Nihon Whisky Lounge
- Hours:
Tue-Sat 5:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m. - Price Range: $$$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: No
- Takes Reservations: Yes
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: No
- Good for: Dinner, Late Night
- Music: DJ
- Best Nights: Thu, Fri, Sat
- Happy Hour: Yes
- Alcohol: Full Bar
- Smoking: No
- Coat Check: No
73 reviews
Neighborhood: SOMA
"I celebrated my 25th bday here by having the whole place rented out for a private event. It was seriously a pleasant surprise. My gf was…" read more »
406 Reviews for Nihon Whisky Lounge
Didn't have any of the drinks so all I can comment on is the food...which was not great but also not bad either. The service was however really good so the combination of ok food and great service gives this place a 3-star.
If I had to sum it up in one word... I guess "meh" would do it.
The whiskey of course is not bad and what a selection... but the food... the food is what brings this place down. Maybe it was an off night? Maybe the chef had a crisis? Maybe his/her wife left him for another man? Who knows? I am holding on to the maybes as much as possible for this review. And hey if I go there again, I will totally attempt to up my rating of this place. I wanna like it really.
Sadly, I just can't give it more than 3 stars. The food... I hate being bitchy, but I'm sorry for that price I want good sushi and Japanese-fusion cuisine! It was so not happening. The ingredients are way off and not as fresh as I was hoping. It all tasted... almost bland. My man, a budding alcoholic who put his whiskey at the top of his list, was extremely disconcerted. He had such high hopes, I mean who wouldn't who loved their whiskey? It really is a dream to find a place that serves excellent whiskey and food. All those high hopes of his came toppling down as soon as the food came to our table. I think I may have even caught a tiny tear trickle down his cheek as we were leaving.
I guess Nihon is a lot like being in love with the idea of a person rather than the person themselves. Seriously.
I'd say, go there for the atmosphere and the bar, but for the food... save your $$ and go somewhere else.
Love Nihon...
I usually go here for happy hour and appetize the afternoon away with the hamachi stuffed shitake, a nihon salad, Yamato, and the calamari (which is cooked in lemon juice on a bed of wasabi). yum. Been here serveral times for dinner. on the pricier side with wine or sake, but worth every penny. The also have a seafood stew that comes molten hot, and is wonderful, but that one dish will fill you so i rarely order it. Good though...
They have an amazing whiskey collection. i took my former guitarist here (who owned the building across the street and they were practice studios throughout the 90's called Planet X). He owns a house around the corner on shotwell and had never been here. He was so impressed that he was dumbfounded he had never walked in. He'll be back too...
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I like this place, low key and mellow. Completely hidden gem.
It's right next to Chez Spencer which is great too, a great start or end to dinner there.
The happy hour is a great deal, good eats and mixed drinks will get ya...
The service was good, no drama and nice pretty people. :)
I cannot comment much on the food because I was too drunk at the end of the night. The menu has the most expensive (5 digits) whiskey I have ever seen. However, this is also the one and only whiskey bar I have been to. I went with my girlfriend and her husband. He seems to attract gay people wherever we go. People will mistake my girlfriend and I as a lesbian couple and her hubby as our friend. It was a very entertaining night; there were many well dress gay couples. They were busy checking out my girlfriend's hubby. We played along by pretending we are a lesbian couple so the hubby can get more attention. Evil.. but fun.
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Been here a couple of times - typical trendy San Francisco. It seems like a solid spot for an afterwork cocktail with the crew... saw a lot of button down collared shirt boys less their neckties.
We had the cucumber seaweed salad (fresh), kobe beef (beef - good, I wasnt so sure what the suspicious companion of the beef was, but it was edible) and their also shared the 1974 roll - which was tasty with a suprising spice kick to it.
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Love the bar area - a upscale vibe with a generous selection of great whiskies. The bartenders are knowledgeable and friendly as well. As the name suggests, you can find some very good Japanese whiskies here. Try the Yamazaki 18-year old and discover that Japan makes whisky good enough to be considered Scotch (apologies to my ancestors, but it's true).
