Insider Pages Reviews for Ozumo

3 Stars: Great food but watch your bill (by Andrew Keplinger)

Andrew Keplinger — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 02:00:00 GMT

Went to Ozumo for dinner while in SF on business. Dinner was very good, but not quite as impressive as Morimoto. Very good sushi, some great dishes.
Ordered the Omakase which they menu says includes Sake pairings. Got the bill and we were charged for each pairing.
The claim was the we misread the menu, that the additional cost for the pairings was impled.
If that is the case, steps need to be taken to make this more clear, since you can't undrink $90 worth of sake.

4 Stars: Ozumo is great sushi in San Francisco (by charlie b.)

charlie b. — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 04:39:00 GMT

I had some of the best sushi I've had in this town. Everything was exceptionally fresh. I also had the Saki sampler and all the sakis were very good. The place is very expensive even for a sushi restaurant but It is very good

4 Stars: great place for food _ but loud on weekends (by rika a.)

rika a. — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 21:57:00 GMT

My husband took me here for an anniversary dinner. The decor is really cool, and the food is also very good. We went ahead and ordered the sake selection as our server advised us on what to get and we were pretty happy afterwards.
I would definitely go back there again, although this time would go with more friends as the place gets pretty loud and fun as the night goes on.

4 Stars: Good Sushi (by L L.)

L L. — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 22:50:00 GMT

Ozumo has good, fresh sushi. I went there with my office colleagues and we enjoyed the food and the atmosphere. I especially like the unagi with avocado rolls.

4 Stars: Sushi + a scene (by clarashih)

clarashih — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 01:00:00 GMT

Great food and crowd, always a good time. I like that there is a fun lounge area in addition to the more brightly lit restaurant area.

5 Stars: high end sushi - very nice (by miles w.)

miles w. — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 17:58:00 GMT

We love this place. it's moderate to highly priced, but the food it top notch. Great selection of sushi and sashimi, and also delicious hot dishes.. I've had the sukiyaki many time. Best part for me is the selection of sake-based cocktails - get the ozeki and you won't be disappointed. Saw George Lucas here once so has some appeal

5 Stars: Want Excellent Sushi With a Great Scene? Ozumo (by sjwharton)

sjwharton — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 02:00:00 GMT

Ozumo Sushi is the total package for a night out. From an after work happy hour to a romantic evening with that special someone, Ozumo's ambiance certainly caters to San Fransisco's finest. There is a vibe in the air which promotes good times.

I was recently introduced to Ozumo's through a friend and was blown away with the sake selection and the amazing sushi. To top the experience off the owners even joined us for a quick drink. I'm hooked.

5 Stars: Try the Kaisen Nuta (by mfh3colo)

mfh3colo — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 02:00:00 GMT

I'm happy to report that I was not disappointed at all in Ozumo. The online reviews and the Open Table reservation option made it win my vote. My husband and I went there for a romantic dinner to begin a romantic weekend in San Francisco, and it set the tone. The food was delicious. The variety they offer, including sushi, small plates, entrees, local produce specials, salads and appetizers was wonderful. We decided we deserved a splurge since we're coming from the suburbs and thus tried things from most of the "genres." The best dish I had was the Kaisen Nuta, a plate of 5 mini sunomono salads covered with one of 5 types of sashimi, from hamachi to tako. My husband was pleasantly surprised to find that his favorite dish was the tuna nigiri; two pieces and he wanted more.
As for the atmosphere, the restaurant was uncrowded at 6 on a Friday, (we scored a table in the back with a great view), but the bar was busy and looked like fun. The decor was contemporary Asian, as others have reported, and it felt warm with a sophisticated touch. The sake menu was user friendly, although I didn't partake, having the passion fruit/lychee martini instead. Our server was sweet and just the right amount of attentive, and I believe she would have been even if it had been busier. The runners timed our plates well. I did see a family of six, but the kids were teenagers, and they would probably be the youngest patrons I'd recommend bringing. Many staff members greeted us on the way in and said "arigato" on the way out. I responded in kind, because I certainly meant it.
It is expensive, so be prepared to spend money. You don't have to try as many items as we did. For an impressive but reasonable date, try a couple small plates (they aren't too tiny), and go from there. We had a great time at Ozumo, and since I pretend I'm a foodie, I was very pleased with the experience.

5 Stars: Fabulous Sushi Experience! (by MissGB)

MissGB — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 02:00:00 GMT

Ozumo's is the best place for sushi - hands down! The food is amazing, the ambiance is hip, trendy, and sheek, and the service is unparalled. Ozumo's is the place to go if you want good sushi, variety, good saki selection. I've been there on dates and on girls night out, and also good sushi after a movie. My experiences have been nothing but perfect!

4 Stars: Don't Dine with David... (by notjustawaitress)

notjustawaitress — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 02:00:00 GMT

From the moment I walked into this exquisitely humble restaraunt I was greeted with a "hello", a head nod, a "welcome", or a japanese phrase by every single employee I crossed whether they were at a table or not. The staff has a way of making you feel very VIP from the valet to the manager retrieving our coat check. I've been a server in the Napa Valley for many years and have just moved to SF to continue in this industry. Restaraunts are a second nature to me, a home away from home. Being taken care of without knowing anyone to "hook it up" is exceptional and comforting.
The food: simply delicious. Although expensive and quaintly portioned, I enjoyed my entire meal. There were three of us, all in the industry.
The reason for the absence of my 5th star is the service we experienced. Our server, whose name was David, started out by asking if we had dined previously at Ozumo. After saying this was our first time he proceeded to tell us that they "kick a$$ here" and that he would "show us their a$$-kicking ways." This automatically tells me that he assumes that we are young and uninformed, and that perhaps we are a waste of a prime table. Throughout our meal, David was absent and seemed annoyed when he approached us. He made us feel like small children pulling on our father's coat jacket for attention although we are all in our mid twenties and asked for nothing in excess, just a couple of cocktail refills. While picking up our last plate, he said "the check then guys?" Ugh. One of my biggest pet peaves. First "guys" and then the mention of a check before our dinner even cleared. Once a credit card was run and signed we sat for approx. 3 min and he came by and swiped up the check presenter while we were still at the table. Not to mention, a table was seating right next to us, so it's not like he was trying to go home or anything.
Will I dine here again? Absolutely. But, I will make sure that next time I am not underestimated as a customer and restarauntuer.

