Friends Only - Reviews

My experience at Friends Only was a wonderful experience from the team behind the long-running Akiko’s in San Francisco. The intimate dining room exhibits both elegance and service, and the entire meal is a front-row seat to the best their team offers. The menu is, in some senses, more modern, especially with the dishes prior to the traditional nigiri, but the technique and preparation is stellar. We came for a special occasion, and Friends Only fit the bill perfectly 🙏. Reservations are available on Tock and OpenTable, and all dining is indoor counter only.

My experience at this restaurant was an incredible 17-course omakase meal served in a small, 10-seat open kitchen venue. The Smoky Old fashioned cocktail had great presentation and its smoothness made it one of the best I've tried. Witnessing expert chefs prepare each dish in real-time from the bar was a truly memorable experience. The pacing of the dishes was excellent, leaving us comfortably full. The chefs were very friendly and relaxed, clearly enjoying their work and creating a memorable experience for guests. The music, available as a Spotify playlist "Friends Only San Francisco", was a nice bonus.

My experience at this restaurant was truly amazing! Every dish impressed me with its incredible flavors, beautiful presentation, and meticulous attention to detail. As a big fan of uni, I found theirs to be absolutely delicious – fresh, rich, and unforgettable. The chef and staff were incredibly warm and attentive, which significantly enhanced the overall experience. I highly recommend this place!

I came here for my friend's birthday and it was a very intimate omakase experience with exceptional service. Highly recommend for anyone who is into aged sushi.

My experience at this restaurant was fantastic. The team has a great vibe, and the chef leads with respect, demonstrating fantastic fish knowledge. I was particularly impressed by the emphasis on dry aging much of the fish, which was a delicious first for me. They weren't afraid to use uni, and I appreciated the ginger chunks over sliced. The tempura'd milt was yummy, though a tad timid. Overall, a fantastic experience.

My experience at this restaurant was exceptional. It's places like this that make San Francisco a world-class city. I had one of the top five meals of my life here. The food was outstanding, the service was impeccable, and the atmosphere was perfect, all receiving a 5-star rating.

My experience at this restaurant was an amazing flavor explosion right from the first item. Every dish was exceptional, and lovers of uni will be very pleased. Although dessert isn't listed on the menu, it is included, as is a starting champagne and a finishing dessert sake. The price point is quite high, reserved for incredibly rich patrons. It's important to ensure everyone is in the mood for sashimi and seafood. The atmosphere is very casual; we were the quietest couple inside and had no problems keeping to ourselves while still communicating with the staff. They are also accommodating of simple requests with the food.

My experience at this restaurant was exceptional. I had one of the best meals I've ever had. The staff were great, and the food was also great. It was as close as you can get to a perfect meal.

My experience at this restaurant was absolutely amazing. The food was incredible, and the staff and service were wonderful. The team is the best and so friendly, contributing to an overall great time. I highly recommend eating here – it's a 10/10 experience!

Overall, the ingredients at this restaurant definitely deserve a 5-star rating. While the prices are steep, I would still consider giving it a 5-star review if the service and dining experience were outstanding. Unfortunately, our visit was marred by racial discrimination, despite the otherwise good service. The restaurant automatically adds a 20% gratuity, so I expected high standards of service. However, a female server's discriminatory behavior significantly affected our dining experience and spoiled what had started as a delightful meal. During a birthday celebration, we noticed that she gave special birthday wishes to another table, which made us feel like we were being treated differently. Although the food quality remained the same, the disparity in service was troubling. The most concerning incident occurred when, as we were leaving, she assisted the other table with their coats but made us retrieve our own from the rack. This behavior only reinforced our feelings of her unprofessionalism, disrespect, and racial discrimination (we were the only Asian guests).