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Hime - CLOSED
Categories: Restaurants Sushi Bars Restaurants Japanese Sushi Bars, Japanese [Edit]
2353 Lombard St(between Pierce St & Scott St)
San Francisco, CA 94123
Neighborhood: Marina/Cow Hollow
(415) 931-7900
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
202 reviews for Hime
Review Highlights
"We had a mix of kobe beef lettuce cups, rolls and sashimi."
(in 13 reviews)
"O also don't forget to try the hamachi with jalapeno."
(in 14 reviews)
"Love their jalepeno sashimi and calamari."
(in 49 reviews)
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202 reviews in English
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Review from Roger W.
San Francisco, CA
4/28/2010
No comment about the food---just to say, if you call the number listed for the restaurant, someone answers and says "no, we're open!".
So, it doesn't seem they are closed.
I put in 4 stars because Yelp wanted something. -
Review from Nobu K.
San Francisco, CA
10/16/2007
It's Wagu, There is NO Bobe Beef in US, period.
It's a pathetic Japo Yuppy place.
Pathetic Japo Yuppy= Bananas.
What the FXXX with the Kobe beef shit ?
Is Kobe beef is THE MOST IMPORTANT BEEF?
Do you think that all people who lives in Kobe can get Kobe beef for free? Hell No!
I am from Kobe but I have never had it before.
Kobe beef is just another snobish, over spoild, too rich piece of crap for only the rich politician and Emperor family can affort.
FXXX the Shit.
I always hate the rich high society shit like Kobe beef.
Because I am a cheap and poor divorced man with 2 kids.
But one thing that I don't understand is that why Izaka-Ya has Kobe Beef to begin with.
Like the Motsu-Nikomi, this is organs stew Japanese way,
they use chicken, pork and beef organs,
this dish used be a most cheap dish, Motsu-no-Miso-Nikomi, it calls "Dote-Yaki" in Osaka, in Izaka-Ya in Japan.
But, this place uses Kobe beef for the stew, why?
It doesn't make any sense for Izaka-ya that I think it should be.
By the way, what the hell is Kobe style?
There is no style in Kobe, is it?
Kobe is the city has big Korean, Chinese and Okinawan people. I believe that they started Izaka-Ya in Kobe after WW-2.
So, Kobe style is pretty much mixed between Korean and Chinese, I guess.
Izaka-Ya type place should be great cheap place, for regular, ordinary people like me.
Not for snobish rich people.
Oh, Sorry, this is "Izakaya Style" in San Francisco, Not real Izaka-Ya, I forgot about that.
Izakaya become Yuppy place!
I hate yuppies!
I was with my great friends so we had a great time to make a fun of it.
We were 4 of us, a good looking black lady and her Scots-man friend and my Irish gf and myself. We were having too much fun and laughing so much so that the couple sat right next to us, they moved away from us to the other table.
We ordered most of the appetizer.
They came cold.
One star for the good booz.
One star for the parking.
The Food Sucks!
Another Hip YoYo FuFu Japo Fusion Shit!
I didn't like any of it!
I won't go back.
I still don't like the "Izaka-Ya style" places in the city.
Pseudo-Japo!
Hime goes to my Pseudo Japanese list.
http://www.yelp.com/li...Listed in: Pseudo Sushi, SUSHIT!, WORST SUSHI I'VE EVER HAD!, OKONOMI-YAKI
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Review from Toro E.
San Francisco, CA
10/4/2007 25 photos
Have you been back to Hime lately? They've made some significant changes - for the good - adding some very interesting authentic Japanese food items. When people asked me if there are any good Izakaya (drinking places with small dishes) in San Francisco, I kept naming South Bay Izakayas like Gochi (http://www.yelp.com/bi...) or Hoshi (http://www.yelp.com/bi...), but struggled to name quality places in the city. Now, I can proudly direct them to Hime.
I enjoyed the new dishes at Hime because the quality and execution reminded me of the popular restaurants found in modern day Tokyo, not Izakaya dishes from Showa Period (one generation ago). I understand that many people don't care about the quality of food at Izakaya, since the primary objective is drinking, but for me, I prefer places like Hime that uses quality ingredients with nice preparation. Unlike some places, they also don't artificially enlarge their menu items by including easy-to-make ("tenuki') frozen food items. Therefore, if you like Izakaya with pages of choices like Izakaya Mai (http://www.yelp.com/bi...) in San Mateo, you might be disappointed, but know that Hime is proud of all items listed on their menu. You can even go there just to eat their yakitori.
DECOR: Same as before - hip and cool. Sure, not the typical Izakaya atmosphere, but who can complain for the place looking so nice?
DISHES you should try:
Kobe Style Beef beef suji nikomi ($5)
Kobe Style Beef Croquette ($4)
Mentai Mochi Okonomiyaki ($9)
Seafood gyoza ($4.5)
Tukune w/poached egg ($3.5)
DRINKS: Draft Sapporo and Kirin Beer ($5). Pretty good sake list.
PRICE: Varies on what you get, but generally, prices are cheaper than old Hime.
