Izakaya Mai, a Warm, Home-style Japanese Bar

Izakaya Mai (居酒屋 舞) is always crowded (http://www.izakayamai.com/). Whenever we go there, there is a long line waiting. I was always curious about why people were so patient.
Now I know.

It was an early Wednesday afternoon when I arrived at Izakaya Mai and found no one was waiting. (They open at 6pm, at I arrived at 5:50pm, and they let me in!). So it was my first taste, and the taste that totally explained why people spent hours waiting-----totally worth it!



Unique features:
Run by a friendly Japanese couple. The lady gets order and bills, and the man prepares sushi. The whole restaurant seats only 20-30 people, but it has a cheerful and home-like atmosphere.  Unique home-style and bold Japanese menu.

Pleasant surprises:
1. Illustrated menu One problem I always have with Japanese restaurant is that I never knew what I ordered until they come. I cannot remember all the Japanese names except for "wasabi", and the English description is somewhat inaccurate. So it is absolutely awesome to have a well-illustrated menu that you can just point you index finger to your favorite picture and say :"I want this one!"

2. Fresh, tight sushi roll and nigiri 
A fresh, shiny piece of fish on top of pearly white rice is the most mouth-watering yet artistic scene you can find on a plate. Yet sometime it is annoy to pick up a piece of nigiri only to find out the rice is all over the place and you end up with a lonely piece of fish between your chopsticks. Not cool. 
But it won't happen in here! The nigiri and rolls will keep their shapes until they arrive in your mouth.

3. Bold, hard-to-find Japanese dishes
Try the Salmon-Ikura Don if you are a dare-devil.  Just don't put all the wasabi in it. 

Cons:
Waiting time
Usually pretty long as the restaurant is pretty small. But if you arrive at 6 pm when they open you will be fine. 
On my wish list:
I always wanted to try the extended list of Japanese beer and alcohol. Let me know how you like it!

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Italian Treasure in San Francisco

If you still think Ristorante Capellini (http://www.capellinis.com/) is the best Italian restaurant, YOU ARE OUT!

Rose's Cafe (http://www.rosescafesf.com/) is a little Italian treasure found in the chic Union Street area in San Francisco. (
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Unique features:
Daily menu, depending on what's fresh and what the chief dreamed of the night before...
Casual and cozy atmosphere, smaller table and seats. Interesting bar seats if you wanna eat alone.

Pleasant surprises:
1. Awesome bread! 
Do go there hungry, 'cause the bread is just AWESOME! Homemade, soft yet springy texture with subtle fragrance from the natural sour dough they used. Topped with melted cheese as a plus!
You can actually ask for take out.

2.Authentic Thin-crust pizza!
This is perhaps the most authentic pizza you can find in town. All fresh ingredients: tomato, home-made sausage, banana pepper, etc. Surprise-me daily menu. The pizza is light and flavorful, no heavy oily cheese and think stuffy crust. Just like the fresh-made pizza from your Italian neighbor!

3. 0 calories dessert
Ask them for 0 calories dessert. I bet you can't tell the difference!

Cons:
1. Parking
Notoriously difficult to find a parking, especially on weekends. Go there early (before 7 pm) to beat the party crowds!

2. Restroom
Indeed they have only 1 restroom. The line could be LONG! Do plan ahead.




Disclaimer: The author is an independent foodie with no relationship with any of the restaurants mentioned here!