“ This place was very intimate And very much worth the money and experience. The chef was very outgoing and knowledgeable Food was top grade! Must book on the resy app ”

“ Utzutzu is a hidden omakase gem located in Alameda, and it's a dining experience worth checking out. As a local who grew up in Alameda, I have always heard about this tucked-away sushi spot upstairs on Park Street but haven't gotten a chance to check it out until recently and I'm impressed. There is no signage on the outside, but once you find the stairways up to the restaurant, you will be greeted by a friendly server. The fish and ingredients used were incredibly fresh. Sweet shrimp, wagyu, and seabream were my favorites of the night! For the price of $145 per person and the quality you are getting, I think it's really reasonable, especially when compared to other omakases in the Bay Area. You get a good amount of food, but at the end, there is an option for you to add extra pieces for an additional cost. The chef is transparent about the pricing and makes sure you are okay with the price before making your extras. The vibes were quite intimate with retro decor in the waiting area. I think the furniture is a bit worn down, but it gives the restaurant some character. Since each seating only seats 7-8 guests, it was nice to be up close to the chef as he made the nigiris. I would definitely be back ”

“ Another wonderful experience at Utzutzu. Dinner here is always such a treat, one that I eagerly anticipate from the moment we make our reservation, a month in advance. I love that this place is still a relatively hidden gem in Alameda. The eight-person seating per service makes for a perfectly intimate omakase experience. Service is refined, with a quietly attentive staff that observes in the background, and are quick to anticipate and respond to guest needs, but never hover over you. I am picky about where we go for sushi, and when you're eating raw fish, you should be; quality is everything. The quality of the fish at Utzutzu is excellent, and really comes through in the flavors, texture, and appearance of the bounty of seafood you will be tasting here. The price per person is currently $145, which for as many courses as you get, is a deal. Extras are, of course, extra. My favorites this time around included: -Amberjack -Golden Eye Snapper -Toro hand roll There are too many individual courses for me to list here, but check out my pics for many of the standouts. We ordered an extra serving of the amberjack each, which we agreed was one of our very favorites. I do wish the dinner service was longer, though I completely understand they only have two seatings a night, and need to stay on a schedule. But I could easily stay for another hour, ordering extras. Thank you to the Chef and staff of Utzutzu for another special, memorable meal. Already looking forward to our next visit. ”

“ Exceptional cuts of mind blowing fish - and at the right bite sized servings so you finish each bite savoring the flavor and mouth feel easily. The sushi chef is very kind and mindful, noticing all the details and making the most top notch sushi selection flown from Hokkaido. Some notable selections: tako, torched black sea bream, shrimp, okra ... A well curated selection. Superb. Highly recommended. The price isn't bad for the super high quality and personal service a ”

“ Favs were the sweet shrimp, uni, waygu and toro nigiri! Wish there were more desserts. IG: @sierra_notnevada ”

“ If any restaurant in Alameda has the potential for a Michelin star, it's Utzutzu. I must have walked by this place a thousand times over the last 10 years and never even knew it was there. It feels like a secret, exclusive club because it's located above some storefronts on Park Street. You enter through an unmarked door, head up the stairs, and suddenly, you're in a tiny omakase spot that seats only eight. The setting is intimate, with a front-row view of the chef at work. I loved how personal the experience was. Throughout many dishes (I lost track!), we heard the chef's stories--his Okinawan roots, his family, and fishing in his hometown. Every dish had an explanation--where the ingredients came from, how the fish was prepared, the nuances of each bite. It wasn't just a meal; it was an experience. And even when I encountered a texture or flavor I didn't personally love, I still appreciated every moment of it. Two things hold it back from being a full 5-star experience. First, each dish could use just a little more pop--something to elevate the flavors just a bit more. The plating was beautiful, but some dishes needed a stronger finish. Second, while the small space adds to the intimate charm, it also feels a little too dark and could really use a refresh. That said, the service was impeccable--attentive but never hovering. Pro Tips: - Reservations can be tough to get, so check Resy often. - This is an omakase place, which means it's the chef's choice--you eat what the chef prepares. Every night is different. If you need control over your meal, this isn't your place. - There are two seatings per night: 5:30 PM and 8:00 PM. If you're late, you'll miss plates. - Finding the entrance can be tricky: look for a door directly to the left of Mommy's Trading Post, then head upstairs. The address is on top of the door. If you love omakase and are up for an intimate, chef-driven dining experience, it's absolutely worth a visit. ”

“ Dined here when it was Ume but haven't dined here under the new ownership as Utzuzu. We came here recently on a Friday for a birthday celebration after making reservations on RESY for the 5:30pm seating. Their other seating is for 8pm. The restaurant is obscure on the second floor with no name on the outside or at the door. The sushi counter sits 8 for the omakase, so it is quite cozy with your fellow diners which were fellow Alamedans as well. After the servers take you drink orders, the chef arrives and welcome us and show us the types of fish/seafood and its origin that he will be preparing. He asked if anyone had allergies. Two patron were allergic to shrimp and uni so the chef provided them with another item during that course. It was a 20 item meal that consisted of Black Goma & Kabocha, Nanbanzuke, Sumiso-ae, Uni Chawanmushi, Akadashi, 14 nigiris, including blue fin tuna, kampachi, spot prawns, Hokkaido scallop, saba, toro, ocean trout, salmon, tuna hand roll and wagyu beef, and a Hojica Pudding for dessert. You can order additional items as add-ons. The meal was very enjoyable and delicious. Service by chef and staff was friendly. The seafood were fresh and you can taste the quality. A nice omakase experience in little Alameda! A hidden gem. ”

“ A fair-valued okimari (like omakase, but with more than just sushi) counter in a very-hidden (unmarked and up a flight of steep stairs) location that is substantially cheaper than similar-quality spots in San Francisco. Nothing stood out as extraordinary, and the fish selection was exactly what you'd expect (shima aji, hotate, uni, different types of tuna, and wagyu). The chef is friendly and attentive to the guests; he's working solo, with two servers working mostly on water/alcohol, and bringing out the non-nigiri dishes. It's a wonderful restaurant that doesn't necessarily surprise, but if solid sushi at an affordable price is what you're craving, and you don't want to deal with the nightmare that is parking in San Francisco, this is a great option. ”

“ Food: 5/5 superb!! Been coming here for the past two years!! Always quality cuts and the flavor mmmm!!!!!! Will be coming back!!! Service: 4/5 could be more on top of wiping the sushi plate. Aside from that staff is engaged in refilling the tea and water Ambiance: 5/5 cozy little chic spot ”