A sample dinner for two:
$8.3 Suzuki Carpaccio
$5 Beef Suji nikomi
$4.5 Seafood gyoza
$9 Mentai Mochi Okonomiyaki
$3.5 Yakitori
$3.5 Tukune
$4 Beef Croquette
$2 Bowl of rice
$5 Kirin Beer
$5 Sapporo Beer
$11 Tip and taxes
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$61 Total for two people
PARKING: Free parking lot next to the restaurant. 6-8 spaces, so arrive early.
-----My Original Review----------
Going to Hime, a sleek Japanese restaurant that opened in the summer of 2006, it made me think about ranking of the best looking Japanese restaurants in SF I've been to so far.
1. Ozumo (http://www.yelp.com/bi...)
2. Hime
3. Bushi-Tei (http://www.yelp.com/bi...)
4. Chaya (http://www.yelp.com/bi...)
Hime means princess, pronounced 'Hee-meh', not 'Hyme' or 'High-Mee'. To a Japanese, the name is 'dasai'(not cool), and you won't find too many restaurants in Tokyo with such name --- perhaps cheap pub bar.
FOOD: As you might expect, when you eat at a sleek restaurant like Hime, you are paying for the decor, which means high prices for small portion sizes. There are occasions where you want the good atmosphere, so I don't hold this against them. Owner makes rounds to the tables taking about the greatness of his restaurant, that workers come in early in the morning and works until very late at night, that they buy a whole fish (like tuna) and process the fish themselves. To his credit, sashimi did taste fresh and tasty. However, I was not impressed with anything other than their raw fish. Spicy seafood teppanyaki ($12.80) was a joke. Jidori kushi yaki ($12.80) was average to poor. Black cod saikyomiso yaki ($21) was definitely not worth the price. Their rolls were o.k., but not that good.
SUMMARY:
Japanese people will likely avoid Hime, which is fine, because I don't think Hime is marketing their restaurant to serve the Japanese population. I give them above average rating because it's a good place for me to take a non-Japanese guest for them to try good quality sashimi. I would rather take people to Hime than one of those so-called-sushi restaurants popular for those creative American rolls. I do want to go back to Hime to try their Unagi (eel), which the owner claimed they cook themselves, which almost no Japanese restaurant in North America does.Listed in: Favorite Japanese Restaurants…, Okonomiyaki time!
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Review from Patra B.
3/28/2009 10 photos
It was one of those days where you just crave sushi. I scrolled through my bookmarks and landed upon Hime. We got there around 7:30, and the place was packed. There was a large party coming in, so we had to eat at the bar.....the alcohol bar....there's no sushi bar. Eating at the bar wasn't too bad. Our waitress was attentive, and helpful for recommending sushi.
Here's what we ordered:
-Hamachi Jalapeno Sashimi Style( http://static.px.yelp.... )
-Dynamite( http://static.px.yelp.... )
-Marina Roll and Yakuza Roll( http://static.px.yelp.... )
-Hime Roll( http://static.px.yelp.... )
All of the food was very good. The sashimi and sushi was very fresh. The Hamachi Jalapeno was yummy. The jalapenos were just perfect...not too spicy. The sauce on the Dynamite was nice and creamy....so goood! The Hime Roll did us in. We didn't know it would be that big, and we were stuffed! The beer and sake probably didn't help either.
Hime is a cute little restaurant with nice decor. I would recommend making reservations, especially for a Saturday night. Eating at the bar is definitely doable for a party of two. The best part about this place is that they have a parking lot. Free parking in SF!!!Listed in: SF Good Eats
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Review from Rayfil W.
San Francisco, CA
Updated - 9/29/2009 9 photos
Let me save Yelpers the trip. After receiving my ROTD,
I called Hime, Justin Lim was right, they are now closed.
I loved their toro and hamachi.
Now, ...
Transforming to "a global tapas bar"
I have been in the food industry as a food writer and worked for Culinary School. Another restaurant victim to lack of operation management.
Hint.
{Don't start a restaurant, start a food cart.
Make mistakes, but make them fast.
Customers are king. Listen to feedback.
Use social network for marketing. Build following,
find restaurant with value rent. Become destination.
Be remarkable. Remarkable = something worth talking about, try a 3 foot hot dog or a super big bowl of Pho}
Refer to: Ike's Place + San Tung, they have a long outside. Go to Santa Ramen, they have a cult following. Bad economy is just a lame excuse.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/10/2008 ROTD 9/29/2009
I am not shy to admit, I had a "food orgasm." After one bite of the semi fatty tuna, I had reached… Read more »
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Review from Mami T.
San Francisco, CA
9/15/2007
Complete makeover of menu! If you haven't been to Hime lately, check them out. You'll immediately notice the following:
1) Izakaya-style dishes (small tapas) - they are soooo yummy!
2) Lower prices - many izakaya dishes all around $3 - $8
3) Great service - this has always been the case
Now, it's the BEST Japanese Izakaya place in the SF city (that excludes south bay / peninsula). This place will save a 45-min drive to Gochi :-)
And PLEASE, don't go there only for sushi or rolls. Izakaya dishes, which also include raw fish items like tuna tartar and carpaccio, are what they are good at. The owner of Hime also owns Shabu-way, so their kobe beef items are excellent, as well as chicken. Okonomiyaki was done right also. If you are not familiar with their dishes, just ask the Japanese waitstaff for recommendations.
