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Ebisu
Categories: Restaurants Sushi Bars Restaurants Japanese Sushi Bars, Japanese [Edit]
1283 9th Ave(between Irving St & Lincoln Way)
San Francisco, CA 94122
Neighbourhood: Inner Sunset
(415) 566-1770
- Hours:
Tue-Fri 11:30 am - 2 pm
Tue-Thu, Sun 5 pm - 10 pm
Fri-Sat 5 pm - 11 pm
Sat-Sun 12 pm - 2:30 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
892 reviews for Ebisu
Review Highlights
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"My favorite is the double hamachi roll." In 17 reviews -
"If I could marry kobe beef sashimi, I would." In 12 reviews -
"It's $15 for the live uni, and it is worth every bite." In 17 reviews
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892 reviews in English
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Review from Selina Z.
San Rafael, CA
5/22/2012
Best sushi I've ever had. Everything we ordered taste fresh and amazing! I came here with my boyfriend looking to try something new. This place exceed our expectation. We are quite picky when it comes to seafood because we hate anything that taste too "fishy".
Here is a list of food we tried and really loved
Kobe beef sushimi
Dynamite oyster
Lobster tempura
Sake steamed clam
double hamachi roll
soft shell crab roll
If you want to try something new, you can try green tea creme brulee. It's not too sweet and you can really taste the green tea flavor.
The price is decent, not too expensive at all compare to other japanese restaurants we've been to in Marin. It's worth the drive to the city.
Expect to wait for your seats, because it is a small place. It doesn't matter too much for us though because the food makes up for it. -
Review from Mabel B.
5/21/2012 9 photos
Sushi and happy hour! WHEEEEEEEEEEE
Babe and I came to Ebisu last Friday evening to eat sushi. Upon entering the restaurant was almost all filled up but luckily we got a table. Prior to getting a table I took a look at their specials board and they have $1 draft beers from 5-6pm for happy hour! WHAT?! THIS IS GREAT.
So we ordered two $1 Kirin drafts (can you see how proud I am for ordering such cheap drinks?), QP roll, xxx roll, dragon roll, dexter carter roll and the boston roll.
QP roll - you can order it with a level of spiciness, I don't recommend it, since it takes away from the taste of the roll. I would try it again to taste the scallops.
XXX roll - the special of the day, with mango slices. I could hardly taste the fruit tho.
Dragon roll - just a typical dragon roll
Dexter carter roll - basically my beloved 49er roll with avocado
Boston roll - possibly my favorite out of all rolls that night
Servers are pretty nice and friendly. The dining area is feels a bit cramped but still allowing the patrons to have an intimate conversation. My night at Ebisu was enjoyable. The portions are a bit small for the price you pay tho. A tip is to come here early if you like it here, the wait can get pretty long. -
Review from jane f.
San Francisco, CA
5/19/2012
I've been coming here for over 30 yrs. It's gone through periods of ups and downs but it is clearly very popular again. Cooks and sushi chefs come and go. The wait on this week night was long even as we sat waiting after 8pm. The tables are all crowded into the little space. There's a lot of bumping as the waiters came around to serve food. It feels very cramped if you're a large person. The tables are also small. They grab away any thing that looks finished. It's a bit awkward if you want to hold onto your plate if you finished first but want to pick off your family's plates. There is a bit of a rushed feeling because they want to seat the people crowded around waiting for a table.
If you stick with the sushi, sashimi, you will find it definitely worthy of 4 stars.
The entrees, I would give them a three to a 3 1/2 star rating. The tempura is weak, and bland. The chicken teriyaki was dry... but the entrees are very reasonably priced.
The sushi can add up quickly and you can be shocked when the bill arrives.
The place is clean and servings beautifully presented. -
Review from Robert L.
Plymouth Meeting, PA
5/25/2012
Best sushi place in SF so far. Creative authentic dishes. Fresh fish. And the head chef is generous, friendly, and very personable. Has a very affordable omakase, too. Highly recommend this place. Come early as seating is first come, first serve.
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Review from Menandro M.
San Francisco, CA
5/10/2012 1 Check-in Here
This is the first place to introduce me to the wonderful delicacy that is SUSHI!
The fish is fresh, the atmosphere is "cool," the food, overall, is above average!
