(415) 681-7150
1500 Irving St
San Francisco,
CA
94122
37.7638
-122.474
Neighborhoods: Inner Sunset, Central West
Sozai
What People Are Saying About Sozai
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
The Scene – While it seems beside the point to call any one block in the Sunset dead--other than the Ninth-and-Irving area, much of the neighborhood is quite sepulchral, after all--it's called for in pointing out just how much the district needs the light and warmth of a place like Sozai. The izakaya concept, which started with Japanese drink lounges that serve food to their customers, stresses the community experience of dining and imbibing with friends as well as with new acquaintances one meets there. In keeping with that, the atmosphere here is no-frills: Small tables sit close to…
06/08/09
True Japanese Sake & Tapas - Best in Town
by amyts
All organic ingredients. Great authentic cooking. Amazing menu. Unmatchable assortment of best Japanese Sake. The owner did everything to make this place have true Japanese spirit of cooking and food. It is all about ingredients. The cooking is done to draw the best flavor of the ingredients. And the portion is small with beautiful plating, and you can order 5-6 different things, and enjoy them with great Sake. What else can you ask for?
The owner is not Japanese, but he does everything to make sure to get the best ingredients. His wife is Japanese from Japan and she is the chef.
Really amazing!
- Pros: Best Japanese Sake & Tapas
- Cons: Can not find one
04/17/09
this japanese person cannot stand this place
by soggybiscotti
the people are just offensively horrible here ... i was ashamed; the food is not fresh; i really wanted to like this restaurant, but i was beyond disappointed.
- Pros: nothing
- Cons: service, food
04/17/09
Don't even bother!
by llee71
This place just made us angry by the time we were done. Service was SO terrible! They have NO idea what they are talking about! Food ... There is nothing impressive to say. It's tolerable at best ... just yuck.
- Pros: You can walk to other restaurants down the street
- Cons: Service, Service, Service
The Details on Sozai
Save Time:
Skip the parking hunt and let MUNI do the driving (which also allows for more sake sampling): The 7 and 71 bus lines and the N train will all get you within a short walk to the front door.
Fun Fact:
Sozai is Japanese for ingredients.
The Extras:
Let the tastes of the Izakaya come to you via the accompanying catering service run by chef-partner Mari Takahashi, who is also Payne's wife.
Look Good:
Like what you hear? Ask Payne, who is also a musician, about the jazz being played. We walked out with a new to-buy item for our own personal collection--John Coltrane's "Live at Birdland."
Join Us on Facebook
Follow Us on Twitter