Came here on a Thursday for my friends birthday. We sat at the counter & next to us was another party of 2. I believe they only open up the reservations for a certain amount of people so it's not too overwhelming. The food exceeded my expectations. I was pleasantly surprised with the different flavors that were incorporated. I have already made another reservation to come here for my birthday. Their chawanmushi was soft & memorable topped off with uni & abalone, i could eat a giant bowl of this. The chef was nice and talkative. I will definitely be back.
Eva O.
What a deal! $150 for a 15 course omakase! O R D E R E D Omakase of course! V E R D I C T The team is amazing here - everyone is so friendly, attentive, and gives such a warm feeling when you're dining there. Chef Robert, Carol, and Peter are such an awesome team. You can tell they put so much creativity and heart into every single dish in their omakase menu. And get this, their menu changes every month, so you never have to feel like you're eating the same thing they always change it up with a few dishes maybe even more and it's all part of Chef Roberts creativity process. Did I have a favorite dish? Yes! What was it? EVERYTHING! But in all seriousness, my top picks would be their steamed egg, fusion sashimi because of the show it came with by sitting at the bar, mini don, and the crab soup. Honestly, there wasn't anything I didn't like on the menu, I had a wonderful experience with my mom and we will def come again! Did I mention Peter's dessert are all housemade and you can't get enough of it? Just like the omakase itself.
Margaret T.
Good Japanese food, but not great as I've had better at other establishments. However, the service is outstanding. We were seated at the bar and enjoyed conversing with Chef Robert. Carol and Peter were also fabulous hosts. They truly try to accommodate everyone. For example, my friend volunteered to make the reservation on our behalf but forgot to put down my dietary preferences. I don't typically enjoy telling kitchen staff on the spot that I don't eat meat as I think it's more respectful to give them time to prepare for me, but Robert and team improvised as best they could. I'm pretty sure I did end up biting into something made with pork, but I can't fault them for that given the last minute request. I just ended up spitting it out and giving the rest of the dish to my boyfriend. For the other meat-based dishes, the team tried hard to come up with an alternative. We went during their red envelope promo (I've been eyeing this restaurant and really just wanted to pull a red envelope, so perfect timing!). I pulled a 20% off coupon meaning that instead of paying $150 for the meal, it was only $120. A steal! The nigiri was fresh and I thoroughly enjoyed several of the small plates. Some of the dishes are Japanese, but with a Chinese twist, so it's more fusion-y than traditional Japanese. Either way, it was fun to see how creative the team could get. I didn't quite care for the main entree as I found it a bit bland, but it may have been better if the team knew about my dietary needs in advance. I still left pretty stuffed, so not upset with the overall experience at all. Lastly, I wouldn't consider this restaurant to be a high end one. I believe they want to be a casual, welcoming place that just provides good Japanese food. Some of the guests can be loud and boisterous. There was a large group dining the night that we went and there were times I couldn't really hear the background music because of how loud they were. While it's great that they were enjoying themselves, I do like to be able to converse within my own group and not have to struggle to hear people sitting mere feet from me. Once the party left, the environment was much more akin to what one would expect from a kaiseki restaurant - quiet and intimate. Final notes: they also send you home with goodies! We got to take home a mini lemon loaf and some candies. Perfect for breakfast the next day.
Gordon L.
Saw this place on IG and have always wanted try Omakase and this place delivered! Our experience started at 530p and ended just before 8p. It's in a safe and quiet location and definitely a hidden gem in Foster City. Carol served us pretty much each dish with a mini story behind each plate! Food was excellent salmon tartare, the octopus, the sashimi, the A5 wagyu beef with broth and the dessert was all just incredible..Will be coming back and price was very reasonable for the quality of food, the presentation and the 5 star service! If you want an experience and love Omakase, you should definitely book a reservation.
Kevin Qian
This place has truly exceed my expectations! All the dishes were carefully and thoughtfully prepared and the quality is evident in the taste. The service was also incredible - Robert, Carol, and Peter were all extremely friendly and committed to making sure that myself and my guests were having a great time. The price is truly a steal for the experience you get and I will definitely be back to eat here again!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Carmen S.
