Potto — Restaurant in San Francisco

We were scrambling to find a last-minute walk-in for a group of seven when we stumbled across this spot. The restaurant itself wasn’t very big, but it was surprisingly quiet for a late Saturday afternoon. We gave them a quick call ahead, and by the time we arrived the table was ready and waiting.

We kicked things off with a few apps, and my favorite was the soft-shell crab tempura. Instead of the usual batter-and-fry treatment, the crust was glazed with teriyaki, which gave it a smoky depth. A couple of my friends found it a touch bitter, but I actually liked the edge it added.

From the entrées, the clear specialty was Japanese nabe, though the rice bowls looked just as tempting. We tried the Sukiyaki nabe, Yakiniku don, and Gyutama udon, and everything was excellent. All featured American wagyu, and the don was the surprise hit. The rice was nearly drenched in soy-sake marinade, then pushed even richer with miso butter. On paper it sounded unbalanced: grease and umami stacked on top of each other, barely cut by some white onions. But bite after bite, it became more addictive.

Not sure where this fits in the broader SF Japanese dining scene, but if you’re looking for something that feels a step above casual without breaking into fine-dining territory, this one’s worth...

I recently tried Potto, and I’m already a fan. I absolutely loved their udon—it’s rich, flavorful, and cooked perfectly. Yes, the udon is a bit pricey (almost $30), but for me, it was worth it because it was so delicious. Their appetizers were also fantastic and a great start to the meal.

I haven’t had a chance to try their hot pot yet, but it looked amazing and I’m definitely coming back for it. One thing I really liked is that they use an induction stove built into the table—the surface stays cool to the touch, which felt very clean and sleek compared to traditional setups.

Just a heads-up: the restaurant can get really busy during dinner hours, so I highly recommend making a reservation in advance.

Overall, Potto is a great spot if you’re craving quality Japanese food and don’t mind paying a bit more for...

New nabe restaurant and first hot pot place in Castro. While it specializes in nabe, I ended up ordered the recommended Yakiniku don.

The food was great — the quality and presentation were generally solid. A bit of the rice in my bowl was a bit dry, but I’ll chalk it up to eating here only once.

The interior design was pretty. I’m no expert, but I feel like the color palette blends together nicely.

The food and interior design make this a great casual date spot (~3rd date), excepting the music. I believe jpop was playing, which felt a little too upbeat. Music selection is a simple to change though, so I’m not too worried.

I spent just shy of $50 after tax and tip. A little pricey, but such is the area.

Overall, this is my favorite in Castro by a decent margin. I look forward to trying the nabe...