Yoshi's San Francisco

Citysearch Editorial Review. Spacious, elegant, and undeniably upscale Yoshi’s San Francisco is a far cry from its humble beginnings as a 25-seat sushi bar in North Berkeley. Sushi is still the star of its upscale menu, but executive chef Shotaro Kamio has added a number of modern and sophisticated dishes as well. Debunking the theory that sushi has to be fish, Chef Sho whips up a Kobe beef “sushi” that replaces the typical raw stuff with grilled tri-tip. Also creative are the tempura lobster blossoms: deep-fried clusters of lobster, shrimp, scallops, and shitake. Eating here is a pricey affair, which is why the swanky upstairs lounge is a fabulous alternative for sipping sake and sampling Sho’s menu on the cheap. The Kozara lounge menu is as enticing as the full-service restaurant with a teriyaki-spiked kobe beef plate ($6) and chicken wings slathered with spicy Asian BBQ sauce ($5). Downright addictive is the Hurricane Mix: Nori-spiked popcorn, peanuts, wasabi peas, edamame ($3 bowl).…

Great for music, restaurant needs work. I love Yoshi's for the music, but not for the restaurant or lounge dining. I've been here twice in the last week and unless things improve, I'll find another place to dine before the jazz club events. Dining and bar service in the lounge is slow and erratic. Menu is very limited, most of the items we ordered were acceptable but unremarkable. The tofu seaweed salad was pathetic, &my friend who ordered this was very disappointed, but given the slow service ordering something else before the show was out of the question.

Later that week we tried the restaurant, but and had high hopes given the beautiful setting. But service was also slow, and erratic. We ordered drinks and food for a large party-- some people got drinks, then food while others were still waiting for drinks. How long does it take to pour a carafe of sake?

About half of our group was vegetarian, and had very limited options, far more limited than in a neighborhood Japanese restaurant, and too many of the choices were fried. Unlike most good restaurants, they were unwilling to create other options. Overall, the food was decent, but also completely unremarkable. Actually quite boring.

And again, erratic. When multiple plates of the same dish came to the table, some were beautifully made and presented, others looked basic and pedestrian. Clearly the chefs are not working to the same standard! I've had far better Japanese meals at local restaurants for a fraction of the price. And at these prices, one would think that they could hire enough chefs and servers to make the service more prompt.

The live jazz in the lounge is nice, but too loud, as it makes dinner conversation difficult. Interesting, because Yoshi's has the sound system in the jazz club tuned perfectly, so one would think they could adjust this for the restaurant.

I love Yoshi's for the jazz club events, where the music, is first-rate, and the setting perfect. But the restaurant is simply not of the same caliber. I'd love to dine here before events, but it will take some improvement...until then, there are plenty of other options for dinner in San Francisco.…

Wish the Food was as Good as the Entertainment. The location is part of the Fillmore Experience. The space is peaceful and comfortable. But since I am basing this review on food, I would have to say this is a spot for tourist or people that just dont know you can get better Japanese food for less money somewhere else. Beware if you have a party of 6 or more, 20% gratuity! The sushi/sashimi is ridiculously priced for locals. The lounge menu has some refreshing concoctions. Most noted the Refresco($8) & the Ruby, My Dear($9). The edemame w/ garlic & soy sauce($4) is very edible(I sometimes order two). Tuna tartare($14), not the best I ever had. Tenpura(tempura) plate is barely full w/ a few scattered veggies.($12 SIGH) The miso braised short ribs($25) are succulent but priced for business execs that come by. I have to say that if you do a show & dinner here the evening may put you back $300 easily. So I suggest sticking to your local foodie hang out or happy hour next door(1300 Fillmore) & show up for drinks & the show!…

Modern Japanese delicacies flavor the city's premier jazz destination, which showcases both legends at their zenith and young players on their way up.. A tiny Zen garden sits beneath a winding staircase that connects the sprawling dining room and upper lounge. Sinuous, Asian-inspired decorations hanging from the high ceilings add kinetic elegance, while jazz grooves glide through inconspicuously. In the midst of it all, well-dressed birthday parties, music buffs and couples sip gourmet cocktails served by expertly trained staff. Executive Chef Sho Kamio's extensive menu features meticulous creations he popularized at Ozumo. The kona kanpachi carpaccio, served with seaweed, avocado, shitake confit and a subtle chile ponzu, is refreshingly simple. Traditionally heavy kakiage (tempura pancakes) are given a lighter spin, with just enough batter to hug the meaty chunks of ebi shrimp and scallops. Inventive maki rolls are sliced thin, then bookended by hearty hand rolls. Exceptional entrees include charcoal-grilled black cod that flakes into a shitake broth and a decadent miyazaki filet mignon that practically dissolves on the tongue.…