n/soto@Mid-City ★★★

Fantastic Izakaya. Tofu was smooth and silky. Love the Bone Marrow with Miso and Wine flavor, paired with Grilled Rice Ball. Quality sushi. With a group of 4 people, we got to try more variety of dishes. Genmaicha Hot tea $4 (small pot) per person. Accepts walk-in, but reservation highly recommended. Corkage fee $30. Valet or street parking.

Oysters $10 (2 pieces)

Tako Wasa $8
octopus, kizami wasabi

Brussels Sprouts & Salmon Skin Salad $16
red onion, poached egg

Matsunotsukasa Cuvée Isabel Shiga Junmai Ginjo $100

Warm Housemade Tofu $9
ginger, tosa joyu

Santa Barbara Uni $21 (2 pieces), Toro Osetra $21 (2 pieces)

Toro Osetra $21 (2 pieces)
chopped toro & caviar

Wild Halibut Sashimi $25
finger lime, uni, ponzu

Toro Osetra $21 (2 pieces)
chopped toro & caviar

Gyutan (Beef Tongue) $8

Chawanmushi $11

Chawanmushi $11
ginko nut, shrimp, chicken

Lamb Chop $9.50

Soft Shell Crab $26

Black Cod & Artichoke Donabe $39
ginger, green onion, pickles

Seaweed & Pickles for Black Cod & Artichoke Donabe

Miso Baked Bone Marrow $21
umeboshi onigiri

n/soto
4566 W Washington Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90016
(323) 879-9455
http://n-soto.com

Taberu@Little Tokyo ★★★

Tokyo Comfort Food Restaurant in Little Tokyo. Great pricing and great quality. Love the Seafood Salad with fresh & crisp vegetables. Tried some Summer Menu items. Everything tasted great. Nice cocktails. Cocktails also available in 60 oz pitcher. Signature Lemon Sour had a nice Lemon Sorbet on top to mix with with a kick of sour. The Tokyo Beer Garden with 2 hours of unlimited drinking looks fun (see last pic below). Reservations available on OpenTable. Street parking at Little Tokyo is extremely challenging at night, especially on weekend nights. Opens late.

Seafood Salad $18
tuna, salmon, yellowtail, herbs, mixed seaweed with citrusy yuzu shoyu onion dressing

Signature Lemon Sour 34oz $18
fresh cut lemons

Mango Tango High $13
fresh mangoes, shochu & soda topped w/ signature homemade 100% mango sorbet

Shiso n' Gari Maki $5, Oyako Salmon Maki $11

Shiso n' Gari Maki $5

Tomato Cheese Ramen $20 (Summer Special)

Tomato Cheese Ramen $20 (Summer Special)
tomato, onion, cheddar cheese, chicken ramen, a lil' spice to beat the heat

Tokyo Laksa Noodles $19, add Soft Boiled Egg +$2
coconut curry base with shrimp, fried onion, bean sprouts, cilantro, & fried bean curd

 

Tokyo Beer Garden Promotion with food & 2 hours of Bottomless Drinks for $75-$90

Taberu
806 East 3rd St Unit 140
Los Angeles, CA 90013
(213) 278-0198
http://Taberu-la.com

Shirube@Santa Monica ★

Fusion Izayaka. Good pricing. Love the flavorful and crispy fried Corn Ribs – a must. Zubaton Steak was nice with double-fried yam fries. Salad dressing for Daikon Salad is on heavy side. Too much mayo and too little toro in the Negitoro. Enjoyed Hojicha Cold Crew. Will try the Saba next time. Looked like Musha style. Bar counter seating was nice to see the action. Reservation recommended. Metered parking on street for $2.50 per hour.

Hojicha Cold Brew Tea $12 (720mL)
green tea, hojichia (Shizuoka Suigomoto Tea)

Daikon Salad $10
beets, kale, ume sesame vinaigrette

Corn Ribs $8
corn on the cob, shoyu butter

Negitoro $14
tuna, avocado, nori wasabi, tobiko, garlic bread

Chawanmushi $8
steamed egg custard, ikura, snow crab

Mentaiko Udon $16
udon, cod roe butter, kimchi, nori

Zubaton Steak $32
prime angus, yakiniku, chimichurri, yam

Shirubē
424 Wilshire Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 393-2533

n/soto@Mid-City ★★★

Fantastic Izakaya. Tofu was smooth and silky. Love the Bone Marrow with Miso and Wine flavor, paired with Grilled Rice Ball. Quality sushi. With a group of 5 people, we got to try more variety of dishes. Hot tea $4 (small pot) per person. Accepts walk-in, but reservation highly recommended. Corkage fee $30. Valet or street parking.

Kanpachi (Amberjack) Sushi $10, Toro Osetra (Chopped Toro & Caviar) Sushi $21, Hokkaido Uni Sushi $23, Hotate (Scallop) Sushi $10

Warm House Made Tofu $9
ginger, tosa joyu

Gyuyan Kushiyaki (Beef Tongue) $8

Ankimo $17
sumiso, onion, yuzu kosho

Toro Takuan Handroll $14, Blue Crab Handroll $12

Brussels Sprouts & Salmon Skin Salad $16
red onion, poached egg

Hokkaido Uni Sushi $23

Keroppi in a Cup $15
tequila, tepache, cucumber, shiso, vermouth, midori, lime

Toro Takuan Handroll $14, Blue Crab Handroll $12

Shiro Sake (Ivory King Salmon) $15, Hachibiki (Pacific Bonnetmouth) Sushi $12, Hon Maguro (Bluefin Tuna) Sushi $10

Soft Shell Crab $26
shiitake, shishito, ponzu

Hokkaido Uni Sushi $23

Black Cod & Artichoke Donabe $39
ginger, green onion, pickles

Lamb Chop Kushiyaki $9.50

Miso Baked Bone Marrow $21
umeboshi onigiri

n/soto
4566 W Washington Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90016
(323) 879-9455
http://n-soto.com

Hakata Izakaya Hero@Westwood ★★★

Authentic Japanese Izakaya. Everything was good. Ankimo is a bit pricier than usual, but it's really good. Motsu Nabe (Intestine Hot Pot) is better than Hachi Torrance. Less chewy. Would like to try their Lemon Ramen next time. Green tea $3.50. Reservation highly recommended, but they allow walk-ins towards the end of the night. Walked in at 8:30pm on a Friday night. Free street parking or metered parking around the block.

Sapporo Draft Beer $6 (glass)

Ankimo $18

Pork Belly Wrapped Skewer w/ Tomato $3.90
Pork Belly Wrapped Skewer w/ Lettuce $3.90

Shishamo Smelt Fish $2.50 per piece

Motsu Nabe (Intestine Hot Pot) $56

Noodles for Motsu Nabe

Teba Gyo $3.50

Hakata Izakaya Hero
1929 Westwood Blvd
West Los Angeles, CA 90025
(424) 832-3304
izakayahero.com