I want to LIKE/LOVE this place, BUT I am being nice when I say my most recent visit was "A-OK"
- Our server (Ken) was really good, BUT he needs a better "supporting cast"
-$50 Omakase: Fish was exceptional, BUT it took 40+ minutes to get to the table
- Long wait means more food: 15 minute wait to get menu
- Assorted tempura plate: REALLY GOOD, BUT it wasn't ours
- Blue Fin Toro: Looked really good, BUT also not ours
- Our "Behind the Green Door" roll: Looked good, BUT that went to another table
Ken had to explain to us that they made ANOTHER mistake and the kitchen was closed so they would have to make the (Behind the Green Door) roll with something other than Shrimp Tempura.
Let me be clear, our server (Ken) was awesome. He was really nice and he did everything he could to make this a pleasant experience for us. He also covered the cost of the tempura that we ate.
With that said, an "A-OK" rating is only because I am willing to give this place another chance.
Finally, I noticed they had a "Help Wanted" sign outside... I concur. -
Review from Bryan J.
San Francisco, CA
5/10/2012
I've been looking for a place that I'd park myself and my wonderful friend whenever we have a craving for a delectable raw craving.
I've recently have acquired a taste for fat. Fish fat. So, toro was my ultimate goal that night.
I know parking is horrible in this area and it took me a few laps around the block until finally the paid parking lot across this place got a free spot.
Thinking about it now, the valet was sort of racist. He gave the other couple a tip of what to order at the place, and all we got was, have a nice night.
Anyway, back to Ebisu. I was set to order the lobster tempura and the kobe beef, but mostly my mind was set to ordering every piece of toro they have.
Guess what, I got distracted. I did order a lot, like the kobe beef sukiyaki. This was sort of off putting. It was a teensy bit sweeter than the usual sukiyaki.
Then we had some oysters, 5 sashimi (forgot which ones), and 4 diff. toro. The one that I was craving the most, I forgot to order. Oh well.
We did enjoy some of the dishes. Oh, she didn't like the Chawanmushi. The texture was not right somehow.
Anyway, I'll be back and this time, I'll know which ones to order...and a lot of them.
....obviously, I liked the place. I don't have anything bad to say, except that past midway our dinner, everything kind of tasted the same.
We will order more variety next time. -
Review from Holly O.
4/14/2012 1 Check-in Here
Visiting from Chicago, and a local friend took me to Ebisu for dinner.
EFFING phenomenal. We sat at the sushi bar. I loved everything we had, but my favorite part was when I asked for my traditional tuna & avocado roll... and he asked if he could doctor it up. Sure! I suggested jalapeno, and then he added spicy mayo and fish eggs... He then torched it before handing it over, and it was the best sushi roll I've ever had. So great.
Also loved the warm hand towels :) and the orange slices at the end. Thanks Ebisu! -
Review from A b.
San Francisco, CA
4/19/2012 1 Check-in Here
Sorely Disappointment. Had lunch with Mom.
We ordered:
Kobe Sashimi - kobe was soft, decent appetizer. Not sure I would order it again tho.
Oyako don - chicken was on the dry side, nothing special
#29 roll - the roll fell apart the moment I tried to pick it up with my chopsticks =\ this was a huge turnoff for me. Isn't a sushi roll supposed to be rolled tightly?? I dont get it, this is kind of a noob mistake....
Spider roll - 5 pieces, decent
Hamachi Toro nigiri - pretty good, might order again
Sigh. I was really looking forward to this! I really wanted to like Ebisu! -
Review from Bianca U.
Updated - 4/2/2012
This place has gone downhill, food wise. The decor, cleanliness and service are still the same. The wait time is the same.
The presentation and food quality has gone DOWN since I was here last. It feels more "home-style" than the nice restaurant it used to be. The cuts of meat we had weren't as refined as before. Presentation was off as well--not as pretty or stylized as before. More like bento box lunch special than a nice meal.
I would come back, but my expectations are definitely lowered.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/24/2011
Incredible sushi, comfortable and stylish decor, fast service. I've had to wait a few times to get… Read more »
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Review from Kinsey W.
San Francisco, CA
5/20/2012
Within a three-block radius of the popular Ninth-and-Irving Inner Sunset junction, there are roughly six different options for sushi--so it's a testament to the quality of Ebisu's food that the newly remodeled resto is easily the neighborhood favorite. No reservations are accepted, meaning you'll likely have to wait an hour for your chance at one of the tiny tables positioned impossibly close together in the modest dining room. Instead of performing that awkward dance wherein you try to squeeze into your table without knocking over your neighbor's sake sampler, angle for a spot at the long sushi bar and watch the nimble chefs prepare a host of Japanese dishes, from creatively named house apps like Two Balls, No Strike (spicy tuna wrapped in avocado) to expertly crafted specialty rolls and simply presented nigiri. Prices on American sushi bar staples like the 49er Roll and Dragon Roll are easily a couple bucks cheaper than you'll find at similar restaurants, meaning you'll leave either a little fuller or a little richer than normal. Perhaps that--and not just the buttery fish cuts--is part of the reason this place is so popular.
