Umi

4.0 star rating
321 reviews Rating Details

Categories: Japanese, Sushi Bars  [Edit]

1328 18th St
(between Missouri St & Texas St)
San Francisco, CA 94107
Neighborhood: Potrero Hill
(415) 355-1328
Hours:

Mon-Fri 11:30 am - 2 pm

Tue-Thu 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm

Fri 5:30 pm - 10 pm

Sat 5 pm - 10 pm

Sun 5 pm - 9:30 pm

Attire:
Casual
Accepts Credit Cards:
Yes
Parking:
Street
Price Range:
$$
Good for Groups:
No
Good for Kids:
No
Takes Reservations:
Yes
Delivery:
No
Take-out:
Yes
Waiter Service:
Yes
Outdoor Seating:
Yes
Wi-Fi:
No
Good For:
Dinner
Alcohol:
Beer & Wine Only
Noise Level:
Average
Ambience:
Casual, Intimate
Has TV:
No
Caters:
No
Wheelchair Accessible:
No
Yelp Ad ANZU
3.0 star rating
271 reviews
About This Business:

Located on the second level of Hotel Nikko off Union Square, we offer an innovative California Cuisine with Asian influences.  Critically acclaimed chef…   read more »

Review Highlights   

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"Yummy food, fresh fish, wonderful service." (in 32 reviews)
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"We next moved to the beef negi maki." (in 8 reviews)
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"They also have some great small plates on the menu." (in 23 reviews)
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321 reviews in English

  • Review from Reggie A.

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    • 6 friends
    • 42 reviews

    San Francisco, CA

    5.0 star rating
    1/6/2012

    I am so happy this place moved into my neighborhood!

    The fish is so fresh!!  They have daily menu that highlights the fish that just came in that day.  Most of it is fish you have never even herd of!  I have had a lot of sushi in my short life and it's hard to impress me but Umi has done it!

    Have a drink at Blooms and walk next door for one of the best sushi experiences in SF!

  • Review from Petri y.

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    • 15 friends
    • 167 reviews

    San Francisco, CA

    4.0 star rating
    1/18/2012

    Really fresh and tasty nigiri and sushi overall.

    Sorta a wierd neighborhood, dark and no parking, but that is most areas in SF.

    I am always down to find a "good nigiri" only place aka no JIVE ASS rolls according to nobu k! This place really doesnt do much of that and the highlight of the menu are its unique fishes flown in daily from japan.

    All of the fish was buttery and melt in your mouth. I wish the sushi rice had a tad bit more vinegar in it but it was good.

    Good fish to rice ratio. I think the chef is japanese.

    Nigiri between $3-12.50, and fresh uni from japan is only $12!

    a good to go place for fresh sushi and authentic japanese nigiri in the city.
    Not cheap, but not super expensive, I had 2 handrolls and 2 nigir orders, miso = $25. If you want cheap sushi go to ichiraku on Geary made by taiwanese--yuck!

  • Review from Yann K.

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    • 3 friends
    • 7 reviews

    San Francisco, CA

    4.0 star rating
    12/21/2011

    Super friendly staff.
    Potrero at his best. I was so glad when this place opened.

    My recommendation is to try the Bento Boxes at lunch. This is cheap, healthy, tasty food.

    Don't follow their twitter account unless you want to risk random raw fish envy.

  • Review from trustmeonthis t.

    •  
    • 2 friends
    • 107 reviews

    Alameda, CA

    5.0 star rating
    1/31/2012

    YUMMY is all I have to say for this place. Not just great bang for your buck but the customer service is excellent. We have always had a great experience and great food when coming here. ENJOY

  • Review from Andrew K.

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    • 504 friends
    • 2457 reviews

    San Francisco, CA

    5.0 star rating
    1/12/2012

    Special spot. Really fresh and delicious sushi, nice space with great art and cute outdoor patio, eggplant dish rocked my world. Find out if they have toro. It's not necessarily on the menu, but it's like butter how it melts in your mouth!

  • Review from Blake B.

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    • 0 friends
    • 8 reviews

    Yountville, CA

    5.0 star rating
    1/27/2012

    The BEST japanese restaurant I have ever eaten at.

