Niku Steakhouse - San Francisco

The atmosphere upon entering was incredible, and the food was fantastic from beginning to end. We had a table for three, but sitting at the chef's counter seemed like a more exciting experience. For starters, we ordered the beef tartare, crispy pig ears, and bone marrow — all three were outstanding, with the beef tartare being my favorite. For the main course, we enjoyed the A5 bushu-gyu, which was definitely the highlight of the night in terms of flavor. While the high price is open to debate, we had no regrets giving it a try. We also sampled the tomahawk and the Bryan Flannery dry-aged New York strip, both perfectly cooked. To cap off the evening, we indulged in sticky toffee cake and a wagyu fat brownie, both of which were delicious, though I'm not sure they justified their price. Overall, we had a wonderful experience and would be happy to return.

To our surprise, the tortellini appetizer ended up being our favorite dish! It was bursting with flavor and a delightful surprise. Even though I usually don't like steak, I really enjoyed this place. Plus, the option to choose your own cut is an added bonus!

I highly recommend this restaurant; it's one of the best places I've ever had steak. The atmosphere is chic, the cocktails are refined, and the service is attentive. The rib eye cap was perfectly seasoned and practically melted in my mouth. Among the A5 options, we found the Kumamoto, which was the least expensive, to be our favorite—it’s a must-try. The bone marrow starter was excellent, and while the tomato side dish was interesting and flavorful, I would personally skip it next time. The dress code is smart casual or smart, making it great for special occasions or a date (just maybe not a first date). A pro tip: try to sit at the chef's counter for an enhanced experience.

My favorite steak house in SF! It?s a Michelin-starred restaurant, but it?s not too formal. It is well-balanced between formal and friendly vibe. Every dish is good and not that pricey. Among the dishes I ordered, I think everyone has to try ?bonemarrow?

Top notch Japanese steakhouse experience: the ingredients, preparation, and presentation are all 5/5. Only miss so far is the service, we've visited a few times and each time had to remind waiters, or wait for far too long for some of the food. Thetomahawk is a must try and perfect for sharing. The meatball and fried crab were excellent too. Of course, you won't go wrongwith the wagyu tasting menu.