KUSAKABE
Japanese restaurant · North Beach
584 Washington St, San Francisco, CA 94111
Highlights
Omakase sushi & sake in a serene, Zen-like setting.
Omakase sushi & sake in a serene, Zen-like setting.
"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
"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, patrick wong
"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, patrick wong
"You’re either at Kusakabe because you count bluefin tuna instead of sheep to fall asleep or you’ve got a corporate card with a sizable budget. The $200-per-person omakase restaurant includes 18 courses of bite-sized Japanese dishes and soy-brushed nigiri. Request a seat at the counter for the best view of the sushi life cycle." - patrick wong, julia chen 1, lani conway
"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