4 Stars: Great place for a first date (by reviewchk)

reviewchk — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 02:00:00 GMT

This is the place where I met my husband for the very first time! It has a very nice ambiance, great food and service. I highly recommend it to people who want a place that has a varied menu. They also have private rooms available and they will help with small gatherings.
Enjoy!

5 Stars: I kind of felt like I was some sort big shot in Japan at this place. (by wolfie13s)

wolfie13s — Mon, 12 May 2008 02:00:00 GMT

This is a great place to dine at. I don?t really care much eat around The Embarcadero, but I?m glad I tried this place out. When you first walk into Ozumo the hostess greets you by saying welcome in Japanese. Just as if you were in a regular restaurant in Japan. And it didn?t stop there. From the time I walked through the door to the time I got to my seat, every person that worked there welcomed me to the restaurant. I couldn?t nod my head fast enough to acknowledge them let alone say ?Hi? to all of them. And when I got to my seat, the waitress I had was really cool. Not only was she very attentive to my needs, but also she was cool enough to answer personal questions I asked her. Nothing like if she had a boyfriend or anything like that. Just questions about her heritage and where she learned her Japanese. I first had to order some Sushi while I was there. And the Sushi I got was pretty good considering I'm not too big on seafood. The Octopus had great flavor and texture to it. And the vegetables that surrounded it were nice and fresh. As for my main course I had what is called "Gyu Don." Which is a New York Steak with brown rice and 3 different dipping sauces. I couldn't find one bad thing about this dish. The steak was one of the top ones I have ever had, and each of the 3 sauces went well with it. And for as fast as they cooked the brown rice, which normally takes awhile to cook, it was pretty good. It didn't even cross my mind to put any seasoning on it until I was done. By the time I was done I felt like taking a nap right there on the table. And to make things even better for me, the waitress I had even took a picture with me for a school paper I was doing on restaurant experiences. If I were to say anything bad about this place, it would be to tell you to make sure you have some money to spend. Other than that I had a great time. If you're planning to go to this place, let me just say, "Gambatei kudasai!"

1 Stars: Don't go here. EVER. (by thickprettykitty)

thickprettykitty — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 01:00:00 GMT

This is a lousy restaurant. Inside its pretty exterior is an ugly heart of nasty sushi and bad service. I was here for a pre-bachlorette party dinner and the waiter was rude, rude, rude. It is overpriced and overrated. The $15 Dragon Roll tasted like I bought it for $2 and even the miso soup, (How do you mess up miso soup and then charge $5 for it?!?) was disgusting; it was chalky and salty. I eat sushi all the time (3 to 4 times a week) and I have never minded paying sometimes up to $80 worth of sushi. I make $9 an hour people. But I love sushi and I will pay for quality. This place robbed me. Robbed me of a good dinner (I could have eaten more and enjoyed the food more at a freakin' FRIDAYS it was so bad) and of my hard earned money. I will say that perhaps we were getting treated the way we were because of our ages (as we were all under 21) but that is no excuse for the poor treatment and definitely not an excuse for bad food. Stay away from this place.

5 Stars: Fabulous food, great service, open late (by lool)

lool — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 02:00:00 GMT

Arriving late on Friday night I didn't expect we'd get reservations anywhere, but our concierge @ the Hyatt was able to get us one within 10min of our request (9:45pm). Its a 5 minute stroll (2 blocks) from the Hyatt/Ferry building and fairly safe. Upon arrival the hostess apologized as the party before us, still had not vacated the table as expected. We had a drink in the bar before being seated ~15min after our arrival. ATMOSPHERE: Dark and uber-cool. I felt like I was back in a Vegas ultra lounge. The bar was loud (they have a DJ) and packed with beautiful people. Drinks were strong and prompt. The Dining area is in the back and is very classy, modern, minimal design- Clean & tables were close together, but not uncomfortable. SERVICE: Our server was prompt and friendly and had great recommendations - but I don't remember his name. FOOD: We ordered the softshell crab roll and asked for cream cheese to be added - turned out to be one of the best we've ever had. We ordered a dragon roll also that we loved. I forget the 3rd roll we ordered, but everything was top notch. This had to be the best/freshest/tastiest sushi we've ever had. PRICE: I can't speak to this as I didn't handle the bill, but this is a high-end restaurant and one of the best sushi places in the city. (Great selection of Sake!!) Checkout their website for the menu. PARKING: We walked so we didn't use the valet out front, but its more affordable ($~20) than some other options (Hyatt parking is $55/night - no in/out) OVERALL: A most outstanding experience and a great way to kick off a romantic weekend. After a long trip, the loud bar was a little jarring, but it looked like a great place to hang out under different circumstances.

4 Stars: Yummy food (by strchld)

strchld — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 02:00:00 GMT

Loved the food, hated the crowd (too many Paris-Hilton-wannabes for me). Get lots of appetizers/small plates and share!

5 Stars: Best non-sushi dishes I have had in the U.S!! (by food_devotion)

food_devotion — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 02:00:00 GMT

First, I must say that Japanese food is my most knowledgeable sector. I am full japanese, have lived in japan, and have relatives that own pretty well known places in japan. I have worked at japanese restaurants, and eat out Japanese all the time. So here it is:

My first encounter with this restaurant was with 3 of my girlfriends for a birthday. The waitress was Very knowledgeable with the menu, sake pairings, and cocktails. The wait for the food was normal; being it a busy weekend. Soybeans- much more flavorful than any other restaurants in the U.S. People, soybeans are supossed to have FLAVOR, not just a humdrum plate on your table. The squash soup was okay, and the rolls of sushi were okay. The Futago was excellent. eggplant on bottom, spinach, then a slice of filet on top with a sesame sauce dribbled. the Black cod (gindara) was also excellent. the melts-in-your mouth meat with the light taste which does not over power the fish was DELICIOUS. We also got the gyu filet. cooked just as we asked, delightful presentation and taste with sauce.

