese quail cells, currently only served in a handful of restaurants throughout Asia. And while I won’t recommend a dish/product that isn’t quite available in the U.S. — I’m not that cruel — I will mention another bite from the dinner, the gokujo uni." - Dianne de Guzman
"This unmarked Nob Hill omakase spot (by the Akikos team) is a 10-people dinner party that you won’t want to end. You can’t logistically hunker down at this minimalist bar forever, but you can enjoy the 18-course, three-hour extravaganza of dry-aged nigiri and small, decadent seafood plates, like butter-poached lobster and seared tilefish, which really set this place apart. Come here when you want to feel 10 degrees more relaxed than you would at other high-level omakase spots. Keep the sake coming and maybe you’ll start to sing along to the Lupe Fiasco tunes bumping through the wood-filled space. Cost: $325 per person. Beverage pairing available. " - julia chen 1, lani conway
"These days it might be slightly easier to get a seat at this incredibly exclusive (read: just 10 seats) omakase counter, but for the most part, you’ll need to plan in advance. The effort of getting in the door, however, will be rewarded with an evening of exquisitely decadent small plates and sushi in a surprisingly relaxed and lively atmosphere. Dining at Michelin Guide-listed Friends Only feels almost like attending an intimate dinner party — if your dinner party host served black truffle-topped chawanmushi and a rainbow of uni on a single piece of nigiri. The price tag is a steep $300 before beverages and gratuity, but chef Ray Lee’s other restaurant Akikos makes a slightly more affordable option starting at $150 for lunch or $250 for dinner." - Lauren Saria
