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Simply Wrong Food: IHOP's Holiday Pancakes
I spend a good deal of time in New York, and one thing that the locals there don't realize is that they live in a barren desert when it comes to sushi. I've tried a number of the top-rated places in the Big Apple and I've always come away disappointed.
The East Valley alone boasts more great sushi than all of the five boroughs combined. I'll start off with (what else?) the incomparable Sushi Nozawa, located in a strip mall at the corner of Eureka and Ventura. 5 days a week, Master Nozawa serves up eye-popping nigiri and unbelievable crab hand rolls. Food critics and Chowhound forum folks like to complain about the chef's demeanor, but we don't see what all the fuss is about. After many trips, LAist has only seen one person ever get thrown out of the restuarant, and she totally deserved it. This joint is worth the wait line, and it's worth the prices (a full meal will set you back $35-40). The baby tuna sashimi appetizer will literally send a chill up your spine. TRUST ME!
After Nozawa, you've got Katsu-ya, which is also in Studio City. Katsu-ya has great sushi and terrific prepared dishes - it recently overtook Nozawa for sole possession of the #1 overall Zagat ranking in the city. Still, we think the survey has it wrong - this is a wonderful restaurant, but it doesn't live up to the religious experience of a trip to Nozawa.
A few more to mention - Ahi Sushi (near Coldwater Canyon) is a relative newcomer, and it's definitely worth your time. While the sushi doesn't quite live up to the luminaries mentioned above, it's very good, and the chef has a flair for entrees featuring various crustaceans and uni sauce. He also serves a Nozawa-esque crab roll that's the size of a Sno-Cone. Outside the Valley, check out Hama Sushi in Little Tokyo. This place is a favorite of city hall staffers and for good reason. It features a soothingly traditional setting and some of the best fish on the east side. And Sushi Roku, with locations in Hollywood, Santa Monica, and Pasadena, is expensive but it's always a satisfying bet.
Any other favorites? Post a comment.
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R-23.
Nagao on San Vicente at 26th St. (way too west side for a lot of you, but that's ok) is great.
Sushi Sasabune on Sawtelle is similarly superlative -- equal, I've found, to Nozawa. As is Saito's sushi on Sunset and Fountain in Silverlake -- something of a semi-undiscovered gem. Many times I've gone in there and found it near-empty. Sushi Ike on Gower and Hollywood also has many strong proponents. And lastly, the Sushi Spot in Tarzana is very good --specializing in many cooked dishes (like Katsu-Ya).
Hirozen on Orlando and Beverly always gets overlooked. Better prices and better sushi (in my opinion) than Sushi Nozawa or Katsu-ya.
Wow, a post and 4 comments and still no mention of you-know-who's overpriced temples of corporate Hollywood...we're so indie.
Sushi Kazu (about 3 blocks west of Nozawa on Ventura) is another jewel in Studio City's Sushi Row. The fish is breathtaking, but Chef Kazu is a bit of a wasabi whore.
Also, for anyone wondering whether that $1 Sushi restaurant in the mall across from Nozawa is good simply by proximity...it's not. But hey, they make a lot of plonk a stone's throw from Lafite.
I'm no sushi expert (does Long John Silvers count?) but Ive been around the sushi block a time or two, and I really enjoy Zip Fusion (yonder Skid Row, 2nd st & Traction). A sushi fest on their amazing patio with a dozen or so friends is killer fun!
for more quality sushi in tha ShOaks, the unassuming sushi iwata (14423 ventura) is not to be missed.
On a side note, I must say I still miss the east valley "sushi on tap" which was the only sushi restaurant I've ever been to with a tap dancing chef (since replaced by the solid but expensive sushi dan)
gotta second Ike at Hollywood/Gower ... sushi is always wonderful and the staff friendly and attentive ...
in your summary post - "America's best sushi is all in LA"... have you had sushi in Hawaii? :)
I just dont get the Roku at all. The portions are TINY and its not terribly interesting fare. Oh, its also very expensive.
Sushi Ichigo on santa monica and amherst has some of the best omacase in town (which = anywhere)
Brother's on Ventura (way out in that valley place) is the BEST all around sushi with garlic shrimp hand rolls that makes the 40 minute drive from SM worth it.
And who can leave out ShshiMon on 3rd near the beverly center where the rice is dwarfed by the massive and tasty lengths of fish. I swear if I hear one more ugg booted, trucker hat wearing hipster tell me about how Roku was worth the 1 hour wait, I may get all road rage up in his grille, yo. I may take my sushi a little too seriously.
sushi ike. the best.
Los Angeles Sushi Finder
http://losangeles.sushifinder.com/