You can order sushi here, but you're really at an establishment that serves food alongside its drinks, not vice versa. I'd stick with the whisky and then look for better sushi joints in the Mission.
They're definitely bringing sexy back at Nihon. My bf and I went out to Nihon with a good friend of ours in SF and her man; when we said it was in the Mission they looked at us like we were crazy. But as soon as we stepped inside all their fears were brushed aside. The low tables, lounge-y vibe, and warm lighting all come together in an atmosphere that is warm, luxe, modern, and overall sexy.
To be honest even though I know that we had dinner and drinks there I couldn't tell you exactly what we had. Precisely because I got so blitzed off of Apple Jacks and some lychee drinks I imbibed that I can only remember the first 30 minutes and bits and pieces of the rest of the night. I do remember laughing a lot with my friend, eating, drinking, and chatting with people at a table next to us. My friend is a whiskey connoisseur, girl can drink most guys under a table with Johnny Walker blue, and she did say that their different whiskies were quite tasty.
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I'm not a fan of whiskey nor have I ever had dinner here....but this is a nice place to hang out with friends and to have a few drinks. I definitely like the atmosphere....not too loud but yet not too quiet. Very friendly cliental....that or they only came out to bum a cigarette off of me. Also do be careful of the heavy door....my toe almost came off once....when the door hit my toe. ...ouchie. I might come back to try dinner here. My favorite drink here is the champagne with the lychee.
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How many times did I go to Rainbow Grocery and had a peek inside...?
Well, finally I entered the door....
The selection of whiskeys is utterly disarming. I managed to taste two or three japanese ones and I have been totally impressed by their depth. It's not the list though that makes this place interesting. There is a sort of comfortable feel to it. Maybe the warm dark wood, maybe the spiffy architectural design of the space...I don't know.
Mint julep is at its best and the food....well, I don't remember that much at that point....darn! I blacked out!
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Came here for happy hour last Friday. This is a good place to take your friends who are hardcore about their liquors. They've got one mean encyclopedia of whiskies. Unfortunately, I am no such whisky connoisseur. However, they do have plenty of non-whisky alternatives on their menu. To my surprise, while this is no Bubble Lounge, they have a few champagne drinks that caught my eye and my tastebuds. I had the Ginger Indochine and a few in the party had the Champagne with Lycee. I wouldn't recommend the champagne with apple liquer - I'm not 12 anymore and that cheap spiked fruit punch taste doesn't cut it for me. Their appetizers are pretty decent as well - I really liked their Hamachi and the sauces they had for their french fries/taro potatoes.
So they are luxury item priced starting at $10 for drinks. But their happy hour made it all worth it at 1/2 off for all appetizers and liquor from 6-7. As for atmosphere, it was a pretty mixed crowd considering it was Friday. Got a little bit of the suits crowd but also a lot more of the "kicking off the weekend right" crowd. It did get a lot more crowded once it was 8 and folks, you really need to kick up the AC in there. It was sizzling ... in the bad way.
The food is just awful (you have to be insanely drunk to think its mildly good). But for whatever reason, being there just makes me happy. There is crack in the air, but none in the food.
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1 Previous Review: Show all »
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02/08/2007
I want to give Nihon 2.5 stars for the extremely bizarre service and the mediocre food. But I'm… Read more »
This place is great for a first date, at least for me, considering I live not too far from it and can make a pretty easy clean getaway if things aren't going so well. It's intimate and well-lit, so no matter what people look pretty. The tables are set up well to accommodate parties of two, yet can easily be pushed together to accommodate large parties.
The food is interesting, to say the least. The rolls are delicious, but be aware that they are not very traditional, and on occasion they would come and we would wrack our brains trying to figure out what that strange taste was.
The ginger champagne cocktail ruled my world.
