Sushi Sato

"Top-tier fish awaits at Sushi Sato. The upscale-ish Japanese restaurant is a destination for nigiri, maki, and downright luxurious donburi bowls topped with uni, toro, and caviar. We stay up at night thinking about the impeccable rice here—it’s thoroughly coated in vinegar and nails the tart, sweet finish. This is your best bet for a la carte sushi in the area, but if you’re looking for a high-end omakase experience, hit up Sato Omakase next door or Friends Only a few blocks down." - julia chen 1, patrick wong, lani conway

"The rice at Sushi Sato in Lower Nob Hill is life-changing—it’s wonderfully sticky and vinegar-y, and holds its shape before dissolving into a sweet finish in your mouth. You will never look at sushi rice the same way, ever again, whether you get it in simply-prepared sashimi and nigiri (you can order them a la carte or as part of a tasting), handrolls, and decadent chirashi bowls. Rice aside, come here for the appetizers, like a refreshing tomato ceviche brightened up with shiso oil, and black cod swimming in a light yuzu miso broth, and sit in a space that reminds us of a hotel lobby with its impressionist paintings on the wall and fully-stocked bar. If you want a fancier omakase situation, head to their sister restaurant Sato Omakase (it's in the back of the same building)." - julia chen 1, lani conway

"Forgive the fact that this is not a typical brewery, but instead, a sushi restaurant serving some stellar beer made in-house. If you’re a fan of brewmaster Dave McLean’s work — or even if you’ve ordered some malt from the company he co-owns, Admiral Maltings — it’s worth a stop to try his latest. All the beers are made to pair with sushi, so go for a sampling of beers alongside maki or sashimi." - Dianne de Guzman, Eater Staff

"This stylish operation runs as smooth as silk, but more importantly, it serves up an indulgent tasting that highlights excellent ingredients with skill and flair. The menu draws upon both tradition and invention, as in a dish of butter-poached lobster with dashi. Though the cooking does flaunt luxury ingredients with a certain abandon, it's the more understated elements that most impress, like the soy-marinated tuna sashimi with a silky, meaty texture, dotted with freshly grated wasabi; or a nigiri of buttery hamachi belly, lifted with yuzu zest.Next door, livelier sibling Sushi Sato serves more affordable sushi and sashimi, assorted small plates, as well as a beverage program that highlights fine Japanese whisky." - Michelin Inspector

"With restaurants including Tamashisoul in the Marina to Sushi Hon in the Mission, the Mins group has established a reputation for bringing quality fish and good value to the table, and the group’s latest is no exception. At warm and minimalist Sushi Sato, which opened in October in the Tenderloin, there are three options for tasting menus that all come around $50 including the Exclusive Sushi Tasting, which includes five pieces of nigiri with truffles and caviar for $55." - Lauren Saria