Located in Foster City, this little gem is worth the drive! I first came across this spot from an Instagram post and just could not resist. I came twice in one month! (If that's not saying something then idk what will!) Chef Robert, Carol and Peter really display their passion for food and pay so much attention to the details. The restaurant is intimate and quiet but very welcoming. I believe they serve dinner in two waves: 5:30 and 7:30 dinner service. I would say sitting at the sushi bar versus sitting at a table gives you vastly different experiences. I really enjoyed sitting at the sushi bar and getting to chat with Chef Robert, Carol, Peter and the other patrons. At the table, the service is still excellent and Carol or Peter will still come and explain every dish to you but you definitely feel a little disconnected from Chef Robert. I loved that every dish was so specially curated and had a story behind it. The menu actually changes every month so your experience may be completely different. Robert, Carol and Peter are very knowledgeable in the food that they serve, where the fish come from, and even down to the dishes and silverware.My most memorable dishes were the pearl shrimp ball, mentaiko scallop and the shellfish chwanmushi. Absolutely delicious and hope that they'll keep a few of these on the menu. Also don't be fooled by Peter's quietness, he makes all of the pastries & they are absolutely delicious! As Carol said, they take the better parts of omakase and kaiseki to give you 808 Zone. If you're a stickler for tradition, you might not like this but personally, I truly enjoyed this experience and can't wait to be back to see what else is on the menu!
Claire N.
My boyfriend and I came here to celebrate his birthday. It was our first time trying 808 Zone and we are so glad we gave it a try. We enjoyed our experience so much! The restaurant is small and reservation only, making our experience more intimate. Carol was so sweet and made us feel at home. Each dish she presented to us had its own story and we could tell there was so much thought put into it. My favorite dishes were the salmon tartar, unagi, sushi mini don, scallop, and the monk fish liver. The Hokkaido uni was so fresh and sweet. You can tell they get the highest quality. We also got a chance to talk to the chef, Robert. He is so passionate about making the best dishes for the customers. You can tell they have such a creative team open to trying different things. Again, we loved our experience here and would highly recommend! We definitely will be coming back to try the new dishes that are in the works.
Jason Hasegawa
An amazing omakase experience. The dishes were very creative and delicious. And the staff are very friendly and personable.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Emmellin T.
The service was amazing. Had a wonderful time getting to know our server who was very sweet and explained all the dishes. She explained why they prepared each dish the way they did and had such a sweet bubbly personality which made the entire experience extremely fun. Its a 15 course dinner that lasts about 2 hours. We were told they take 8 reservations starting at 530pm then a second group of 8 at 730pm. One of the best fixed menu I've had and food was delicious. My top 3 favorites that were memorable: 1. Chawamushi 2. Salmon tar tar 3. Sushi don
Victoria T.
Very great food and great service. Robert, Carrol, and Peter were all amazing servers and catered to us the entire night. They were very attentive, and made us feel very . Their fusion of Japanese Omakasa was different, but very delicious. I enjoyed every course and was full at the end of this meal. Hopefully will come back soon and bring more sushi enthusiast.
Foster City is rarely a destination, now that I don't work nearby, and this area is an unexpected location for any non fast food restaurant, especially a high end one. The crew here is charming and attentive. The food is very good, though not spectacular. The night we were there for a 6:00 seating there was only 1 other table of 6 was seated. I hope they get a chance to prosper. I will mention here the highlights, because there just too many preparations to name them all: The crab salad opener with mango and cucumbers was one of my favorites. With dungeness season still not open it was king crab. It was sweet and briny. 4* In the following coarse, the hamachi with yuzu foam with a little sweet ikura on top was my favorite. The smoked salmon mousse with pomme soufflee was not very well thought out. The "mousse" was more like thick cream cheese texture, and pomme soufflee, was the texture of a thick potato chip. It was awkward to eat, and the textures didn't match up very well. 2.5* On the other hand, the sunshine dumpling, which I believe had shrimp in it, was their version of xiao long bao had great umami and a not too thin, not too thick near perfect dough. 5* The 808 Zone signature - A5 Wagyu fried rice was surprisingly wonderful. perfect fried rice with a good sized piece of meat on top and a good proportion of just right sized chunks within. It's a shame to cook wagyu too long, but its texture benefits, from being more on the medium side of medium rare. This was a perfect temperature. 5* Usually, chawanmushi is one of my favorites. This was described as shellfish chawanmushi. I was unable to find any seafood in it at all. I would like it a bit firmer also, this was just too soupy. 2.5* Sushi mini don was very good. all my favorite "eggs" on top. Domestic uni, Hokkaido uni, and ikura. Very fresh and luxurious. 4* The remaining dishes were good, but didn't stand out. They included a toro taku temaki, chef's choice nigiri, House special broth and dessert Service was heartwarming. Each dish was presented and described by the person who prepared it. The sushi chef came by at the end and asked for our favorites and any critiques. Great touch. Price was a bit high, but we didn't feel cheated. Food: 34/40 Service: 18/20 Atm/intangibles: 16/20 Value: 16/20 Overall: 84/100
Edwin D.
