Exploring the Bay Area

Kamado Sushi Kamado Sushi is a moderately upscale Japanese restaurant in Berkeley.  I came because it was highly recommended by a friend who adores Japanese food and has tried many of the Japanese restaurants in the area, only to note that, although it is a bit expensive, this one stands out. Ultimately, I did not end up disagreeing; the food was top-quality; the environment was extremely pleasant, and the service was fantastic.    The restaurant embodies relaxation and elegance. It is a small and peaceful restaurant that features comforting instrumental music, big windows overlooking the Berkeley cityscape, and a Japanese aesthetic. You can choose to sit at one of the tables or at the bar, and either way, your dining experience will be amazing. The menu they bring to your table is extensive, covering many famous Japanese dishes like sushi, sashimi, sukiyaki, teriyaki, katsu, udon, soba, and more over several pages. They also have a drin...

Matsuyama Shabu House Walking around San Francisco's historic Japantown, I made a surprisingly delicious find: Matsuyama Shabu House. This small restaurant specializes in Shabu Shabu, the Japanese traditional hot pot dish. They honor and balance both Japanese culinary tradition and modern tastes. Walking in, you will see an elegant dining area decorated in comforting warm tones and wood paneling, a red marble counter that goes in a semicircle, and three wood table tan booths next to windows that overlook Japantown. Each seat has its own heating system for preparing the hot pot in front of you at your table. The windows overlook San Francisco, but it starts to feel as if you are in Japan. Matsuyama Shabu House offers some luxurious and expensive menu options but also an $18 weekday option that lets you sample this amazing restaurant for less.  I have now twice sampled the exciting $18 weekday option, which allows you to pick a base, some meat, and other hot pot components. I prefer ...