When my boyfriend and I went, we ordered the same two( futago and gindara), but also ordered the hanabi. This is a dish with hamachi and avocado slices that is truly decedent. The ankimo was also good, although I wish they had an option to sautee it. ( will ask next time). The kobe-style beef was the only thing that has upset me here. Asked for medium rare, it was more rare. the meet wasn't of quality (i have had kobe beef many times) and both my boyfriend and i agreed that we would have much rather gotten the futago (appetizer meat dish) 3 more times instead for the same price. I had even enjoyed the gyu filet better ( knowing that you're not paying as much and not expecting the best) much more.

all in all, very enjoyable.

Try dishes at japanese restaurants instead of sushi sometime! (this is the perfect place)

hanabi, futago, and gindara. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

2 Stars: Overpriced, Quick Service, Weak drinks (by sugargirlj)

sugargirlj — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 02:00:00 GMT

I've been here three times now and have been disappointed all three times. I love sushi, love love love it, but not from here. I've lived in Japan and Hawaii and have had some of the best sushi in the world including from Tsukiji Market in Tokyo.

Ozumo's fish seems just okay in quality, and rolls are always a sloppy mess and seem quite generic, nothing original. The spicy scallop roll was not spicy at all, and all rolls we had were very rice-heavy, fish-light. This last time I had the hamachi carpaccio. Three small discs of hamachi, oodles and oodles of browned avocado (left out a little too long?), and one tiny tomato = $15. Sashimi and nigiri can also be a bit sloppy looking and inconsistent, and forget the nice garnishes, I think they sacrifice presentation for speed.

Now I dig the scene here. Very cool bar, cocktails sound interesting, but the drinks are usually quite weak and again overpriced. The bartender was very cool. While she didn't seem to know much about their sake, she was friendly and personable. 2 people, 3 cocktails, 1 glass of sake, 2 rolls, hamachi carpaccio, a few orders of sushi, one order of sashimi and 2 desserts = $220 including tip. And we left hungry.

5 Stars: always a great time! (by sideways22)

sideways22 — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 02:00:00 GMT

bar is awesome the food is great and everyone working there are very nice and helpful. i ditched half a wedding cuz it was right next door to ozumo!

5 Stars: Amazing Sushi (by blondiebabe)

blondiebabe — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 02:00:00 GMT

I love, love, love Ozumo! It is one of my favorite restaurants in the city. They have excellent, fresh sushi and a variety of drinks to choose from. It is a bit expensive but it is soooo worth it!

5 Stars: Great view, really good fish, nice atmosphere... (by glunardi)

glunardi — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 02:00:00 GMT

Had dinner there with 2 work friends based on recommendation by the W hotel concierge.

We showed up a little early and were told we will have to wait for our reservation time to be sitting so we decided to grab a drink at their bar. They have interestingly sounding cocktails but my friend was a little disappointed at the taste. It turned out to be a lot less exotic than he expected.

We were offered a great table. The very back of the rest has tall windows looking out the bay. Our table was on the far-right corner of the restaurant delivering a fantastic view of the Bay Bridge (great feature). While the location might throw you off at first, the view is definitely worth it.

I would recommend the Seaweed salad and the Sushi since that's what we ordered. Have not tried the rest of the menu but for certain we were not disappointed by the fish we ordered.

The Ambiance is very nice, the staff was helpful yet discreet and the light was just the right level. Your visit to their bathroom will teach you a few sentences in Japanese.

When: Dinner on July, 3rd 2007

5 Stars: Gorgeous Restaurant * Hotspot bar (by iloveny1223)

iloveny1223 — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 02:00:00 GMT

With its dimly lit atmosphere and trendy decor, Ozumo is definitely a great spot for young hipster crowds. This trendy restaurant does charge an arm and a leg for its small delicate dishes, but if you order the right stuff- it's worth it. Almost. Until you have to pay those car payments + insurance. And rent. Anyway, if you're about to make the jump of throwing $200-300 on a meal for two, the restaurant offers a nice array of sushi make (rolls) as well as an even larger selection of nigiri sushi (sashimi). Usually, trendy + high priced does not always equal fresh + high quality, but in this case, Ozumo definitely has it all: high priced fresh high quality fish/beef housed in a whole lotta trendy :o) One of my favorite dishes is the "Sakura beef" (beef carpaccio). Freshest beef carpaccio ever. My boyfriend and I were having dinner there one night, and as we were leaving we ran into some acquaintances of ours occupying the kotatsu room. After saying our quick hello while having a peek into the room, I saw that this space was cozy and private- an ideal area for a gathering place for close friends. Try out this restaurant for the atmosphere, but make sure you're not dipping into your rent money to do it. If you're planning to visit sans dinner, the restaurant's stylish bar is also a great place to conversate and mingle, while still enjoying the gorgeous decor. :o)

4 Stars: Ozumo (by yes3olivesplease)

yes3olivesplease — Tue, 29 May 2007 02:00:00 GMT

Great location, fantastic fresh fish, and great selection of sake. Unfortunately, our server, Kate S. was patronizing and stand-offish. She needs to be schooled in manners and understand that the customer comes first. Also, I noticed a lot of the staff having conversations with each other and not focused on the tables. Otherwise, the place was great but the poor/snotty service prevent me from giving it a Highly Recommended.

5 Stars: Great Sushi Bar/Restaurant with a Beautiful View of Bay Bridge (by jamiebeachbum)

jamiebeachbum — Fri, 25 May 2007 02:00:00 GMT

This place is great to grab a few drinks and hang out at the bar; or bring a date and head to the back where the sushi bar is to grab a small table, placed by the window overlooking the lit Bay Bridge. It's a great view of the Bridge; however, it's more of an enclosed view because you're in the restaurant; still a great view. The sushi is great, smaller portions but still pretty good and quite fresh. Service was great as well and the ambiance is modern, clean, lit and nearly the entire restaurant was full when I ate there.

