Jin Sho Restaurant Review, Palo Alto

Reviewer: Foodnut.com

Jin Sho Restaurant

454 South California Ave (Near El Camino Real)

Palo Alto, CA 94306-1605

(650) 321-3454

Jin Sho Restaurant Website

Jin Sho Restaurant Palo Alto Exterior Decor

Jin Sho Restaurant is a ‘Executive-Class’ Japanese restaurant run by 2 chefs formerly of Nobu in New York, Noriomi Kaneko and Ichiro Takahashi. They bought several dishes with them from their past experiences. It opened in late 2007 and is located in Palo Alto’s California street shopping district right off of El Camino Real. They serve everything from classic sushi rolls, sashimi, omakase, to more western entrees.

Jin Sho Restaurant Palo Alto Interior Decor

Decor, Vibe – Simple, modern decor utilizing lots of different woods and high ceiling. Lite Jazz, Big sushi bar on one side with open kitchen. Families, couples, locals were dining. Some to go orders too.

Menu (Click to zoom into any picture)

Jin Sho Restaurant Palo Alto Menu 11

Salad, Appetizer Menu

Jin Sho Restaurant Palo Alto Menu 12

Dinner Entree Menu

Jin Sho Restaurant Palo Alto Menu 17

Pris Fix Menu

Website Jin Sho Menu

Picks:

Jin Sho Restaurant Palo Alto Yaki Udon

Yaki Udon ($7.75) pan fried chicken, vegetable, and udon with garlic butter soy came out hot and sizzling on a clay platter. Nicely done and filled with thick noodles, tender chicken, mushrooms, cucumber, and carrots.

Jin Sho Restaurant Palo Alto Sashimi Dinner

Sashimi Dinner ($20.75) An assortment of sliced raw fish, garnished with shredded radish and shiso, with miso soup. Nine different kinds of fish and shellfish cut into beautiful shapes. Fresh, nice cutting, and good presentation. Included shrimp, octopus, toro, squid, salmon, mackarel, saba, striped bass.

Prix Fix Dinner A ($19.75) Select 3 items from 9 total. Comes with Miso soup.

Jin Sho Restaurant Palo Alto Chicken Antioucho

Grilled Chicken Anticucho had five pieces of chicken marinated in a very spicy and sour sauce. Wow was it strong. This usually comes on a skewer.

Jin Sho Restaurant Palo Alto Scallop Shirmp California Roll

Shrimp and sliced scallop with tomato teriyaki sauce with some fried onions. Two small shrimp that very well textured and cooked. Two small scallops that were ok.
California roll used with real crab and was a solid rendition.

Jin Sho Restaurant Palo Alto Green Tea Cheesecake

Green Tea Cheesecake ($5) was homemade and nicely done. Almost like a green tea ice cream meets cheesecake hybrid. Green tea powder sprinkled on top.

OK:

Jin Sho Restaurant Palo Alto Miso Black Cod

Grilled Miso Marinated Black Cod ($21.75) Broiled Alaskan Black Cod marinated in special miso sauce for 3 days is their signature dish. Two very good sized pieces of cod with a size of tempura yams, broccoli, and picked plums. The fish was cooked well but was not as nice as the original version we had at Nobu.

Pans:
None

Jin Sho Restaurant had inexperienced service initially as they sent a new server out without enough training. Later, other people filled in to help improve the service and help with refilling, etc. Jin Sho reminds us of Barracuda in Burlingame, a fancy Japanese place trying to inject a little style and priced to match. The food is good but prices are slightly higher that we would like to see.

If you want to try this place and save money, come during lunch. Limited wine selection from $6 glass, $25 a bottle. Many sakes selections available. Other restaurants we have reviewed  nearby include The Counter, Bistro Elan, and The Oaxacan Kitchen.

Jin Sho on Urbanspoon

Restaurant Map:


Jin Sho Restaurant Overall Rating: (Good 2)

Come Back?

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

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

Alcohol:Beer, Wine, Sake
Attire:Casual
Hours:Mon - Fri 11:45am - 2pm, 5:30-9:30pm. Sat 5:30-10pm
Parking:Street
Reservations:Yes
Prices:$10.50 - $90 (Dinner)

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