Hip atmosphere, inventive cuisine, and… family friendly service? That’s a trio you don’t see much. Thankfully, Rocketfish has scores of each.

Nestled in San Francisco’s Potrero Hill neighborhood, this Japanese Tapistro and Lounge is the realized dream of owners Marco Rodriguez and Kenichi Kawashima — innovative restauranteurs with a taste for the unexpected.

A combination of classic Japanese dishes and bolder tapas selections, the Rocketfish menu boasts a new brand of Global Cuisine that’s fresh, exciting, and has a beat all its own. Offerings range from traditional sushi to avant-garde shoku, and suit all palates, from highly adventurous to delicately mild. What’s more, the digs are chic and the atmosphere is kid-friendly, making it an ideal place for dinner dates or the entire family.

To start, savor the Grilled Oysters – a customer favorite – or the Hotate Hakkaido sea scallops, pan-fried to perfection. Pair your selections with a spot of sake (we like the Sierra Cold Ginjo for summer), and nibble on steamed Edamame dusted with kosher salt.

Hot Shoku offerings are hearty, and put a spin on classic Japanese fare. Mozzarella Agedashi features the Italian cheese fried and drizzled with tentsuyu sauce, while the Hamachi Shio Yaki wraps grilled yellow tail in bacon and pairs it with spinach, daikon radish, and ponzu.

From the Cold Shoku menu, the Hawaiian Escolar Carpaccio is a must — salty lemon confit, fried caper, jalapeño, and vinaigrette garnishes make for a lively finish. In the Vegetable Rolls selection, the Soy Paper Maki is perfectly suited for kids.

* It’s reputable in both taste and talent. Co-owner and Master Chef Kenichi Kawashima was executive chef at Blowfish for 10 years, and infuses the menu with the same fine artistry he practiced there.

* There’s Happy Hour. With a weekly DJ and food and drink specials Monday-Friday from 5-7pm, Rocketfish is a great place for some post-work decompression any day of the week.

How’s that for fusion?

-Larkin Clark

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