3 Stars: See, be seen and pay for the scene? oh, and enjoy the food. (by citigrl78)

citigrl78 — Wed, 09 May 2007 02:00:00 GMT

A friend recently took me to ozumo. If you?re headed for dinner?be prepared for super-hi decibels, super-hi prices for small plates and a scene bustling with hipsters trying to out-hip each other. The restaurant is a scene from Sex-in-the-City, no doubt. You have to be in the mood to be a part of that to enjoy the experience. You also have to be ready to afford the experience. My friend and I (2 ppl) easily racked up a $150+ bill by ordering 1 mixed drink, 4 small plates to share, and 1 fondue + tip?it was a light meal. The food was certainly good, and folks aren?t joking when they say that just a glance at your waitress will bring some great service to your table. Be honest if you haven?t been to the restaurant before, because you?ll get an awesome tour of the menu and some great tips on what to order. But I didn?t like having to shout at my friend who was sitting right next to me?I couldn?t hear half of our conversation. And the food wasn?t SO good that I walked aways without feeling sick to my stomach for paying so much for one small meal (yes, some places ARE so good that I can pay through the nose and walk away guiltless). If you want to feel important, make a reservation about a week in advance of your dinner, valet the car and wear your most daring outfit and hottest stilettos?then enjoy some food and drink enough sake to not remember the price the next day.

5 Stars: An outstanding dining experience (by fasalot)

fasalot — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 02:00:00 GMT

Service was exemplary -- a mere glance (in crowded conditions) would bring our waiter immediately. We had unusual requests and asked for off-menu items (which were prepared for us), and were pleased with the entirety of our dining experience. Food was exceptionally well prepared, fresh, and delicious. Presentation was perfect -- thankfully NOT the increasingly tiresome Euro-California nonsense of height and dazzle, but rather the traditional elegantly simple Japanese style. The reasonable dent in my American Express card was worth every penny.

3 Stars: needed: less 'tude and better food (by easl)

easl — Mon, 02 Apr 2007 02:00:00 GMT

don't get me wrong - the sushi was good. it's just i have had just as good sushi and paid significantly less elsewhere. the restaurant is very trendy and the bar is an obvious hot spot. i really enjoyed the sake flights, too. however, we ordered edamame, which never came. and then a special house roll, which was good - but not worth the $20 it cost us. we asked the waitress to have the chef do an omakase for two at the $150 level. we were interested in quality, not quantity we told her. she claimed there were super special fish on the plate, but it was hard to see them through all the maguro, hirame and sake (yawn). the most exotic thing i could taste was the uni and there was only a blob of that. all told we got out of there for $320 for two people, which could have been three dinners at another place with less 'tude and just as good food.

4 Stars: Good Sushi in SF (by jenniffer_talavera)

jenniffer_talavera — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 02:00:00 GMT

I love sushi and as far as the food goes, Ozumo's got to be one of the best I've had in SF.

My date knew the place and ate there quite often, for he lived literally across the street in one of those tall waterfront highrise buildings. Our first date was there, which was my first time there. We were seated at a window table in the back dining area, which was great because it's pretty loud towards the front. The food was excellent, the sushi was fresh and the chocolate fondue is to die for...even better when you're feeding each other :-) And our service was great and prompt. We had a wonderful time at Ozumo.

My next couple of visits were not bad as well. However, we sat towards the front because we did not call in a reservation so we took what we could get. Service was slower, but the food was still good and yes, portions are pretty small. If you're on a date, definitely reserve a table in the dining area towards the back and if you're out with friends, sitting up front may be more to your liking, depending on how fast and how good you want your service to be as well as how much time you want to spend conversing with eachother without getting pick up lines left and right. It's a nice and trendy looking place. It does get busy there, so arrive early, best bet is to reserve a table and don't forget to bring your wallet, for prices are the highest I've ever paid for sushi in San Francisco.

2 Stars: Average food with too much attitude (by tulip47)

tulip47 — Tue, 13 Mar 2007 02:00:00 GMT

We order some take out from Ozumo. The atmosphere was nice and pleasant. The food was just okay, but the service was HORRIBLE. Everyone we encountered there just had way too much attitude.

5 Stars: Fresh sushi, too expensive (by nillacookie)

nillacookie — Sat, 24 Feb 2007 01:00:00 GMT

We went here for a business lunch and everything was so fresh and delicious! Try the garlic edamame! I don't think it's on the menu so you just have to ask for it. It's true that this place is overpriced and I probably wouldn't come here for date night with my boyfriend. But for a special occasion, I'd definitely be up for some of their specials since everything we tried had great balance of flavors and the fresh kampachi sashimi did not disappoint!

3 Stars: good decor, average sushi/food (by lamolly)

lamolly — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 01:00:00 GMT

the decor is amazing and the overall ambience is really fun and creates a good vibe. but besides from that the sushi is completely average, nothing special and the other food is not that great either. it is very trendy and there is a lounge and a dj.

3 Stars: Ozumo is japanese for don't bother. (by aldighno)

aldighno — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 01:00:00 GMT

overpriced, tiny portions,clueless service, no vibe. Boring. Why would anytime ever go to this restaurnat when there are so many great spots in town ?

3 Stars: A good experience soured by horrible customer service (by kevinh)

kevinh — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 01:00:00 GMT

My wife and I had dinner here while on a getaway to the City. We thought the prices were too high, but had a very positive experience. Great food and good service with a nice table by the window. I later decided to get two gift certificates for a couple of my clients. I charged them over the phone and was promised they'd go out in that day's mail. When they did not arrive, I made numerous calls over the course of two weeks trying to get new certificates sent. Repeatedly, I was routed to different staff memebers, each as unhelpful as the first. I was promised a return call from a manager. That never happened. Finally, feeling like a loser for putting up with the total lack of service, I called to get a refund. I was told the manager was very busy and could not talk to me. Yeah, luckily I'm not busy or I wouldn't be able to make these daily calls! After I lost it, I was promised a prompt call-back. I never heard from them. I feel obligated to warn others not to patronize Ozumo, a restaurant whose service does not match it's price point.

