KUSAKABE

"A well-accoladed San Francisco mainstay, Kusakabe presents an elegant multi-course meal of sushi — omakase style, or chef’s choice — to this tiny, Michelin-listed restaurant of 29 seats. Focusing on a variety of seafood, the meal might be a bit spendy, but each piece is lovingly made with the highest quality of ingredients." - Dianne de Guzman

"The upscale omakase spot in the Financial District has been holding it down since 2014—so expect an orderly and tightly-run operation. Throughout the 18-course meal ($198), staff will drop off things like pristine nigiri, shabu shabu with slices of toro, and braised black cod in front of you like clockwork. By the time the final course comes around (a flaky unagi nigiri), you’ll be so full you might need to be rolled out. But a meal at this old-school omakase institution is always an excellent option for a solo date or a once-every-few-years type of meal. Request a seat at the bar. " - julia chen 1, lani conway

"The upscale omakase spot in the Financial District has been holding it down since 2014—so expect an orderly and tightly run operation. Throughout the 18-course meal ($198), staff will drop off pristine nigiri and chawan-mushi in front of you like clockwork. By the time the final course comes around, you’ll be so full you might need to be rolled out. But a meal at this old-school omakase institution is always an excellent option for a solo date or a once-every-few-years type of meal. Request a seat at the bar. Cost: $148 ("Petite Omakase," Tuesday-Thursday) or $198 per person with optional add-ons. Wine and sake pairings available. " - julia chen 1, lani conway

"Serene with warm lighting and clean lines, distinctive creativity is the motto of this sushi-focused operation. Inside, a stunning counter crafted from a piece of live-edge elm, oyster-hued leather chairs and a ceiling of wood slats complete the Japanese-chic look. While the preparation of their nightly omakase might seem like a production line by employing myriad cooking techniques, the kitchen ensures that every bite is memorable. Begin with warm kelp tea, before embarking on a sashimi parade of bluefin slices served with a yuzu-onion-sesame sauce. Then, savor softshell crab soup in a corn and sweet miso broth before a top rendition of sushi yields Santa Barbara sea urchin atop Hokkaido scallop and snapper with cured egg yolk shavings." - Michelin Inspector

"High-end omakase spots are built for special occasions. Whether you’re celebrating a fancy new promotion in the company of solely your corporate card, or going on a fifth date with someone aspiring to own a Fortune 500 company, these meals aren’t casual. Kusakabe is one of these fancy sushi spots. The Financial District place is an excellent option when you have the urge to spend a not-so-insignificant amount of money on very good fish—the quality of their sushi stands out. Kusakabe has been around since 2014, so expect a night that runs on cruise control. It’s $198 for 18 courses, and you’re spit out in exactly two hours. As for service, it’s a tad impersonal. Servers watch you from all sides at all times, and clear plates like they’re androids on the cruise ship from WALL-E. Sitting at the long bar is where you’ll find the most signs of life as chefs brush soy sauce on flawless cuts of fish and grill yellowtail across the counter. The action is what you’re here for, anyway. As you’d expect from a certified raw fish institution, the menu is predominantly your standard torched, kelp-cured, and uni-topped nigiri, plus small plates, sashimi, and dessert. Everything is prepared with the care Klay Thompson probably gives his boat. For example, the torched bluefin tuna nigiri, which dissolves on your tongue, will dare you to never look at tuna the same way again. And non-nigiri dishes, like velvety chawanmushi served in an adorable eggshell and the toro shabu shabu, will also leave a lasting impression. Although Kusakabe may lack the personality of more intimate and lively omakase spots across town, like Ken or Omakase, a night at this long-standing establishment never disappoints. Food Rundown Omakase Omakase runs $198 per person. It’s 18 courses packed with fantastic nigiri, small bites like fried oysters and chawanmushi served in an eggshell, plus bigger dishes like shabu shabu with melt-in-your-mouth slices of toro. Expect to leave full." - Julia Chen