Found this restaurant looking for kaiseki menu offered by local restaurant. Making a reservation in advance through their website requires a credit card deposit. Although now it looks like they are offering Yelp reservations. The monthly-changing menu, attuned to the seasons, keeps things fresh and intriguing. The welcome cocktail, a sparkling blend of lychee, plum, and yuzu, was a perfect introduction, and the unlimited refills were a delightful surprise. While the promoted 15+ course tasting menu realistically offered about 9 courses, the quality of the fish stood out--fresh, tasty, and undeniably delicious. However, in terms of value for the price paid, it leans on the pricier side compared to the offerings. Presentation, though decent, leaves room for improvement. The signature course of grilled sawara with pesto sauce, in particular, felt like a somewhat strange combination and could use refinement. Desserts, on the other hand, were a delightful conclusion to the meal, showcasing a sweet note done right. A standout feature was the exceptional service provided by Robert, Carol, and Peter. Their friendliness, courtesy, and genuine passion for what they do added a personal touch to the dining experience. Free street parking added to the convenience, making the overall experience more accessible.
Margot R.
We celebrated Christmas eve here and came with zero expectations. We had a fantastic dining experience and the service, with special kudos to Chef Robert, Carol, and Peter, was outstanding. The food was not only delicious but also impressively fresh. Considering the quality, the pricing was truly great. Will definitely go back and recommend this to our friends.
Han Wang
Everything is so carefully designed by Robert, Carol and Peter. They put so much thought into each individual dish and it was the BEST ikura I have ever had in the States.The place was very quiet and intimate and everyone was very welcoming and passionate about what they created!I already recommended to all of my friends and hope more people will try the experience!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ivy W.
Everything is so carefully designed by Robert, Carol and Peter. They put so much thought into each individual dish and it was the BEST ikura I have ever had in the States. The place was very quiet and intimate and everyone was very welcoming and passionate about what they created! I already recommended to all of my friends and hope more people will try the experience!
Came here on a Thursday for my friends birthday. We sat at the counter & next to us was another party of 2. I believe they only open up the reservations for a certain amount of people so it's not too overwhelming. The food exceeded my expectations. I was pleasantly surprised with the different flavors that were incorporated. I have already made another reservation to come here for my birthday. Their chawanmushi was soft & memorable topped off with uni & abalone, i could eat a giant bowl of this. The chef was nice and talkative. I will definitely be back.
What a deal! $150 for a 15 course omakase! O R D E R E D Omakase of course! V E R D I C T The team is amazing here - everyone is so friendly, attentive, and gives such a warm feeling when you're dining there. Chef Robert, Carol, and Peter are such an awesome team. You can tell they put so much creativity and heart into every single dish in their omakase menu. And get this, their menu changes every month, so you never have to feel like you're eating the same thing they always change it up with a few dishes maybe even more and it's all part of Chef Roberts creativity process. Did I have a favorite dish? Yes! What was it? EVERYTHING! But in all seriousness, my top picks would be their steamed egg, fusion sashimi because of the show it came with by sitting at the bar, mini don, and the crab soup. Honestly, there wasn't anything I didn't like on the menu, I had a wonderful experience with my mom and we will def come again! Did I mention Peter's dessert are all housemade and you can't get enough of it? Just like the omakase itself.
