Yoshi's San Francisco: Arturo Sandoval Heats Up Fillmore, Latin Jazz Style

The Fillmore jazz scene is back, thanks in large part to Yoshi’s recent foray on this side of the bay. Yoshi’s is one part restaurant, with Chef Sho Kamio serving up some of the most delicious and stunning Japanese dishes, and one part jazz club, promising an intimate and inviting show for a crowd no larger than 420. If the kinds of acts that Yoshi’s attracted were local artists or under-the-radar acts that have yet to make it big, this would be just another jazz joint. But the fact that Arturo Sandoval is gracing the stage until Sunday is testament to Yoshi’s impressive line up.

Here is a man who has won four Grammy Awards, six Billboard Awards, and an Emmy – in short, he is a legend. At the age of 59, he is not showing any signs of letting up any time soon. With passion and verve, Sandoval’s jazz trumpet is still wickedly scorching all the way up to the screeching upper registries that are so difficult to hit. Add his Mambo Big Band, singers and dancers, and you have one of the hottest shows around. In a tribute to mambo kings Tito Puente and Perez Prado, this show has all the heat, excitement and appeal of the 1950s Copacabana. Although there are two shows a night through Sunday, your best bet is Thursday night at 10 p.m. as the 8 p.m. shows and weekend shows will fill up soon if they have not already done so.

Equally stunning is the Japanese cuisine served either at the restaurant or at the club. The club menu, while just a fraction of the restaurant menu, is complete enough to satisfy the average customer without the need to compromise quality sushi. But if you are looking for more than nigiri, a few grilled items, or dessert, book a reservation for dinner about an hour before showtime. You won’t be disappointed with their extensive menu.

Although the food is a bit on the pricey side, you won’t want to miss their Morikomi (sashimi combinations) starting at $22 for 2 pieces each of 5 varieties of fish. Fare from their Kamayaki (wood burning oven roasted) section is less traditional Japanese, but the Kurobuta “Berkshire” Pork Prime Rib ($20) marinated in a ginger miso marinade and served with lemon thyme jus is spectacular.

Another option available to patrons is to watch the show for free while eating in the dining room. The gigs are shown on TVs all throughout the restaurant and lounge. You may not get the superior acoustics of the state-of-the-art club, but you will get to experience a performance by a living legend.

Arturo Sandoval’s Mambo Mania Big Band
Yoshi’s San Francisco
1330 Fillmore St.
San Francisco 94115
Now through Sunday
$34-$42

Originally published: http://www.ucsf.edu/synapse/articles/2008/Feb/28/yoshis.html