Tuesday, October 3, 2023

Sushi Tomoki@Studio City ★★★

Sushi Restaurant in Studio City. Sushi Chef Tomoki-san from Enya Beverly Hills is very nice & attentive. Last time he said he would serve us Kegani (Hokkaido Hairy Crab) next time we come, so did he. He saved Kegani for us this time. Sushi on the small side. Omakase about $160 per person (varies). Comes with Appetizer, Sashimi, Sushi, & Hand Roll. Hot tea $3. Ohmine 3 Grain Sake was refreshing & fruity. Paired well with everything. Reservations available via OpenTable (highly recommended).  Monday nights are less busy. Currently closed on Wednesdays. Free parking side lot or street parking (read signs).

Appetizer: Duck Breast w/ mustard/ kosho
Dashi Eggplant, Squash, Okra
Kumamoto Oyster w/ Caviar
Fish broth w/ Red Snapper Kokogori (jellied broth)
Tomato

Kumamoto Oyster w/ Caviar

Ohmine 3 Grain $90

Sashimi: Blue Fin Tuna, Otoro from Spain (seared a bit), Sweet Shrimp, Scallop w/ Ikura, Smoked Kanpachi w/ Pear

Shima Aji

Sawara (King Mackerel) w/ Apple Sauce

Kinmedai (Golden Eye Snapper)

Iwashi (Sardine)

Hirame (Halibut)

Engawa (Halibut Fin)

Gindara (Black Cod)

Kegani w/ Winter Melon Japanese Style

Kegani w/ Bafun Uni from Hokkaido

Chutoro (Medium Fatty Tuna)

Red Crab Hand Roll

Otoro

Toro & Uni Hand Roll

Toro & Uni Hand Roll (different wrap style)

Matcha Dessert

Sushi Tomoki
3791 Cahuenga Blvd,
Studio City, Los Angeles, CA 91604
818-693-5746
https://sushitomoki.com

Monday, October 2, 2023

sawa x Akabu Chief Brewer@Little Tokyo ★★★

Incredible. Exclusive Akabu sake pairing event with 杜氏 Chief Brewer coming from Iwate, Japan. By Fifth Taste. 古舘龍之介 Ryunosuke Furudate, creator of Akabu sake, was seated next to me for the dinner while he hosted the event. Star-struck. I chatted with him and his sister, 古舘岬 Misaki-san, about their brewery with my limited beginner Japanese. Had the best time of my life. The brewery has a long history and is a family business passed on from their grandfather and parents. Akabu Gokujyo no Kire is refreshing, smooth, and fruity excellent premium sake. Hope to be able to visit the brewery in Iwate one day.

Sushi Chef Ryo-san is amazing & caring. Gabriel is like a ray of sunshine. Lynn and Natalia the bartenders are very nice and sweet. Finally got to meet Yumiko-san from Sake Suki. Event omakase $200. $150 for sake pairing at event. Parking lot $6 cash.

Akabu Gokujyo no Kire Best of Best Cut (Flagship) Event Price $220 (Regular Price $330)

Akabu Display

Akabu Gokujyo no Kire Best of Best Cut (Flagship)

Ryunosuke's Sister, Misaki-san 古舘岬

Akabu Siblings with Yumiko-san from Sake Suki on the right

Fried Chutoro (Medium Fatty Tuna) w/ Salt & Grated Wasabi

Chawanmushi w/ Nodoguro & Fresh Seaweed

Akabu Junmai

Sawara (King Mackerel) w/ Shiso Sauce & Shiso Flower

Sawara paired w/ Akabu Junmai

Seared Saba w/ dehydrated egg yolk

Ryunosuke Furudate from Akabu

Uni Cream Somen w/ Sea Urchin from Canada w/ truffle salt

Uni Somen Paired w/ Akabu Junmai Ginjo

Akabu Junmai Ginjo

Ryunosuke-san from Akabu

Anikimo w/ Fresh Grated Wasabi & Pickled Radish

Akabu Junmai Daiginjo

Aji Chopped up w/ Ginger, Chives, Shiso Leaf, Sweet Miso

New Caldonia Blue Crystal Shrimp w/ Yuzu Salt

Sea Bream/ Red snapper w/ Ponzu, Garlic, Onion, Apple

Akabu Hisui


Akabu Hisui

Sweet Shrimp w/ Astera Caviar from China

Spearheaded Squid w/ Uni from Canada

Marinated Akami (Blue Fin Tuna)

Alder Smoked Chutoro (Medium Fatty Tuna)

Otoro Takuan w/ Shiso Leaf


Akabu Junmai Hiyaoroshi (served warm) (discontinued)

Slow cooked Oyster from Japan

Amazing Time

Scallop from Washington

Fish Bone Broth

sawa Signature Soy Sauce Cheesecake

Natalia's Special – Super Lemon Sake Cocktail

Natalia's Special – Black Tea Peach Sake Cocktail

Bottle Autographed by Ryunosuke-san

Akabu Siblings

Yumiko-san from Sake Suki

Got Gokujyo no Kire autographed by Ryunosuke Furudate

Gokujyo no Kire autographed by Ryunosuke Furudate

sawa
111 San Pedro St
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(323) 381-5858
barsawa.us