    What can I say other than.... everything I have had here is good. Even food I don't like generally... I love here. The atmosphere is great, food is amazing, sake is ridiculous, and service is phenomenal. I have been here on several occasion and still have yet to try anything I don't like. I trust them so much I literally hand the manager the menu and tell them to keep the food coming. Great get away as it is intimate for a date, but also really relaxed and casual for a group of friends. The space is small so hurry up and make a reservation!

    Conclusion: If you are a local and want a truly great experience with amazing food... check it out... if you are a tourist.... put this as your restaurant to visit while your in the area. Only thing I do not recommend is checking out their website if your stuck at work and hungry; they keep a live twitter feed of all the fresh products coming into the restaurant daily and it will tease you!

  • Review from Julia S.

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    • 3 friends
    • 5 reviews

    San Francisco, CA

    5.0 star rating
    1/22/2012

    The best sushi I've had in SF. Delicious, melt in your mouth buttery sashimi with a daily menu that varies and always features new interesting fish. Amazing appetizers, excellent, friendly service in a laid back, unpretentious but comfortable setting, and fantastic sake list. Highly recommended!

  • Review from Erin C.

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    • 38 friends
    • 49 reviews

    San Francisco, CA

    4.0 star rating
    1/6/2012 1 Check-in Here

    I can always rely on Umi for a yummy 49er roll - my favourite. Miso is good as well as the service. Great atmosphere for a quiet dinner and especially in the outdoor seating area. On a cold night, they will turn on the heater and put the curtain down to keep it insulated and warm. :)

  • Review from Emily H.

    •  
    • 14 friends
    • 63 reviews

    San Francisco, CA

    3.0 star rating
    11/7/2011

    I love love love the fact that their fish is sustainable, locally sourced and of high quality. I like that they have a limited menu, as I am a more of a purist when it comes to sushi; I really don't like places that have a million rolls to choose from, each with only a slightly different ingredient list than the last.

    As much as I love everything about Umi, I just really didn't think they delivered! Half the fish I received was relatively flavorless and kind of bland.

    We got: Sashimi Deluxe, King Salmon Nigiri, Spider Roll, 2 miso soups, miso marinated black cod, negimaguro and spicy scallop.

    I was so surprised to taste the Copper River King salmon that they had...compared it to the regular sake nigiri we ordered and the latter was more flavorful, creamy and salmon-y. I compared it to the King Salmon that I had at Zushi Puzzle and it was definitely the same either. The mango chutney in the Spider Roll over powered EVERYTHING. And for $13 I expected more than 5 pieces! It was a tiny roll. The miso soup there is really good, but I judge a Japanese restaurant for effing up miso.

    An extra star for the staff, though. Super friendly and oh-so-nice. I wish I liked it more because I live kitty corner and would love to nom on sushi all nights of the week...

    Edit: I think I figured it out. The sushi rice has absolutely no flavoring. No vinegar, no sweetness to bring out the flavor of the fish. Is that it? Is that why this place is so bland?

  • Review from Joe P.

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    • 3 friends
    • 7 reviews

    San Jose, CA

    5.0 star rating
    1/11/2012

    My favorite place for sushi in the city. Fish flewn in from japan daily along with an amazing staff and a great atmosphere makes this place a regular stop and the only place for sushi for us.

  • Review from Lauren R.

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    • 3 friends
    • 5 reviews

    San Francisco, CA

    5.0 star rating
    11/30/2011

    I was running an errand in a foreign area of the city late on a Sunday when a serious craving for sushi struck and Yelp lead me to Umi.  Due to the impulsive nature of the excursion, the underwhelming exterior of the restaurant, and the sleepy residential location, my expectations were virtually non-existent.

    As soon as we stepped foot through the door, my attitude completely shifted.  The ambiance was welcoming yet trendy.   Captivating textural art adorned the walls, relaxing electronic music was played in the background and our waiter was one of the most cheerful people I've ever met.   I don't know if it was his cornrows or the completely genuine smile that came across his face when he described the Shamus roll as "smashing", but we trusted him and ordered it along with the Potrero roll, sashimi sampler and miso soup.

