The first thing you notice when you walk by Umi's sidewalk window are sushi chefs doing their thing in the kitchen-the view does a good job of drawing people inside this tiny Japanese place. On a nice night, sitting on the patio is the way to go, but the other 312 days a year, the small, dark dining room does the trick. We especially like the nigiri and sashimi, but if you're in the mood for rolls, you can't go wrong with the Golden Dragon roll with crab, avocado, salmon, and lemon.
Beneath the Brattle Theater, you'll find this hip, subterranean New American restaurant that's perfect for a night out. While you're browsing the menu, think of ordering the basil pasta served with carrot bolognese, the Secret Burger on a house-made roll, or the Loch Duart salmon served with ratatouille. Don't miss out on dessert - the smoked chocolate bread pudding is a winner in our book.
Nara (not to be confused with the previously affiliated Nara on Polk) is a Lower Haight staple for casual sushi dinners. The dining room is big enough to double as a roller skating rink, so it's also a great choice for spur-of-the-moment group get-togethers. Dishes like daily nigiri specials and mainstay rolls topped with seared butterfish get the job done, especially if you're in the area and urgently need fish and rice.
Instead of raw fish, we use juicy watermelon cubes marinated in Marukan Lite Seasoned Rice Vinegar, gluten-free tamari, toasted sesame oil, and ginger. The result? A surprisingly sushi-like bite with a clean, refreshing taste.
Chizuko Kimura is the first female sushi chef to earn a Michelin star, fulfilling her late husband's wish to keep their restaurant, Sushi Shunei, open after his passing.
At a glance, the layout hits all the notes: twelve assorted maki rolls, tamago sushi with a sleek black nori wrap, twin nigiri pieces, two generous scoops of ikura (salmon roe), and even a blocky ebi (shrimp) with exaggerated stripes that somehow look juicy.
Ota's new restaurant, Sushi Gaku, aims to elevate the dining experience by incorporating expanded offerings beyond traditional sushi while maintaining a focus on rare sushi styles.