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Review from Adelina W.
San Francisco, CA
5/1/2012 1 Check-in Here
I've been here once or twice before the remodel. Service was prompt as soon as you got seated. We started off with the Edamame Trio and Veggie Tempura. The edamame trio was great, I loved the three different flavors. We also ordered the 49er, Dexter Carter, QP and Spider Roll. The sushi was fresh and delicious. I loved the lemon on the 49er and Dexter Carter.
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Review from Denise C.
Pacifica, CA
3/27/2012
I will always remember this place as the first place my boyfriend and I ever had our first omakase experience! My boyfriend and I stopped by here on a whim after a long bike ride in the city and we suddenly had a huge craving for sushi. Unfortunately we were about six miles from our cars at the time and couldn't exactly bring our bikes into the restaurant... so we asked if we could put our names down... then promptly raced to our cars in about 20 minutes and made it back to to Ebisu just in time to get our table. Score! :D
This place is great! The atmosphere is very quaint. We were a little bit awkward in our spandex and bike gear, but it was incredibly worth it. It is a bit on the pricey side, but the service is pretty good.
Even though we weren't at the sushi bar, we decided to get the omakase (it's listed on the menu for people who aren't familiar with the concept). Would've preferred to do it at the bar, but at this point we were just happy to have a seat.
The fish was delicious! Absolutely succulent and perfectly prepared. There is a significant difference between fish served here and at other standard sushi places. Now that I've had omakase at other places I can't say this is the best, but it is definitely up there. The fish is much fresher and doesn't have a fishy taste to it. There was a good variety as well, which offset the slightly more expensive cost (a lot of it was stuff we usually wouldn't order ourselves. The scallops were amazing. We even ordered another nigiri plate because we were trying to figure out what we had eaten (the waitress forgot).
Definitely a good experience all around and one of the best sushi places in San Francisco. Would definitely come back all the time if it weren't for the price... Otherwise I'd be super broke! :( -
Review from Grace C.
3/14/2012 1 Check-in Here
So funny thing, of the two people that showed up to this restaurant, one is a vegetarian and the other was one that didn't eat sushi, however, we *still* enjoyed ourselves.
I was meeting up with my friends while I was in town for work. Unfortunately, one was stuck at work, so it was just the two of us. Apparently this place was a regular spot for my friends so my friend already knew what he wanted before we even sat down.
After looking through the menu, I settled on the Chicken Katsu and my friend got an order of veggie tempura and I think it was the veggie tempura rolls.
The food was quite delicious. My Katsu came with soup, and a salad plus rice. Yum.
Service was great. Our server was so nice. The restaurant is really small though.
Also - parking is a bitch here. Remember you are in the city. There is a paid parking lot right across the street from the restaurant ($10 bucks), but if you are lucky, you can find some street parking (which is metered during the day) Apparently you can also park in Golden Gate park and walk over. -
Review from Sunny T.
Minneapolis, MN
4/6/2012
Not exaggerating when I say this is the best sushi I've ever had hands down. The quality, presentation of the food, and atmosphere made me feel like I was dining in a very expensive fine dine restaurant and once receiving the check I expected the bill to be sky high but no, it was FAIRLY reasonable if not even on the cheaper side for such good sushi.
My mom and I ordered 2 specialty rolls and 2 appetizers and the bill was only about $39, which was cheap considering the quality of the rolls and appetizers which was a good portion. We came here twice on our trip to San Francisco for dinner since we wanted to stuff as much of this sushi down before returning to our home in MN where sushi isn't a forte.
Beware, might want to make reservations since this place is always packed. My mom and I were lucky the first time being only the 2 of us got a table right away (the last one), but on the second day we returned it was a late sunday night and we had to wait for about 20 min. But totally worth it. Will be back ;) -
Review from Dennis L.
It seems like every Thursday night you have to fight off the hoards of people leaving Academy Nightlife. Most of the restaurants around 9th and Irving were packed but we snagged some sushi bar seats at Ebisu. Often times I enjoy sitting at the sushi bar knowing that you interact directly to the person preparing your food.
Miso soup - not watered down like so many other places
*Albacore Tataki - bigger portions than I would have thought. Lightly seared on the outside with onions and ponzu sauce aplenty. http://s3-media3.ak.ye...
