Revisiting Rintaro

I’m not sure why I haven’t been back to Rintaro more often than I have. I’ve been twice now, years apart, and both times left me thinking I should make this more of a habit.

The first visit was years ago with a couple of friends, lots of food and drinks involved, and of course I drank enough that the details didn’t stick. The second visit was the one that really stuck with me, and it’s the one I keep coming back to in my head.

Rintaro sits in a converted warehouse space in the Mission, with two distinct dining areas, one more open and bustling, the other quieter. The interior is built from reclaimed redwood and cedar, and it gives the whole place a calm, considered feel that doesn’t try too hard. This isn’t really an izakaya in the way you’d think of one, and it isn’t sushi or ramen either. It’s its own thing, leaning into seasonal, produce driven Japanese cooking with a NorCal sensibility running through it.

What stuck with me most on the second visit was the staff. We came with a newborn and they went out of their way to make it easy on us. While we waited, someone was smoking near the entrance, and rather than let our kid sit anywhere near that, they offered us a seat inside to wait instead. It’s a small thing, but it tells you a lot about how the place is run and how much they actually care about the people eating there.

Service throughout the meal matched that energy. Attentive without hovering, and happy to walk us through the menu. They even have a sake sommelier on staff, which says something about how seriously they take that side of the experience. Go with a group if you can. More people means more dishes on the table, and that’s really how this place is meant to be enjoyed.

Rintaro
82 14th Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/oD9QTr5EB5FjpSJa6

Verdict: Definitely worth a visit. Bring friends and let the staff guide you.