Yuzu Sushi and Grill Restaurant Review, San Mateo

Yuzu Sushi and Grill is located in a sleepy shopping district in San Mateo. It is a sister restaurant to Burlingame’s well respected Sake Sushi. We decided to try it to see if it was a lower cost version of Sakae Sushi. Sakae Sushi has lots of exotic seafood air freighted in from Japan. Yuzu has prix fixed 7 course dinners.

Decor, Vibe – Small place with a sushi bar and 10 small tables. Mostly locals eating along with some families. Air smelt fishy in our 2009 visit.

Menu Pictures

Ever Changing Door Specials

Menu

Sushi Menu

Monthly Special Menu

Fresh Specials Menu

Dessert Menu

Drink Menu

Picks:

Chef’s Choice Sushi ($36) with Amaebi Miso Soup was 12 pieces of Today’s Best Fish. Huge pieces of fresh seafood on top of small bits of rice. The opposite of many places. Salmon, Amaebi, Mackeral, Tuna, Squid, Uni, and more.

Steamed Scallop Sunomono ($6.50) had cooked fresh scallops with cucumbers and seaweed in a vinegar sauce. Very good dish with a balance between the scallops and the tartness of the sauce.

Yakitori ($5) or skewered chicken with teriyaki sauce was delicious. 2 good sized pieces and a sweet teriyaki sauce.

Udon Noodle Soup ($10.95) came with lots of hot udon, seaweed, tempura shrimp, mushrooms, and good quality chicken. One of the best udons around. In late 2009, we found the Udon served in a much smaller metal pot. It included California roll with real crab and mayo for $14.

Beef Tongue Stew ($10.95) had lots of thinly sliced tender beef in a tomato based sauce. Very nicely done.  Be sure to have rice to really enjoy this dish. Fried onion string topping.

Stone Bowl Unagi Donburi ($16) was served in a large hot stone bowl. Lots of unagi and cooked sweet egg.  Nice crispy edge to the rice.  It takes about 20 minutes to arrive though.

OK:
None

Pans:

Miso Marinated Beef Short Ribs ($9.50) were marginal. Flavor was not good and meat was chewy and lukewarm.

Ebi ($3.50) had a limp old shrimp and marginal rice. No wasabi.

Service was good in 2008, then we got a bad server in late 2009. The food was very good and cheaper than their sister restaurant. If you want high quality Japanese food at reasonable prices, definitely check out this place. Best bet is Omakase or Trust the chef for the good stuff, not mainstream stuff like California rolls. This is a sleeper place that not many know about.

Best time to go is for the Happy Hour with $1 Fresh oyster and shrimp tempura Tu-Th 530-7pm.

$25 Dining Certificate for $5

Yuzu Sushi and Grill Overall Rating: (Very Good 2.5)

Come Back?

Food Rating:	(Very Good)
Service Rating:	(Average)
Atmosphere Rating:	(Good)
Value Rating:	(Good)

Guide: 0 = poor, 1 = Below/Average, 2 = Good, 2.5 = Very Good, 3 = Excellent , 4 = Extraordinary

Alcohol:	Beer, Wine, Sake
Attire:	Casual
Hours:	Tu-Fri 1130am-2pm, Tu-Sun 530pm-10pm. Closed Mon
Parking:	Street
Reservations:	Yes
Prices:	$10.95 - $76