Utzutzu in Alameda offers a decent omakase experience, but it doesn't quite hit the high notes I expect for the price point.Please note that they don't have any signs, so finding this restaurant can be tricky if you haven't been here before. Utzutzu is located on the 2nd floor, so you'll have to take the stairs on the left side of the building to get to the restaurant.Utzutzu provides a very intimate dining experience with a seating space for 7-8 people. Their focus on minimalistic Japanese esthetics becomes evident the moment you step inside the restaurant. Their service was good and fast. The dishes were coming out back to back once we started. Thankfully, our server was very attentive and made sure that our glasses were full and the counter was cleared before the next dish came out.Our omakase experience included -1. Black Goma-Ae (Japanese asparagus with black sesame)2. Kabocha (winter squash)3. Nanbanzuke (sea trout)4. Nigiri pieces (8) - opah, striped jack, barred knifejaw (ishigaki dai), horse mackerel, bluefin tuna, amberjack, spot prawn from canada (or golden eye snapper if you are allergic), ocean trout belly with yuzu5. Sumiso-ae (seaweed salad with octopus and miso vinegar sauce)6. Uni Chawanmushi7. Nigiri pieces (6) - scallop with citrus juice,marinate mackerel, toro, wagyu with garlic chip and radish, uni, cooked squash roll8. Akadashi9. Mango sisho sorbetOverall, the fish in each nigiri was fresh, but the cuts were small & thin. There weren't any unique or complex flavors that stood out. Some nigiri pieces were better than the other, but mostly because of the fish itself. The whole omakase experience definitely sufficed our hunger because we got plenty of dishes. However, it fell short as far as the flavors go. Looking back at it, each item that we tried was decent, but none of the items left us craving for more.
Keith Lynch
Well hidden gem in the heart of Alameda, Utzutzu offers a culinary journey like no other with its exquisite 8-course Japanese dining experience. Each dish is a masterpiece, blending the freshest ingredients with skilled craftsmanship. From delicate sashimi to innovative rolls, the flavors harmonize in a symphony of taste. Impeccable presentation and attentive service elevate the dining experience, making this a haven for sushi enthusiasts seeking a refined gastronomic adventure.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Omakase
Jesús Salas
After visiting Japan this is the closest we can get to authentic sushi in the East Bay. Didn’t disappoint. Would recommend. It takes a hit on your wallet so probably more of a once a year trip (for us).
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Masa Kanayama
Very small space and I was almost hit to a customer sitting next to me. Nigiri was 14 pieces, shari was the right size, slightly cold, and a vinegar taste was not my taste. Fish is good to very good in quality. Kinmedai was excellent. I did not enjoy aged sardine (I rather prefer to have fresh sardine), and other fish were fresh. Some appetizers are just ok and akadashi miso was not well made. Nonetheless overall I enjoyed this omakase place as an edomae choice in SF area. I will try again.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 3
Willrow Hood
This Restaurant is officially Parkzer approved.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ram Ness
Fantastic food from a great
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Nigiri
Sarah T.
I took my husband here for his birthday. It was a major disappointment. First off, the entrance is unmarked portions are tiny! very thin, small pieces of fish. half were bland or very fishy. example, hotate nigiri was 1/3 slice of a whole scallop. chef was kind and service was great. but for the price i paid ($145 pp), not worth it.
Ronal E.
Place is unique, it's like stepping into someone house. We kinda confused to find the entrance door but there is stairs up to halls and they got big sofa and seatings to just chill around and socialize, the dining place is more on the left side of it near the windows. It's quite and intimate vibe. Services know their timing and kept it very neat and well mannered. Food and experience with the chef story 9.6/10However, omakase is for the experience. So after the dining, we get our asses to irish pub for some fish n chips lol
Sarah Sam
portions are tiny! very thin, small pieces of fish. half were bland or very fishy. example, hotate nigiri was 1/4 slice of a whole scallop. chef was kind and service was great. but for the price i paid ($145 pp), not worth it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Mango Sorbet
Pauline C.
