Kibatsu

"Kibatsu's intimate ambiance and ambitious omakase drew us in, but the experience left us feeling like we had walked a tightrope - some moments exhilarating, others a little wobbly. One man show: Our entire restaurant relied on a single server. While her enthusiasm was undeniable, it stretched thin. Long waits between courses and forgotten requests detracted from the flow. It felt like a charming solo performance occasionally needing an understudy. Speed demons and sleepy snails: Dishes arrived at a puzzling pace. The melt-in-your-mouth tuna came swiftly, while the delicate wagyu languished. Some nigiri arrived lightning-fast, and others took ages, leaving us wondering if they'd gotten lost in the kitchen labyrinth. Fishy tales: The nigiri itself was a mixed bag. Some pieces were divine. Others, however, had a distinct fishiness and slightly chewy texture that left us wanting more freshness. Like a magic act, some bites disappeared in a delightful puff, while others required more chewing than anticipated. Wasabi woes: The liberal use of wasabi was another inconsistency. Some pieces had a perfect kiss of heat, while others were overpowered, drowning out the delicate flavors of the fish. Perhaps a lighter hand would allow the natural sweetness of the fish to shine through. Missed opportunity: All the uni dishes that were served missed the mark. Instead of highlighting the creamy and buttery uni flavors, the dishes were overpowered by other flavors. Course overload (in a good way): The $158 omakase was certainly generous, offering a plethora of dishes. The whole experience consisted of small plates, nigiri pieces, sashimi and a dessert. Cozy charm: Despite the service hiccups and inconsistencies, the intimate setting and warm lighting created a unique atmosphere. It's a place where you can easily get lost in conversation. Final verdict: With some attention to service consistency, pace, and flavor balance, Kibatsu has the potential to be a great dining experience. For now, it sits at a 3-star tightrope walk - charming, ambitious, but needing a few tweaks."

"amazing, one of my favorite sushi meals in sf. new style salmon and tuna poke roll were both incredible"

"Chef Jimmy in the photo hands down the best sushi chef you can find in SF, I been to Japan but Jimmy will treat you way beyond. Recommend this place to all of my friends, family, etc. Bummers: we weren’t able to do Omakase but Jimmy had our back! They only could give us one Tamago, but again Jimmy came through to make us happy! Like i am about to sleep tonight and i will probably wake up thinking of how Jimmy was such a homie!"

"Chef Jimmy was the best! We sat at the bar and his recommendations were all so good! Super affordable too!"