TORI TORI

"While many consider Tori Tori an izakaya, it’s actually a no-resy, walk-ins-only Japanese bar that just so happens to serve some of the best pub grub around. Bites of whole binchotan-grilled Japanese flying squid and chicken skin tare pair perfectly with effervescent highballs and creatively concocted stiffer sips like the coconut shinobi and the Japanese slip n’ slide with Haku vodka, midori, dry curacao, lemon, and egg white." - Faiyaz Kara

"Yes, it’s technically a bar, but it’s a bar that just so happens to serve some of the best Japanese pub grub around. There are bites like pork belly gyoza and blue crab and corn croquettes that dazzle. But it’s with the yakitori where Tori Tori’s kitchen really struts its stuff. Chicken skin tare and chicken oyster can’t possibly be done any better than it is here, and lamb karubi lollipops offer a red meat alternative to prime-grade beef from Revier Cattle Co. Plus, there’s a killer okonomiyaki for purists and some creative cocktails for the bibulous." - Faiyaz Kara

"Come to this walk-in-only Japanese pub to unwind with fun food that comes on a stick and Happy Hour deals. They have 35 types of sake, plus fizzy highballs and bites that are way better than your typical bar sliders: delicious salty chicken skin yakitori skewers, spicy yuzu pepper shrimp, and grilled shoyu quail eggs. The huge space is always full of people chatting, and perfect for sharing small plates with whatever new friend you made at the bar because you were eyeing their snacks." - cheryl rodewig, gabe bergado, ryan pfeffer, macy johnson

"Come to this walk-in-only Japanese pub to unwind with fun food that comes on a stick and Happy Hour deals. They have 35 types of sake, plus fizzy highballs and bites that are way better than your typical bar sliders: delicious salty chicken skin yakitori skewers, spicy yuzu pepper shrimp, and grilled shoyu quail eggs. The huge space is always full of people chatting, and perfect for sharing small plates with whatever new friend you made at the bar because you were eyeing their snacks." - Cheryl Rodewig

"Founded by Sean “Sonny” Nguyen, this Mills District concept is a classic izakaya offering bar bites, yakitori, as well as sake and creative libations. Unlike its sibling (Domu), this menu is varied and the trendy space is especially cutting-edge. Its name is painted on the side of the building and there's parking behind the restaurant. If that doesn't draw crowds from afar, the eclectic vibe and focused dishes certainly will. Start with skewers before moving on to grilled lamb chops, elevated with a mint-yogurt sauce, cherry tomatoes and diced cucumbers. A mound of fragrant fried rice may then show up mixed with sweet crab, notes of savory garlic and lemon essence.Reservations are not accepted, so arrive early or risk waiting in line." - Michelin Inspector