    Their dedication to serving high-quality, local and sustainable fish was evident in the sashimi.  Everything was so fresh and delectable. I've never tried butterfish before, but it practically melted in my mouth.  The rolls were more expensive than I am used to but worth it for the size and overall quality.   It wont be long before I head back for the delicious food and great service.

  • Review from Stephanie Y.

    San Francisco, CA

    5.0 star rating
    11/4/2011 1 Check-in Here

    Just delicious, fresh fish here. I was really surprised that the place wasn't packed on a Friday night, but I called ahead anyways to reserve a table of 5. They fly their fish from Japan daily.
    We started off with beef wrapped asparagus and enoki mushrooms, grilled hamachi jaw with a side salad, and went onto all the different fish they had fresh that day. I ate to my heart's content and loved every bite.

  • Review from Cheerio A.

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    • 12 friends
    • 23 reviews

    El Paso, TX

    4.0 star rating
    11/28/2011 1 Check-in Here

    First time dining here, And left full and satisfied. Our server was attentive, but not annoying. I order the spices scallop roll. The portions were very generous. Shamus roll was good. Pratero roll was sooooo good!
    I recommend this place.

  • Review from Thomas W.

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    • 6 friends
    • 73 reviews

    San Jose, CA

    5.0 star rating
    10/26/2011

    This place is very nice. Definitely the fanciest sushi I've had in my life. Also, it's reasonably cute, and parking is straightforward.

    It is also very expensive. If you're looking for really good high-end sushi and money is not an object, Umi is an excellent choice. Just don't be surprised when you end up paying $60 for dinner.

  • Review from Jenny L.

    San Francisco, CA

    4.0 star rating
    9/24/2011

    It's no wonder the restaurant is named for a taste of the "ocean" because the fish is fresh.  Highlights include the fatty binchy toro, mouth watering taste of uni, tender and gigantic portions of hamachi kama, smooth texture of grilled butterfish, warm beef negi maki wrapped around pungent scallions, freshly grated wasabi root, and dry sake in a blue bottle.  

    Service is friendly and helpful.  The ambiance is casual and comfortable even though the decor starts off with walking into a limited kitchen and then dining in a simple, clean area.  Parking is tough on the street.

  • Review from Kevin J.

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    • 654 friends
    • 431 reviews

    San Francisco, CA

    3.0 star rating
    9/21/2011 1 Check-in Here

    Good fresh fish and sushi rolls.  The prices are a bit steep but you're paying for the fact that you're not surrounded by hundreds of other diners who want quick in-n-out meals.  Umi was meant to be an experience.

    I wasn't impressed with the wait.  I must have stood at the door for 10 mins before I was greeted with a "hello" and another 10 mins before we were seated.  Not much was asked "Inside or out?" and 20mins later we got to sit.  Other than that small incident the food was good and came out in an appropriate manner.

    I would go back so check it out for yourself.

  • Review from Ronnie R.

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    • 0 friends
    • 4 reviews

    San Francisco, CA

    5.0 star rating
    12/31/2011

    Excellently fresh seafood and fish, warm and friendly service, good variety of daily sashimi, simple and tasty makes, the BEST sake selection in SF and Seamus is awesome.

  • Review from Siao W.

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    • 17 friends
    • 81 reviews

    San Francisco, CA

    2.0 star rating
    10/8/2011

    Bringing out small dishes I didn't order and charging me for them annoys me. It left a bad taste in my mouth and probably ruined my experience at this place.
        The agedashi tofu was good. Good crispy texture on the outside. The tofu itself was fluffy and delicious.
        The sashimi were all fresh and delicious. Great texture and flavor. However, having to ask for the miso soup that was included in our meal didn't make me happy.
        Unlike the fish, the sushi rice sucked. The texture was terrible, there was no vinegar, no flavor, and no skill.
        I probably would have given this place a higher rating, but I hate getting ripped off.

    Was this review …?

    Comment from Russell R. of Umi 10/16/2011   
    That would annoy me too.  We'd never charge a customer for… More »
  • Review from Heather N.

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    • 2 friends
    • 3 reviews

    San Jose, CA

    5.0 star rating
    9/18/2011

    Umi sushi has to be the best sushi place that i have ever been too. Everyone there is so nice and definitely know what they are talking about when it comes to their food.