If you're feeling adventurous and want to try out a new whiskey, be careful. One of them tastes like burnt bbq sauce.
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I was excited to find this sushi/lounge, it is cozy and has great ambiance. However, I have been there a few times and repeatedly had the most horrific dining experience. Not only is the food horrible and ridiculously overpriced but the service is equally as bad. Our server was snooty and pretentious, forgot two of the items we ordered, and would purposely ignore us when we were trying to get her attention. It was unreal. This also goes for the bartender that was working the next (and last) time I went there. Talk about bad energy! Do not eat at Nihon, there are too many other amazing restaurants in the city!!!!
Made reservations for Nihon for Friday and made it just in time for happy hour. This was our first time here and we were all huge whiskey fans so to go to a whiskey lounge just seemed right. Upon entering the place is packed, overflowing with people, at first I was concerned, I didn't know where the hostess was and if we were going to sit at a little cocktail table.
The waitress saw my lost face and promptly greeted us and took us to our table, upstairs overlooking all the crowd below. Their whisky menu was rather large, and a nice selection of cocktails. We tried a few of the whiskeys we hadn't had before and then a few of our favorites. The higher end bottles are not served by glass, only bottle but they said they will store it for you. whiskey, whisky, wiskey, wisky.... :)
Really different tapas-style contemporary Japanese just 3 blocks from the 16th street BART station.
The cozy loft space upstairs is equipped with a comfy, red suede wrap-around sofa and soft candlelight, which makes a perfect spot for you and your hottie date to nibble some tasty appetizers, drink some smooth, smoky whisky and let the magic happen.
The service was flawless, our glasses were never left empty and each and every dish we tried was perfection. I could eat here again and again and never get tired of it!
As a side note, if you purchase one of their pricey bottles here, they will hold it in your own private locker to serve you on your next visit. Cuz yeah, you got it like that.
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If you're freaked out about fuel prices, just be thankful you don't have to fill your car with scotch. At around $20 a sip, it would be quite an investment.
That said, Nihon is a great place to go if you want to feel grown up and important. With your first glass of 16-year Lagavulin in front of you, you almost can't help talking about businessy stuff like real estate speculation or your hunt for series-b funding.
Be careful though. By the time you get to your third glass, you'll feel blissfully transported. You'll feel a warm, smoky love brewing within you. You'll want to wrap your arms around the whole world.
If you enjoy scotch, and you enjoy drinking it in stylish and comfortable settings, then I encourage you to make your way to Nihon.
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I have so many jumbled, disorganized thoughts about this place. I'm going to organize them in the most simple way I can.
Thumbs up:
The luxury mojito. Blended well. The spicy tuna/habanero roll. Shaped like a triangle. Very delicious. The edamame was cooked perfectly. The ambiance is very sexy. Our server was patient with us after I sent two items back.
Thumbs down:
The bar area seating. Can those tables get any lower and/or awkardly spaced? The Nihon "burger" was ho hum. We ordered this special dish which was basically plain beef skewers. It was dry and chewy. Sent it back. Everyone found their drinks to be overly sweet and poured with a light hand. My mint julep was way too sweet-sent that back. (Don't worry, I tipped accordingly.) The busboy seemed like he was new to the restaurant industry-not bringing proper plates/utensils as the food came out. I had to request chopsticks, small plates ect more than once. Our bill seemed excessively expensive for the small amount of stuff we received. My bf felt like he had been "hoodwinked" by the end of it.
I'd go again for the sushi and edamame. Good for low key bites and drinks. I doubt all their bartenders make their drinks overly sweet and without enough alcohol.
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We came, we drank. And it was good.
Since I'm not a whiskey drinker, I couldn't imbibe as gleefully as the rest of our group. I mean, don't get me wrong. My mint julep was potent and well made, but kept knocking me over the head with each sip. There seemed to be really exotic Japanese liquor on offer too. But I really dug the ambience and vibe of the place, even on a Friday night. Somehow, it managed to be loud and still work for conversation. Definitely want to try this again, maybe for dinner next time.
