SAN FRANCISCO

Great Sake. Great Food.

When served with food, sake tends to play a supportive role, bringing out the subtle flavors of the cuisine rather than drawing attention to itself. Possessing much less acidity than wines, sake creates nuances of complementarity, rather than the bold contrasts of flavor and texture frequently found in wine and food pairings.

Having evolved in tandem with Japanese cuisine for 1500 years, sake is a peerless companion to seafood dishes prepared in simple ways. In recent years many chefs have explored its versatility within other culinary styles, notably California Regional Cuisine, with its similar emphasis on fresh ingredients and natural flavors.

The restaurants listed below distinguish themselves not only by their outstanding cuisine, but also by their appreciation of the luster that fine sakes can add to a meal. The dishes they have prepared for The Joy of Sake show how great sake and great food work together.

Participating Restaurants

Betelnut
(415) 929-8855
2030 Union Street
San Francisco
www.betelnutrestaurant.com

The menu takes its inspiration from Southeast Asian street food, the decor is Fu Manchu, and somehow sake fits right in.

Grasshopper
(510) 595-3557
6317 College Avenue
Oakland

A delicious menu of Asian-inspired small plates featuring fresh seasonal ingredients from chef Donald Dellis.

Hana
(707) 586-0270
101 Golf Course Drive
Rohnert Park

Using only the freshest fish available and fresh local produce from the Wine Country, owner-chef Ken Tominaga prepares sushi and seasonal sidedishes for his enthusiastic Sonoma clientelle.

Hog Island Oyster Company
(415) 391-7117
1 Ferry Building Plaza
San Francisco
www.hogislandoysters.com

Sparkling fresh local oysters from the famous beds
ten miles north of Pt. Reyes.

Kiku of Tokyo
(415) 441-5458
330 O'Farrell Street
San Francisco

Authentically delicious Japanese cooking and a superior sake list
make for a first-rate sake-sipping venue.

Kirala
(510) 549-3486
2100 Ward Street (Berkeley)

Popular Berkeley hang-out is packed every night with an exuberant crowd of sake enthusiasts gathered around the combination sushi and robata bar.

Kyo-ya
(415) 546-5090
2 New Montgomery Street
San Francisco

One of the West Coast’s finest traditional Japanese restaurants, under the direction of chef, Kuni Oshikawa

Medicine Eat-Station
(415) 677-4405
161 Sutter Street
San Francisco
www.medicinerestaurant.com

Delectable vegetarian fare, featuring the subtle flavors and textures of temple cooking.

Memphis Minnie's
(415) 864-7675,
576 Haight Street
San Francisco
www.memphisminnies.com

A half dozen sakes complement what many believe to be the Bay Area's best slow-cooked barbecue.

Ozumo
(415) 882-1333
161 Steuart Street

One of the liveliest sake scenes in the U.S. New labels are introduced regularly, with patrons either sipping at the bar or admiring San Francisco Bay from the sleek dining area.

Poleng Lounge
(415) 441-1751
1751 Fulton Street
San Francisco
www.polenglounge.com

Street foods from across Asia with a creative twist.

Roy's
(415) 777-0277
101 2nd Street Suite 100

Roy's house label and a half-dozen imported sakes complement the vibrant Euro-Asian Cuisine of chef Ty Mahler.

Sanraku
(415) 771-0803
704 Sutter Street
San Francisco
www.sanraku.com

Consistently delicious, frequently surprising: an upbeat take on traditional Japanese favorites.

Sushi Ran
(415) 332-3620
107 Caledonia Street
Sausalito
www.sushiran.com

Consistently ranked one of the Bay Area's top three sushi spots, featuring highly original appetizer selections and an outstanding selection of sakes (as well as 200 wines).

The Dining Room at Ritz-Carlton
(415) 773-6168
600 Stockton Street
San Francisco

Modern French cuisine with a Japanese influence, masterfully
prepared by chef Ron Siegel.

Tsunami
(415) 567-7664
1306 Fulton Street
San Francisco

Late-night sushi spot featuring over sixty sakes, with many by the glass.

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