    I highly recommend the fresh washbi to everyone that goes there..

  • Review from Izzy C.

    •  
    • 17 friends
    • 32 reviews

    San Francisco, CA

    5.0 star rating
    8/20/2011 5 Check-ins Here

    Summary: Umi is our go-to sushi place--for the super-fresh fish, thoughtful sake list, and the amazing team behind it.

    WHAT'S TO LOVE

    Fresh, sustainable fish.  Less is more is the motto here.  The owners are like curators who bring you a fine selection of the market's best every night.  They keep the menu small, focusing instead on the quality of each item.

    Simple sushi--sashimi, nigiri, hand-rolls.  When you have fish that good, you keep it simple and let the fish speak for itself.  If you appreciate sushi that's authentic and simple, you would love Umi.

    Great sake and beer.  If you're into sake (and I'm not talking about Nigori or hot sake!), talk to Shamus--he's behind their awesome sake list.  

    Fresh wasabi.  They now have fresh wasabi root on their menu--woo-hoo!

    AVOIDING DISAPPOINTMENT

    If the following is important for you, I suggest you either reconsider what makes for good sushi or find another place more suitable to your taste.

    Lots of "flavorful" crazy rolls.  Sure, Umi has its share of Caterpillars and Fire Dragons.  But if that's all you care for, there are cheaper places with more selections, and stronger sauces & flavors to masquerade their lesser fish.

    All your favorite fish.  Since they "curate" a small selection of what's best that day, they don't always have all the usual suspects.  Don't get me wrong--I have my favs too.  But if I know I'm in a mood where I just must have certain things, whether it's Uni or Hamachi, I go somewhere where I know they will have it in stock.  When I come to Umi, I come with an open mind and leave my choices in the owners' good hands.

    Hot sake and nigori is your only definition of good sake.  Not trying to be a snob here--when I'm with the right crowd in the right mood, I can enjoy a good cup of hot, cheap sake or sugary nigori too!  But honestly, I don't come to Umi in those moods and with those crowds (actually, I did once to rather disastrous results!).  You'd appreciate Umi a lot more if you have one or two favorite Junmai Ginjos or Honjozos, and look forward to discovering new ones.

  • Review from Torsten J.

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    • 11 friends
    • 18 reviews

    Palo Alto, CA

    1.0 star rating
    10/9/2011

    I was hoping it will make a good lunch place when reading all these good reviews. I was wrong.

    I order Lunch B - the Miso soup was rather odd tasting, no rice was served, strange. The salad was rather bland. Then came the chicken Katsu - made with eggs. I never had that before and inquired with the server. He mentioned this was teh 'traditional' way. I had about 100 times chicken katsu all over the world incl. Japan and seemingly never encountered the 'traditional way'. As I'm allergic against eggs I was requesting to get a replacement without eggs. To my astonishment our server came back and said "NO'. I could order a new dish or eat what was in front of me.

    Worst service in a US restaurant I ever had...

    Was this review …?

    Comment from Russell R. of Umi 10/14/2011   
    We have never carried chicken katsu.  The mini lunch B comes… More »
  • Review from Alissa A.

    San Francisco, CA

    4.0 star rating
    7/27/2011 3 Check-ins Here

    Umi is where it's at - you just didn't know that because there isn't a line down the block and isn't that the beauty of it?

    A neighborhood spot that does fresh, varied and sustainable at an appetizing price point.

    The key is Simplicity. Less is more. If you want to pay for a piece of contemporary edible art, go elsewhere. The dishes are beautiful by emphasizing the fish (and some knife skills).

    To start, they have a unique selection of beers and sake. Follow that with the crisp yet tender cucumber salad. A pleasant surprise.
    Both local and Japanese fish are filleted for the ever changing menu. I'd always recommend trying some of the specials (weekly fish) with at least one small (hot) plate - the cod, hamachi collar and butterfish will all melt in your mouth.
    Dessert is no fuss, poached pear or green tea ice cream I believe. Take it or leave it - that's not why you go here.

    Service is low key but always friendly. The decor is minimalist but includes a rotating selection of eclectic colorful art pieces. When you need more fresh air, opt to sit in the covered patio.