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Expensive, but worth it if you want true whisky.
This is a bar that serves only whisky. Well, they do have a few other things they sell, but I wouldn't recommend getting them. They food is overpriced by at least a factor of two, and it takes forever to order it.
So, to the whisky. I'm not sure of any other place where you could get 20% of what is on their menu, and, for another 60% you'd have to go to 20 different places to find it all. I especially adore some of the Japanese whiskies I haven't found anywhere else.
The crowd here is mixed, from dressed up early 30s to almost slobish early 20s. You'll fit in better if you at least dress somewhat nicely, though.
This is a happy hour review only.
5-7:30 all their drinks and salads and appetizers are 1/2 off. That means their regular $10-$11 drinks are $5-$5.50 (yay I can divide!). Their beer ends up being around $2.50.
I tried...hmm I usually rely on the businesses website to remind me what I had, and Nihon's website sucks, so let me try to remember, I had something with tequila...screw it, everything was good, but would probably only come back at happy hour, prices are too spendy otherwise.
Due to the law of large numbers, my review isn't really going to "count" but is still relevant.
A solid 4 star restaurant with good decor, good food, and good service. Why not 5 stars? It's really just not quite *there*. Close, but not.
Let's get a few things straight: You come here for whisky. Yeah, they have Japanese-style tapas and sushi. But let's be honest, you're here for the peaty, golden liquid -- even if you have dinner reservations.
People like Genevieve M. drive me insane. OMG, your mint julep wasn't just right? quelle horror. Do you go to Chinese restaurants and complain about the fried chicken and collard greens, too? This is a whisky joint, stick to whisky.
The food here is pretty solid, but nothing spectacular. We all thought the dishes were good and didn't disagree with anything. It's best to get a lot of small dishes -- well you pretty much have to because that's all they do.
Back to drinking, do it here. It's expected. You'll pay for it. You'll enjoy it. Who cares about parking, you're cabbing it out.
Edit: Kudos to Sarah R. for pointing out that Mint Juleps are made with "whisky." Well, they're technically made with Bourbon, which aint whisky in my book. Either way, stick to whisky -- just whisky -- no mixins 'cept water. Your no-prize is on the way.
Another five stars for Nihon and it's insanely great happy hour between 6pm and 7pm. Great appetizers and drinks for half price, a beautiful space, and nice service. Of the appetizers, order the hamachi-shitake, the clams, the cucumber salad, and the kobe beef. (Avoid the fried tofu and seafood in "dynamite" sauce.) While I wish they weren't tucked away on 14th and Folsom and were instead smack in the middle of my own neighborhood, I'm a happy camper every time I make the journey out here.
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03/11/2008
I don't come here because of the whiskey since I don't know the first thing about whiskey. And I… Read more »
Very amazing food. I really like this place but the crowds can be a bit much at peak times. Otherwise, the decor, drinks and food all are very good.
Highly dissapointed.
Came to Nihon for a lounge party one evening after the restaurant/kitchen was closed. According to the reviews, I'm sure the food is probably exceptionally good at this place... but the service and prices as a lounge was a big disappointment. First off, the drinks were over priced. They were priced as if it were a large Las Vegas night club with shiny lights, elaborate decor, and scantly clad women prancing around... but in reality it was just a small and stuffy city restaurant turned-lounge with unremarkable decor. They automatically tacked on 18% gratuity to all drink orders (no matter what size order) and did not give anyone the heads up. Many of my friends, including myself, ended up double tipping them for their sub-par service. To add insult to the experience, I later discovered that they over charged my credit card on top of my already exorbitant tip.
I'm a huuuuge fan of good Japanese food so I would have loved to try their well-rated food and happy hour, but after these questionable business practices, I don't think I can make myself come back.
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Happy hour rating. Go on a Saturday and avoid all crowds. If you need alcohol to prove your manliness, go for the 140 proof. Whew! I liked the elderflower and the lychee champagne drinks. If you're a light weight, stick with only one.