5 Stars: one of the bay area's best (by pjlee1971)

pjlee1971 — Tue, 14 Nov 2006 01:00:00 GMT

Seems like the reviews here are very mixed. I've been to Ozumo probably half a dozen times for dinner. The sushi has been consistently good, but my wife and I stick to sushi/sashimi only, so I can't speak about the other dishes. There are certain dishes that I haven't seen elsewhere like an ise-ebi (lobster) sashimi presented with gold flakes which I haven't seen since NYC or Japan. I do agree that service at the bar can be very slow, but the lounge does a hefty amount of business so that could be a reason but not an excuse.

1 Stars: Everyone's Dream: Over spend, leave hungry (by mskitty3132)

mskitty3132 — Fri, 10 Nov 2006 01:00:00 GMT

Although the drinks, service, and delicious sake were great, my party and I spent $40 per person for teeny tiny portions and left hungry. When will these restaurants get the hint? We can get GREAT food for a fair price in a trendy atmosphere, so why would we continue to throw money down the drain by eating at Ozumo? This will be out of business eventually. Oh, also, they do not service coffee. Who doesn't serve coffee after dinner!!!!

4 Stars: Drinks, Ambiance Great - parking terrible (by becks23)

becks23 — Sat, 04 Nov 2006 01:00:00 GMT

I've been to Ozumo a couple of times for drinks after work and it doesn't disappoint. They have interesting drink specials. Try the Geisha Moon - a mixture of Vodka and Lychee juice with some other fruit-type puree - absolutely lovely. If you're going on a Friday, try to arrive before 6pm before the crowds swarm in to be sure you get seated promptly. There's valet parking for $10. street parking isn'[t too difficult but you do have to feed your meter every 30 minutes.

4 Stars: $$$$$ Sushi Cafeteria (by polyester1970)

polyester1970 — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 01:00:00 GMT

We were skeptical about going to this place because of some pretty bad reviews here, but we needed a new fancy sushi place in SF for business related dinners.

The sushi was very average and overpriced for the quality. My wife is from Japan and claims she's a sushi connoisseur says the sushi quality and freshness was very average. The toro was $10 for 2 pieces and it wasn't even the right part of the toro. It was the very lean part (an oxymoron since toro means "fatty tuna"). Everything else was so-so even in my opinion. I've had better sushi at Blowfish, Noriega Teriyaki (believe it or not, this place is pretty good and very reasonable), Sushi Groove, and Yoshi's.

Our waiter was actually very good so no complaints there. A lot of other people claimed bad service but we didn't experience that.

BTW, they have a full bar. This IS NOT one of those "no liquor license" japanese/korean venues that only offer beer/sake/sochu/soju (blah). They had a good selection of whiskys/scotch and other spirits.

Someone here recommended sitting in the back room for the view of the Bridge, so I noted that in my resv, but after sitting there I felt like the back room was too big, and reminded me of a cafeteria. The decor & lighting was pretty boring. The front room seemed much hipper where it was darker and more intimate.

The dress code is probably "business casual" but there were quite a few suits. Not exactly my style. But that's never an absolute especially in SF, there were some people in jeans.

Overall, I'll probably go to Blowfish and risk another armed robbery or go to Sushi Groove when I'm in SF.

4 Stars: Good Sushi, Weak drinks (by lbcpaul)

lbcpaul — Sun, 22 Oct 2006 02:00:00 GMT

A party of two, we sat 40 minutes past our reservation time, with no more than a light apology from the manager/hostess. We were told our table was occupied by VIP, with details on who he is and what he drives, meanwhile other parties were seated before us. As a server and ex-manager I feel her apology should have been followed with an offer to start us with an app at the bar or even a round of drinks. Once seated, service was friendly and prompt, though the quality of the sushi I have found many other places for half the price. For two of us dinner was $100, partly satiated and completely sober...

1 Stars: horrendous service and WAY overpriced sushi (by sfchica2006)

sfchica2006 — Mon, 09 Oct 2006 02:00:00 GMT

right off the bat, was confronted by such an obnoxious host...with a major stick up his a_$! i was meeting a friend for drinks and then dinner, and walked up without a reservation. oh my god you would have thought i had 3 heads based on the aghast look he gave me. "WHAT? No reservation??" then a deep, long, pitying sigh from him. somehow he managed to find us a spot (lo and behold the restaurant was pretty empty). anyway, the food was just average, and late, and even wrong. then the bill was outrageous, and they charged us for things we didn't order! i hereby vow NEVER again to set foot in this place and will tell all my friends to do the same. i have no idea how it got a "9.1" rating on citysearch, but PLEASE don't believe the hype. stay away!!!

2 Stars: THE Worst Customer Service! (by jennaaro)

jennaaro — Thu, 28 Sep 2006 02:00:00 GMT

I thought coming to a place like Ozumo that I would get supreme service, but I was wrong. Not only did our waitor have items on our bill that wasn't ours, but everyone got their food at different times, and even one person didn't receive theres at all! I was highly disappointed and upset. I was asked to me accomodated but nothing was done. They had even cleared the whole table before that last person got their meal; so we had one person eating solo. Horrible! I've even tried to contact the manager, but they have yet to reply. The food was average and the service was horrific! Despite the ambience and well stocked bar, I would never ever go there again.

1 Stars: Avoid at all costs! (by carlamcdermott)

carlamcdermott — Sat, 16 Sep 2006 02:00:00 GMT

Went there after work, and I guess they have a happy hour in the bar area, which had about 10 minutes left! No one would even talk to us, or even look in our direction until it ended. Finally I went up to the three useless host and hostesses and asked if we could be seated in the restaurant. They looked hesistant but agreed to sit us only at the sushi bar because all the reservations were taken that evenning. The restaurant was empty, and 2 hours later, was still empty when we left! The food was average, but super expensive. This is San Francisco where there is great Sushi to be had, and this place was ok, but absolutly not worth the price. And the total experience left a very unpleasant taste in my mouth. Don't waste your time. Go to Koo or Zushi Puzzle for a way better time!