A set of old tile stairs from an unmarked entrance will take you into a small intimate 8 seater space filled with nice 80s pop makes for a nice vibe.Service through out the evening was friendly and timely without being overbearing.Everything offered from the set menu was executed with perfection, from the temp of the sushi rice to the thoughtfully curated seasoning went in or on each piece of the nigiri. We had the opportunity to order more extra new nigiri or revisit favorites, we did both with zero regrets.Only thing could have been better was the shiso mango sorbet, the ice crystals were noticeable and made the sorbet texture less than creamy, but the flavor was still very yummy!10/10 recommend, and I look forward to coming back!
A unique, intimate, and delicious experience. Utzutzu is simply special. 8 chairs at a sushi bar per service and a clearly passionate sushi chef showing off great skill and great experience. Rather than describe it in too much detail, the best advice I can offer is that you visit and try it yourself. I can't wait to go back.
Christine Ferrelli
Wonderful experience and everything was incredibly fresh and well-prepared. Will go back again and again. Worth the price, without question.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ashoke Chakrabarti
Best omakaze in the east
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Grace T.
Nestled in the vibrant city of Alameda, Utzutzu is a culinary gem that beckons food enthusiasts seeking a taste of authentic and innovative cuisine. This unassuming restaurant combines traditional flavors with modern twists, resulting in a delightful dining experience that leaves a lasting impression.The warm and friendly staff adds to the welcoming atmosphere, providing attentive service and a genuine passion for their craft.While Utzutzu excels in delivering memorable culinary creations, it's important to note that the prices can be on the higher side. However, the quality of the ingredients, the skillful execution of each dish, and the overall experience justify the investment.
Misa S
Stepping into Utzutzu, childhood dinners with my father resurfaced, alongside Tampopo's quest for perfect ramen, Taimeiken's Omurice, and a truly remarkable chef rising from a deathbed to cook one last meal for her family. The outstanding Nigiris, boasting fresh ingredients from Tsukiji and Canada, were a sensation.
Utzutzu in Alameda offers a decent omakase experience, but it doesn't quite hit the high notes I expect for the price point.Please note that they don't have any signs, so finding this restaurant can be tricky if you haven't been here before. Utzutzu is located on the 2nd floor, so you'll have to take the stairs on the left side of the building to get to the restaurant.Utzutzu provides a very intimate dining experience with a seating space for 7-8 people. Their focus on minimalistic Japanese esthetics becomes evident the moment you step inside the restaurant. Their service was good and fast. The dishes were coming out back to back once we started. Thankfully, our server was very attentive and made sure that our glasses were full and the counter was cleared before the next dish came out.Our omakase experience included -1. Black Goma-Ae (Japanese asparagus with black sesame)2. Kabocha (winter squash)3. Nanbanzuke (sea trout)4. Nigiri pieces (8) - opah, striped jack, barred knifejaw (ishigaki dai), horse mackerel, bluefin tuna, amberjack, spot prawn from canada (or golden eye snapper if you are allergic), ocean trout belly with yuzu5. Sumiso-ae (seaweed salad with octopus and miso vinegar sauce)6. Uni Chawanmushi7. Nigiri pieces (6) - scallop with citrus juice,marinate mackerel, toro, wagyu with garlic chip and radish, uni, cooked squash roll8. Akadashi9. Mango sisho sorbetOverall, the fish in each nigiri was fresh, but the cuts were small & thin. There weren't any unique or complex flavors that stood out. Some nigiri pieces were better than the other, but mostly because of the fish itself. The whole omakase experience definitely sufficed our hunger because we got plenty of dishes. However, it fell short as far as the flavors go. Looking back at it, each item that we tried was decent, but none of the items left us craving for more.