Boston Roll - slightly disappointed to find this in the specialty sushi items on the menu. Felt like a simple salmon roll
Rainbow Roll - a good mix of different raw fish on top of still steaming sushi with tempura shrimp on the inside. Fulfilling
i really wish we had the appetite to try more items on the menu including the special items written on the blackboard behind the bar. The waitresses were hustling and everything came out fast. Altogether, the entire staff works like a well-oiled machine.
____
Aug '11 Health Score - 74...yikes!
Circled around at least twice for parking -
Review from Vickie Z.
2/25/2012 1 Check-in Here
The food was really good. The chefs were really creative. The service was great although there is a long wait to be seated.
Little far from home but will be back if have the chance :) -
Review from Tom M.
San Francisco, CA
2/8/2012
I was going to give this place 2 stars for "potential", but on second thought, no.
My partner and I were in a celebratory mood, and were willing to spend much more than we usually do on lunch, especially considering the great time we had at their sister restaurant across the street. Sadly, it was a wasted effort.
Upon arrival, we were seated at a table near the door, with one seat directly in the main line of traffic. We asked to be seated at a table further back, but were told that they were expecting larger groups for lunch, so they didn't want to break up the tables. Mind you, as a party of 2, we were only asking to be seated at one of the 2-person tables they had combined for parties of 4, and the table we requested was not "reserved", just "held" because they get very busy for lunch.
Although off-putting, we decided to take the uncomfortable table nonetheless, as the place was 2/3 full and the ambiance seemed nice. We rearranged our chairs from the 12-6 position to the 12-9 position and settled in. Our server then proceeded to win us over with his knowledge of the sake offerings and his generally pleasant demeanor. Unfortunately, that was the highlight of our experience.
I should have known something was amiss when another server made a point to bump my chair (which was now out of the main line but narrowing the line between tables) as he went back and forth, finally loudly blurting out, "Would you PLEASE move your chair back?! You're creating a really big obstruction!!"
Normally, I go out of my way to assist servers in restaurants--they have a tough job, and have to deal with more than they should, but the volume, attitude, and the look on his face (which said "I don't want you here") was just too much. We walked out.
To our pleasant server--sorry we didn't stay, order a big, expensive lunch (as was our plan), and tip you well (as we always do). To Belligerent Boy, it's your fault. -
Review from Leme T.
Oakland, CA
2/6/2012 2 photos
A Sushi restaurant owned by actual Japanese people... FINALLY!
I came here for the first time with my friend today. On the outside it didn't seem like anything but once you walk in it's actually a very nicely designed place. With little tables that is perfect seating for 2, 4 or 6 people. it's very cozy and comfortable with wooden seats and wooden table and semi-dimmed lighting and of course your background music. Sounded like top 50's music.
Anyways let's get on with the rating:
Service:
When i walked in you have a waiting area. Walk through the waiting area and into the actual seating area you get a warm welcome from the sushi chefs from the behind the sushi bar and the servers, in of course japanese. After they ask you where you want to be seated (table or bar) they quickly set out menus describing to you which one is which (i.e Drinks, main menu etc.) And then after your settled they'll ask you what you would like as drinks and give you a hot freshly rolled hot towel?=] o0o0ohh fancy.
Food:
I had all nigiri today. There is no way you can walk into a sushi place and not have sushi. Not to mention the traditional raw fish. Well you can but it just wont be the same. I'll admit I usually don't like raw fish. The coldness and chewy texture and that aftertaste in my mouth... just thinking about it I want to hurl BUT luckily they have a very good head sushi maker. He was our sushi chef today and he was SPECTACULAR! He actually made me like raw fish! We didn't order of the menu we just let him decide and boy did he. With such wonderful fresh fish thinly slice to perfection. Some he will specify "No Dipping!" because he already infused the nigiri with a sauce blend that makes it soooo much better than just soy sauce and wasabi. Besides the great nigiri he made us I enjoyed talking to him a lot! He had a very good sense of humor!
My favorites of today:
Sake Toro
Spanish Mackeral
Escolar Butterflyfish
Toro
Unagi -
Review from David M.
2/12/2012
I must be one of the lucky ones, but after a last minute change in plans to grab dinner in the Inner Sunset, our group found ourselves at Ebisu. We were quickly seated, and took in the cool menu behind the sushi bar, where most of the omakase, also known as chefs whimsy, are located. A few of us ordered the various omakase, and others ordered rolls. Everything was masterfully put together, with a great attention to detail. I particularly liked the baby squid that came with our seafood, and the kobe sashimi was also quite nice.
From start to end, the service was perfect, and the food was better. If you're in the neighborhood, or not, stop by Ebisu for a great meal with friends and family. -
Review from Anthony L.
