HappyTraveling

We'd love to try Japanese food in the Los Angeles and San Francisco area.

What are your recommendations? Pls include both expensive and less expensive restaurants so that we can keep our options open. The point is good quality food.

Thanks!
from Happy Travelling and Eating

rjw_lgb_ca

You can't swing a California roll without hitting a sushi joint in LA, so you're in luck! But if you want knock-it-out-of-the-park GOOD Japanese food, here are some in your hotel's area:

-- Matsuhisa, 129 N. La Ciénega, Beverly Hills. Flagship of Nobu Matsuhisa's US restaurants. Awe-inspiring food, awe-inspiring prices.

-- Asakuma, 141 S. Robertson, BH. Fresh sushi, great hot dishes, some celebs.

-- Bistro 21, 846 N. La Ciénega, West Hollywood. Storefront, yes, but really, really great food. Not cheap.

-- Yabu, 521 N. La Ciénega, WH. Sushi and udon/soba-- very popular, not too expensive.

-- Koi, 730 N. La Ciénega, WH. Part of the "Scene" on the Westside. Great food, incredible room, expensive. Celebs, industry types, Beautiful People. Dress to impress.

BayArea

in SF:

Kabuto Sushi on Geary, Kiss Seafod on Laguna 415 474 2866. You must have a reservation at Kiss because it is very tiny. you also need to have a pretty good understanding of what you want. The chef's menu is pretty outstanding though.

easytraveler

My all time favorite for Japanese food in the Greater LA area is Yamashiro's. Maybe it's the spectacular view.

1999 Sycamore, Los Angeles

De rigeur valet parking only adds to the expensive bill. There is a sushi discount period, believe it's between 5-7pm.

But the view! Go only on a clear day for one of the most spectacular views of LA you will find anywhere, which is why the hills behind and around the restaurant hold the homes of movie stars and songbirds like Madonna.

There are also the outside gardens, the inside courtyard, and the superb service.

After all this, I'm not sure I remember the food, even though I try to concentrate on the food each time I go!

E

Are you real sushi gourmets? Well, here goes anyway: I like taking visitors to Isobune in Japantown in SF. Japantown is a much smaller area than Chinatown, but is similarly a step into another world, and there's an interesting modernist cathedral nearby to visit (name escapes me). Isobune offers sushi on little trays that float on a canal inside a large oval sushi bar. You can order specific items from the chefs, or snag whatever catches your eye as it floats by. I find the sushi to be good, but not stellar, but also a good value. And the gimmick is practical for those needing to eat and run, and cute to those who've never seen it before. My gourmet friends sneer at it, but I always like it! Enjoy your trip!

Jane_R

We had a wonderful meal at Mako in Beverly Hills. They serve small plates, sort of like tapas, but with a Japanese twist. Prices vary by what kind of dishes you order and how many you order. Food was delicious, service attentive, and laid-back atmosphere.

http://www.makorestaurant.com/index_flash.html

razzledazzle

and even farther North in Sonoma County
Hiro in Petaluma-the best sushi and Japanese I have ever eaten! The quality, presentation and the restaurant itself are fabulous.
But, don't tell anyone...

R5

bk3

For great advice on where to eat in LA or SF do yourself a favor and check out the message boards at http://www.chowhound.com/california/index.html

Having just eaten my way through SF on their tips I know you won't go wrong.

Enjoy!