Morihiro@Atwater Village ★★★

Edomae Style Sushi to perfection, comparable to Jiro Sushi in Tokyo. One-Michelin-Star. Exquisite presentation. Super fresh sashimi with less oil. Perfect small rice portion on the sushi. Rice mixed with red vinegar, Edomae style. Abundant of dishes. Rice specifically grown for him from his hometown, the Iwate Perfecture. Bought some uncooked rice home for $15/lb. Chef Mori retired from Mori Sushi and came back. He said making good sushi makes him happy. Humble man. He's also good friends with Shunji-san from Shunji Sushi. Sushi Counter (with Chef Mori) is $350-$400 per person. Wine pairing $150 at counter (7 glasses) and $75 at table (4 glasses). Omakase only. Reservations via Tock. Corkage fee is $50.

Otoro

Squid

Uni from Hokkido

Chef Mori's Signature Tofu with Freshly Grated Wasabi

Mori-san's Handmade Pottery

Seasonal Zensai

Seasonal Zensai, Seared Amaebi with Umadashi Jelly

Kokuryu "Crystal Dragan Daiginjo $87

Osuimono with Fish

Kegani – Hokkaido Hairy Crab

Sashimi Plate

Toro Tartare
mixed with pine nuts, topped with with black caviar

Grilled Nodoguro

Ikura

Uni from Mexico

Akagai with Cucumber Roll, Egg

Japanese Musk Melon from Shizuoka

Miso Caramel Dango

Matcha Tea

Shiso Cucumber Sorbet with Pineapple Granita

Mori-san

Mori-san's rice from Iwate is exclusively grown for him.
It can be purchased for $15 a pound.

Morihiro
3133 Glendale Blvd,
Los Angeles, CA 90039
(323) 522-3993
morionodera.com

Mother Tongue@West Hollywood ★★★

Fantastic Innovative Restaurant by Michelin Star Chef Michael Mina. Grand opening. Loved everything to its perfection. Tartare was on the salty side, but the saltiness was excellent with flatbread and Deep Space cocktail. Extra flatbread $4. Lobster was served on top of a bed of toasted noodles. Amazing hand-crafted cocktails. Deep Space was like Old Fashion with coffee. Other cocktails were more fruity. Matcha Soft Serve Sundae was creamy and flavorful. Excellent service. Corkage fee is $35. It's inside HEIMAT, a new private gym concept, but membership is not required for dining. Members do get 10% off from the restaurant. $5 Valet or street parking.

Chilled Peruvian Bay Scallops $24
passion fruit, hearts of palm, huacatay

Toasted Walnut Muhammara (all three) $21
charred peppers, pomegranate molasses

Ancient Water $18
wonderbird gin, sherry, lemon, sparkling strawberry, tulsi
Deep Space $22 ($18 on menu?)
mina single barrel rye by rare character, rum +, coffee, amaro, miracle mile toasted pecan bitters

Hand-Cut Steak Tartare $23
usda prime hanger, pine nuts, turmeric, avocado, horseradish, salsify chips

Strange Magic $19 ($18 on menu?)
japanese whisky, inferno bitter, lime, pineapple gum, curry leaf, coconut spice

2lb. Maine Lobster (for 2) $125
rossejat de fideos, pimenton de la vera, shaved fennel

Matcha Soft Serve Sundae $12
sage roasted peaches, honey oat crumble, agave almonds

Pool by the Restaurant (members only)

HEIMAT Lobby

HEIMAT, new private gym concept in West Hollywood

HEIMAT, new private gym concept in West Hollywood

Mother Tongue
960 N La Brea Ave Fl 4
Los Angeles, CA 90038
(213) 319-7850
hellomothertongue.com

Kanpachi To-Go@Gardena ★★★ (closed)

To-Go Sushi with Nice Price and Quality. Though a long-time patron at Kanpachi (dine-in), it's my first time to try their to-go only branch. It was satisfying. This Uni is a bit bitter, but it may depend on your luck and differ. Comes with Miso Soup. A la carte sushi is also available to order.