Per owner, he has always planned to redo the menu towards more authentic Izakaya Japanese after one year of opening. First year, he studied how non-Japanese (i.e. Marina crowd) react to Japanese food and incorporated their feedback to create this new menu that would satisfy both Americans and Japanese.
That one-year investment was a smart tactic. Oooo, I almost never wanted to post this review so this place will not become too popular... -
Review from Nish N.
1/19/2007
Eichii and his staff have created something special in Hime (pronounced he-may). You definitely forget that you just walked in off Lombard Street, that's for sure. The name, Japanese for princess, is a perfect one. The interior space is intimate and inviting, with its bamboo walls and warm colors. There is a side almost hidden bar towards the back, perfect for a drink before or after your meal.
You're in for a culinary adventure once you do sit down for dinner. The entire staff is gracious, and are more than ready to explain any of the dishes. Be warned, their enthusiasm is contagious! When I was there last week, we were entertained with a few fishing stories and some illuminating explanations about various sakes, but I'm getting ahead of myself.
The Japanese Garden is a fun way to start, as you'll try vegetables with textures and sauces unlike most you've ever experienced. From here, move onto some raw seafood: I was very pleased with the wild salmon as well as the farm-raised variation, the fresh unagi, and the blue fin tuna.
One small dish of special note is the Hirame Kobujime, which is fluke topped with a wasabi salt. The dish comes with the salted bones of the fluke - fried - and surprisingly tasty.
For big dishes, the Kobe style beef with yuzu pepper is like butter. I'm serious, it'll melt in your mouth if you let it. I found the transition from fish to beef natural and complementary, once again kudos to the kitchen.
Hime's sake selection is impeccable - my advise is to let your server guide you with some selections. Being a fan of True Sake in Hayes Valley, I'm still amazed by the flavors and complexities that sake offers.
I suppose the overall style of cuisine would be classified as Japanese fusion. I'll just consider it really damn good food that's fit for a princess.
P.S. Thanks Eichii, for bringing sexy back to the Marina. -
Review from Connie C.
San Jose, CA
11/29/2006 3 photos
From the same owner of Shabuway in San Mateo, this 4-month new Japanese restaurant in the Marina is sleek and stylish and has a cool vibe. The location is probably not ideal for a hip restaurant like this --- you might miss it because it's situated between IHOP and some motels on Lombard. I had dinner here with Raoul, who was able to get reservations on Opentable fairly easily. We were greeted by a sharply dressed host and got seated near the back bar. The space is modern and furnished with espresso and rosewood tables and chairs. The lighting and music creates a sexy loungey mood, but it can get a little loud.
Our server was really friendly and informative, pointing out the different varieties of unagi and maguro on the menu and suggesting what we should try. I ordered the baked black cod in saikyo miso sauce, which was incredibly fluffy but a bit too salty to eat without rice. The presentation of the dish was wonderful, with great attention to detail to all the garnishes. We also had the dragon roll which was very good. The best part of the meal was the Chocolate Chocolate dessert, which I regret not getting an order to myself. The chocolate mousse was heavenly and the scoop of chocolate ice cream on the side was a perfect combination --- not too rich or sweet. We also ordered the homemade milk Panna Cotta, which was silky smooth with a mound of tiny bits of mango on top. It was also good, but the Chocolate Chocolate was the absolute favorite of the both of us. Too good to share, really.
The menu is a little on the pricey side, but you do pay for the ambiance and quality of food. Try to go with a group of friends and order several rolls and hot and cold dishes to share.Listed in: For the Sweet Tooth, Bay Area Japanese Restaurants
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Review from Liz T.
11/9/2008
Sushi is incredibly fun in the company of people with little chopstick skills. My former roommate in London came to visit on Friday night, and I had a smashing time here watching her destroy every creation just by picking it up. Haha. (Just kidding, Betsy!)
We began with the Spicy Tuna on Crispy Rice ($7). SO OISHII ("delicious" in Japanese--indeed, it was so mouthwatering that I had to say it in the native tongue of the food). The spicy tuna was off-color but on par with the best I've had, and the crispy rice provided a pleasant contrast in texture. I could've eaten all of this by myself (and I did), after offering my friend... one. Haha.
We then split the Dynamite Roll ($10.95) and the Yokuzuna Roll ($14.50). The Dynamite Roll had bits of scallop and shrimp, which I always welcome. It was solid and not overpowering--I absolutely hate it when sushi is drowned in eel sauce, spicy sauce, or god forbid--kewpie mayonnaise--and I can't taste the rice. The rice is key! The Yokuzuna Roll was even better--it blew up the Dynamite Roll. There was a boatload of softshell crab AND crabmeat AND eel. I felt like the captain in this seafood paradise. Although on the expensive side, this roll is huge--I dare say you're getting your money's worth in the Marina.
I also had the Mango Sake, which was sweet and not strong--just the way I like it when I don't want to fend off the Asian glow. This was a perfect substitute for dessert as well. Now that I have to eat more to keep warm for the Winter and exercise less to keep up with school, I enjoy avoiding dessert when possible.