Happy hour food: the seafood bake was awesome, kobe beef is overrated as the sauce was way too sweet but I'd still order it again, shitake mushroom w/ hamachi was alright, wings were way too sweet.
Service: top notch, very friendly waitress with the perfect smile
A must go to place in the city. Don't let the name fool you, they serve more than whiskey here. A little hard to locate, it's in the cuts just off the freeway.
My friend Edison came back from Spain so we threw him a welcome back party in the upstairs area. Although I did feel isolated from the rest of the crowd downstairs, it didn't take away from the experience.
A wall is lined with rows and rows of whiskey (duh!) and a other alcohol as well (check out the sake list). 100 yr old whiskey..yes!
Food is moderately proportioned. Each item compliments a lot of the beverages served, all you have to do is ask. A few of my favs:
Yamato sushi roll (ponzu sauce and jalapeno give it a spicy aftertaste)
Ceviche with truffle sauce
Onigiri (try it with rice!)
Samurai A (the sprouts and sesame seeds make it interesting)
Dynamite oysters (something about the sauce makes you eat one right after another and another and another)
The ambiance is very low key and intimate. Couches everywhere with tea candles lit throughout the place. There's a few columns through out the downstairs area that a friend attempted to use as a stripper pole.
The staff took care of us and made sure the party went smooth. A bit pricey $50 per person w/o drinks but well worth the experience.
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So the five stars belong to the Japanese Wings which was the deep fried chicken dipped in their "especial" sauce. It was located under the Appetizer List and deserves a Holy Smackanolies. (add "!!!" to that also).
I took one bite of the sucka and my blabbering characteristic was put on a hault. For some odd reason, it was an intruiging performance to one of the peoples within our group. Possibly because i gaught severely quiet, zoned out and truly appreciated my Bar Grub Eatery. (if thats even a word.)
I found it odd that everything on their drink menu contained Whisky. I was like.."Damn..aint yall got anything else.?"
*notices actual name of lounge*
oh.
strike that. reverse it.
I was then told..."Romes..just shut up and drink it. Close your eyes and just consider it a very Strong Zima to drink."
I'd like to thank my friend for manipulating my mental within that govermental thinking because I actually was convinced it was Zima.
I forgot what I had, but i ordered two of them and it was good. I'd place my bets on the fact that it might have had whisky in it.
Besides the Japanese Wings, they had other eats that looked good on the menu that I'd like to try next time.
Came here for a pre-graduation celebration which we have celebrated everyday since may of 2007. Naw just kidding. im overabundantly exaggerating.
Waitress was sexay and very friendly. This joint is kinda small so i felt claustrophobic in the beginning until the crowd died out and i got some elbow room.
This place has a unisex bathroom for couples, cheaters, and horny single bastards to .....
[dramatic pause]
get it on. *raises eyebrows*
My bebot friends found the bathroom that intruiging that they pissed like dudes and took pictures of it.
I like this place but I probably wont return until I rob a bank because it is kinda pricey.
*puts on ski mask*
(i know. i make the worst reviews but whocares. they shouldnt allow me to click on "post it")
so what.
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Very fun place to hang out in SoMa! We went here for a casual engagement celebration, and the atmosphere was great! I loved that there was music, but it wasn't so loud that you couldn't hear what your friends are saying. I did not try the food, but the Japanese whiskey (who knew???) and the champagne cocktail that the waitress suggested were fantastic. Speaking of the waitress, the service there was very good--we were never without drinks, and others in our party were never without food/appetizers. I'd definitely plan an event here! :-) The only complaint was that it was warm inside--I personally was fine, but everyone else in the party said it was a bit warm. Other than that, a thumbs up from me!
Yeah.. OBVIOUSLY, I didn't know what I was getting myself into when I agreed to grab a drink at Nihon the other night.