Good Japanese food, but not great as I've had better at other establishments. However, the service is outstanding. We were seated at the bar and enjoyed conversing with Chef Robert. Carol and Peter were also fabulous hosts. They truly try to accommodate everyone. For example, my friend volunteered to make the reservation on our behalf but forgot to put down my dietary preferences. I don't typically enjoy telling kitchen staff on the spot that I don't eat meat as I think it's more respectful to give them time to prepare for me, but Robert and team improvised as best they could. I'm pretty sure I did end up biting into something made with pork, but I can't fault them for that given the last minute request. I just ended up spitting it out and giving the rest of the dish to my boyfriend. For the other meat-based dishes, the team tried hard to come up with an alternative. We went during their red envelope promo (I've been eyeing this restaurant and really just wanted to pull a red envelope, so perfect timing!). I pulled a 20% off coupon meaning that instead of paying $150 for the meal, it was only $120. A steal! The nigiri was fresh and I thoroughly enjoyed several of the small plates. Some of the dishes are Japanese, but with a Chinese twist, so it's more fusion-y than traditional Japanese. Either way, it was fun to see how creative the team could get. I didn't quite care for the main entree as I found it a bit bland, but it may have been better if the team knew about my dietary needs in advance. I still left pretty stuffed, so not upset with the overall experience at all. Lastly, I wouldn't consider this restaurant to be a high end one. I believe they want to be a casual, welcoming place that just provides good Japanese food. Some of the guests can be loud and boisterous. There was a large group dining the night that we went and there were times I couldn't really hear the background music because of how loud they were. While it's great that they were enjoying themselves, I do like to be able to converse within my own group and not have to struggle to hear people sitting mere feet from me. Once the party left, the environment was much more akin to what one would expect from a kaiseki restaurant - quiet and intimate. Final notes: they also send you home with goodies! We got to take home a mini lemon loaf and some candies. Perfect for breakfast the next day.
Saw this place on IG and have always wanted try Omakase and this place delivered! Our experience started at 530p and ended just before 8p. It's in a safe and quiet location and definitely a hidden gem in Foster City. Carol served us pretty much each dish with a mini story behind each plate! Food was excellent salmon tartare, the octopus, the sashimi, the A5 wagyu beef with broth and the dessert was all just incredible..Will be coming back and price was very reasonable for the quality of food, the presentation and the 5 star service! If you want an experience and love Omakase, you should definitely book a reservation.
This place has truly exceed my expectations! All the dishes were carefully and thoughtfully prepared and the quality is evident in the taste. The service was also incredible - Robert, Carol, and Peter were all extremely friendly and committed to making sure that myself and my guests were having a great time. The price is truly a steal for the experience you get and I will definitely be back to eat here again!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Located in Foster City, this little gem is worth the drive! I first came across this spot from an Instagram post and just could not resist. I came twice in one month! (If that's not saying something then idk what will!) Chef Robert, Carol and Peter really display their passion for food and pay so much attention to the details. The restaurant is intimate and quiet but very welcoming. I believe they serve dinner in two waves: 5:30 and 7:30 dinner service. I would say sitting at the sushi bar versus sitting at a table gives you vastly different experiences. I really enjoyed sitting at the sushi bar and getting to chat with Chef Robert, Carol, Peter and the other patrons. At the table, the service is still excellent and Carol or Peter will still come and explain every dish to you but you definitely feel a little disconnected from Chef Robert. I loved that every dish was so specially curated and had a story behind it. The menu actually changes every month so your experience may be completely different. Robert, Carol and Peter are very knowledgeable in the food that they serve, where the fish come from, and even down to the dishes and silverware.My most memorable dishes were the pearl shrimp ball, mentaiko scallop and the shellfish chwanmushi. Absolutely delicious and hope that they'll keep a few of these on the menu. Also don't be fooled by Peter's quietness, he makes all of the pastries & they are absolutely delicious! As Carol said, they take the better parts of omakase and kaiseki to give you 808 Zone. If you're a stickler for tradition, you might not like this but personally, I truly enjoyed this experience and can't wait to be back to see what else is on the menu!
My boyfriend and I came here to celebrate his birthday. It was our first time trying 808 Zone and we are so glad we gave it a try. We enjoyed our experience so much! The restaurant is small and reservation only, making our experience more intimate. Carol was so sweet and made us feel at home. Each dish she presented to us had its own story and we could tell there was so much thought put into it. My favorite dishes were the salmon tartar, unagi, sushi mini don, scallop, and the monk fish liver. The Hokkaido uni was so fresh and sweet. You can tell they get the highest quality. We also got a chance to talk to the chef, Robert. He is so passionate about making the best dishes for the customers. You can tell they have such a creative team open to trying different things. Again, we loved our experience here and would highly recommend! We definitely will be coming back to try the new dishes that are in the works.
