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dining by neighborhood | Sushi |
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It's hard to imagine that anybody reading this still has an aversion to sushi. Since its mainstream introduction to SoCal in the 70s, and pop culture explosion in the 80s, sushi has become a staple of the California diet. These days it's not uncommon to find prepackaged sushi items at your local market, in school cafeterias, and along the lunch line at work. But none of this mass market sushi holds a candle to the taste and sensation of truly fresh, masterfully prepared sushi - and LA's got a lot of it. Here's a list of our favorite places.
 Katsuya
Chef Katsuya Uechi's temple to sushi, and Hollywood's temple of celeb cuisine, hovers at Hollywood and Vine, ground central for silver-screen dreams. And this is the place to see and be seen: but how's the food? Turns out it's divine, with Chef Katsuya's practiced knife--that's decades of practice, folks--serving up the freshest, most fabulous sushi to grace Hollywood in, well, forever.
6300 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 90028 | (323) 871-8777 | website
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Sushi Rice
1 cup medium-grain white sushi rice
1 1/4 cups water
1 2-inch-square piece dried seaweed
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
Rinse rice under cold water through strainer until water runs clear. Put rice in medium saucepan. Add water and seaweed. Let soak 30 minutes, discard kelp and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cook until tender. Let stand covered for 15 minutes. Transfer rice to large glass bowl.
Combine vinegar, sugar and salt in saucepan. Stir over low heat until sugar dissolves. Combine with rice. Cover rice with clean damp towel and cool completely at room temperature
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SUSHI ROKU
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Set back comfortably from Colorado Blvd., this stylish expansion of the Sushi Roku concept easily lives up to its lofty reputation. The interior is a soothing combination of wood, stone and water that nicely compliments the cutting edge dishes that made the 3rd Street location famous. Of note are the special sea bass spring rolls with a tangy herb citrus dressing. And don't miss the octopus sashimi with yuzu pepper dressing.
33 Miller Alley
Pasadena 91103
(626) 683-3000
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BAR HAYAMA
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It's been said that "Those who can, do. And those who can't, teach." California Sushi Academy creator Frank Toshi Sugiura is the rare person capable of both. Founder of famed Hama in Venice, these days Sugiura is plying his trade at Bar Hayama in West LA. The menu at Bar Hayama is traditional Japanese with California touches and an eye toward "Kozara," or small plates, often made with macrobiotic ingredients.
1803 Sawtelle Blvd.
LA, CA 90025
310-235-2000
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SUSHI NOZAWA
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Maybe you've already heard tales of the "sushi Nazi," but have you actually eaten at his temple to fish? No? Well, this is some of the finest sushi in SoCal. Melt-in-your-mouth tuna, albacore, and lobster are fan faves, but don't be too loud in your appreciation: Nozawa's famous for kicking out diners who are too noisy, demanding, or annoying. So, call and make a reservation, leave your phone in the car, and prepare to trust the sushi Nazi's judgement.
11288 Ventura Blvd., Ste. C
Studio City, CA 91604
(818) 508-7017 |
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SUSHI HOUSE
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It’s easy to forget that sushi has been an LA obsession for almost 30 years. Thankfully, a handful of first-wave sushi restaurants are still around today. On Pico, Sushi House has been serving up some of the spiciest tuna and most colorful rolls since 1980. There have been some ownership changes over the years which has caused some dissent among the devoted, but they still play a lot of Reggae and that’s good enough for us.
12013 W Pico Blvd.
LA, CA 90064
(310) 479-1507
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© 2008