San Francisco, CA
2/12/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Ebisu was one of my favorites back in the day. They went through some remodeling a few years back, and for some reason we kind of...forgot about this place.
Now I'm back and I love it more than ever!!!
Family Affair - Tuna, Avocado, Albacore, Maui Onions, Negi, Tobiko and Spicy Aioli
Behind the Green Door - Seared Skipjack, Shrimp Tenpura, Maui Onions, Tobiko, Scallion and Creamy Aioli
Crunchy - House Poke, Avocado, Tempura Crumbs and Soy Bean Paper
(I love Soy paper rolls in general, so if you do too, this one is a must)
Fresh Uni - (yes, it's still moving on the plate)!
The Hamachi/Salmon/Bluefin Toro are all super fresh and well worth it!
I'm so glad i found you again Ebisu! -
Review from Heidi M.
1/24/2012 2 Check-ins Here
I've been eating here fairly regularly for at least 10 years and have never had a bad meal or an unpleasant experience. When I moved to SF, it was from the mid-west, where... sushi is *not so good.* Always an experience that made me a bit apprehensive. Ebisu was the first place I was taken in SF, the place that made me love sushi, crave it, eat it several times a week.
The wait staff is nice, friendly, and attentive in a polite way -- not hovering but there when you need them. They pace meals well, bringing one or two orders at a time, clearing plates constantly through the meal, and checking back to make sure everything is OK frequently. Someone is almost constantly coming through with water and tea refills as well. There can be a long wait for a table during peak hours on weekends, but it's a very popular place, so that is to be expected. I usually go in early or on week nights and rarely have a wait.
The restaurant was remodeled a couple of years ago, and I like it a lot better now. It looks cleaner and more modern. That said, I miss the tatami room in the back, which was great for larger parties. It is a bit difficult to bring a group to Ebisu now. I find it is best suited for parties of 4 or smaller, and the dining configuration is even more cramped now that they've eliminated some of the seating space in the remodel.
On to the most important matter: the food. I'm easily put off by "fishy" smells or tastes. I've never found that to be a concern here. Fish is always very fresh, cuts are good. They have a wide selection of both more conventional dishes and Westernized specialty rolls. Some of the rolls are unique to Ebisu and quite inventive compared to other sushi places in this city. It is true that they have scaled down the menu after the remodel, but there are still enough choices to keep anyone happy. My "must order" list always seems to grow, far beyond what I can actually eat in one sitting. :)
My standard order (why, yes, I'm a glutton):
1) 49ER ROLL - This is a must order. Ebisu has ruined me. Theirs is the best; if it's on the menu at any other sushi restaurant, I order it, and then am disappointed when it's not as good as Ebisu's. If it's not on the menu elsewhere, I'm crestfallen. It is now impossible to be satisfied with a sushi meal if there is no 49'er roll. Last weekend, one of my friends had to endure my attempt to peel slivers of lemon to put on my non-49er-roll at another establishment. The combination is really *that* good.
2) Sashimi - usually sake or hirame in my case, but I've yet to hear of anything that's not good.
3) Kobe beef sashimi or nigiri, whatever is on the day's special
4) UMESHISO maki roll - I feel as strongly about this as I do the 49er roll; not coincidentally, this is also one of the standards by which I judge sushi places. A bit unfair, unbalanced, and strange, I know, but hey, I am all of those things!
5) Ebisu Maki - I'd thought they'd dropped this from the menu, but it's just been relocated under the non-specialty roll section. It's a maki roll with salmon and a bunch of vegetables (like sprouts, cucumber, some root veggies, can't recall exactly).
6) The a la carte skewers I've tried have been quite good and I usually order one or more after failing to convince myself that I've ordered quite enough already.
There are a lot of other wonderful things that I don't order, because I am allergic to them, and consequently, my life is very sad. But my friends order them, rave over them, and I drool and wish I could eat them. For example:
- Potato Bug
- Dragon Roll
- Caterpillar
- Hamachi Sashimi, in particular, I've heard is very good
The portions for most items are pretty generous. Obviously sashimi and nigiri orders are not very large, but the specialty rolls are enormous. If I am being reasonable about the amount of food that is strictly necessary, I would be content with one specialty roll, one piece of sashimi and maybe a small maki roll (like umeshiso or avocado). I am not very reasonable though....
The only negative experience at Ebisu, is when the check comes, and I do a double take before remembering how much I ordered.
I have tried just ordering take-out to avoid this problem but it doesn't really work since as soon as I look at the menu, I find myself rattling off half a dozen items. -
Review from Lisa M.
