Earlier this year, I worked on a calligraphy logo for Omakase, a new high-end Edo-mae style sushi restaurant in SOMA district of San Francisco. They just opened in September this year, and recently won a 2016 Michelin Guide star! I heard that now there’s a month-long wait for reservation, which made me really to happy to hear. I finally got to experience dining at Omakase this week, and witnessed the packed, fun and lively sushi counter in action.

My calligraphy “おまかせ” (Omakase – meaning “chef’s choice) engraved on a wood slab for the interior alcove at Omakase.

Chef Yoshihito prepping food at the sushi counter.

Calligraphy logo “Omakase” I worked on is engraved on the wooden cover of their food menu.

Omakase serves fresh sashimi fish imported straight from Tsukiji Market everyday. One of the best dish I had was the uni, sea urchin from Hokkaido and their home-marinated ikura (I’ve always thought that my grandma’s home-marinated ikura in Hokkaido was the best, but really, it was very close to the best flavor of ikura shoyu-zuke that I know. Yes, Hokkaido is my hometown and don’t get me wrong, I may be biased. 😉 ). They also blend their own sashimi soy sauce – I love such chef’s original “kodawari” in those details.

I don’t have much photos of the food to post here, as I wanted to focus on being in the moment and enjoying the dining experience with my parter, friends and restaurant staff. Sorry! You can enjoy more beautiful photos on their website: http://www.omakasesf.com/

 

Their selection of beautiful Japanese tea pots on traditional Japanese wooden cabinet in the restaurant. Business cards with the restaurant’s logo on the left.

“Check please.” – English “Omakase” logo on the leather cover of the bill folder. 

With Omakase chefs: Yoshihito Yoshimoto, me, Jackson Yu, and Ingi Son (from the left) 

It’s always exciting to have my calligraphy works being part of unique experiences, made by people who strive for excellence in their creation. Congratulations to staff, chef and everyone at Omakase. Special thanks and applause to Aya Yanagisawa for your hard work, and making me part of this project.

Japanese cuisine is booming at every corner in San Francisco Bay Area. There are numbers of new Izakaya, sushi bars and ramen restaurants opening every year, and each of them are different and unique in their flavors, styles and presentations: authentic, traditional, modern, hip, experimental, edgy, avant-garde… It excites us to see what new cultural experiences are brought, innovated and offered in our neighborhood. Food is an universal language, with no prior experience or knowledge required. You can share and enjoy with others, friends and loved ones of all ages, of any ethnicity with different cultural background.  And I believe that’s the beauty: it’s like a little world journey on your tongue – you can just knock on the door, and get a taste of the culture from the other side of the globe.

Omakase
665 Townsend St. (between 7th and 8th street)
San Francisco, CA
(415) 865-0633. omakasesf.com