Russian Hill, San Francisco · restaurant
Eighteen years in the same Russian Hill room, Okoze runs its omakase like a standing appointment. $70 for nine pieces of chef's choice nigiri, each picked for what came in that morning. The Medai Carpaccio (Japanese butterfish, ikura, wasabi oil, yuzu ponzu) makes a case for starting before the rice, and the Kanpachi Volcano (amberjack, avocado, jalapeño, spicy ponzu) is a good reason to arrive early. Small room, no flash, but serious fish.
Amberjack with avocado, daikon, jalapeño and spicy ponzu sauce
Japanese butterfish with ikura, wasabi oil and yuzu ponzu
Nine pieces chef's choice nigiri with miso soup and ebi tempura