San Francisco, CA
4/18/2012
This place rocks!! The food is spectacular and is my favorite sushi place! Went again last night, the place was packed (so you know it's good), and they accommodated us right away. The crunchy roll and tokyo tower are my favorite rolls, and never disappoint!! Ken our server is AWESOME!!! He is so nice, right on, and knows his stuff when any question about the menu comes up!!! Way to go Ebisu, again a great meal!
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Review from Susanna P.
Sacramento, CA
4/6/2012
Service was good, very cute little restaurant though! I love how its dim and very warm inside, almost like a cabin. I ordered the Hanukah roll i believe, I wanted to try something different. The roll was good and very pretty the salmon roe ere huge! but the sad thing was..the sushi I wasn't able to enjoy it as much because the rolls kept falling apart :(. More rice than meat. enough said
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Review from Magdalena Z.
San Francisco, CA
3/3/2012
Great sushi and great customer service! I have been going there for years and it does get pricey, but the ambiance makes up for it. I love their sushi rolls, because they are definitely very creative and light on the rice. Also, I love their appetizers.
I highly recommend for a date night or more intimate setting, because the lines are long and seating is better accustomed for smaller groups.
Overall, I'm a fan! -
Review from Sonali A.
Palo Alto, CA
1/7/2012
Dont get me wrong, sushi here is good.
BUT, the manager who runs the wait list and seats people - middle-aged asian woman, her name is Yao - is somebdoy who lefts much to be desired. The wait here can easily be an hour or more on Friday/Sat nights, even for a party of two like ours. Yao the manager conveniently favors a person on the second page, about 10 down from the other people waiting to be seated and gets him and his date seated. On pointing that out to her by multiple people, she acts as though nothing happened.
Thats not where it ends. Half an hour later, she goes and conveniently, again, seats somebody (party of two, like us) whose name is right below ours. On pointing that out to her, all she can say is "sorry". Clearly there is favorism happening here, as well she is likely plain math/reading deficient to not be able to follow an order on a list.
With waits of more than an hour, and this kind of unexplainable activity happening around the wait list, I choose to take my business elsewhere unless this issue is resolved. -
Review from Cortland T.
San Francisco, CA
3/7/2012
Love getting lunch here on the weekends. Bento boxes are awesome. You will notice the little touches like wakame, spinach and sprouts.
They have seasonal items also which is worth a look.
Not really a fan of their sister restaurant Hotei across the street. Ebisu is a step above ;) -
Review from Irene L.
As I've gotten older, I've become increasingly open to eating raw seafood. Came to Ebisu one night with my fran, and he insisted that we get the sea urchin... uhm... not too open to THAT just yet (I didn't enjoy it but he did). However, I am a huge fan of Ebisu's sushi+sashimi. Everything was reallyyyy fresh, and even though I forgot the names of the rolls, they were all delicious. Service was good -- waitresses were friendly and food came out quickly.
Ebisu is probably the best Japanese restaurant in the city -- it's sort of small, but the exterior is really cute (and fitting for a Japanese establishment) & their sushi is phenomenal. -
Review from Alex N.
San Jose, CA
2/26/2012
I have to preface this review by saying I only had the live uni here and nothing else. That's right people, I came with the sole purpose of the live uni and nothing else. Eat with purpose!
I came here on a weekend for lunch with a friend and the place was empty which got me a little nervous but later on, I would be glad for the good fortune as the sushi chef gave us his undivided attention the entire time there.
My friend and I ordered just 1 order of the live uni. What was incredible is they take the live sea urchin and split it open right in front of you and put the hollow shell face down on a bed of ice. So while you eat it, you can watch the spines still moving! Great show and presentation.
What made this even more unique is when the chef put it in front of us, he apologized that the pieces were so small (I guess they were smaller than average? Honestly I couldn't tell) so he prepared another order on the house. Crazy good luck right?
Well it gets better as my friend and I were saying how the uni tasted so much differently than what we were used to, as it was just incredibly rich, buttery, and slightly sweet. I think the chef was so happy that we could taste the difference he pulled out a small box of already prepared uni and told us the uni in here is the lower quality kind they use for rolls and other pieces. He gave us 2 orders of this uni (on the house) simply because he wanted us to taste the difference between fresh/live/expensive and the boxed/cheaper uni. It was night and day difference as the boxed uni was slightly bitter, darker color and not sweet at all.
So in the end, my friend and I had 4 orders of uni for the price of one, an excellent time with the chef and knowledge of what's "good" uni. Again, I have no idea if the other food is good as we just had the live uni. But if the service and live uni is this amazing and excellent all the time, then they could serve pure garbage and I'd be just as stoked to come here. -
Review from Rob L.