Had I been a big whisky drinker, I'm sure I would've loved this place, but as a first timer I can confidently say that you do not belong there if you're not down with the Whisk (a.k.a I was getting mean mugged the entire time by both the crowd and bartender because I couldn't choose a damn Whisky). (shudders) I get the mouth sweats just thinking of that shit. However, I do think that the interior is very industrial-chic with a beautiful arrangement of whisky's behind the bar, good music, (from what I hear) great food, but very limited seating/standing space. Nihon seems best appropriate for first dates, grabbing a drink after work, girl's night out, or to meet beautiful peope (Yes, the people here are on the pretty side).
Well, if ever you do decide to go to Nihon remember these key points:
a.) Bring mad cash or a good credit card because their menu is a little pricey
b.) Dress to impress, or at least business casual (think Sex & the City)
c.) LOVE or at least be tolerable of the Whisky
d.) Take a cab.. parking is kind of ridic, unless you wanna leave your whip in the Foods Co. parking lot.
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One of my favorite HH spots! Great happy hour specials ( 1/2 off appetizers and drinks till 7pm!) Lacks the pretentious crowd that other SOMA spots have...if you have a huge group, you can work out with them to use the VIP room upstairs.
It's sort of out in the middle of nowhere, but parking is easy to find. But being able to hop to another venue on foot is tough. Still, when I just want to have some drinks with good friends, this is a great place to go.
If you're a whisky drinker, then Nihon is the place for you. If you pick up a bottle and don't finish, they'll slap a label with your name on it and keep it for you until your next visit. Now that's nice!
Tons of whiskey (Ireland) or whisky (Sco'land) to try. Unlike some beer and whiskey/scotch bars, they won't scoff if you naively ask for suggestions.
Expensive, so come with your deep-pocket pants, the boyfriend who just can't say no to you or just for some whiskey, whisky or sake sampling. $50 for a salad and three cocktails, eep.
Cost aside, I don't know the last time I was in a place that boasted an original, peaty Old Fashioned with the requisite cherries and orange. It tasted smoky (mmm. bbq), just like it was supposed to. A true sipper that wouldn't go well in a place with air hockey, as much fun as those places can be.
Nihon fills a niche, and fills it well. Drinks outshine the food by far, though the Nihon salad with noodles, vegetables and tempura sushi rice rolls was pretty good. There was a baby in here last time I came, so despite that being kinda weird, it's a good sign that the place is chill.
Have a few whiskey cocktails or tastes, then move on your way, I say. A nice first stop, but not the best destination.
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Hey Nihon, you sexy little thing
Where ya been hiding?
Aw c'mon I know you're not shy
You taste so good
Don't worry, it'll be our little secret
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I've waited years to review this place. I've always thought that the words would seize me, come out a rushing torrent allowing me to express my unbounded love and yet I've waited, because try as I might I cannot describe the sheer goodness that Nihon has brought into my life.
One word: walu. It came to me by way of the 16 piece omakase, brimming with thick sashimi slices fit for an emperor. I'm talking the most buttery, rich, melt-in-your-pie-hole piece of anything, much less fish, that's entered this sacred-of-sacred-orifice. Brilliant. I'd eat so much of it, I'd pee orange (look it up on wikipedia, disbelievers), it's just that sublime.
And speaking of sublime, let's talk about the whiskey selection. PHENOMENAL. Aficionados are spot on when they say that colored liquors illustrate the beauty of brews in their richness and nuances. Three pages of scotchs, one of single mats? Yes, please.
Dim, loungey, architectural amazement. If you're not won over... well, leave the spot open for me.
Need help?
hamachi stuffed shitake
goma ae
coca cola kobe
samurai roll
1974
nasu robata
omakase
You're gold, baby. Gold.
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Ok, had my first 'date' with my current man, so can't pretend this place isn't already kinda special to me. I've pretty much had everything vege on their menu, and it's aight. Not particularly spectacular, but still pretty good. I've heard their meat-a-licious stuff is off the hook though.
