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242 Cafe Fusion Sushi
Categories: Restaurants Sushi Bars Restaurants Asian Fusion Sushi Bars, Asian Fusion [Edit]
242 N Coast HwyLaguna Beach, CA 92651
(949) 494-2444
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 4:30 pm - 10 pm
Fri-Sat 4:30 pm - 10:30 pm
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
80 reviews for 242 Cafe Fusion Sushi
Review Highlights
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"The sexy hand roll (yes it is called that) is divine." In 10 reviews -
"...sauce is light, contains no soy sauce and its absolutely..." In 13 reviews -
"...chef makes all her own sauces and pairs them with each dish." In 9 reviews
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80 reviews in English
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Review from Sasha R.
Porter Ranch, CA
3/20/2012
I haven't eaten sushi in over 2 years due to a bad experience, and this was my first try since then, and i am sold. All dishes are unique and eclectic, mixing flavours and foods that you would never imagine would pare well together, and ended up being indescribably delicious. Try the sunshine snow! Might sound weird, but is absolutely amazing.
The restaurant is very small with limited seating, so get there early or expect a wait, but it is well worth it. -
Review from Aimee E.
Arcadia, CA
1/17/2012
I went here a few months ago with my boyfriend because of the high star ranking on yelp. I was really excited to try a new sushi place since we consider ourselves sushi connoisseurs and love trying new places. I thought for sure that the place would be good.
The place is very small and unassuming but I never minded that. Sometimes I think the less attention they pay on the decor perhaps will mean more attention on the food. The menu was a laminated booklet with a lot of descriptions. It was very busy and overwhelming to look at.
We ordered one of the sashimi plate specials. I appreciated the attention that was paid to the look of the plate. However there was a lot of sauce under the pieces of fish and it drowned out the natural flavor of the fish. I like a little sauce but this was a bit much. We tried another plate and it was the same thing. The fish was very fresh and the service was fine. We just didn't like all the sauce. Maybe it simply didn't appeal to us and does to others. Also, it was a little pricier than what we are used to. For such a casual looking place, I feel like the prices should have been slightly lower. We ordered 2 plates and some sake and the bill was $80. I don't think that I would try this place again but I wouldn't discourage others from trying because some people might like the way the sushi is prepared and don't mind the prices. -
Review from Katie S.
1/10/2012 1 Check-in Here
I am oscillating in a mind spin about how to rate this place. I had a major hankering for sushi when I was in Laguna buying dog food. I, mean, the first thing I think when I am running a late errand is yummm sushi ... in my mouth ... now.
I sat at the bar, which was fun. I got to see Chef Miki at work. She is a true sushi artist creating a hybrid of sushi and salads. The food she produces is very beautiful and interesting. Although the food was interesting and beautiful, it was not really my cup of tea.
I ordered a very nice spicy tuna roll that had a ponzu sauce and wrapped in soy paper. It had a very nice flavor, very California cuisine, light and fresh fair. If I were to go again, I would stick to something like this. The simplicity of the roll allowed the Chef's sauces to shine, which I really liked. The waitresses suggested a rainbow roll hybrid salad, which I found overwhelming. It was way too much food on the plate, too many flavor profiles and not aesthetically pleasing. In addition, it was messy, also not my cut of fish, if you will.
Chef Miki, herself, is a joy. When the waitress made fun of me for my peculiar habit of picking apart the rolls, instead of eating each cut roll in a large bite, she came to my defense in a fun and cheeky way stating that some of her smartest customers eat in this way to savor each flavor.
I think I would go again. I would sit at the table as the bar seats are very uncomfortable, and stick with simplicity in my ordering. -
Review from Eunice K.
4/3/2012
The word "fusion" in the name of this restaurant is grossly understated. Everything on the menu has been created by the chef, and most of the items are pictured on the menu. It can be a little overwhelming. The decor inside is eclectic. All the chefs and servers here are female... not sure if that was coincidence. If you like traditional sushi, do not eat here because it is really Americanized. The restaurant is small so be prepared to limit your personal space. Street parking only.
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Review from Nick M.
Tipp City, OH
5/10/2012
Sexy hand roll is excellent. Very unique sushi joint.
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Review from Phoenix A.
Seattle, WA
12/12/2011
Lots of sake makes me struggle with blur-ridden memories while writing review.
Came here with the bf and friends to try nigiri with toasted macadamia nuts and licorice...well, close.
I ordered the Laguna Canyon roll which was some shiso salad over a rainbow roll and I got the Emerald Bay roll which was topped and decorated with a sauce that looked like pesto, but tasted like I don't know what by the time I got the 2nd large bottle of sake that I DIDN'T order.
There's lots of whack, yes, my vintage 90s use of whack, flavor combinations in the rolls. I'd need to be in a mood to come back and try all these as well as to come back to a cramped dining space. That said, there is a quirky lure about this place.
In the end, we were all happy with the food and fun, cozy, and slightly spendy ambiance. -
Review from Marya K.
