New Favorite in SF: Coffee + Cuisine + Cocktails That Will Amaze You

In the heart of San Francisco's Financial District, a new gem has opened its doors: Shoji. This innovative space is created by Ingi, the son of the chef from the Michelin-starred restaurant The Shota. The café has been around for a while, but the restaurant only started welcoming guests at the end of April. 🍵 During the day, Shoji is a cozy café with a unique atmosphere. I tried the matcha einspanner, which features a thick, slightly sweet cream on top of the matcha. It perfectly balances the slight bitterness of the tea, making it refreshing and not at all greasy. 🍵 🍴 As evening falls, Shoji transforms into a low-key, quiet bar & restaurant. My favorite dish was the uni amaebi don, which can be upgraded to Hokkaido uni. The richness of the sea urchin, the sweetness of the shrimp, and the savory caviar come together in a quiet yet satisfying feast. 🦐 I also ordered the aged sashimi. The maturation process brings out the fatty aroma and elasticity of the fish, which pairs perfectly with a refreshing cocktail to balance the richness. 🍣 🍔 A hot iron plate is brought to the table, topped with a generous layer of cheese. The waiter places the burger on it — after a three-minute wait, the cheese is perfectly crispy. It's a small but delightful ritual. 🍔 🥃 With a bar as its signature, you have to try a drink or two: 「Noguchi」| Bold yet Elegant This cocktail is based on Japanese whiskey and bourbon, washed with beef tallow, combined with Okinawan brown sugar and spiced liqueur, and finished with Japanese cypress smoke. Rich layers, with the embers of charcoal still glowing as the night deepens. 🥃 「Ichigo Ichi」| Gentle and Smoky The second drink, Ichigo Ichi, is a bit smoky but not overpowering. Its name, "Ichigo Ichi," comes from the spirit of tea ceremonies — cherishing every encounter. It's perfect for sipping slowly and savoring. It's not sweet, with a balance of "strawberry sweetness" and "smoky woodiness," gentle and restrained. 🍸 We visited on a Friday, and there were lines for both the café and the restaurant. The seating in the evening is limited, so it's best to visit before it gets too popular. Give it a try before everyone else discovers this hidden gem! ✌🏻✌🏻 #Café #BayArea #SF #SanFrancisco #Cocktails #JapaneseFusion