This is a cool restaurant with cute servers and something for everything. You'll need to bring your chopsticks skills, though, because the sushi is big and they don't hold well--alternatively you can just eat edamame all night. I'll definitely return. -
Review from Josie M.
San Francisco, CA
3/18/2008
Hi Hi Me!
Service was almost non-existent. (although they are very nice)
Sushi was not very fresh (fishy taste).
No snacky items in the bento box. (like pickled cucumbers)
Goodbye Hi Me!
I prolly not come back-y. -
Review from Wakako U.
San Francisco, CA
8/4/2006
First off, its pronounced, he (like helium) and me (like melanchonly). Its not hyme or jaime in Spanish.
Hime took over the big space once occupied by Market Cafe on Lombard. There's a parking lot here which is a great plus.
The interior is beautiful. Black lacquered tables with red accent in a spacious face. My favorite part of the restaurant is the hidden cocktail/sushi bar in the very back of the restaurant...key word being hidden, rather then sushi.
On the left side of the menu are appetizers and cooked foods, to the right side of the menu is list of nigiri and rolls.
Generally, everything here is too tasty and I can't eat it without muting the taste with rice. We ordered all the small plates and shared which I think is the best way to go so you can have a little bit of everything.
Kobe beef lettuce cups - its so heavily flavored with soy sauce and loads of ginger that it's hard to taste what you are eating. What's the point or purpose of using kobe beef if you can't taste it?
salmon on top of avocado mouse - the avocado was a grayish color. looks very unappetizing though it was fresh and tasted good. the salmon also sits on top of alfalfa sprouts. why alfalfa spourts. it doesn't enhance the taste of the salmon and it looks ugly. salmon is small and soaked in teriyaki sauce
tuna tartare - waitress mixes sauce with the tartare and chopped up avocados. this is served with fried taro chips and lotus root chips. I liked this dish alot, not so much b/c of the tartare, but i liked the lotus root chips.
vegetable tempura moriawase - tempura batter light and two of pumpkin, satsumaimo, asparagus, lots root, avocado, brocolli. avocado tempura is neat, but what happened to the carrot? the lotus root had flour stuck in all the holes! strike out.
sea bass with daikon in broth - the daikon was good. for this dish and the salmon dish, the order of creation goes daikon, alfafa sprouts, then fish. gets boring when you see the same thing twice. daikon was delicious.
hamachi with jalapeno peppers - ohhh what nobu has started. this was good.
they have four types of japanese beer on draft. for that you get an extra star. food wise, taste is not subtle enough and easy to figure out. left nothing for the imagination. -
Review from Jen D.
5/15/2008
Ok. Aside from Sozai, I'm really not down with this whole San Francisco twist on Japanese Izakayas. And Hime is just another one that sucks.
Everything about this place was just BLAH. The food was not impressive AT ALL. The decor was VERY boring. The coolest thing about this whole place was the bathroom. How sad is that?
I was really excited to come here. Especially since Eugy had never been. But it was a big let down.
One thing I will say is that the service was GREAT. Everyone was really nice and nothing was forgotten. -
Review from Yelper A.
San Francisco, CA
1/17/2007
I was treated to a nice dinner here recently with a pretty fun group and I have to say that any of the sashimi dishes were by far the best items to try on the menu.
Service - EXCELLENT! Everyone here seemed to be so incredibly happy to cater to your every whim - not something that happens as much as it should in the Marina. Sad, but true.
It was pretty fun to see people also here at other tables that I haven't seen in ages - I just love when that happens.... -
Review from Lisa A.
Decatur, GA
9/24/2006
Went here last night and had a really nice time. Place was pretty cool, even a bit sexy. Service was flawless and I was pretty impressed with the sake list. Sushi was good, b-friend really enjoyed the jalapeno yellow tail. I had the chefs special beef and it was amazing. It was served with three kinds of dipping salts. It was a bit expensive, but worth every penny.
I think you should check this place out when you get a chance. Would be great for a large party or group. Nice addition to the neighborhood. -
Review from Morgan H.
San Francisco, CA
2/17/2008
A bunch of us went here last night after walking back from a wine event at Fort Mason.
The space itself it actually quite nice - has some modern asian slant to it that is very inviting and warm.
We sat down and ordered a ton of rolls, sake, beer you name it and we kept it coming. While I can't remember exactly what rolls we ordered I do know that I enjoyed pretty much all of them. Miso soup was just OK though I remember that. Bonus for parking in the back.
3.5 Stars -- I need to go back when I haven't been drinking all day. -
Review from Jessica L.
San Mateo, CA
9/21/2008
eh. An extra star because they have a FREE PARKING LOT.
I didn't love this place. Nothing tasted terrible but I didn't love ANYTHING I tried there.
Our best dish was the:
hamachi jalapeno cold appetizer
others:
Dynamite -the baked scallop w/spicy sauce and mushrooms was ONE scallop. And the mushrooms had a bad consistency
Ninja roll (tuna, crab, green onion) - boring, not very yummy
Th rest of our group got other rolls and nigiri - they liked it all.
I just downed a bunch of lovely unfiltered sake.
I did think the ambiance and look of the place was very cool. I think I would come back for one more try and order different things.