    Easily one of my favorite sushi spots in the city.

    Reservations are made through their own website but on most weeknights you could probably just walk in.

  • Review from Angela E.

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    • 22 friends
    • 17 reviews

    Oakland, CA

    5.0 star rating
    12/6/2011

    Umi is my absolute favorite sushi place..well, so far. I'm a bit of a sushi slut & do intend to keep scoping the scene.
    I've tried a lot of other places in that hood & across SF & Oakland & I repeat, Umi is definitely my favorite.

    I should summarize whats important to me in a sushi place so you can judge whether or not to listen to me babble.
    Fresh, sustainable, simple, & classic.
    Umi definitely has all those traits! Not to mention I like the pop art & subtle electronic music.
    They've got a great sake selection with your basic (yet tasty!) house hot sake for an average price which i forget, plus a wide range of other choices if you feel the need to get a fancy buzz on.
    The menu is very simple with a lot of Japanese specials. Their fish is flown in daily. Sometimes they run out of things, which to me is a good sign...but its a sad day when they've run out of a toro special. Oh how my tongue cries for the fatty belly when I miss out!
    I can't seem to stray from the habit of ordering the nigiri deluxe. I've rarely been anything less than HIGH off the wonderful selection, which always flows in a great order.
    I can almost rebound off the toro special if I happen to miss out & they have the fatty sardine belly.
    They don't have a bunch of jive ass rolls with one ingredient different than 5 others but definitely have the classics & some good specialty rolls. I like the Shamus (one of the owner's names, who also serves food & is super chill) and the Potrero Roll...haven't had a bad or boring roll there yet.

    This place can get a bit expensive for a basic dinner if you're like me and don't edit your damn self. I'm stuck on the aforementioned daily nigiri special and that's only about 7 pieces...so I always end up sharing a roll or two, plus a hot sake or two.....and the toro special, if I can get there in time, which isn't on the nigiri sampler, so I HAVE to order it....but a less expensive dinner can be had there & I highly recommend trying this spot if you're a sushi lover.

  • Review from Inga W.

    San Francisco, CA

    3.0 star rating
    11/22/2011

    Cute place, very casual inside and not much decor or ambiance, laid back service, a bit too laid back and inattentive but they don't rush you out the door.  The food was good, fresh, nice quality but nothing too special.  The portions are very small and the prices a bit high.  I like small portions but I was hungry after my lunch and I can't imagine how my two lunch companions felt considering they were both guys.  There are better places on 18th.

  • Review from Rose R.

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    • 17 friends
    • 12 reviews

    San Francisco, CA

    5.0 star rating
    10/4/2011

    I love the variety of fish from Umi and the service is wonderful. We go into Umi about twice a month and order takeout once a week and they are ALWAYS consistent with friendliness, timeliness, and awesomeness.

    Since we occasionally order takeout for the startup, I especially appreciate their takeout process since the website is very helpful in tracking our orders since it's hard to write down what 6-10 people want. Most of the time the order is ready in less than 15 minutes and they've never forgotten anything.

    I should also mention that they know their sushi and it's always fresh, in season, and delicious. Great place.

  • Review from Max H.

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    • 0 friends
    • 11 reviews

    San Francisco, CA

    4.0 star rating
    12/10/2011

    The sushi was amazing.  Everything here is really good.  And the seating/ambience in the back was awesome.  

    Expensive, but that's how good sushi rolls... Ba dum tish!

  • Review from MIndy R.

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    • 0 friends
    • 13 reviews

    Santa Barbara, CA

    5.0 star rating
    12/11/2011

    Fantastic fresh, creative rolls.  Superb flavor.  One of the best sushi restaurants I've ever been to.  Everything was good.  Even the octopus in the sunomono.

  • Review from Andy S.

    San Francisco, CA

    4.0 star rating
    8/18/2011 2 Check-ins Here

    Since a co-worker discovered and referred me to Umi a couple of months ago, it has very rapidly become one of my favorite 2 or 3 sushi places in San Francisco (alongside Kiss Seafood).  We had a few take out lunches at my office, and then visited for dinner with friends a couple of weeks ago. Prices are not cheap but in line with my expectations for quality sushi in the Bay Area. All in all, an outstanding experience.

