Fish & Bird Sousaku Izakaya

On Shattuck Avenue, this stylish gem from Chef Asuka Uchida brings it with a bang. The building is painted blue with dark tiles along the bottom, silver-framed windows, and a red neon sign. If that doesn't sound on trend, the modern izakaya menu does the trick with a panoply of dishes. It's a modest space, with a shimmering open kitchen, bar featuring floating shelves of bottles, and charcoal is the dominant palette.
On the menu, diners are privy to a myriad of staples like hot pot, skewers, rice boxes, and sandos. While the karaage is prize-worthy, the team's skill runs across the board. From tempura to tofu, they are clearly doing something special. To wit: green bean fritters with sansho curry, followed by creamy tofu enriched with ginger and scallion.