4 people = $120 -
Review from Liz S.
1/10/2009
Great place to enjoy Japanese food with a group, especially if not everyone likes it raw. Not nearly as fancy as the website pictures suggest, which is a good thing. Yes, they have their own parking, but those spots get filled up quickly so be prepared to do some eagle-eye scouting.
Our group of 8 tried a variety of things, some better than others, but overall everyone was happy with the food and service. We ordered way too much, so you get the advantage of our opinions and gluttony.
Order:
Spicy Scallops on Crispy Rice - highly recommend - moist scallops on top of a flattened arancini-type cake, spicy mayo, jalapeno.
Calamari Japanese Style - has a little kick, hearty but not too heavy
Seafood Gyoza - good but hard to share
Seafood Okonomiaki - part of the fun is watching the bonito flakes wave at you as they set down the plate. Different. Good.
Organic Green Salad - simple greens, but the yuzu dressing makes it special.
Rolls: Lobster, Heaven, Geisha, Samurai, Ninja, Yokozuna, Marina
Skip:
Tuna Tartare - as it says on the menu, this is ground tuna, not the gem-like cubes that I prefer. Consistency is more like cat food than fish, so order something else
Kobe Style Beef Croquettes - I was expecting more of a beefy taste with these beef balls. All I tasted was potato, which to me is a waste of the kobe. Somewhat bland.
Rolls: Kobe
Also, reasonably priced. All of this with drinks came out to about $50pp, with all of us leaving with very full bellies and a reasonable buzz. If you like Izakaya-style eating, this is the best you will probably get in SF.Listed in: Moshi, Moshi
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Review from Jamie C.
San Francisco, CA
12/27/2006
So the space looks great, but that's where it ends. I sat there for 10 minutes and finally had to ask someone if I had a waitress because I wanted to order drinks. I had the ask for everything twice, and stack the dishes for the waitress and tell her to take them away... I've had better service at King of Thai.
The food was ok, we had an edamame dip that wasn't so great. It took over half an hour for the kobe beef appetizer to come out and it was too spicy (and I'm half Thai!). The rest of the food was good, but nothing stood out, probably because I was still tasting the kobe beef. The best thing that I had all night was the Hana apple sake, because it tastes like apple juice.
I would steer clear of this place, go to Tsunami or Ozumo instead. -
Review from Stewart A.
San Francisco, CA
1/20/2007
I have to agree with Toro Eater. I was most surprised by how good the sushi is since there isn't a sushi bar. Four of us went to town on the menu, though, and the whole meal was really good.
They had run out of uni, which is my benchmark. But the Blue Fin Toro was just dandy. We really enjoyed the hamachi sashimi, the cruncy asparagus roll, and the kobe style beef lettuce cups. Really interesting drink list and a couple of good wines.
It cost us a bundle ($60 each before the tip), but I'm willing to return and might be a regular since I live in The Presidio. -
Review from Amy J.
Alameda, CA
8/31/2006
The sushi was very decent and the presentations were all quite stunning- they have a nice selection of appetizers, hot and cold dishes, loads of beverages, sturdy chairs, lovely lighting and well thought out acoustics.
In fact, I can highly recommend this place for group dining- not always so easy with a sushi menu. We dined with 10 people and it was very pleasant- including the service detail where they parted out the one whole check into subtotaled sections based on the way we ordered- GENIUS! I can only hope this becomes a restaurant trend...
The miso marinated cod was the definitely the flavor highlight from where I was sitting and sampling. I also enjoyed the hamachi with jalapeno peppers- subtle, beautiful. Kobe beef and spicy tuna are unusual taste partners and I'm glad I tried it. -
Review from Jess C.
12/18/2008 6 photos
It's 6:30pm on a Friday and Hime is deserted. Am I in Sacramento?!
Recently I've been to a bunch of sushi restaurants, of which some of them have impressed me in both quality and price. How Hime compares...
Appetizers: Small, didn't really like the spicy tuna on crispy rice because it tasted like the rice stuck at the bottom of my crappy rice cooker.
Rolls: Pretty. Pretty pricey. Innovative. Not as tasty or affordable as Kabuto. Actually on par with Tataki.
Sashimi: YUM. Very fresh.
Dessert: Meh. Just added another $15 to the bill... crap. -
Review from Halle T.
San Francisco, CA
3/22/2009
in a city filled with superb sushi joints, hime just can't compete. Relative to the options, it's just mediocre.
I ate here with a group of 8 friends on a Friday night. The place was sadly only half full, a bad sign for a place in the city with free parking.
highlights included the lobster roll, the jalapeno/tuna sashimi, and unfiltered sake. mishaps were the tuna tar tar (it was cooked!?) and the mojito (really rum and lemonade in disguise). to top things off, they didn't have mochi.
Nothing compelled me to want to eat here again. -
Review from Gregg T.
San Francisco, CA
3/17/2008
This is a good Japanese Izakaya in San Francisco. Too bad they have to serve sushi just to cater to clueless Americans. Just FYI, the way your are supposed to enjoy Hime, go with 4 + friends, order lots of small dishes from the menu that are NOT sushi and share them like tapas. If you do that you'll love this place. It's delicious.