    Umi specializes in extremely fresh, sustainable fish, and the quality is apparent in your first bites.  Freshly ground wasabi as an option always makes me smile- not a fan of the green clay version.  They have outstanding nigiri (my personal preference) as well as a few rolls and some creative and taste non-sushi items.  We had a tonkatsu wrapped asparagus and a great poke dish. Additionally, the fish selection goes well beyond the few 'standards' you see at all sushi places.  When we visited, they had interesting selections such as golden snapper (kinmedai) which is relatively uncommon in the US.  My only disappointment, which is splitting hairs, is they had no toro when we visited...

    All in all, I strongly recommend Umi, and feel that it compares favorably or better than nearly every sushi place in San Francisco, and I have visited many of them!  Give it a try and you will not be disappointed!

  • Review from Elaine C.

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    • 27 friends
    • 61 reviews

    San Francisco, CA

    4.0 star rating
    7/24/2011 2 Check-ins Here

    Overall, incredibly fresh food, great service, warm and relaxed atmosphere, and reasonable price for the quality of food you're getting.

    My friend and I ordered the following for dinner:

    - Nigiri sampler: Very fresh variety of fish and wagyu beef. Sounds like the sampler used to include 8 pieces, but now it's just 7 for $22.

    - Hamachi kama: Sizable portions of yellowtail cheek grilled to a tasty, buttery, crispy perfection. Mmmm...

    - Dragon roll: A decent and tasty roll. Don't expect a huge roll like you might find at a more trendy or chain restaurant (i.e. Sushi Rock).

    - Local albacore sashim: Delicious, tender, and fresh.

    I will definitely be back to try more items from the menu!

  • Review from Christine A.

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    • 10 friends
    • 56 reviews

    Daly City, CA

    4.0 star rating
    7/10/2011

    I was in the mood to try sushi at a new place.  I went with my boyfriend yesterday just as it opened up for dinner last night (Saturday).

    Things that were awesome:
    ++ Delicious specials.  I particularly enjoyed the asparagus and enoki mushrooms rolled in grilled beef.
    ++ Ume sushi dishes (umekyuu, umeshisho) were fantastic.  It didn't taste like they squeezed it out of a purple plastic tube from Nijiya.
    ++ Friendly, attentive service with meals that came out in a reasonable time.  Granted, we were one of maybe 4 tables that were seated and we came early.
    ++ Excellent sake selection.  Thanks to this place Shichi Hon Yari is my new best friend.

    Things that were not so awesome:
    --  Parking.  We got lucky and found a spot on Texas right before 18th street.  It's pretty sad when even the cops can't find parking areas.
    --  Pricey.  Not that the food wasn't good or the sake wasn't tasty, but the price range seemed random.

    Keep in mind that I have some terrible seafood allergies.  I managed to eat and drink very well without any tell tale allergic reaction signs.  Read other reviews if you need to know anything about the sashimi or fish.

    Overall, I like this place a lot.  I know have a reason to start exploring this little area off of 280.  Damn you Yelp for making me discover MORE places to make my wallet bulimic.  No I'm kidding I love you guys, but my wallet loathes you.

  • Review from Ren L.

    Daly City, CA

    4.0 star rating
    7/11/2011 2 Check-ins Here

    I was here the other night for dinner and had to try a new place.  I haven't dined in the Potrero district before, but after coming to Umi, I should come here more often.

    I like their take on fresh and unique fish that is brought over to the US from various places.  I tried the butterfish and the baby hamachi nigiri, and was relatively impressed.  The presentation and the service were definitely a plus, though I assume it's because we were relatively early on a Saturday night.

    Overall, I liked it, and plan on coming here (when I need to blow off cash, of course).

  • Review from Archie R.

    San Francisco, CA

    4.0 star rating
    4/19/2011

    Is it sad that I gauge my age by who I recognize (or do not recognize) in US magazine?

    2001 - I know everyone except for the random aging woman on the last page.

    2011 - I don't know anyone except for that random aging woman that is on the last page (sorry Britney).

    Shit.  I am getting old.

    With age comes paranoia I suppose since, for no good reason, I have been avoiding sushi.

