Two Michelin Stars modern kaiskei restaurant. Truly exceptional, totally flawless, absolutely exquisite. The menu Niki created is like a philosophy journey. It's a gradual step-by-step progress. Everything is balanced and well-connected with perfect portion and variety. Happy reunion with Niki. She was very happy to see us again. Very humble and down-to-earth. Pasta is her signature dish. It’s unusual to incorporate “foreign” dishes in traditional kaiseki, but she’s determined to include her signature pasta. That’s why it’s modern kaiseki. Also reunited with Devin the humble sommelier, the sweetest person. He went above and beyond and took really good care of us. Since we already had a lot of the sake on their menu, he brought in a bottle as a surprise and intending for us to try something we haven't tried. To his surprise (with his surprise), we recognized the bottle right away. We actually had it in Tokyo and loved it more than 十四代. It's like he could read our minds. Since I already had wine pairing last time, I opted in for 2 bottles of sake this time. Nabeshima sake was nice. 3 hours dinner. Not a fan of the Jikon sake. Course $310 per person. Corkage fee $85. Limited free street parking or valet.
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Zensai
beef croquette, white fish hasami age, toro tartare, spinach goma ae, spiny lobster + passion fruit, grapefruit gelee, purple cauliflower
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Welcome Sake
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| Welcome Sake |
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Sakizuke
mushroom panna cotta, onions, english peas, ika, uni, smoked trout roe, hojicha tea
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Jikon Tokubetsu Junmai, Kiyasho Shuzo, Mie $100 (bottle)
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| Jikon Tokubetsu Junmai, Kiyasho Shuzo, Mie $100 (bottle) |
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| Jikon Tokubetsu Junmai, Kiysho Shuzo, Mie $100 (bottle) |
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Zensai
beef croquette, white fish hasami age, toro tartare, spinach
goma ae, spiny lobster + passion fruit, grapefruit gelee, purple
cauliflower |
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Toro Tartare from Zensai
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Spiny Lobster + Passion Fruit from Zensai
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Modern Zukuri
hirame, daikon radish, pomelo, kombu oil, mojio, sour cream "dust"
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Salt for Hirame
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Owan
local black cod, tofu, dashi, yuzu peel
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Otsukuri
traditional sashimi - hokkaido hairy crab, toro, buri (Japanese yellowtail)
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Yakimono
vermilion rock fish, shiitake, yuzu
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Yakimono
vermilion rock fish, shiitake, yuzu |
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Mushimono
California spiny lobster, shimeji, mizuna, egg
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Nabeshima, "Aiyama," Junmai Daiginjo, Fukuchiyo Shuzo, Saga $155 (bottle)
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Nabeshima, "Aiyama," Junmai Daiginjo, Fukuchiyo Shuzo, Saga $155 (bottle)
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| California Spiny Lobster from Mushimono |
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| Shimeji & Mizuna from Mushimono |
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| Nabeshima, "Aiyama," Junmai Daiginjo, Fukuchiyo Shuzo, Saga $155 (bottle) |
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Shiizakana
spaghetti, abalone, pickled cod roe, truffle
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Nabeshima aged one week - interesting
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| Nabeshima aged one week - interesting |
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Niku
A5 Miyazaki wagyu beef, yukon gold potato, wasabi vinaigrette
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A5 Miyazaki Wagyu Beef Nose Print Certificate (upon request)
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Sunomono
beets, orange, fennel, yuzu ice, sakura leaf oil
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Sunomono
beets, orange, fennel, yuzu ice, sakura leaf oil |
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Handn Towel in Abalone Shell
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Shokuji
nigiri sushi
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Miso Soup
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Miso Soup
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Shokuji
nigiri sushi |
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Shokuji
blue crab handroll
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Shokuji
blue crab handroll |
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Mizumono
lychee sorbet, shiso granita, rosé gelee
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Monsoon - surprise sake (which we happened to try in Tokyo)
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| Monsoon - surprise sake (which we happened to try in Tokyo) |
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Beautiful Sake Cup
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Raspberry Cake, Miso Crumble, Meringue, White Chocolate Miso Ice Cream
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| Matcha |
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Picture with Niki. She actually got excited to see Keroppi and asked if she could hold him!
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Picture with Devin the sommelier
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| Rare photo op with Carole & Niki! |
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Souvenir Picture for Special Occasion
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n/naka
3455 S Overland Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90034
(310) 836-6252
n-naka.com