Let me repeat that: THE POINT OF AN IZAKAYA IS TO ORDER FAMILY STYLE AND SHARE!!!
I'm not saying the sushi is bad but that's not the point.If this restaurant was in Japan there would be no sushi. It's only there because Americans wouldn't understand a Japanese restaurant without sushi.
I'm happy I found this place. Now I have 2 places to go in the city for real washoku. -
Review from marcus o.
San Francisco, CA
4/17/2008
Hello fellow Yelpers, so you're doing your due diligence and reading reviews on HIme, huh....... When was the last time you went to a restaurant for dinner with 3 friends and were told that they are out of plates and out of cups? Never? Don't Remember?
In either case, thats what happened the weekend of April 12th. It all went downhill when we were seated late in the beginning, then were shuffled with excuses to extend the wait. We weren't expecting much, thats why we kinda just stood around talking too each other about life and shit, and also about why it was taking so long to get seated. Long story short, by the time we were seated it was already late, they ran out of plates, ran out of cups, they asked us if they could re-use the cups when they messed up on the drink orders--- shit was just getting ridiculous kid you feel me?
Anywho, just one of those nights where you know the experience was high class garbage, not pissed off or mad just gotta let it be known to everyone that dinner was not good. We laughed and talked smack about the place during dinner of course, because that's what we do best. You should come here though, if your review of the place was off the hook. In the end, when the ordeal was over the manager gave all of us 10% off dinner coupons, that could only be used during the weekdays. What a great guy, we one upped him though and did the greater thing and left the 10% coupons on the table for the waiters to use next time..... -
Review from Diane S.
San Francisco, CA
7/21/2007
Ok, so I'd really say 3.5 stars but as we all know, I can't...I enjoyed everything I had here...but nothing was really spectacular.
Here's the run-down...
Kobe lettuce cups: tasty but it could have been any beef or even chicken for that matter...somehow the fact that it was kobe beef wasn't really spotlighted by this dish...
Seaweed salad: delish and large- and it was all for me- perfect :)
Nigiri: we had salmon, tuna, and eel- all were tasty- nothing out of the norm...
Rolls: we had a heaven roll- tuna, spicy tuna and a jalapeno...tasty. then we had a rainbow roll- which tasted good but actually was a little too big- I mean, I get stressed a bit when the roll isn't easy to eat in one bite.
Custard dessert: pleasantly better than I expected- it had a semi creme brulee thing going on but was softer and also had some extra caramel-y stuff...yum...
The service was great, the place didn't seem too packed at 9pm on a Friday- and we arrived early for our reservation and were seated shortly after we arrived, which was nice. The decor of this place was very pretty-- I liked the interior a lot.
Would I go back? Maybe, but with all the sushi options in this city, maybe not soon... -
Review from Scott K.
Manhattan Beach, CA
10/4/2006
The sushi here is AMAZING, the people couldn't be nicer.
Nozomi was our waitress and I think my friend fell in love with her. She was very nice an very helpful.
I'm going to be back here and I'm very happy that there is finally a GREAT sushi restaurant in the Marine. It's a big place too and has parking out back. I hope that more people find this gold nugget, it was almost empty when I went. Word should travel fast though after you try the HIME roll. -
Review from Michael O.
Atlanta, GA
6/9/2007
Not a fan!!!
Server comes over...very nervous? We order Sake...almost 10 minutes later it arrives. As she pours it table side, she proceeds to completely miss the glass and pour it on my wife's coach wallet. Niiiiccceee. It's okay right? Accidents happen.
So, we wait another 10 minutes to order. Where the hell did she go??? I order the Ankimo cold app and the rainbow roll - my wife orders the dragon roll and a spin off of the traditional spicy tuna.
While appreciate the creativity of the chef, he completely masked the flavor of the ankimo by what tasted like a cross between gazpacho and brushetta that he served with the dish. It didn't taste bad but was too much...I wanted to taste the ankimo.
About 10 minutes later, my wife's 2 rolls arrive. Mine you ask? No idea? I patiently wait and it never comes. As I look around for my shy and shaky server, she is standing in front of the line flirting with a guest for well over 5 minutes. I said screw it and didn't even bring it up. I tried one of my wife's rolls...good flavor but the rice was very dense and too sticky.
The only star this place gets is for it's bar area which is the back and has a cool vibe. It's a shame I won't be back! -
Review from Arick R.
San Francisco, CA
6/24/2007
Food - Ridiculous. Awesome. More ridiculousness. Because it was THAT good. I ordered and tried a LOT of dishes so I can with all honesty say my review is based on a wide variety. Hotate was buttery and smooth with the most awesome sweetness. Uni (which I'm scared of normally) was silky, fresh, and delicious. Kobe style beef (ordered rare) was perfect; the meat was rich, tasty, and pefectly cooked. Blue fin tuna was very good, not ultra special, but tastier than regular maguro and the texture was noticeable better. The Copper River wild Salmon sashimi might have been the highlight of the night. That first bite is so refreshing to taste Salmon on a whole new level. I think that their rolls are just good, not super exceptional, but they were solid. The prices are high, but the ingredients are top notch.