Well hidden gem in the heart of Alameda, Utzutzu offers a culinary journey like no other with its exquisite 8-course Japanese dining experience. Each dish is a masterpiece, blending the freshest ingredients with skilled craftsmanship. From delicate sashimi to innovative rolls, the flavors harmonize in a symphony of taste. Impeccable presentation and attentive service elevate the dining experience, making this a haven for sushi enthusiasts seeking a refined gastronomic adventure.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Omakase
After visiting Japan this is the closest we can get to authentic sushi in the East Bay. Didn’t disappoint. Would recommend. It takes a hit on your wallet so probably more of a once a year trip (for us).
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Very small space and I was almost hit to a customer sitting next to me. Nigiri was 14 pieces, shari was the right size, slightly cold, and a vinegar taste was not my taste. Fish is good to very good in quality. Kinmedai was excellent. I did not enjoy aged sardine (I rather prefer to have fresh sardine), and other fish were fresh. Some appetizers are just ok and akadashi miso was not well made. Nonetheless overall I enjoyed this omakase place as an edomae choice in SF area. I will try again.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 3
This Restaurant is officially Parkzer approved.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Fantastic food from a great
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Nigiri
I took my husband here for his birthday. It was a major disappointment. First off, the entrance is unmarked portions are tiny! very thin, small pieces of fish. half were bland or very fishy. example, hotate nigiri was 1/3 slice of a whole scallop. chef was kind and service was great. but for the price i paid ($145 pp), not worth it.
Place is unique, it's like stepping into someone house. We kinda confused to find the entrance door but there is stairs up to halls and they got big sofa and seatings to just chill around and socialize, the dining place is more on the left side of it near the windows. It's quite and intimate vibe. Services know their timing and kept it very neat and well mannered. Food and experience with the chef story 9.6/10However, omakase is for the experience. So after the dining, we get our asses to irish pub for some fish n chips lol
portions are tiny! very thin, small pieces of fish. half were bland or very fishy. example, hotate nigiri was 1/4 slice of a whole scallop. chef was kind and service was great. but for the price i paid ($145 pp), not worth it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Mango Sorbet
A set of old tile stairs from an unmarked entrance will take you into a small intimate 8 seater space filled with nice 80s pop makes for a nice vibe.Service through out the evening was friendly and timely without being overbearing.Everything offered from the set menu was executed with perfection, from the temp of the sushi rice to the thoughtfully curated seasoning went in or on each piece of the nigiri. We had the opportunity to order more extra new nigiri or revisit favorites, we did both with zero regrets.Only thing could have been better was the shiso mango sorbet, the ice crystals were noticeable and made the sorbet texture less than creamy, but the flavor was still very yummy!10/10 recommend, and I look forward to coming back!
Restaurantji Recommends
A unique, intimate, and delicious experience. Utzutzu is simply special. 8 chairs at a sushi bar per service and a clearly passionate sushi chef showing off great skill and great experience. Rather than describe it in too much detail, the best advice I can offer is that you visit and try it yourself. I can't wait to go back.
Wonderful experience and everything was incredibly fresh and well-prepared. Will go back again and again. Worth the price, without question.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Best omakaze in the east
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nestled in the vibrant city of Alameda, Utzutzu is a culinary gem that beckons food enthusiasts seeking a taste of authentic and innovative cuisine. This unassuming restaurant combines traditional flavors with modern twists, resulting in a delightful dining experience that leaves a lasting impression.The warm and friendly staff adds to the welcoming atmosphere, providing attentive service and a genuine passion for their craft.While Utzutzu excels in delivering memorable culinary creations, it's important to note that the prices can be on the higher side. However, the quality of the ingredients, the skillful execution of each dish, and the overall experience justify the investment.
Stepping into Utzutzu, childhood dinners with my father resurfaced, alongside Tampopo's quest for perfect ramen, Taimeiken's Omurice, and a truly remarkable chef rising from a deathbed to cook one last meal for her family. The outstanding Nigiris, boasting fresh ingredients from Tsukiji and Canada, were a sensation.