Zensei Sushi   

As with its North Park neighborhood, Zensei champions the style of the past while emblazoning progressive artistry upon its craft. Funky music and moody paintings bring an element of sensuality to the single dining area. The place is small, which is alright with neighborhood regulars. A cozy atmosphere much better suits this residential end of town than would some corporate monster. Most diners choose a seat at the sushi bar where they can converse with chefs and get a little light show from glinting steel as it slices into high-grade fish. If the usual miso and edamame starters don't cut it anymore, venture the oyster shooters with red and black tobiko caviar, ponzu sauce and quail egg. And since it's in North Park, the restaurant accommodates vegetarians and vegans with tofu avocado rolls and the veggie You/We roll, where you or the chef gets to pick what goes inside. Nibble nigiri or rock with the Yellow Submarine roll, filled with eel, crab cream cheese and avocado and fried tempura-golden.