Wakuriya

"Last night, I had the pleasure of dining at Wakuriya in San Mateo, and I must say, the experience was quite remarkable. From the moment I stepped in, the serene and welcoming ambiance set the stage for what was an exquisite culinary journey. The service at Wakuriya was impeccable. The staff were attentive and knowledgeable, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable dining experience. Each course of the kaiseki menu was presented beautifully, showcasing a blend of traditional Japanese culinary artistry with subtle Californian influences. The highlights for me were the braised sea bass with its delicate yuzu gelee and the perfectly cooked Wagyu beef, which was both tender and flavorful. However, while the food and service were exceptional, I have some reservations about its Michelin star status. The quality and presentation were top-notch, but I felt that the overall experience, while delightful, did not fully align with other Michelin-starred restaurants I’ve visited in terms of creativity and culinary innovation. Additionally, considering the price point, I found Wakuriya to be slightly overpriced. While I understand and appreciate the quality of ingredients and the skill involved in preparing such dishes, the cost seemed a bit steep when weighed against the overall dining experience. In conclusion, Wakuriya is undoubtedly a great restaurant that I would recommend for those seeking high-quality Japanese cuisine in San Mateo. The serene atmosphere and meticulously prepared dishes make for a memorable dining experience. However, if you’re looking for a Michelin star-level experience, you might want to temper your expectations slightly, especially considering the price. Nonetheless, Wakuriya remains a gem in San Mateo’s culinary scene, and I am glad to have experienced its offerings."

"The overall taste of the food was exquisite, with a particular highlight being the second course featuring hotate scallops with turnip soup and sautéed Hokkaido cod 'kumoko' (soft roe). Love the chef’s selection of sake flights! Amazing service. However, I wished for a more substantial inclusion of sashimi/seafood in the courses, as the main course seemed to lean towards regular beef or pork instead."

"My friends and I had a wonderful night here. The best Kaiseki style restaurant in the area. I would definitely come back if I could get reservation again. Food is prepared to perfection. My favorites include 蛍烏賊(squid) and つぶ貝(whelk) on a heated stone BBQ, yamaimo gratin, and the wagyu beef with Maitake mushroom. The combination is excellent. Server is great, very attentive and introduced the sake menu pretty well. We ordered fruit flight (nigori, plum and yuzu sake) and premium sake flight and really enjoyed it."

"So good. Love this little place. Everything carefully prepared and you could just taste the thoughtful execution that goes into each and every dish. We thoroughly enjoyed our meal here and we're recommended to anyone looking for a romantic evening out. Apparently it's also a favorite for birthdays. I really hope the five cups of green tea tonight doesn't keep me awake at night tonight!"

"This is my absolutely favorite Kaiseki in the Bay Area, also the only Michelin Star restaurant that I keep coming back to. My review is a little bit overdue (the last time I dined in the restaurant was 2019 but I did order takeout dinner during 2020), but I really want to share my experience. This restaurant is hard to get a reservation, the process is to call at midnight and leave a message on reservation detail. If you're able to secure a reservation, the restaurant will call back the next day to confirm. For all the times I have been here, I have never been disappointed by the food. I could really tell that the chef puts a lot of thoughts into each dish. Each dish was so intricate and so fresh. Their service was also exceptional. Their menus refresh from time to time, but I always get their Sake Flight! My favorite is their fruity Sake Flight. I can’t wait to come back and dine at this restaurant soon!"