San Francisco has long been known for its bevy of fantastic Japanese restaurants so it’s no surprise to come across one. Every now and then though, we come across a hole-in-the-wall jewel that is simple yet cozy, authentic yet sophisticated. Ariake on Geary is one such place. A tiny place that is always perfectly filled to capacity just so that you are assured this is a reputable place for sushi but not annoyingly overflowing with trendsetters, Ariake features sashimi so incredibly fresh that I wondered if they weren’t hiding the Sea of Japan in their kitchen.

Toro flawlessly melts in your mouth while the live scallops are so juicy and tender that it was easy to believe the scallops were alive right up until I ordered them. Guilt trip at the self indulgent murder of the little critters? Ordinarily, perhaps so. But the chefs of Ariake leave no room for anything except constant amazement at their superb artistry and the desire for more.

The lost art of perfectly seasoned sushi rice has been resurrected here, making for addictive sushi rolls. Fans of tempura will not want to miss yet another forte of this local hotspot. Crunchy and hot tempura leave any ideas of oil absorbing napkins far behind. While San Francisco has numerous large restaurants, those in search of Edo style authenticity and humorous banter with the master chefs should head straight to Ariake. Make no mistake about it- the simple exterior belies a hidden world of Japanese masterpieces rarely found outside of the native country.

Ariake Website