5 Stars: Excellent Presentation; Delicious Fish; Great for a Special Occasion or When Price Doesn't Matter (by r3r)

r3r — Sun, 03 Sep 2006 02:00:00 GMT

With 3 people at our table, everything we ordered was really good. Prices were a bit high - Toro nigiri at $20 per 2-piece order. But the items we ordered were all delicious. A trendy setting, friendly enough staff, and great food. Go here expecting noise on busy nights, and a big bill almost any time, but if you're looking for a "scene" and great food, then this place is tops in SF.

1 Stars: Way, way overpriced for what you get (by mtbiii)

mtbiii — Mon, 31 Jul 2006 02:00:00 GMT

We found the food to be average but portions were really small and expensive ( 7 peice toro for $100...). The place is beautiful, decor is fab, but not worth it all. We had a large party (10+) and service was poor. Our hostess was pleasant but got at least three dishes wrong. At one point seperate orders were placed one plate, and being that the portions were so small, the wrong person ate all the plate. We had to order the same food over again. We dine out as a group twice a month, and this has to be one of the most overpriced restaurants we've come across for both food and drink ($10 for a 22oz Sapparo anyone???). Not reccommended at all.

2 Stars: I do not have NO idea why this is popular restaurant. (by kimura)

kimura — Tue, 11 Jul 2006 02:00:00 GMT

I do not have NO idea why this is popular restaurant. Just average Japanese restaurant with way over priced. Their lunch make me laugh so hard for ex. Udon salad just mixing Japanese Mayo with cheap cold Udon noodle for $20. Sushi does not look fresh. Also the main chef Sho is no longer available there. Perfect place for someone does not know anything about Japanese food but want to act super COOL!

4 Stars: Nice restaurant, but not worth the price (by pmoraisjr)

pmoraisjr — Thu, 22 Jun 2006 02:00:00 GMT

It a nice place for a drink but the food is all about the show. The food is very good, but they don't give you enough.

5 Stars: Amazing food!!!!,get omakase!! (by nataliabb)

nataliabb — Tue, 09 May 2006 02:00:00 GMT

I went to ozumo for dinner 2 weeks ago...we order the omakase menu,wich it is chef choice,they told me that 3 chefs are taking care of the kitchen....the place was packed to the top,and for such a big place i was wondering if the food would be good for such a big place....well the food was AMAZING, we had about 7 courses each from apps, to sushi to main courses and dessert, i had travel all over tha country and i always order omakase menu in places like Nobu, Katana, Megu and all of them do not even get close to Ozumo's Omakase,sea-urchin risotto,gindara,kobe beef,.ceviche!!!,sushi and sashimi...everything was great, the chef came to the table, he was actually from Spain,but he's been working with Japanese food for years,he was really nice and made sure that we were enjoying our meal,and you do not see that in other places,..ozumo a++

1 Stars: I've had better for cheaper (by frumpysf)

frumpysf — Tue, 25 Apr 2006 02:00:00 GMT

Perfect example of presentation over quality of food. Food is overrated and WAY overpriced for what you get. Atmosphere and decor is great. But I'd recommend Kiss Sushi over this place. I'm not paying to look at how 'pretty' the place is, I want my money where my mouth is at.

4 Stars: Noisy but fun (by lovemyprada)

lovemyprada — Mon, 17 Apr 2006 02:00:00 GMT

fun and stylish place to grab drinks during happy hour around the embarcadero. Love the raised lounge couches by the bar. I was especially impressed with the quality of their sushi.

2 Stars: STAY AWAY from their noodle and donburi dishes! (by shinhsieh)

shinhsieh — Sat, 08 Apr 2006 02:00:00 GMT

I was surprised this restaurant made it to Michael Bauer's top 100 list because it wasn't that good. I went there with a group of 10 and most of us thought it was a rip off! I thought the salad and sashimi was good because they were fresh and thatt's all. The noodle was soggy and the broth was flavorless. I tried out other people's "Crispy" chicken donburi dishes and it was salty and so non-crispy, just like a joke. Their tempura dish wasn't impressive, either. You can get much better value for your money at any restaurant in Japan town.

1 Stars: Complete Japanese Lie!!! (by davodka)

davodka — Tue, 04 Apr 2006 02:00:00 GMT

My wife is Japanese and I've ate tons of Japanese food while in Japan and I dont know what this restaurant is serving, but it isn't Japanese. The wife ordered the mini-sukiyaki and received supposed kobe beef, but the sheet of meat was way too thin for AUTHENTIC SUKIYAKI and was previously frozen because they stuck together. I had the filet and the meat was so chewy, I thought I was eating at Denny's. When we first sat down and the waitress asked us about the tea, we naturally assumed it was complimentary because that's the standard, but when the bill came, it was a $6 dollar bad tasting bitter green tea that my wife thought tasted like no other green tea before. Oh, we also ordered two rice, which comes usually with the meal, but that's another 4 bucks thrown away.

3 Stars: Needs some work but food was good (by sf2seoul)

sf2seoul — Mon, 20 Mar 2006 01:00:00 GMT

For an upscale restaurant, using disposable chopsticks is just wrong. Although the food tasted good, it was over-priced for what we got. There was only one unfiltered sake by the bottle available although on the menu it listed 10.

5 Stars: The Best Sushi In SF! (by berkeleygirl7)

berkeleygirl7 — Mon, 13 Feb 2006 01:00:00 GMT

Ozumo offers the best sushi I have had in SF so far! Hip and modern decor set the stage with low lighting, dark colored wood, and views of the bay. As we entered, we were greeted enthusiastically by every single staff member from the hostess to the chefs. Our waitress was completely versed in all things sushi and sake and patiently helped us make our selections. (I can be a harsh critic on service, and I was highly impressed!) The fish was fresh, the rolls crisp and tasty! The spicy tuna, and the tempura roll were definite favorites. Try the sake sampler or a fruity cocktail to mix things up. The green tea ice cream dessert was only so-so. Overall, the experience was wonderful, and I will absolutley be going back here again! Great spot for a date!!!