Why the 4 stars and not 5? The service was quite paltry. We did have a large party, but that doesn't mean service should suffer... in fact it should make the waitress work harder to earn that automatic 18%. The drinks were relatively strong and tasty. I appreciated the subtle creativity.
The ambience and setup was great. I enjoy that modern trendy look.
I would definitely come back. Great date place also in my opinion. -
Review from Seaweed F.
San Francisco, CA
4/22/2007
I'm gonna follow in Derek's footstep and write as a formal server here. All the sushi are fresh, I assure they have the best quality in town. If you're on a budget, go for the rolls. They're affordable and make you full.
I would definitely ask about the Chef's Specials. They change them bi-weekly, and you will definitely find something you will like.
For the food from the kitchen, most of it more fusion or "Californian" than authentic Japanese food. Hamachi jalapeno and Kobe style lettuce cup seems to be everyone's favorite and I can see why. The Kobe style beef steak is heaven. If you like munching, I'd get the crunchy asparagus, eggplant seafood dengaku, which is eggplant, shrimp and scallop in a eggplant bowl topped with miso (not just any kind of miso, but saikyo-miso).
The drinks, I'd stick with beer and the wide variety of sake than the mixed drinks. Although, "shiso horny" is something very unique to HIME and very tasty. And yes, the tables are too small for all the food and drinks. We always had trouble arranging them, but I think we do pretty well fitting them.
The valet parking makes no sense to me, and I've heard a lot of people complaining, especially when they market themselves as a restaurant with a parking lot.
I'd give it a 5-star if I hadn't worked here and were a yuppie who could afford all these things. -
Review from Katie F.
Fremont, CA
1/7/2007
We came here yesterday for a friend's birthday and had a great time! The set menu and free parking made this restaurant well suited to accommodate all 20 of us.
Everyone shared an 8 course meal that included miso soup, hamachi sashimi, asparagus spring rolls, fried tofu with spinach (really good), cooked fish, california rolls, beef wrapped in lettuce,.and toriniku (chicken) on skewers.
In general, the food was really good, some was a bit messy probably not the best place to take a date, and the chicken was sort of fatty.
The restaurant itself has a fun feel to it, and does a relatively decent job of being an izakaya which is a popular restaurant in Japan where friends gather around big tables to eat, share, appetizers and drink after work, I think this restaurant is an excellent choice for friends or coworkers who want to do the same sort of thing in the US! Party on! -
Review from Erin R.
San Francisco, CA
8/31/2007
The bathrooms at Hime are more clean, sensual, and relaxing than many of the spas I've been to. Dimmed lights, warmly-colored walls, hypnotizingly ornate etched glass, rustic copper fixtures, dreamlike music, bamboo shoot walls and zen rock displays? I wouldn't mind throwing down a straw mat and taking a seat right then and there in that bathroom to enjoy my sushi.
That said, the restaurant is pretty atmospheric itself. Definitely a good place to impress out of town guests. Also good for friends that are looking for a little more flare than tatami rooms and sushi boats but also want to be guaranteed a satisfying meal.. I've had a much better time and much better service at Hime with small groups of 2-6 rather than large ones of 8-10.
The presentation of the dishes at Hime is beautiful (sometimes they even set glow sticks below dishes presented on ice -- this may sound cheesy but I promise once you see it, you'll appreciate it). Last time I was there I tried the tuna avocado dip with sweet potato chips and it was deliciously intriguing. The kobe beef rolls are interesting too. Also take advantage of Hime's extensive sake menu. Often times they have tasting flights so that you can try 3 different sakes for only $10 and really get a feel for the nuances that rice wine can achieve.
Hime also has its own, be it small, parking lot. They also used to have smooth rocks to rest your chopsticks on when they first opened but that much-appreciated detail seems to have fallen to the wayside. :( -
Review from Yoko S.
San Francisco, CA
4/29/2008
Food - 3. Hime is known as a fusion Japanese restaurant, and their deco is a typical moder-japanese-cuisine-in the city. They have also traditional Japanese dishes as well and it was good. Overall, it is not too impressive as there are too many fusion Japanese in the city, but not disappointng.
Service - 2. As some other yelpers wrote, we were waited for 15 mins even we made a resevation, and we seated at a really small table. It was not that long wait, and not too small table though, I think they have to improve operation during weekend. -
Review from Renae C.
Redwood City, CA
5/16/2007
The fish they use for the sushi is A++++. It's hard to find a sushi place that serves high quality sushi and masters rolling it perfectly.
I love this place very much and recommend it to anyone who is really in to sushiListed in: Top Restaurants
-
Review from Staci C.
San Francisco, CA
12/21/2006
Tried but didn't quite get it..... in everything from ambiance to food. But it's still new and could tweak the details to make it more attractive.
The interior reminds me of the jazz era in Shanghai with soft orange lighting, lanterns and understated yet colorful decor. The restaurant is a bit puzzling as you come to a dead halt at the host desk when you walk through the entrance. The layout is horizontal, which means you don't have the usual open view of the dining area or the bar like most others.
