Nombe - Tasty Japanese Small Plates

As we all know, the Mission is ground zero for the street food movement. That's why it's no surprise that Nombe, an Izakaya-style eatery, decided to join in on the fun.

Relatively new to the local food scene, the restaurant used to be an old diner, so the quirky retro vibe adds to the convivial atmosphere. The word nombe literally means 'drunk guy.' With a drink menu boasting 75 sakes, you are forewarned.

Chef Nick Balla (formerly of O Izakaya Lounge) knows what he's doing behind the stoves. The Japanese fusion small plates present strong flavors for the palate, so you'll walk away happy. We liked the pork belly a lot, but many of our favorites were vegetable-based. The roasted beets with grated wasabi, butternut squash tempura roll with green tea salt, gem lettuce salad, and brussels sprouts with mint, carrot and togarashi were all standouts.

For dessert, we highly recommend the fantastically airy yuzu jam beignets. Topped with a generous serving of creme fraiche, it's a decadent ending to a tasty meal.

They also offer an affordable brunch on weekends, serving traditional Japanese breakfast items like broiled black cod and spicy Charu Ramen. Their version of the Tuna Melt is made with poached ahi tuna, grilled sourdough and cheddar cheese.

www.nombesf.com

For editorial consideration, a press visit was provided for this review.