1 Stars: Too Big for Their Fishses (by aliasdave)

aliasdave — Wed, 18 Jan 2006 01:00:00 GMT

I'm pretty tollerant of slow service, especially if the place is popular and busy. But I don't do well with attitude. With the way the waitperson acted, I thought maybe she had just been rejected for an audition and had to come to her crappy job on Sunset. The owners should tell their workers to leave the attitude in LA.

1 Stars: The worst service in the world!!!! (by kiskasf)

kiskasf — Tue, 27 Dec 2005 01:00:00 GMT

My husbands part was ruined!!! The waitress was snobby and kept rolling her eyes. The food order was taken 1hr into the party. The food started coming out little by little, instead of together. The birthday boy received his at the end of his party. The waitress was nowhere to be found the whole night. They had no idea who ordered what. The servers kept walking around asking if anybody ordered this.

We requested 2 bills, alcohol and food. The waitress agreed but still brought 1 check. It took 3 times for the below IQ waitress to figured it out. Not to mention that a bunch of food we never received was on the check. We had to sit for half an hour trying to figure out why we had all these extra charges. After all of that they had the audacity to charge us 20% tip.

5 Stars: the best of the bay (by atxonirvi)

atxonirvi — Wed, 28 Sep 2005 02:00:00 GMT

i recently read a bad review about ozumo...and i have to say that it was not fare at all
this restaurant has the freshest sushi ever(AND ROBATA),..i have dinner here quite a few times and the food..(same chef or not),is still amazing from taste to presentations, the service needs to improve, i will say that, and yes it is expensive, but WELL WORTH IT!!...IT IS A 3 STARS restaurant (by Michael Bauer), so i do not think that they got those stars for nothing....GREAT PLACE!!!

1 Stars: Total Rip Off (by mick33_hk)

mick33_hk — Thu, 22 Sep 2005 02:00:00 GMT

I went to Ozumo and had the private room. As the table was very large, the waitress did not bother to walk around to ask each guest what they wanted to drink or eat. Instead, she bullied one guest into doing all the ordering and ended up ordering way too much food, and at their prices, makes a big difference. For the prices and reputation, the service was sub-par. My water glass remained empty for the whole night. When the astronomical bill came, they charged us an automatic 20 percent gratuity. We did not receive 20 percent worth's service.
The food was mediocre. The sushi rice was too vinegary and mushy. The fish did not taste fresh and was equivalent to what you would get at an all-you-can-eat sushi buffet. I made a formal complaint and have so far been ignored. Terrible customer service.

5 Stars: Ozumo is fabulous. (by justineelise)

justineelise — Tue, 20 Sep 2005 02:00:00 GMT

I went to Ozumo for my 21st birthday and I could not have been more pleased. I had the sake cosmo cocktail, which has to be the best cocktail I have ever tasted. Even though we had reservations it was very crowded on a Tuesday night and we had to wait an additional 40 minutes for our table. Our server, however, understood we were in a rush and made sure the food came to our table as fast as possible. Even with the quick service, the food was still amazing. The Kaiso salad is a seaweed salad. has amzing flavor. The yellow tail sashimi has to be the best sashimi I have ever tasted. The sushi was amazing. The tempura crab and shrimp were unbelievable. Even though this place is expensive, I would definately return for a special occasion or to have a glass of their sweet sake cosmo.

2 Stars: The Rise and Fall of Ozumo (by intheknowsf)

intheknowsf — Fri, 05 Aug 2005 02:00:00 GMT

My first visit to Ozumo, 1 year ago, was amazing. All components were executed exceptionally: The cooked foods, sushi, sake, and service. Returning 1 year later I was so disappointed. The service was unintelligent about the cuisine and the sake list. The food itself was lacking in balance. The gindara was way too sweet. The server had a hard time recommending a good sake. The sushi tasted like they were using frozen fish and not fresh as they claim. Overall I think Ozumo has been riding on their popularity while the quality has been going down these past few months. Also I asked the server about their chef and she told me that the original chef left to open his own place and has been replaced by someone from LA. I hope the original chef's new place will open soon, because SF is in need of good Japanese restaurants.

5 Stars: Great Sushi, Excellent Sake Selection (by skaplansears)

skaplansears — Fri, 05 Aug 2005 02:00:00 GMT

My financee and I discovered chilled sake at Ozumo, for which we owe it a debt. The sushi is delicious, and while I haven't just gone to the bar, it's always packed when we get dinner. True, it's pricy, but definately worth it. The only only thing that's ever dissapointed was a cosmopolitan that someone ordered. I'd avoid the usual cocktails and stick with their sake selection.

4 Stars: Great Bar Staff (by triphoss)

triphoss — Sat, 23 Jul 2005 02:00:00 GMT

The bar at Ozumo is rocking! The food's not cheap but what do you expect? It is good and there are great options for sushi and sashimi and of course more sake than us Gia-gin can ever hope to understand! I have been there several times and the bartender (Cody) is a great guy, fun and entertaining! He definitely makes me want to come back, and eat at the bar rather than in the dining room.

3 Stars: ehh, marina crowd downtown, uninspired (by frankmusso)

frankmusso — Wed, 22 Jun 2005 02:00:00 GMT

ok, so again, bunch of gap, morgan stanley, downtown folk for networking and drinks in the bar area, can't hate that, dining area, lots of expense account lonely people, the drinks a good with a large selection of sake, impressive, the fish is really nothing to go nuts over, pretty standard, and honestly not very imaginative, standard fare, however, the view is pretty sweet, makes you happy to be working/living in sfo.

4 Stars: Very romantic view and creative menu (by kikikat)

kikikat — Thu, 14 Apr 2005 02:00:00 GMT

Very romantic restaurant, it has a big view on the Bay bridge and offers many good sake and sushi roll. Price is a bit expensive and I highly recommand it for dating or celebrations. Be prepared for valet parking but it isn't difficult to find parking by yourself.