San Francisco, CA
4/15/2012
Not sure why I should even write a review since there are so many of them but feel I must after reading all of the one star rating.
I have been going to Ebisu for well over ten years and while not every time was fabulous many times were. I have NEVER had a bad meal there and have eaten at 100's of sushi restaurants and many of them in the bay area. Ebisu is in the top 5 all time sushi places (NOBU and UBON don't count).
For the best experience sit at the sushi bar and give them a freehand with your meal (Omakase)...Awesome.
The only reason of the missing last star is the wait to get in can sometime take a while and they do not take reservations. Once you are in, the service is impeccable. -
Review from Tiff. K.
San Francisco, CA
4/9/2012 1 Check-in Here
My first time here and it was not bad at all! I came here with some friends and it was great! We ordered many different dishes of foods to share, and I had my first oyster shot and it was BOMB! I never thought it would taste good and Imo not exaggerating when I say its good because I'm a very picky eater and i dont usually eat raw oysters ! Their sushi rolls were great, and well made, they baked oysters were just as good, the hamachi (fish tail) was to die for as well, the meat would just melt in your mouth. Like most Japanese restaurants it is pricy, but the place is well worth it. Great service great food and nice place setting inside.
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Review from Ashley V.
San Francisco, CA
2/21/2012
It is just plain stupid how much I love this place.
Every time I have an out-of-towner coming to visit, I always make such grand plans to sample new restaurants (because, you know, SF only has ONE BILLION of them). I browse on Yelp for must-trys, make like 10 reservations, then await the fateful day. Then, when the time actually comes, I say, "Let's go to Ebisu!"
Seriously. What's wrong with me.
(No, but REALLY seriously, try this place. It's so good.) -
Review from Catherine C.
San Francisco, CA
3/29/2012
Bummer - I wanted to love this place and, meh? Not so much. I had four things: edamame, toro sashimi, house salad and a deluxe roll ('Behind the Green Door'). The toro sashimi was outstanding. The salad was with totally spoiled greens. The edamame was mealy. The roll had some unfresh fish. The service was snappy and everyone was nice. I might come back.
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Review from Erik L.
San Francisco, CA
2/8/2012
I came here for the first time today. The space was pleasant enough. My party of two was seated promptly. A nice waiter explained the different types of sake and we ordered a sampler.
The menu was much more pricey than most other sushi places. Regardless, I was looking forward to trying out this place and having a nice lunch.
While we were perusing the menu, another waiter came by and in a rude tone said to my partner, who was seated next to me, "Could you please move, this is a HUGE obstruction."
UNACCEPTABLE. We took our jackets and walked out of there. We ended up at Perilla, and had an enjoyable lunch there instead. -
Review from Trisha W.
El Dorado Hills, CA
11/28/2011
I was so disappointed and so disheartened that this place is busy over places so much more deserving, that I'm writing my second Yelp review ever.
First, the sushi is nothing special and overpriced. This was my first time coming to this place, and based on the wait and how busy it was inside, I was expecting it to be delicious. Nope. When my first roll came out, I couldn't believe how thin, soggy and wimpy it was. It was sad. My second was decent, but certainly nothing worth waiting for. I was with three other people, none of whom raved about their food either. I can name five other sushi joints within 3 miles with far better sushi, I just happened to be with someone who wanted to try this place. She was disappointed, too.
But, the biggest disappointment was not the food . . . it was the final impression. Not 5 minutes - - really, 5 minutes, I'm not joking - - after we settled our $90 something dollar bill, the hostess came to our table, where we were sipping on the last of our drinks and chatting, and ASKED US TO LEAVE because she needed the table, because there was a wait. Had we been lingering after dinner for 20 or 30 minutes, and after a few not so subtle hints to leave, had this occurred in a more friendly manner, I might have been cool with this. But, after 5 minutes!!!?? After leaving a sizable tip for a lackluster meal??? While we were still finishing our drinks???!!! This is unacceptable.
Having worked in the restaurant industry in my early 20s, it's obvious that this is absolutely one of those restaurants that pushes through people to just keep the tables turning. Normally these type of places just rush you through your food, but I've never actually been kicked out of my table.
Sushi bars are a dime a dozen in SF . . . This one, with its so-so, but nothing special food and outrageously disrespectful attitudes towards the customers that keep it in business, doesn't deserve to be in business.
I'm happy to go somewhere where I'm not treated like cattle and I can finish the drink I paid for. -
Review from Cherlyn P.
