Hello dear
Welcome To Nisei
At Nisei, nestled in the heart of San Francisco, culinary artistry meets seasonal sophistication. Guided by Chef David, this Michelin-starred restaurant promises an exceptional dining experience with dishes that dazzle both the eyes and the palate. Each plate showcases a harmony of unique flavors and textures, from the crispy unagi to the imaginative pumpkin cheesecake adorned with miso mousse. Guests rave about the attentive, personable service provided in a stunning, intimate setting, perfect for special occasions. Nisei is more than just a meal; it's a journey through exquisite taste and presentation, where every bite tells a story of culinary excellence.
Today's Suggestions
Explore the featured selections!
Seasonal Lager Hanabi, Napa
Gamay Alex Foillard, Beaujolais-Villages '20
Croquette. Hokkaido Uni. Smoked Pepper Relish
Pinot Noir Freeman, Gloria Estate, Sonoma '14
About
Nisei
Welcome to Nisei, a remarkable dining destination nestled in the heart of San Francisco at 2316 Polk St. This unique establishment stands out for its artistic and intricate culinary creations that invoke a profound connection with seasonal ingredients. With a phone number of +1 415-827-6898, Nisei is making waves in the Bay Area gourmet scene.
At Nisei, the culinary philosophy revolves around a fine blend of traditional techniques and innovative flair. The dishes served here are nothing short of masterpieces, as highlighted by customers' rave reviews. In the words of Shandy Pinkowski, "Chef David is a culinary wizard!" The excitement of each course unfolds beautifully, showcasing a range of complex flavors and textures.
- Signature Dishes:
- Karage Chicken - A crispy delight that exemplifies precision and taste.
- American Unagi - This dish redefines crispy texture, paired masterfully with fresh wasabi. It’s a dish that leaves a lasting impression.
- Pumpkin Cheesecake - A dessert that defies expectations, featuring miso mousse and pepita praline, showcased in a stunning presentation.
- Exceptional Beverage Pairings: The wine selections at Nisei enhance the dining experience, with options like Seasonal Lager Hanabi and Grenache Syrah Mourvedre, creating a harmonious connection between food and libation.
Nisei’s ambiance further elevates the dining experience. Customers like Dyanna Volek praise the beautiful setting, especially the intimate private back room adorned with stunning ikebana arrangements. This luxurious yet relaxed environment provides the perfect backdrop for special occasions.
The dedication to remarkable service is evident; guests rave about the personable and attentive staff, who guide diners through their culinary journey with enthusiasm and expertise. Colin Armstrong summarizes it succinctly: "Exceptional fine dining... one of my favorites in the Bay Area."
Whether you are celebrating a momentous occasion or simply indulging in the art of fine cuisine, Nisei is a destination that promises a stellar gastronomical experience. With each visit, expect to be surprised and delighted, ensuring that the flavors linger long after the meal is over. For unforgettable culinary artistry, look no further than Nisei.
People talk
Our Guestbook
“ Chef David is a culinary wizard! Our dinner was nothing short of artistically stunning and phenomenally flavored. Great textures, interesting dishes. We also loved the sommelier (I think her name was Anna). Highly recommend. ”
“ Exceptional fine dining. Probably my favorite Michelin star in the Bay Area. The dishes were extremely unique and well-plated, from the “salad” all the way through to the “pumpkin cheesecake”. Every single dish was also flavorful - it’s rare for a tasting menu to have such a high hit rate of dishes we enjoy. Service was personable, fast, and not pretentious at all. The meal pacing was also perfect - dishes were brought out at an appropriate pace. The wine pairing was also done very well. Overall, a stellar gastronomical experience and one of my favorite in the Bay Area. ”
“ Delicious food in a beautiful setting. We were in the private back room for an event. The high ceilings and decor gave it an intimate and luxurious feel. Perfect for special occasions. The food was stellar - from the karage chicken to the goat cheese infused shishitos to the delicate dessert. The service was attentive and friendly. All in all, they deserve the accolades they’ve received! ”
“ I celebrated my birthday at Nisei last week, and I can’t say enough nice things about the amazing food and beverage pairing, the kind staff, and just the overall experience! Each dish had unique flavors and textures that highlighted the seasonal ingredients. My main favorite dishes were between their take on clam chowder with oyster, cod, and squid with sourdough mochi and the perfectly grilled unagi. Yes - the unagi dish sounds simple, but you will never want to eat unagi anywhere else after you have it! The skin was super crispy and paired really well with the fresh wasabi. The desserts were also phenomenal - they were beautifully plated and had ingredients that you typically would not see together. While I love cute bite sized wagashi, the standout was the pumpkin cheesecake with miso mousse and pepita praline. It not only looked good, it tasted great, and I don’t typically like cheesecake. The staff were really friendly and did a great job sharing information about the dishes and ingredients. I loved the ikebana arrangements around the space. If I wasn’t planning on coming back, I would have put one in my purse :) ”
“ Wow - cannot say enough good things about this chef and his team. My husband and I had a wonderful anniversary experience that was filled with delicious food, great service, yet a relaxed environment that we really enjoyed! ”
“ At Nisei, Chef David masterfully bridges Japanese tradition with American innovation through an impressive thirteen-course tasting menu. Each dish showcases remarkable creativity, from the expertly prepared venison to the elevated takes on miso soup and chowder. The kitchen excels at classics too – the egg fried rice proves that even simple dishes receive extraordinary attention, while desserts like the pumpkin cheesecake and pudding provide perfect endings. What truly sets Nisei apart is its commitment to all diners. The vegetarian tasting menu matches the main menu's innovation and excellence, with thoughtful alternatives that never feel like afterthoughts. Both menus demonstrate Chef David's culinary vision, expertly executed by an attentive, knowledgeable staff. Whether you're a traditionalist or vegetarian, Nisei offers a unique and memorable perspective on modern Japanese-American dining. ”
“ I came here for a date night and didn't realize it was a Michelin Star. Good: - So much variety with the courses - we started with small bites and ended with giant portions of meat and 3 dessert courses - The dishes all were so pretty and aesthetic - Super nice service - each waiter was incredibly nice and helped us - the chef David even came up to us and started a conversation! We felt like we were royalty there - The uni cocktail was amazing - it was nice that we shared it with 2 people - The ambiance is so nice, we were there for almost 3 hours and felt like we had a private conversation Bad: - Expensive! 37 for one drink Overall this was an amazing experience, I felt from start to finish that it was a unique food journey. ”
“ Amazing 1* Japanese restaurant with many surprises (sourdough mochi, Ichibana chowder, jellyfish noodles, sakura tea, fantastic desserts). Got the reservation 20min before my time slot. ”