5 Stars: Where it's at (by gelid)

gelid — Sun, 03 Apr 2005 01:00:00 GMT

Initially, it feels like almost like a club; it just has that atmosphere. The front section was apparently the place to be on Friday night, filled with young, professional-looking indivuals. After the dimly-lit lounge area is left, though, the crowd becomes increasingly more diverse, yet everyone seemed to have a place in this multifaceted restaurant. Both apptizers and entrees were absolutely excellent, combined well with light yet richly flavorful sauces. The fish was very fresh. The maitre d' was exceedingly accomodating; we had no reservations and it was absolutely packed yet still were seated decently (just luck?) I'll surely call in first next time.

5 Stars: GOOD PLACE FOR SAKE!!! (by asianguy81)

asianguy81 — Tue, 15 Mar 2005 01:00:00 GMT

Great place to try different types of japanese Sake. The food is Great and the service were awesome. I had no idea of what sake to try and my waitress, Aimee, gracefully described each and every sake and answered all of our questions patiently. She even brought some information about different Sake for us!!! The food is great and the taste is to die for. Be forewarned, this is no place to the weak hearts and 'scrooges', you will pay for what you get (quality). I truly enjoyed this place and would highly recommend this place to anyone and everyone!!!

5 Stars: BEST sushi I've ever had! (by saraheddd)

saraheddd — Sat, 05 Feb 2005 01:00:00 GMT

I have had sushi all over LA and SF and this is THE PLACE. The atmosphere, the service, all the food, the drinks...EVERYTHING was SUPERB. It is a great place for a date, with friends, groups, family. Very classy and fabulous ambiance. The sushi was amazing...best Toro I have ever had. I recommend the Liche cocktail after your meal at the bar. This place is my new favorite place to go in SF! :)

2 Stars: Left hungry (by spirited)

spirited — Mon, 24 Jan 2005 01:00:00 GMT

My husband and I went to Ozumo for dinner a few nights ago. The atmosphere is very cool and trendy, but we were disappointed with the meal itself and the service. We waited quite a while for our sushi rolls, and when they arrived they were quite small. We were still hungry after finishing those, but we didn't want to wait another 20-30 minutes for more rolls. The food itself was quite delicious, but not enough to justify the price. I would choose my no-name neighborhood sushi restaurant in Chicago any day over this place.

5 Stars: Expensive But Worth Every Penny (by coolmia)

coolmia — Mon, 22 Nov 2004 01:00:00 GMT

If you are a sushi lover you already know you can't put raw food in your mouth for cheap since it has to be fresh and prepared correctly.

Ozumo not only offers this service with expert sushi chefs and quality fish but provides an atmosphere for anykind of gathering, and food even for non sushi lovers. Why pay tons of money eating in some dingy overrated sushi place when you can get easy parking or valet and be at a centrally located, amazingly beautiful restuarant, and bar for a night with some friends?

Betelnut, Moose, Aqua? Marina Sushi? Been there done that but never as impressed.

Sushi bar, grill area, private rooms, another section with wet bar and disc jocky, free coat check, cool ass staff, yummy dessert.

Check website for special holidays where they have offer course dinners for $70.

3 Stars: Mediocre for the price... (by evilcindy)

evilcindy — Sat, 09 Oct 2004 02:00:00 GMT

I love sushi and have been to many sushi restaurants in the city. There are so many great sushi places in San Francisco that I wonder why anyone would spend this much money for medicore sushi. I don't mind shelling out an arm and a leg for good sushi but this was definitely NOT worth the price. Ambience is nice and service was great but I don't think I would go back. When I need to get my "sushi fix," I need GOOD sushi. For the amount we spent on dinner, we could have been eating toro all night at Zushi Puzzle. Ozumo is the kind of place you take a date because it looks fancy but for die hard sushi fans, pass.

5 Stars: Divine! (by rrsf)

rrsf — Mon, 26 Apr 2004 02:00:00 GMT

I've visited Ozumo for both dinner and happy hour and I've yet to find anything to complain about. The food is delicious, the service is impeccable and the ambiance is perfect for a night out with friends or a romantic date. I would highly recommend Ozumo. You will not be disappointed.

5 Stars: Hands down, the tastiest food in SF (by biajean)

biajean — Tue, 20 Apr 2004 02:00:00 GMT

Ozumo is my guilty pleasure. Stopping by for dinner or happy hour has become a monthly ritual. I have yet to be disappointed by the beautifully crafted food or service. The Thursday night DJ rocks the house. Try the Hanabi- one of my absolute favorites- the hamachi melts in your mouth. Ozumo is perfect for a date, a business lunch or a group of friends out for a great meal and experience. No matter what the occasion, accomodations have always been impeccable. Relatives from out of town were very impressed with the sake selection.

5 Stars: One of the Best in SF (by trixrabbit)

trixrabbit — Tue, 20 Apr 2004 02:00:00 GMT

This is one of the great dining experiences in SF. Prices are at the high end but well worth it once you see the stunning presentation and taste the truly exceptional food. The menu is creative and the service and interior design contribute in creating a hip, luxurious and satisfying experience. A few others have posted about shoddy service but the times I have dined there, I found the service attentive and friendly. The servers were well versed in their menus and were also able to give several suggestions that I was very pleased with. Ozumo is one of my favorite SF restaurants and I would recommend it to all.

3 Stars: "Chic" Ikea sushi (by jdaniel)

jdaniel — Fri, 16 Jan 2004 01:00:00 GMT

Ozumo rests on its interior design laurels. The sushi was very tasty and the portions appropriate, but the service was downright nonexistent considering tasty Japanese of this caliber is around every corner in SF. From a design perspective this place is a parody -- highly renown for it and yet.....the banquettes are Pottery Barn jute rugs stapled over bare wood, the high-armed, main dining room chairs are uncomfortable plywood boxes that ram against the table at an uncomfortable distance. So many other places to go that are better value and better service.

2 Stars: Expectations (by pertel)

pertel — Tue, 09 Dec 2003 01:00:00 GMT

The sushi at Ozumo is truly superb. After traveling throughout the world, it ranks up there with the best. That being said, the service and length of the meal (three hours) was well, well below par. As a young professional in the city, I felt as if I was treated without consideration. According to the manager, we "fell through the cracks...", which must have accounted for them incorrectly deliving our bill TWICE and not offering any comps, let alone a sincere apology. Good Luck!!!