Santa Monica, CA
4/3/2012
I am one of those people for whom dining out is a chance to experience art on the plate. I love new and unexpected flavors, originality, and innovation. 242 is one of my favorite restaurants for this kind of experience because the flavors are so incredible and utterly unique. Chef Miki is very unassuming, the place is tiny and intimate, and the food is exquisite. I like to defer to the chef or waiter in selecting dishes because reading the descriptions of the flavor combinations makes it hard to imagine what it will taste like - it is that original.
The best aspect of 242 is the sauces - extraordinary. I love sashimi - I could eat an entire meal here with plate after plate of various sashimi and sauce combinations.
Greatest spot in Laguna Beach to eat.. probably my favorite restaurant period. -
Review from M P.
Bay Village, OH
3/14/2012
242 Cafe Fusion Sushi is a very small restaurant and you might have to wait, go early or late to avoid the wait, but it's worth a trip. If you're looking for traditional style sushi, don't bother going here. This is cutting edge fusion food. Not your normal Sushi, A lot of care and thought goes into the food. Fresh fish on top of watermelon and for my ultimate surf n turf I like to order the foie gras and uni sushi. So many good choices, the hard part in trying to decide what to have. I like to leave it up to the sushi chefs, they never disappoint.
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Review from Refugio G.
Houston, TX
9/10/2011
Went on a date here, and the girl wanted to focus on drinking sake bombs and downing beers.
I didn't realize we were going to get faded on our first time out. Maybe next time I will focus more on the sushi -
Review from Andrew D.
Seattle, WA
11/14/2011
I came here with mixed expectations based on the name and the location. You will see it's in sort of a row of businesses not really looking like a restaurant. When you walk in, you know you are in for something special. How can this many positive reviews be wrong. Sure enough, it was incredible. Chef Miki has an amazing ability to pair flavors together that I would never thought possible. I am a HUGE sushi fan and her plates were incredible.
It's expensive but something I would go back to in a heartbeat. The ideas she came up with for flavoring and having NO SOY SAUCE is perfect. I made me focus on the fish and the way she prepared it, not hiding it in soy.
Go to her restaurant, try it out. Don't get your standard rolls, venture out and be different and try things off her menu you wouldn't normally try. I bet you will like it. -
Review from Crystal L.
Laguna Beach, CA
2/15/2012
I'm just scratching my head about this place as I don't understand why all the others like it so much. I tried it a few weeks ago and it was less than impressive for me. The sashimi plates were expensive...$20 each and quite a few of them were drowned in overpowering sauce. I like to taste the natural sweetness of the raw fish but with all the sauce, it was hard to do that. I don't mind a little sauce to enhance but this was way too much for my taste. Presentation of the plates was nice but it's hard to get past the confusing menu, over complex plates and high prices.
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Review from Dallas G.
Ladera Ranch, CA
8/6/2011
I REALLY enjoyed the sushi and rolls here! I love seeing the owner / chef behind the bar making the sushi. That's usually a very good sign. The sushi rolls were very imaginative and had a unique flavor that I've never experienced before. What makes this place unusual is that the chef likes to pair each roll with its own sauce that she feels brings out the best flavor. I'm not talking about that heavy cream / mayo sauce other places like to smother their rolls in either. Each sauce is light, contains no soy sauce and its absolutely yummy!
The place is very small and service wasn't the most responsive. However the lone server was doing her best to keep everyone happy and I thought she did a great job all things considered.
If you're looking for a quality sushi place that is a breath of fresh air, then give this place a try!! -
Review from Harrison N.
San Gabriel, CA
6/21/2011
Surprising result!! Give it a chance!
I came with my girlfriend at the time to have a nice dinner by the beach. Based on Yelp reviews and 242 website, I thought it was a romantic atmosphere. I planned to pop the question at this restaurant, but...
When I first stood outside the restaurant, it looked like a small sushi joint that fits about two dozen people. When we walked in, no one greeted us. We stood by the door for another 15 minutes and still no one said anything to us. Finally, the waitress came by and said seats will be ready soon. When we finally sat, we sat in front of Miki and another chef (sorry, didn't get a name). They never greeted us either. We started going through the list of menu. They all looked interesting enough so we went ahead and ordered a few items. I don't remember what we ordered, but everything we had tasted exceptional! During the course of the meal, we initiated a conversation with the other chef. He was very friendly, but was just busy at work.
Overall, average atmosphere, but the food was fantastic!! Don't let the environment and the people fool you. THINGS ARE NOT ALWAYS WHAT THEY SEEM. -
Review from Matt H.
7/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
My first trip here, looking for yet another upscale sushi bar to try for an adventurous kid's 13th birthday. Be warned, the place is small. I didn't count the seats, but it is small. It is also really good.
If you are looking for a traditional sushi bar, go elsewhere. If you are looking for a place to munch of California Rolls and not ding the wallet, go elsewhere. But if you want something beyond just sushi, and understand you need to pay for it, then this is your place. The Fusion is key here, with a lot of different elements combined into each dish. So there are a lot of unique rolls, and almost everything is sauced by the chefs. when I asked for wasabi, it was almost as if I asked for steak sauce at Morton's. What did I need wasabi for? I got it, but I could have done without the slight attitude.