Manhattan, NY
4/5/2012
Not as good as we expected! :(
Went for a birthday celebration, but food just average only.
The service was OK. Midge hostess was rude, did not let you sat the area in the back of the store. I wonder why? I hate to sit in the walkway, in front of the front door.
What a 'mean' store! Should fired her!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The one in SFO is more reasonable, (same name only?) -
Review from Brian B.
San Francisco, CA
4/1/2012
The best value bento box I have ever eaten. For $15 it was a days worth of fresh and deliciuos food.
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Review from Giovanna C.
San Francisco, CA
Updated - 1/24/2012
Ok, so this place is still 5 stars.
Just have to stress how the employees here work like a well-oiled machine. A random hand cleared an empty plate from our table just as a nother hand was setting down a new one. Unlike other places where you can't even get your own waitress' attention, you will be helped by anyone who's around. The chef's are always fun to talk and joke with. This place should win an award for best customer service, and every employee should be employee of the month!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/14/2011
My usual sushi place closed down this year. I was very sad... the restaurant that opened up in it's… Read more »
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Review from Diane L.
3/7/2012 4 Check-ins Here
I think this is my favorite sushi place in the city. I always get the sake steamed clams with sake miso broth and the broth is sooo good. For the entree I ordered a Beef Teriyaki special that had to be this (Grilled 8oz New York steak w/ carrots, Yukon potatoes and brocolini) it was cooked to perfection. I also got the 49er roll, dexter carter roll, and my absolute favorite has to be the XXX roll (the chef's special creation). The sushi is always fresh and I think they always have good specials on their black board to chose from which I'll probably order from more next time. I also ordered some beer and sake as well. The service is great and so is the ambiance. It's just kinda pricey, so you'll probably end up spending $40-$50 each person, but of course it's worth it
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Review from Sharman G.
San Francisco, CA
3/22/2012
My all-time favorite spot for sushi, and I always ask to have my order prepared by master sushi chef Suzuki. Standbys: 49er roll, rainbow roll, seafood salad, dragon roll, spider handroll, hamachi and hamachi toro nigiri. You can also sit at the sushi bar and sample the day's specials or ask Suzuki to whip up something special just for you with whatever fish and/or special ingredients you like.
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Review from Jason H.
11/6/2011 2 Check-ins Here
4.0 Stars
My good friend and I stopped in to try Ebisu last Saturday night. We walked into a cozy restaurant with a nice newly remodeled interior. The place had an industrial/modern vibe and I was really enjoying the decor.
Ebisu offers a wide array of dishes. From hot/cold appetizers to bento combination boxes to barbequed skewers to sushi, their menu covers a good range of Japanese food.
Between the two of us we shared the following items:
Agedashi Tofu
*Fried tofu served in tempura broth served with negi, daikon, and ginger
*There was a light batter around the soft, silken tofu that got slightly soggy after sitting in the broth. I suggest eating this dish quickly when it comes out.
*I really enjoyed the broth that came with this appetizer.
Sukiyaki
*Japanese style iron pot with Kobe Beef, fishcake, tofu, carrots, napa cabbage, and glass noodles.
*Dish comes with a bowl of rice and miso soup on the side.
*This pot of sukiyaki is HUGE and there are plenty of ingredients inside. I would recommend splitting this between two people and ordering an appetizer and sushi roll on the side.
*The Kobe Beef was sliced thin and a little raw when the dish came out. If you like your beef a little more cooked you can leave it sitting in the hot broth a little longer.
*The broth in the sukiyaki was even better than the agedashi tofu broth!
Double Hamachi Roll
*Yellowtail, Scallion, and Tobiko
*Who doesn't love Hamachi? I have no complaints on the soft, butter texture of the fish so why not double up on something so tasty?
*The roll is fairly simple and still delicious.
XXX Roll
*This was the blackboard special roll of the day. You can select Chef's Special instead if you're extra adventurous and the chef will conjure up a mystery roll for you.
*Salmon Hamachi Roll in Avacado Poke.
*This roll was quite different with the poke sauce and was slightly spicy.
My friend and I probably over ordered a sushi roll and were definitely grabbing our stomachs by the end of the meal.
I really enjoyed my experience at Ebisu. The sushi was very fresh and the rolls were a decent size (not too big, not too small). There are plenty of things on the menu to choose from so there's something for everyone.
As a side note, I feel this restaurant is still intimate enough for a date spot with the nice decor and good food, however it can get a little loud inside especially since the tables are packed pretty close to one another.
== A MUST TRY! ==Listed in: A-List (North Bay)