We ordered some apps at the bar, tucked away in the back of the restaurant, and the portions were surprisingly generous (huge compared to other "trendy" Japanese places) but the execution wasn't quite there. The server mixed the tuna tartare right in front of you, but the end result was mushy and textureless. The kobe beef with lettuce cups lost the appeal because the beef was over cooked. The jalapeno hamachi, however, was fresh and I enjoyed every bite of it.
The pluses: Parking (!!!!! in the Marina!!!!), friendly staff and the civil atmosphere and noise level (no need to yell at your dining companion to have a conversation). -
Review from Eric W.
San Francisco, CA
4/12/2009
I booked a birthday dinner for 14 for for roommate here and was overall very impressed.
All the dishes were great (I was especially a fan of their monkfish liver) and the service was well coordinated for our gang.
They even put together sake bombs for us even though it wasn't on the menu. Overall fantastic quality, nice venue and friendly service - I will definitely be back!
This would be a five star review if the food cost 20% less. -
Review from Jason A.
San Bruno, CA
1/4/2007
Great location and excellent layout/decor with their own PARKING lot, but the food was extremely disappointing. When you pay the prices that Hime charges, you should expect the very best and that didn't hold true. The only 2 things that we enjoyed were the Kobe Beef Steak (clean tasting as it should and not over seasoned!) and the Green Tea Ice Cream Dessert ( Vanilla Ice Cream with Green Tea reduction poured on top and around). Sashimi was on the upper tier of what you can find in SF.
The laundry list of dishes that you should pass on and the reason behind it:
*Spicy Seafood Teppanya- Tasted like seafood that was pan fried with too much spicy miso paste. I needed water after this dish.
*Mixed Tempura- It came out so soggy that I told the server to take it back. Their excuse was in Japan they keep the inside moist and the outside crunchy?
*Crunchy Asparagus- One bite and the asparagus shoots out of the fried wrapper!
*Creme Brulee dessert- noting special and the top wasn't burnt enough, so it was kinda soft and a little granulated.
*Service- I don't like questioning when I have a complaint about a dish and they forgot to give us our left overs.
Like most new restaurants, they must be trying new dishes, servers and chefs. I hope they can find a working formula because I really want to like this place. -
Review from Danielle v.
San Francisco, CA
1/22/2007
Friday night- Busy not overly packed. Really enjoyed the Toro and Avo app. The rolls were great, and the choc. mousse impressive.
Service was good, but nothing absolutely spectacular. -
Review from Katie Anne N.
San Francisco, CA
3/10/2007
$10 for valet? What's the point of having a parking lot if you are going to gouge your customers for every single penny that they have?
The sushi is fantastic, but it is expensive. I had 2 rolls (a shrimp tempura and a Philadelphia, the two most normal rolls) and 2 drinks and put down $50 for a group of 4. That is a lot in my book.
Their cocktails can use some work.
I'd go again. If I wasn't planning on drinking or if I got a big raise. -
Review from Michael S.
San Francisco, CA
7/29/2007 1 photo
I've been to this sushi place twice and on this second visit was underwhelmed.
First the good, the nigori was excellent, I love unfiltered sake, delicious. The seaweed salad was decent as well as the miso soup -- not to salty just the way I like it. I enjoyed the tempura hamachi roll, and the the kobe beef was pretty solid if you're in the mood for cow. I also appreciate the hello and good bye from the chefs. I just like the cheesiness get over it :).
Now the not so good. The menu had stains on them, the paper they were printed on was also somewhat bent, come on guys you can print out a fresh supply everyday if you want to look your best. The sushi came out in a mishmash of combos, so one person at our table didn't eat until the end. There could easily be a better system here. Create one roll from each unique persons order then repeat until done. The python code would look like this:
while (!food_order.is_complete()) :
items_to_cook = food_order.get_one_item_per_person();
sushi = sushi_chef.create(items_to_cook)
server.delivery(sushi)
The bathroom was solid. I like the candles and mirror as you come out of the bathroom. That part of the restaurants has what the other part of the main interior lacks which is intimacy. This place is not a quite intimate spot. It's better for groups of 6 - 8 that aren't worried about getting laid tonight. Also, the other algorithm missing from this place is that they never remembered which person ordered which dish/drink/app etc.. So they would come over with a beer and have no idea which seat position ordered. This could easily be fixed by having the server record the seat position with each item ordered so the delivery would be smoother. Eh what do I know I'm just a programmer :).
All in all I like this place for big groups. I would come back here just not in a rush and not for a date. -
Review from Earlene C.
East Bay, CA
7/10/2008
Four stars for... ambiance, friendly service, creative dishes and the FEMALE sushi chef!
I've never seen a chick behind the sushi bar. She is my new hero!
My bf took me here for his celebratory bonus dinner :) He promised me the best hamachi in town!
How did Hime match up to our standards? I say not too shabby. We ordered two rolls with Hamachi, the Jennifer Roll and the Geisha Roll.
Jennifer was melt in your mouth divine! Geisha however was ook. I didn't like that the hamachi was grilled. Bring it to me raw!!
We also had the Tuna Tartare. Let me say that was the best chips and dip I've ever had!
Overall, Hime was good... I take away one star because it didn't completely blow my mind. The decor from the dining room to the bathroom was impressive though!
Another plus....they have a parking lot! and...its free!
I think I'd come back :)
