ICHI – This was a real treat from a great friend. I was invited to dinner with someone who was very close to the owner and head chef of ICHI. We were welcomed with an empty stomach and open arms and treated like true guests of the house. ICHI was by far some of the finest & freshest sushi I have tasted in SF thus far. Among being very picky about the fish they served, there was a special inventiveness and creativity that was passed on to each dish (in both presentation & ingredients.) To me, this was definitely a sushi restaurant that thought out of the boat (wink!)
Something was was VERY new to me was trying the Kasu Hamachi Kama Yellowtail Collar. Initially I would have NEVER ordered this dish, but thankfully with the encouragement of my friend ( & a little sake courage) I was up for the challenge! Yellowtail collar may not sound appetizing – nor did it look it – but it taught me that looks can be incredibly deceiving. It was delicious!!! The fish was a very rich – which for a second made me forget I was feasting on fish. The saltines of the dish was not overpowering. When you combined the flavor from the collar with the pickled cucumber it brought such a balance to the dish. You could really taste the rich flavor of the bone against the acidic and salty crunch of the cucumbers. The flavors seemed to intensify as you continued with each bite. 
The oysters were absolutely phenomenal. I was lucky enough to be in such good company that I was served some very pricey friends from the sea. Ponzu, Yuzukosho, Tobiko were brought out to us on a giant platter and I was able to to try each kind. On average I can usually shell out about 3-4 oysters and I’ve had my fill, but with these yummy morsels I could have taken down all three plates just for myself. It was like I was dipping my spoon into the ocean!! It felt like true insight- for a moment I got to feel what the Greek Gods must have felt like when dining on the sea’s finest friends!
ICHI- True understanding of what good sushi is. For it’s creativity in dishes and an outside perspective on bringing in great seafood, I highly recommend taking a trip out to the Mission. You won’t leave hungry.
Yuzu – This is my go to when I am craving sushi close to my studio. When I think of Yuzu, I think of only one roll – The Fusion Roll. Hands down the best thing that they have on the menu. I have taken several friends here and it is something that if you are not a sushi lover, this roll could very much make you a believer. Lets just call it the “magical potion of sushi” – one bite and you will fall in love. I asked Fred, the owner, what he put into the roll to make it so insanely good, but apparently it is a secret. – With much intense FBI & sleuth like investigations I’ve figured it out…
Fusion Roll Ingredients:
- Scallops
- Shrimp tempura
- Unagi
- Pistachio and a garlic aioli
- Magic
I have to come here at least twice a month to get my fix of this roll. Most Yelp reviews about Yuzu also share my love for the Fusion Roll. Here are a few of my favorite: “The Fusion roll was possibly one of the most amazing rolls I have ever had – it melted in your mouth and I wanted to lick the plate,” and “Fusion Roll: this roll had everything…spicy scallops, shrimp tempura, avocado, pistachios, and more. Pistachios on sushi = more delicious than I thought it would be. This roll was not something I would typically order, but I loved the unique blend of flavors.”
Last but not least plain and simple…
” So their Fusion Roll gets my 5 star but everything else (actually their beer is great) goes 4.”
I think you get my point…
