What I hear you saying is...

I posted a few weeks back about how difficult it is to find a great Japanese Izakaya in the US.

Well, I think we finally found one that measures up: Nami Nami on Castro in Mt.view. Using my own Criteria, let's see how Nami Nami stacks up:

1. Intimacy: 9.0
Given the space they have to work with, they've done a remarkable job creating a relaxed and inviting environment. Deduct a point for some minor noise and light spill-over from the kitchen.

2. Character: 9.0
Great subuded lighting and dark textured surfaces perfectly align with the friendly but unobtrusive wait-staff. Sublime. You will melt into your surroundings. Deduct a point for the ridonkulously noisy bathroom fan -- a room which they had otherwise expended considerable thought to aesthetics.

3. Music: 9.5
Nice clubby jazz, including most of a Charlie Haden album. Deduct a half-point for not using vinyl (and because it's fun to be pedantic).

4. Location: 9.0
The middle of freakin' Castro... Deduct a full point for being at ground-level, as this place should be on the 40th floor of a sky-scraper, (see my earlier post), but major props for being 8 minutes from my front door and not making me drive to SF for an urbanite experience.

5. Drink: 8.5
I'm still nursing a cold, so couldn't really do much empirical research. Deduct a point-and-a-half for their Sake list, which is a bit weak on selection, but kudos for a remarkably diverse Shochu menu. My next trip will be devoted to getting to know page a bit better.

6. Food: 9.0
Ahh, the most important part of the review. In a word, the food was excellent. We had nine dishes, of which 7 I would definitely order again, and of these 4 were outstanding:

1. maguro no shirawae (tuna with "snow"(tofu) sauce)....8.0
2. amadai wakasayaki (grilled snapper) ....8.0
3. tara to shirako no agedashi (fried cod w/shirako).... 10.0
4. renkon manju (lotus root dumpling).... 9.0
5. nigiri moriawase (nigiri sushi selection)....10.0
6. uni donburi (sea urchin rice bowl).... The uni was 10; rice was not sushi-meshi, so 7
7. anago no kakiage (deep fried eel & vegetable tempura patty).... 9.0

After vowing that no Izakaya has ever been able to serve good sushi, I am in utter shock: the fish was mind-numbingly good. The salmon nigiri was probably one of the best cuts I've ever had, and the uni was about as fresh as it gets. The other pieces were also good, but these in particular were simply amazing. (I almost wonder if we could score this well again on a subsequent trip?)

So, if you need a special night out, or want to entertain a small group of friends in a relaxed, elegant environment with great, authentic Japanese food, you'd be hard pressed to beat this place. One caveat to leave you with:it is not cheap, and the dishes are-- as with all Izakaya -- quite small. If you come with a ravenous appetite, be expected to shell out some $$$.

Still, I can't wait for a chance to go back again.

Kappo Nami Nami
240 Castro St.
Mountain View, CA,br> 94041
650.964.6990