I really do have to subtract a star for a waitress not letting me drink one time I was there though- since I didn't bring my wallet and therefore didn't have ID. So she refuses me, because it's policy, and then cards my bf too, because she's trying to look like she's being fair, even though he's in his 40s. Which also means she thinks my 40 something year old bf is going out with like, a 19 year old. Uh huh.
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This place is great for meeting up some pre-drinks and nibbles. Especially if you come on Friday between 6-7, that is when they have happy hour which is a good thing, because this place is pretty pricey. Happy hour is 50% off drinks and appetizers. I'm not a whiskey drinker but they have some yummy cocktails here; about 4 champagne cocktails with tastes like ginger or lychee. Then they also a whole regular spirits drink menu, I had a mojito that was just perfectly balanced in flavor. The appetizers is little japanese-fusion nibblets that dont' get you very full but are very tasty.
Nihon has two floors, downstairs is a little more casual, upstairs has two parts of which the restaurant part everything is wood, has big windows and the bent plywood Eames chairs which are really comfortable. I like the big table in the corner but if you want to reserve it you probably have to have min 5 people. There is another upstairs area where everything is very Moulin Rouge with red velvet covering everything. Nobody ever seems to sit there, I'm guessing that room will be gone in a year. One last word of warning is that is you sit downstairs on a busy night and you don't order enough drinks (according to the waiter) they might automatically keep bringing you another drink of what you already had.
Skipping the jejune description of what this place actually is, I just have to say big ups to the excellent staff at Nihon for not 86ing us tonight when the birthday girl got a little shall we say "tipsy" off a couple mojitos. The atmosphere, more restrained than rowdy, caters to the aloof and always composed hipoisie, but in the end the charming, good-natured out-of-controlledness won everyone's heart.
This place must be Shambhala for the single malt connoisseur.
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Tried this place out during Friday happy hour. Nice space with a mellow vibe, even when packed during happy hour. In addition to the after work groups, noticed a lot of folks come here after work by themselves for a light meal and cocktail. Friendly and attentive service. The whisky selection is enormous! It's worth it to come here for a drink at the bar just to peruse their whisky menu and marvel.
The prices are a little high, averaging $15 by the glass for what seems like scant servings of whisky, but the food is excellent (and appetizers/cocktails are half off during happy hour). I highly recommend their radish salad and agedashi tofu, as well as the Inchmurrin Scotch. Heavenly.
We ordered 4 appetizers during happy hour, a cocktail, 3 whiskies, and dessert (a divine green tea cheesecake) for two people to share and the total was $66 before tip. Definitely a great place to go for a date, and it will be first on my list for my whisky-loving visitors.
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Great spot to kick it, take a date.... chill. Great liqour selection .. (not just whiskey). The food is great and there are lots of hot items... not just sushi. They even have liquor lockers .. (buy a whole bottle of whiskey they will store it for you for the next time you come in).
Also great after dinner ports, calvados etc. This place is the bomb.
What a fun party atmosphere this place has, and on top of that, delicious food, whisky, wine and sake. I only wish we had been there with a big group of friends, definitely the next place where I want to eat, drink and celebrate!
We went this past Friday night, and even with the busy crowd, the waitress graciously took care of us quickly. Tapas plates of Japanese cuisine, each dish was more delicious than the next:
Nihon Salad, Dynamite (you've got to see and taste this to believe it), Asari no Sakamushi, Hamachi-Shitake, Negima, Nihon and Black & White Ahi. And this is just the tip of the iceberg. So many more dishes to taste, can't wait to go back.
And the Whisky, Wine and Sake list is incredible. So much to choose from, and like I said, with large party of friends this place gives you so much to choose from.
Two levels of drinking and dining. We ate upstairs with fun view of the lower level, with big windows looking down to Folsom and 14th Streets. Also a DJ playing just about everything, Jazz, Techno, Dance, classic Soul..........really cool.
For those o