    Until, that is, I had a quick chat with my mother.

    Mom: Where you two going to dinner tonight?
    Archie: I wanted sushi but I don't think that's a good idea.
    Mom: Don't be an idiot, it's safe.
    Archie: Fair enough.

    So off to Umi we went.

    I love places that have 75% of the tables empty yet insist on checking their reservation list to make sure they have room.  On a Tuesday.

    Overall it was pretty good.  The clear winner though was the teriyaki wrapped scallions.  

    The plain green salad was a must miss.

    Well worth a visit.  

    Expiration.

  • Review from Edward P.

    •  
    • 8 friends
    • 86 reviews

    San Francisco, CA

    5.0 star rating
    Updated - 8/3/2011

    Umi is my favorite in the city.

    From the staff, who are fantastic, to the amazing fresh fish that I believe cannot be beaten in the city.

    One comment that people make is that cabs can be a challenge. Use http://nextmuni.com and practically drops you at the door.  The 22 runs along 18th and connects with the 19 and 3rd Street light rail, makes getting to Umi very easy.

    Try the Sardines, the best!

    Was this review …?

    1 Previous Review: Show all »

    • 5.0 star rating
      2/8/2011

      Excellent and nice space, very easy parking.

      Sashimi is superb and rolls equally as good.

      To say they… Read more »

  • Review from Dana C.

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    • 6 friends
    • 24 reviews

    San Francisco, CA

    4.0 star rating
    8/26/2011 1 Check-in Here

    I like to go here because I easily find parking and the food and atmosphere is good.

    I prefer to get their special dishes rather than their sushi, but it is also good.

    It's a dark restaurant that gives a very intimate, relaxed atmosphere.
    I like that about Umi!

  • Review from D P.

    •  
    • 0 friends
    • 7 reviews

    San Francisco, CA

    5.0 star rating
    12/31/2011

    living on Potrero, my wife and I have been here many times, the sushi is always very fresh and service good.  It is a pretty basic approach but they do it well.

  • Review from Joshua B.

    Seattle, WA

    4.0 star rating
    3/23/2011 1 Check-in Here

    Excellent sushi, good service, some original items on the menu - what's not too like?

    I'm pretty spoiled living up in Seattle - we have several truly excellent sushi places where the chefs take sushi to the next level (to use an overused phrase). So I have high standard, and Umi lived up to them.

    I just popped in for a quick lunch before a meeting and had a great experience. I was seated quickly, the lunch special was reasonably priced ($12, including miso) and everything was tasty and fresh.

    When you eat a lot of sushi (which I do) you can always tell the difference between the places that just take whatever fish is offered to them by suppliers and the places that care enough to select the best, freshest cuts. Even a single day makes a big difference in flavor. Umi got all the balance of the nigiri right too - just the right amount of fish/rice/wasabi. The tekka maki rolls were nice too, although not blow-me-away nice.

    Anyhoo, highly recommended.

  • Review from Oksana T.

    •  
    • 226 friends
    • 402 reviews

    San Francisco, CA

    5.0 star rating
    9/20/2011 1 Check-in Here

    Very fresh sushi. Great service.

  • Review from Kat F.

    •  
    • 0 friends
    • 3 reviews

    San Francisco, CA

    5.0 star rating
    12/23/2011

    Delicious fresh sushi in a cozy friendly place. Highly recommend!

  • Review from Ann L.

    •  
    • 36 friends
    • 22 reviews

    San Francisco, CA

    4.0 star rating
    10/23/2011 1 Check-in Here

    Great little spot with a patio area. Fresh fish all the time and their entrees are pretty decent.

  • Review from Q W.

    •  
    • 127 friends
    • 85 reviews

    San Francisco, CA

    4.0 star rating
    10/5/2011

    had a very good experience here. came here for dinner and this place does get packed, but we didnt have to wait that long. waited for 5 minutes and was seated in the dinning area (there is a patio also), it was a chilly night, so we didnt want to sit in the patio.
    The food was good for the price you're paying for. 11-13 dollars for rolls and 10-20 dollars for sashimi is not bad. We ordered 4 rolls and a plate of sashimi, which came to a total of around 80 dollars, not bad at all.
    I will be back!

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