The majority of our staff are assigned from Japan. They spend 3 to 4 years here before they return. Their replacement arrives in San Francisco so that there's a week or two overlap. During this time, the office holds a dinner in their honor at a restaurant chosen by the person who is returning to Japan. We had one of these dinners last week at Kiku of Tokyo. A traditional Kaiseki (full course) dinner was ordered at the time the reservation was made. The dishes are decided upon by the chef. Upon arrival we were asked only how we wanted our steak cooked. Beer was ordered for everyone by the Director for the "Kampai" (toast). What we were served (in order): 1.Chilled Soup with seasonal vegetable This was my favorite dish. A cube of tofu, daikon and pumpkin were stacked and looked like one of those layered Brach's candies. Each bowl also contained one grape, one small prawn and a few slivers of peapod. This was all in a very light chilled dashi (fish) stock. All of the fresh tastes and textures complimented each other perfectly. Very light, a great beginning. 2. Sashimi : Maguro and Tai - very fresh & tasty. 3. Chawan Mushi (Steamed savory custard) I usually don't care for chawan mushi - often it's too milky tasting for me - but this one was perfectly balanced with crab, chestnut, and shitake. 4. Crab siu mai (dumplings) with dashi dipping sauce and a spot of spicy mustard. I thought these were pretty good, my husband thought they were o.k. The dipping sauce didn't add anything special, so I just used the mustard. 5. Grilled steak with pickled lotus root and seaweed/sesame salad. I'm not a big beef eater, and can't remember the last time I had steak, so I don't consider myself a good judge, but I thought it was pretty good. My husband (who enjoys steak much more often than I) said it was excellent - very tender. 6. Whole(!) Steamed Lobster with vinegar/soy dipping sauce. This was great! Soooo fresh, and sweet. I can't believe they served each of us (12 total) a whole one! On the way out I noticed the lobster tank - only 3 left. 7. Steamed rice, miso soup, tsukemono (pickles) The traditional course signifying the ending to a kaiseki meal 8. Green Tea, sliced melon and strawberries A fantastic meal! Now, this may seem like a ton of food, (and it was quite a bit) but except the Lobster and the rice, each dish was only 3 or 4 bites maximum. I have no idea how much this all cost, but I'm sure it was a pretty penny. I've been there for lunch (always very good) and their lunch sets run about $8 and up. Kiku of Tokyo is located in the Hilton Hotel on the corner of Mason and O'Farrell in San Francisco. Tricia My first 'restaurant report' how'd I do?
San Francisco, CA