We’ve been to a couple places in the city to grab some sushi, and I can say that none of those experiences have been bad. I’ve had some good sushi back in Boston, but I have had some great sushi out here. Some of which can be compared to my all-time favorites Nobu 57 (New York), Morimoto (New York), and Oishii (Boston). Granted, my all-time favorites are kind of on the $$$$, and not only deliver in quality, presentation, and tastiness, but all of these places have a unique atmosphere (which you pay for).

I love sushi, probably more than my wallet does, but so far finding that special place I want to go, over and over has been a challenge. Comparing to the east to the west coast is fun, because so many things are similar, but different. Food, living, and clothing are all interpreted different over here. Comparing San Francisco to Boston is unfair, it’s more like living in New York. And the same goes for the sushi.

I’ve hit three places so far, and each of them have been good for different reasons:

1. Isobune: Sushi Boats!

I get a boner at places like this, because they’re fun for a couple of reasons. First, you’ve got the island of sushi chefs making shit in the middle, while the fish floats around them in boats. Second, what is on the boats is a mixed bag. The good stuff goes quick, so you’ve got to grab it when you see it, at the same time it’s fun to sit back and watch the shit stuff that no one wants. People might call that a detraction, but I think it adds to the experience. Third, people are rude, and it’s awesome. Since it is in the heart of Japantown the place is a packed with tourists and locals, so the waits at dinner time can be extreme, which means people can get a little pushy. The wait staff has a tendency to treat people like cattle too. All in all, it was a fun time. They’re aren’t many places that serve sushi like this, so the novelty makes it fun, the fish was pretty fresh and cheap, and there was loud J-Pop playing in the background.

Note: When you grabbed your sushi off the boat, it came on a color coded try. Each colored try had a different price associated with it. So when you were finished with your meal they would just add up your trays. The above picture represents the bar we set for next time.

2. Blowfish Sushi: Deadly Sushi

There is no blowfish on the menu (sadly). But what they do have is cool looking restaurant with anime playing on all of the TV’s. It seems like a cool place to go if you had a company outing, but aside from that, it didn’t have the most welcoming feel. The place felt like a upscale food chain, which it kind of is. It’s a nice atmosphere, and some of the concoctions they serve are really tasty, but the place is just okay. The big detraction is the price. It was pretty expensive for the few rolls we had. Regardless, if you’ve got a friend with money, you’d be hard pressed to find some of their unique flavors and rolls anywhere else. I would recommend them for take away and make sure you’ve got some Sapporo on hand.

3. Chaya: Vegetarian Sushi

First off, I’m not vegetarian (my lady-friend is part time). These guys are located in the Mission District, so the location is cool, but parking can be a bitch. They’re isn’t really anything special to the place, the people (customers and wait staff) are what make it cool. They do a good job of making you forget that fish is needed to make sushi. I think this is one of the few vegetarian restaurants I always leave full. The food is cheap, and you can show up like a bum. But since it’s a vegetarian place and I am not, it doesn’t always mean it’s the number one choice on my list.

3. Domo: Next Door Sushi

These guys are right down the street from us, and I have to say, they could be the winner. I have only been here once, but the place has a really cool vibe. They are small (so no large parties), in Hayes Valley (a cool area for shops), and the Owner/Sushi Chef seems like the kind of guys that could take care of you after a couple visits. They usually have a large list of specials that vary often, a nice selection of Japanese sake, beer, and cocktails. At night the joint looks really cool, the staff is really nice, and the prices fall right in the middle of all the experiences we’ve had out here so far.

Conclusion: Can’t Go Wrong

So far, so good. I’ll probably frequent all of these places more. I also have a list of places still to hit: Ebisu, Ame, Sushi Ran, Ozumo, and Sebo. So, I’ll keep you updated. If you’ve been to any of the places or have any thoughts please let me know.