Hamano Sushi

1332 Castro (between 24th and 25th)

Tel: 415-826-0825

You know it's gotta be good because there's a line out the door. And people can only be here for the food, because it sure as hell isn't the decor, which is reminiscent of a waiting room in a health clinic circa 1986 (although my partner reminds me that the Japanese follow the "functional minimalist" school of design, whatever that means- I don't even think he knows).

It isn't as dismal as it looks!

The crowd's a mixture of families with kiddies, couples of all varieties, and loners eating up at the counter (where you get the best view of watching the food being prepared (It IS fresh!). It's not that yuppie crowd like over at Godzila Sushi on Divisadero. Drink choices are sparse (some beer and some wine), but let's all remember that we were not at one of those Chinese restaurants that specialize in "king-sized cocktails and oh yeah we also have egg fu young".

We had the Sashimi Maguro (Tuna) appetizer. Super fresh, big chunks o' tuna not out of the can. For our main course we had Beef Teriyaki with the Fried Veggies Tempura. As my partner called it, the combo platter (though that's merely a reflection that he's spent too much time at Sizzler, me thinks). Fabulous flavor and the meat was tender. Hooray! You can keep the fried veggies but I think there's only one place to order fried veggies anyway and that's TGI Friday's. We also ordered the Beef Sukiyaki which arrived in a dauntingly large skillet. But let's face it, it's comfort food. Perhaps not so suitable for a balmy summer evening but when do we have those in San Francisco? The Sukiyaki was satisfying, the meat thinly sliced. No dessert for us. Overall, a thumbs up.

Drew Johnson and Susan MacTavish Best

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