Village Sake — Restaurant in Fairfax

The Village Sake Izakaya is a highly trendy and stylish izakaya that serves real cuisine and can be located in the center of the lovely area of Fairfax. The district of Fairfax is known for its gorgeous setting. The diner can be situated along a path that receives a significant amount of foot traffic. This establishment provides every single one of the traditional Japanese appetizers in their most authentic versions. These include the octopus croquettes known as takoyaki, which have a crispy surface and a smooth inside; okonomiyaki; tataki, which is prepared with silky smoked hamachi; and coconut mochi cake, which comes replete with cardamom gelato. All of these dishes can be found at Japanese restaurants. If you really have to eat sushi, there is only a limited range of mouthwatering nigiri for you to pick from; if you have the chance, you should give some shima aji and kinmedai a go. This location has a layout that is quite similar to that of Tokyo, with tables that are packed in close proximity to one another, an assortment of wood décor (including a live-edge wood counter), and a cheerful staff that is mostly comprised of Japanese nationals. You should be prepared to spend a substantial amount of time in line, particularly on the weekends, since this is a popular destination that does not...

This place used to be our go to for sushi but not anymore after today. Shockingly cold and dismissive service by our waiter. We watched her treat the other nearby tables with hospitality and grace but not us. Everyone else got waters but we had to wait a full 20 minutes after being seated to get ours (even though I specifically asked for water). She cheerfully asked her other tables how was their food and made suggestions about the menu to them. But could barely bother to stop by our table and wouldn’t make eye contact. I wonder if she assumed my husband and I wouldn’t be generous tippers because we rolled in looking a bit dusty and sweaty having just finished a hike. Despite the discriminatory treatment, we tipped well on the assumption that the wait staff divvies and shares their tip.

As regulars at Village Sake, we have only ever had excellent service but this waiter is new (we haven’t seen her before). I hope the restaurant figures it out quick that this member of their staff needs better training.

The other bummer was the food. Overly enthusiastic use of chili crisp which overpowered all the other flavors. Quality of the fish in their nigiri has gone down. Tempura portions have shrunk.

We will not be...

I was really excited to try this place out, since Japanese is my favorite cuisine, and I actually cook it frequently. Marin isn't exactly overflowing with great Japanese food. Unfortunately, I really don't think you get what you're paying for. The okonomiyaki and tempura weren't anything you couldn't get at any of the various Japanese restaurants around the bay. The octopus/squid we got was mostly unseasoned; seemed like it was just "char-flavored" with not even enough salt to carry the dish. The buttermilk crudo they gave us felt like it was trying something different just to be different. It wasn't bad, but the flavors they chose just didn't quite stick the landing. What I will give them good marks for is the great pork belly yakimono. Very tender with a great sauce. Unfotunately, I can't really say it's worth the ridiculous waits they have sometimes, and I definitely won't be crossing the bridge (now that I live in East Bay) to try it out, considering there are plenty of other great Japanese restaurants in the Bay Area. If you're limited to Marin, give it a go, but even then, you can go to Sushi Ran if you're in the...