An amazing omakase experience. The dishes were very creative and delicious. And the staff are very friendly and personable.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The service was amazing. Had a wonderful time getting to know our server who was very sweet and explained all the dishes. She explained why they prepared each dish the way they did and had such a sweet bubbly personality which made the entire experience extremely fun. Its a 15 course dinner that lasts about 2 hours. We were told they take 8 reservations starting at 530pm then a second group of 8 at 730pm. One of the best fixed menu I've had and food was delicious. My top 3 favorites that were memorable: 1. Chawamushi 2. Salmon tar tar 3. Sushi don
Very great food and great service. Robert, Carrol, and Peter were all amazing servers and catered to us the entire night. They were very attentive, and made us feel very . Their fusion of Japanese Omakasa was different, but very delicious. I enjoyed every course and was full at the end of this meal. Hopefully will come back soon and bring more sushi enthusiast.
Restaurantji Recommends
Foster City is rarely a destination, now that I don't work nearby, and this area is an unexpected location for any non fast food restaurant, especially a high end one. The crew here is charming and attentive. The food is very good, though not spectacular. The night we were there for a 6:00 seating there was only 1 other table of 6 was seated. I hope they get a chance to prosper. I will mention here the highlights, because there just too many preparations to name them all: The crab salad opener with mango and cucumbers was one of my favorites. With dungeness season still not open it was king crab. It was sweet and briny. 4* In the following coarse, the hamachi with yuzu foam with a little sweet ikura on top was my favorite. The smoked salmon mousse with pomme soufflee was not very well thought out. The "mousse" was more like thick cream cheese texture, and pomme soufflee, was the texture of a thick potato chip. It was awkward to eat, and the textures didn't match up very well. 2.5* On the other hand, the sunshine dumpling, which I believe had shrimp in it, was their version of xiao long bao had great umami and a not too thin, not too thick near perfect dough. 5* The 808 Zone signature - A5 Wagyu fried rice was surprisingly wonderful. perfect fried rice with a good sized piece of meat on top and a good proportion of just right sized chunks within. It's a shame to cook wagyu too long, but its texture benefits, from being more on the medium side of medium rare. This was a perfect temperature. 5* Usually, chawanmushi is one of my favorites. This was described as shellfish chawanmushi. I was unable to find any seafood in it at all. I would like it a bit firmer also, this was just too soupy. 2.5* Sushi mini don was very good. all my favorite "eggs" on top. Domestic uni, Hokkaido uni, and ikura. Very fresh and luxurious. 4* The remaining dishes were good, but didn't stand out. They included a toro taku temaki, chef's choice nigiri, House special broth and dessert Service was heartwarming. Each dish was presented and described by the person who prepared it. The sushi chef came by at the end and asked for our favorites and any critiques. Great touch. Price was a bit high, but we didn't feel cheated. Food: 34/40 Service: 18/20 Atm/intangibles: 16/20 Value: 16/20 Overall: 84/100
Found this restaurant looking for kaiseki menu offered by local restaurant. Making a reservation in advance through their website requires a credit card deposit. Although now it looks like they are offering Yelp reservations. The monthly-changing menu, attuned to the seasons, keeps things fresh and intriguing. The welcome cocktail, a sparkling blend of lychee, plum, and yuzu, was a perfect introduction, and the unlimited refills were a delightful surprise. While the promoted 15+ course tasting menu realistically offered about 9 courses, the quality of the fish stood out--fresh, tasty, and undeniably delicious. However, in terms of value for the price paid, it leans on the pricier side compared to the offerings. Presentation, though decent, leaves room for improvement. The signature course of grilled sawara with pesto sauce, in particular, felt like a somewhat strange combination and could use refinement. Desserts, on the other hand, were a delightful conclusion to the meal, showcasing a sweet note done right. A standout feature was the exceptional service provided by Robert, Carol, and Peter. Their friendliness, courtesy, and genuine passion for what they do added a personal touch to the dining experience. Free street parking added to the convenience, making the overall experience more accessible.
We celebrated Christmas eve here and came with zero expectations. We had a fantastic dining experience and the service, with special kudos to Chef Robert, Carol, and Peter, was outstanding. The food was not only delicious but also impressively fresh. Considering the quality, the pricing was truly great. Will definitely go back and recommend this to our friends.
Everything is so carefully designed by Robert, Carol and Peter. They put so much thought into each individual dish and it was the BEST ikura I have ever had in the States.The place was very quiet and intimate and everyone was very welcoming and passionate about what they created!I already recommended to all of my friends and hope more people will try the experience!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Everything is so carefully designed by Robert, Carol and Peter. They put so much thought into each individual dish and it was the BEST ikura I have ever had in the States. The place was very quiet and intimate and everyone was very welcoming and passionate about what they created! I already recommended to all of my friends and hope more people will try the experience!