Friday, April 28, 2023

n/soto@Mid-City ★★★

Amazing Izakaya by the Creators of n/naka. Reminds me of Raku in Las Vegas (or West Hollywood, which is no longer there). We opened their last bottle of Juyondai Sake, which was truly exceptional. 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. Accepts walk-in, but reservation highly recommended. Corkage fee is $30. Valet or street parking.

Hokkaido Uni Sushi $23 (2 pcs), Toro Osetra (Caviar) Sushi $21 (2 pcs), Kanpachi Sushi $12 (2 pcs)

Juyondai Bessen $450 with Sommelier Read

Juyondai Bessen $450

Juyondai Bessen $450

Juyondai Bessen

Juyondai Bessen

Warm House Made Tofu $8
ginger, tosa joyu

Crudités $13
mochi flatbread, créme fraiche, eggplant $13

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

Hokkaido Scallop Sashimi $26
toro, uni, caviar

Stone Crab Claws $32
uni, ginger ponzu

Oysters $10, add Uni +$10 (2 pieces)

Oysters $10, add Uni +$10 (2 pieces)

Juyondai Bessen


Lamp Chop $9.50

Agedashi Mochi $12
shrimp, shiso, wood ear mushroom


Miso Baked Bone Marrow $20
umeboshi onigiri

Sake Master, Shota-san, came by!

Shota-san!




Melon Float $9

Black Sesame Brownie $9

Okinawa Yam Pudding $8
mochi, kinako piwder, kokuto syrup

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

Yama Sake Tasting@West LA ★★★

Amazing Sake Tasting Event at Yama Sushi Sake Attitude. Tasting 5 different sake for $15 with generous pours and refills. Great deal. A bit different from last time. They try to change every season. Very informational. My favorite from the tasting was Kitaya Kansansui Junmai Dai Ginjo. Kunizakari Wa no Kokoro Matcha Liqueur was kind of nice with matcha flavor, but it's not pure enough. 20% off all sake bottles in the store. I love Emishiki Ginjo World Peace from last tasting, which is the same manufacturer of my favorite Monsoon. I bought 2 additional bottles of it and cleared their inventory. No longer comes with Sashimi sample and chocolate for pairing. Super fun event. Friendly staff. Tasting reservations via Tock.

Hakkaisan Tokubetsu Junmai, Kunizakari Wa no Kokoro Matcha Liqueur, Kikusio Funaguchi Nama Genshu Sake, Dassai 39, Kitaya Kansansui Junmai Dai Ginjo


Hakkaisan Tokubetsu Junmai

Purchased Sashimi to pair with sake (can also purchase sushi)

Kunizakari Wa no Kokoro Matcha Liqueur

Rice Polishing Rate

Japanese Gift-Wrapping

Cleared out their Emishiki World Peace Inventory (Same brand as Monsoon)

Chatting with the awesome Alex

Master of Sake, Wendy Narumi Kohno, and her husband, Scott

Yama Sushi Sake Attitude
11709 National Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90064
(310) 903-6218
www.yamaseafoodla.com

Thursday, April 27, 2023

Sushi Yamamoto@Beverly Hills ★★★

Yusuke-san Did It Again. Best Meal Ever. Absolutely exceptional service. Friendly and chill. Much better than Urasawa. Chef Yusuke-san is very attentive and literally takes notes of his customers. He observed a left-handed customer and served sushi the other way. I had the time of my life while enjoying superb quality sushi. Their Toro and Uni are to die for. Enjoyed having Ohmine Winter's Arrival Sake. Sparkling nigori, perfect for celebration. 8 seats only. Omakase $390. (add-ons available at extra cost) Wine & Sake Pairing $235. Corkage fee $150. Green tea $9. Bottled water from Kaneyama, Japan $15 (tap water not available). Reservations open to public May 2nd via Tock. Valet parking, $10 flat rate self-parking after 6pm, or you can park at Beverly Canon Gardens Parking (240 N. Beverly Dr) for $5 flat rate after 6pm and walk 1.5 blocks over.

Miyazaki A5 Wagyu, Uni from Hokkaido, Astrea Caviar

Picture with friend, Ryo-san from Sawa, Yusuke-san, and Teppei-san!

Ohmine Winter's Arrival $140

Ohmine Winter's Arrival

Kuheiji Hinokishi $970 – very pure

Miyazaki A5 Wagyu

I introduced the Miyazaki beef nose print certificate to Yusuke-san!



Astrea Caviar
with santa Barbara uni, shiso leaf, tempura batter with squid ink


Astrea Caviar

Astrea Caviar
with santa Barbara uni, shiso leaf, tempura batter with squid ink

Astrea Caviar (inside)
with santa Barbara uni, shiso leaf, tempura batter with squid ink

Kaneyama Still Water $15

Amadai (White Tile Fish) Soup

The leaf looked really under the soup

Otoro (Tuna Belly)

Chu-Toro (Fatty Tuna), Otoro (Tuna Belly)

Chu-Toro (Fatty Tuna)

Otoro (Tuna Belly)

Otoro (Tuna Belly)

Fat Bustards Oyster with Ikura from Hokkaido

Aji (Spanish Mackerel) Roll

Aji (Spanish Mackerel) Roll

Ebi (New Caledonian Shrimp) Tempura

Tempura Dipping Sauce looks like Mount Fuji!

Awabi (Steamed Abalone) Tempura

Ohmine Winter's Arrival $140

Akamutsu (Rósy Sea Bass)

Kegani (Hairy Crab) from Hokkaido

Bafun Uni from Hokkaido

Bafun Uni from Hokkaido

Bafun Uni & Kegani (Hairy Crab) from Hokkaido

Bafun Uni & Kegani (Hairy Crab) from Hokkaido

Sharaku


Broc Cellars The Perfect Red Red 2021 $95

If you want to see them without masks, treat them wine!

Miyazaki A5 Wagyu with Uni from Hokkaido & Scallions

Miyazaki A5 Wagyu with Uni from Hokkaido & Scallions

Miyazaki A5 Wagyu

Miyazaki A5 Wagyu


Mini Clam Soup

Negitoro (Tuna with Scallions) Roll

Unagi (Eel)

Tamago (Sweet Egg Omelet)

Miyazaki A5 Wagyu (special request)

Miyazaki A5 Wagyu (special request)

Miyazaki A5 Wagyu (special request)

Miyazaki A5 Wagyu (special request)

Homemade Ice Cream made with Crown Melon from Shizuoka

Homemade Ice Cream made with Crown Melon from Shizuoka

Special Friend Birthday Treatment!



Homemade Ice Cream made with Crown Melon from Shizuoka







Maybe they will hire me to work there one day

Thank you Yusuke-san for being such an incredible friend
for reprinting my birthday card for me the next day!

Sushi Yamamoto (opens to public May 2nd)
218 N. Rodeo Dr (former Urasawa place)
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
http://sushiyamamoto-beverlyhills.com/