Shiro Japanese Bistro — Restaurant in San Antonio

Yet another update (I'm the worst ha ha): I came back here after staying away for a while and I have to say, my mind was absolutely blown by the most beautiful chirashi I've ever seen in my life. It was exquisite and delicious. My previous bad experience must have been because of my poor skills at ordering off the menu. Super happy to have my favorite sushi experience back :)

Update: I had to update my review to reflect the poor customer service experience from my last visit. I went to enjoy wine during happy hour and no white wine was available and no substitute was provided other than regular prices at more than double. I came for happy hour and have been a regular at this place including bringing many other people here. And they can't give me a glass of white wine on the patio when it's hot for the advertised happy hour price? It's not like I spend min 100$ each time I come here, oh wait I do and I can't get white wine at a reasonable price. Cool dude- that's the definition of great customer service (not!) Plus, it shouldn't take 30 minutes to prepare one piece of nigiri. But it does here- for one roll and 4 pieces of nigiri, it took 3 hours. And the shasimi is not really accessible for single dinners which sucks if you have no one to split your food with and don't want rice but still wanna explore what's good for the day, but no bc the price dictates you can only really sample one or two vs what you could with nigiri. If you order something here, you have to commit, you can't sample like you can at other sushi restaurants. Chef does a good job with some things but he's taken it too far by micromanaging his staff resulting in a poor experience for customers. Plus the prices are not San Antonio prices- they are expensive when compared to similar places in California. Disappointing. I guess I'll be going back to 19 hyaku where there is zero risk of poor customer service.

Old review: I absolutely love this place! The sushi is incredible! I also love that you can go fancy with some rare options to discover or you can keep it affordable and take advantage of the happy hour on Wed, Thursday and Sunday. I also love to make it a combo and enjoy the museum across the street after.

Waiters are great and very well trained. I've been impressed with their knowledge of sushi- I've learned a lot from them.

My only advice would be to arrive a little bit after they open. The first hour tends to be a bit slow on the service front as they start warming up. That's the only reason for 4 not 5 stars. I'm impatient and don't like waiting super long.

And as an FYI, there's designated shiro parking in the building they are at. Useful when...

This is long… food rating at the bottom.

The Service: I had my birthday dinner there. I had told my fiancé for months that I wanted to come to Shiro. I had very high expectations for Shiro. I have been to Nobu, Uchi, Uchiko, Musashino and Neighborhood sushi. So, I was ready to be blown away by the service and the food.

The service left me feeling like I did not deserve to be there. Our waiter did not introduce himself to us. He did not ask us if it was our first time. When I interacted with him, he was brief with his responses. He spoke quickly and in a low volume and appeared to be in a hurry. I thought to myself “he must very busy or tired or he is having an off day”. I asked about different rolls and he did describe them to me, however, he did not ask questions to guide me as to what I would probably like. All interactions were brief.

After about 10-15 minutes the table behind us was seated and they were three white people. He was their server as well. When he interacted with them, he was polite to them, he engaged in conversation with them, he asked them what brought them to Shiro, how did they hear about Shiro. He asked them questions in order to guide them with their selections, and he voiced that. I tried again to engage with him at I got the same brief responses. I asked for a roll that was refreshing he responded “what do you mean?” I had to further explain. He then made a suggestion.

Service wise, I would have appreciated the same type of energy he gave the other table. We’re paying customers as well and want to have a great experience at one of the city’s best sushi spots. We tipped accordingly.

The Food: -Garlic edamame -lacked brightness, it was very one note and heavy for being edamame. -Hotline crispy gyoza-strong pork flavor, I was not expecting that. -Pepper fin-loved the presentation and the fish was light and delicious -Chilean sea bass-soft, flaky, great broth -Show me your moves roll- I liked this roll, it was very flavorful and it came with a ponzu sauce… so good. -Tropic thunder (recommended roll) -it was room temp and that may have been why it was not refreshing. The cilantro gave it some brightness. -I also order two pieces of nigiri and they too were at room temperature.

We did not have dessert, the waiter did not offer it, knowing it was my birthday. I was already full and ready to move on...

Living close to Shiro Japanese Bistro has been a true delight, and despite only visiting a few times, I can confidently say that it's an absolute gem. This place has won me over with its delectable food, fantastic service, and inviting atmosphere, perfect for various occasions.

Although I've only been a handful of times, most of those visits were for their Happy Hour, and I can't emphasize enough how great of an experience it has been. Shiro offers an impressive selection of food and drinks during this time, making it an ideal spot to unwind after a long day. The quality of their offerings is excellent, and the wallet-friendly prices during Happy Hour only sweeten the deal.... even though I end up spending more!

What's remarkable about Shiro is that it manages to strike the perfect balance between sophistication and approachability. Despite initial impressions, this place isn't pretentious at all. It exudes an elegant, inviting, and comfortable vibe, making it a fantastic choice for various occasions. Shiro fits the bill, whether you're on a casual outing, a special date night, or just craving some delicious Japanese cuisine. Speaking of date nights, Shiro Japanese Bistro has all the elements of a perfect romantic spot. The cozy ambiance, attentive service, and tantalizing array of dishes create an unforgettable experience that will impress your significant other.

If you're planning a visit, check out Shiro on Sundays, as they offer an amazing Happy Hour with an array of delightful food and drink options. You won't be disappointed by the choices available from sushi to cocktails.

In conclusion, Shiro Japanese Bistro has won my heart with its delectable food, inviting atmosphere, and top-notch service. It's a place that can easily become your go-to spot for various occasions. Don't be fooled by any misconceptions – Shiro is anything but pretentious; it's a genuine and delightful culinary haven. Five stars,...