The folks at Sushi Yoshizumi take sushi very seriously, and this place has a reputation for serving up some of the most elegant, high-end sushi in San Mateo. In fact, locals say it can be one of the best restaurants to visit if you're seeking a spot for a birthday, anniversary or another special occasion.

You see, Sushi Yoshizumi only seats nine people at a single, L-shaped table that gets the chef's full and personalized attention throughout the evening. All the service here is omakase-style, which means that the chef selects all the dishes and serves a tasting menu based on what is freshest and most flavorful in the market each day. This means you'll likely try sushi dishes that you've never encountered before, which regulars say is well worth it. Keep in mind that this place has a Michelin star and is extremely popular, so the only way to be seated is to make a reservation before you go (and be sure to reserve early, as the restaurant is often fully booked a month or more in advance!)

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/Geoff Peters