10. Deluxe Sushi $27
11pc sushi and 1 roll: tuna, yellowtail, salmon, albacore, surf clam, shrimp, egg, salmon roe, uni, amberjack, freshwater eel, 3pc tuna roll, 3pc cucumber roll

1. Sushi $20
8pc sushi and 1 roll: tuna, salmon, albacore, yellowtail, salmon roe, uni, shrimp, egg, 3pc cucumber roll, 3pc tuna roll

Paired it with Song of the Sea Junmai Ginjo Sake (leftover from n/naka dinner)

Kanpachi To-Go
1425 W Artesia Blvd Ste 27
Gardena, CA 90248
(310) 515-1391
https://kanpachigardena.com

Sushi Nikkei@Long Beach ★★

Returning to Peruvian Japanese Restaurant. Innovative fusion with great taste. The sauce, seasoning, and toppings differentiate itself to traditional Japanese cuisine. The spices are best to be paired with sake. Friendly staff. The owner Eduardo Chang Ogata from Peru recognized us since our last February visit. Busy on a weeknight. Corkage fee is $20.

Grilled Scallop $16
peruvian scallops, butter, quinoa pop, garlic limo

Octopus Fire $21
parrillera sauce, lemon soy, chalaquita

Lava Scallops $11
scallops and blue crab, truffle oil/ chili sauce

Hamachi Tosada $14
corn tostado, avocado, salsa macha, spicy mayo, radish, serrano

Oba Roll $17
crispy salmon, avocado topped with salmon, parrillera, jalapeño sauce, chalaquita

Peruvian Cebiche $25
catch of the day, tiger milk, aji amarillo, cancha, sweet potato

Hakkaisan (Junmai) 720mL $59

Hakkaisan (Junmai) 720mL $59

Sushi Nikkei
3819 Atlantic Ave Long Beach, CA 90807
(562) 283-3042
www.sushinikkei-la.com

Half & Half Good Old Time Cafe@San Gabriel ★★★

Cozy Authentic Taiwanese Cafe. I actually prefer Half & Half over the 2-Michelin-star-restaurant Kato in terms of price-worth and service. It's 1/10 of Kato's price with better service. Amazed by the attentiveness of the servers in the cafe. Been in love with their Noodle Soup with Thick Clear Noodles since my college time. You can choose different noodles and toppings. Satay Udon Soup could get oily sometimes. Have communal condiments in the back. Chicken Nuggets are Popcorn Chicken in generous portion. Boba Milk Tea is usually on the sweet side, so I recommend requesting 50% sweetness instead. The only downside is that their MSG is a bit heavy, so make sure to drink lots of water to keep hydrated. Mark on their paper menu to order. Best to come when they open to avoid the wait. Free parking in lot.

Good Old Time Noodle Soup w/ Thick Clear Noodles $10.68
mixed combination topping with garlic chips, spicy paste, bean sprouts, mushroom slices, and cilantro

Satay Udon Soup $9.68
poached egg, seafood balls, and vegetables

Chicken Nuggets $8.98
served with mayo on the side

Thick Clear Noodles

Boba Milk Tea $3.68
remember to ask for less sweetness

Cozy Interior

704 W Las Tunas Dr, Ste E2
San Gabriel, CA 91776
(626) 576-8010
www.halfandhalfteaexpress.com

n/soto@Mid-City ★★★

Quality Izakaya Spot by the Creators of n/naka. Reminds me a lot of Raku in Las Vegas (or West Hollywood, which is no longer there). Fantastic Kushiyaki (grilled skewers) and Sushi. Tofu was smooth and silky. Love the Bone Marrow with Miso and Wine flavor, paired with Grilled Rice Ball. Great cocktail. Good service. Accepts walk-in, but reservation highly recommended. Corkage fee is $30. Valet parking or street.

Sashimi Moriawase $43
chef's selection

Warm House Made Tofu $8
ginger, tosa joyu

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

Unagi Kushiyaki $9
japanese freshwater eel

Tebasaki $6

Geoduck Nigiri $15
jumbo clam

Sakamushi Clams $18
shiitake, dashi

Miso Baked Bone Marrow $16
umeboshi onigiri

Beachwood Lager Beer $7, Umeshu $16 (umeshu, pommeau, yuzu tonic)

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