The work hard, play harder guys, -the investment, M&A, partner-track, Stanford MBA crew- when they choose a spot for dining out in San Francisco, always choose Nihon. They like their sushi pretty, their whisky neat, and their ambience a manly mix of natural textures. Nihon brings to mind those dimly lit Tokyo whisky clubs where, for a few hundred bucks, you can keep one of 250 or so special bottles behind the bar and use the private room for your private moves. The sushi is not perfect, but it is quite good. A white river-stone floor and plenty of dark wood create a richly intimate atmosphere. Upstairs, the small dining room offers intimacy and a tantalizing glimpse of the private room. One expects a breathtaking geisha to part the shoji screens any moment. Bring your friends or take a date. The scene is low-key lounge with minimal mingling, and the bar is pretty much reserved for the sip-and-savour whisky connoisseur. Before 7pm, nosh on half-price apps alongside Tokyo-bound young execs. Nihon ups the ante on bottle service. Fall in love with any of their 250-plus whisky selections and then purchase your own bottles. The restaurant will gladly store them (for free) in their VIP bottle room, where you can partake of your favourite spirits on your next visit.