Pabu Izakaya San Francisco

Review summary

1. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   San Francisco

   2 reviews

   5.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on 6 December 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Beautiful restaurant, great food, friendly service
   

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2. S

   Susan

   VIP

   San Francisco

   17 reviews

   4.0

   17 reviews

   Dined on 6 December 2024

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 4

   I was early for a work group dinner so sat at the bar for a cocktail - bartender was trying his best to ignore me, when I finally was able to order, he didn't clarify which gin I wanted in my G&T, and when he delivered my $17 dollar drink, didn't bother to put it on a coaster like he did for others. I asked for a coaster & he didn't give me one, a neighboring customer did. So I didn't start with a good impression. Our table server was excellent & the food was amazing. I do think that the server may have been better about helping us judge how much food to order. We did over order but managed to eat most of it!
   

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3. Q

   Quentin

   VIP

   Los Angeles

   26 reviews

   5.0

   26 reviews

   Dined on 30 November 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Pabu Izakaya is an absolute gem for fine dining complete with creative Japanese Izakaya dishes, an exquisite list of cocktails and a uniquely decorated atmosphere. The sushi and rolls are top notch. It reminds me of one of my favorite San Francisco restaurants Albert Tordjman's The Flying Saucer which sadly closed in 2000 and I have found this wonderful SFO reincarnation. Highly recommended if you visit San Francisco and looking for a unique and fine dining experience,
   

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4. AT

   AlexT

   San Francisco

   9 reviews

   4.0

   9 reviews

   Dined on 19 November 2024

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 5

   Beautiful restaurant. Mixed experience on the food quality.
   

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5. A

   Alex

   San Francisco

   1 review

   4.0

   1 review

   Dined on 14 November 2024

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 4

   Wish the Restaurant Week selection was better than it was.
   

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6. TF

   TableForFive

   San Francisco

   5 reviews

   4.0

   5 reviews

   Dined on 14 November 2024

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   Black cod preparation not up to par compared Ro numerous previous visits. Portion size also smaller than previous. Nigiri set was good but overpriced. This is my go-to spot for business lunches but quality and value proposition feels like they are slipping.
   

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7. K

   Kelsey

   VIP

   San Francisco

   2 reviews

   4.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on 6 November 2024

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Good food. Good service. Prices were a little high
   

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8. WF

   WaywardForeigner

   VIP

   San Francisco

   11 reviews

   4.0

   11 reviews

   Dined on 16 October 2024

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   It was very good, The ambience was pleasant and the server was excellent. I was a bit cold at first, but asked if we could close the door and they had no problems obliging. The food was very tasty and I thought the lunch pricing was great for the caliber, (Sushi was a little bit on the pricey side so I didn’t try it. It may have been worth the price, But it was more than I wanted to spend on a business lunch.) However my review gets docked a little because I was shocked that a cup of green tea in a Japanese restaurant was $10 per person making it $20 for the pot, (when my entire lunch of Black Cod was only $25). Otherwise it was a great lunch and I would recommend it. 
   

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9. R

   Richard

   VIP

   San Francisco

   30 reviews

   4.0

   30 reviews

   Dined on 11 October 2024

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   An excellent lunch but the cost is (almost) prohibitive.
   

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10. J

    Jonathan

    VIP

    San Francisco

    34 reviews

    5.0

    34 reviews

    Dined on 10 October 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5

    Pabu continues to be my favorite restaurant in the entire San Francisco Bay Area. From the moment I arrived, I was treated like a VIP being warmly greeted by the two hostesses. While I sat the bar waiting for my friend, bartender Matt took great care of me, making sure I had everything I needed. Once my guest and I were seated, we received exceptional service. Knowing that I was not drinking alcohol, Matt even served us a complimentary glass of nonalcoholic wine. Plus, our server Wil treated us to a complimentary sushi roll. Manager Stanley even came by to see how we were doing. And of course, the food was amazing! I hope to be back soon to celebrate my 23rd wedding anniversary because my wife was jealous that I enjoyed Pabu without her!
    

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