Hamano Sushi in San Francisco’s Noe Valley has some of the freshest sushi I’ve had in awhile. The best way to ‘experience’ Hamana however is at the bar. Order the random things that you typically order and love but then sit and ponder. Watch what the chefs are working on for others, what they’re bagging up for take out orders and for the rest of the folks at the bar. Like, for example, these random rolls below. I asked him, “What’s that?” I want that and of course, he was happy to oblige.
They always used to pour some old fashioned green tea in a classic Japanese mug — you know the kind without the handle — every time I walked in. They have since replace their traditional green tea that they poured and poured throughout the night with a small pot of tea you have to pay $3.50 for. It no longer feels like the kind of place your Uncle Joe told you about and you were blessed to find because of it. I wished they’d go back to that old fashioned green tea personal touch. Customers like it.
Of course I had to order Ikura, which I did while my friend was on the phone outside taking a quick call. Who doesn’t like Ikura? He didn’t, so I got lucky and ended up with both.
Other random rolls we sampled although we went on and on for a few hours. I’ve never done a proper review of the place and don’t consider this one a proper review, but I’ve been there so many times, I felt I had to at the very least share a few photos of some of my favorites.
Renee Blodgett is the founder of We Blog the World. The site combines the magic of an online culture and travel magazine with a global blog network and has contributors from every continent in the world. Having lived in 10 countries and explored nearly 80, she is an avid traveler, and a lover, observer and participant in cultural diversity.
She is also the CEO and founder of Magic Sauce Media, a new media services consultancy focused on viral marketing, social media, branding, events and PR. For over 20 years, she has helped companies from 12 countries get traction in the market. Known for her global and organic approach to product and corporate launches, Renee practices what she pitches and as an active user of social media, she helps clients navigate digital waters from around the world. Renee has been blogging for over 16 years and regularly writes on her personal blog Down the Avenue, Huffington Post, BlogHer, We Blog the World and other sites. She was ranked #12 Social Media Influencer by Forbes Magazine and is listed as a new media influencer and game changer on various sites and books on the new media revolution. In 2013, she was listed as the 6th most influential woman in social media by Forbes Magazine on a Top 20 List.
Her passion for art, storytelling and photography led to the launch of Magic Sauce Photography, which is a visual extension of her writing, the result of which has led to producing six photo books: Galapagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome, Urbanization and Ecuador.
Renee is also the co-founder of Traveling Geeks, an initiative that brings entrepreneurs, thought leaders, bloggers, creators, curators and influencers to other countries to share and learn from peers, governments, corporations, and the general public in order to educate, share, evaluate, and promote innovative technologies.
