Doma - food kismet

Aug 7

**there are few times that I eat at a new restaurant and think that it is deserving of a star.**

**Friday was an exception.**

Friday afternoon, we meant to stay in and cook. But it was warm, sunny, and that unmistakable feeling of summer was setting in. So we started thinking about where we could eat out.

We had settled on Chirasai Sushi Club on Mission and stepped out to find a scooter when we decided to shortcut through Precita Park. We walk our dog almost every week day through this park. At the corner, right where we always enter is this unassuming sushi spot called Doma. It's so small, they can probably only seat 9 or 10 people around the counter at once.

Maybe the fact that it's easy to miss if you're in a hurry or that it's been here the whole time that we've been in the neighborhood and have never stopped to come in but getting seated on a Friday evening with no reservation was delightful. The cherry on top? It's run by this lovely older couple who I aspire to be in 25 years with zero other help. Living across the country from my parents, I have a soft spot for older Asian couples.

I started writing this post with every intention of saying it is so deserving of a star and it absolutely does but maybe the magic of it is that it stays small, special and intimate. The selfish side of me wants it to remain a hidden secret in Bernal forever. a neighborhood spot you could stumble upon and have some of the best omakase you’ve had in your life, without the fanfare or weight of a food critic’s review in your mind. That is what makes San Francisco so special. Places like Doma that give a neighborhood heart, charm and maintains unbelievably high standards of food in an extraordinarily competitive food scene but doesn't beg to be more than they are.

One of my favorite things while traveling is accidentally finding places that are unbelievable but don’t require any research.That is my favorite surprise. It's like food kismet for me. It was meant to be. Just like Friday night was meant to be Doma for us, I hope it is for you one day.

What we ate and drank: