Daigo

Hidden gem on Birch Street serving exceptional omakase, hamachi shots, and yuzu cheesecake in an intimate Japan-reminiscent setting.

Daigo gives a sushi dinner on Birch Street in Palo Alto plenty of interesting starting points. The hamachi shot combines yellowtail with quail egg, avocado, tobiko, and truffle ponzu, while the crudo selection brings citrus and other seasonings to sliced fish. We like those small dishes as a way to explore the menu before moving into nigiri or sashimi. The fish selection includes bluefin tuna, salmon belly, scallops, and uni, with assorted nigiri dinners and chirashi bowls providing more complete combinations. Warm dishes add another dimension: king oyster mushroom tempura, agedashi tofu, and sake-steamed clams can sit comfortably beside a sushi order. Hand rolls range from negitoro to blue crab. Daigo's appeal is the balance between straightforward presentations of fish and carefully composed small plates, making the meal more varied than a succession of rolls.