Fish & Bird Sousaku Izakaya

Berkeley has a fair share of casual izakayas serving passable but slightly underwhelming dishes. But not Fish & Bird. The food at this lively and a tad upscale spot downtown stars traditional Japanese dishes zhuzhed up by the freshest seasonal produce, simple yet stylish presentation, and neurosurgery-level attention to detail. Lightly fried green beans topped with curry sansho salt are crunchy perfection. The housemade soft tofu is a cream bomb topped with scallions and ginger. If the night calls for seafood, the chef’s selection of thick-cut sashimi is fantastic. The menu changes daily, so no two visits will ever be the same.