We had a selection of various sashimi platters, and all were very good. The best was the yellowtail in a thick, spicy citrus sauce. The toro was also really good. I think too many of the rolls use fake crab, which I don't care for, but there are options without it.
Overall, my nit picks are really not that major, and the key here is that the sushi is good, inventive, fresh, and fun. -
Review from Ed W.
Memphis, TN
5/29/2011
This review is long overdue. I was a business traveler to the area and was stumped on where to eat. I decided 242 Cafe Fusion Sushi off yelp reviews and was glad that I did.
First off, this restaurant is on the pricey side. I had two rolls and a beer and with tax and tip, I was a little over $50. Not out of this world expensive for sushi, but still it was a bit more than your average place so be forewarned if you are on a budget.
I was one of the first in, as it was early and I was jet lagged from Central time and needed food. Thus, the service for me was outstanding. I sat at the bar and was entertained by the sushi chef and apprentice (unfortunately the owner was out of town shooting photos of a mountain: talk about an amazing owner!).
Location is great. About a block up from Main Beach. Being a block up gets you away from the touristy feel (disclaimer: I was a business tourist so shame on me for intruding).
The ambiance of this restaurant fit the area and the menu. There were only 4 tables in the place, with 8 seats at the bar. By the time I left, it was packed. They did not take reservations. The place was filled with locals, multiple groups seeming to know each other while still dining apart. One particular patron was greeted immediately with a glass of white wine as he sat down with ipad in hand. Not sure how some reviewers can complain of bad service. If it's busy, service will obviously not be top notch in a place this small. One server and two cooks cannot work miracles.
NO SOY SAUCE ALLOWED! I love it. I rarely ever use soy sauce on any sushi, but if you are a dipper, you will be disappointed. There is a custom sauce created for each dish/roll, and that is the sauce that the chef requires be used. In case you forget, there is a sign the reminds patrons to not ask for soy.
Diners are greeted with a laid back view of the Pacific out the window, and a front row seat to not only the sushi preparation but also the kitchen. The menu is first class for the adventurer. Example, I had the sweet acid frog, which included sashimi topped with crushed apple, garlic and onion. Whoa, was that uber good. I also had the bush and pond roll, which was even better. I encourage you to stay away from the "spicy tuna roll" here. Go on a limb and try something that sounds strange. As the chef explained to me, "If you like the ingredients in the dish, you will like the dish. Don't worry that you aren't sure how they will taste together." He was right.
If you get bored while waiting for your food (unlikely), then check out the photography displayed around the small restaurant. As mentioned above, the chef/owner is a very good photographer, and she has snapped some wonderful photos off of a mountain and elsewhere. If I had not waited 4 months to write this review, I could have told you the mountain. Fail by me.
I highly recommend 242 Cafe Fusion Sushi if you are in Laguna Beach and not sure what to do. I was served creative and fresh sushi by friendly people in a relaxed atmosphere. What else can you really ask for in a sushi place? -
Review from Neen D.
Orange County, CA
1/19/2012
So the very first time we entered this place, my BF and I felt a little strange. The staff just looked at us as if we just walked into someones private home or something. We definitely did not get the typical welcome that most sushi restaurants give to their patrons. Otherwise I would have given this place 5 stars. Any who, we almost left, but we had heard such great things about the sushi that we had decided to stay. I'm glad we did. The sushi was fresh, flavorful, and quite savory. The fusion style flavors of Chef Miki is wonderful on the palate. They have a no soy sauce rule so that your taste buds can truly appreciate her creations. We have been there a few more times and the staff seem more friendly. One of my favorite sushi places now!!
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Review from Lily J.
4/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
Tiny little place with good sushi and fast service.
I wouldn't say it was amazing but it was pretty good from what I ordered. Seating is cramped and there is normally a wait but the price isn't as expensive as people say... the more pricey rolls are larger so you should order a little less and because of that it's not outrageous. -
Review from jenny k.
Los Angeles, CA
10/30/2011
In short, 242 is a sushi restaurant for people who don't really like raw seafood. This is not a place where you will find quality uni, fresh amaebi, still wriggling giant clam, etc. The fish is decent, but it's as if the chef wants to mask the flavor of the fish using their favorite spice, sugar - most of their sashimi, nigiri and rolls are so drenched in dressing (mostly too sweet sauces) that it's hard to taste much else. Even the sushi rice is sweet. And they serve imitation crab for goodness sake! LOTS of it! ...in practically every roll they make!! Huge, HUGE, disappointment, especially given how expensive this restaurant is. Add to that you rarely see more than one or two Asian people dining in the restaurant and you quickly realize this place is about as fusion and inventive as a Caucasian person using fingers to pull their eyes slanty. Though, I can understand why it's such a popular sushi place in Laguna...
The restaurant itself is small and has a kitschy, hippie atmosphere. The (5?) tables are very tightly packed and somewhat awkwardly placed - I had to stand repeatedly during dinner to let the table next to me get in and out of their seats. They have one server for the entire place and service is slooowwww. That being said, the staff is working hard and are pretty pleasant - they just don't hire enough. There are multiple "no soy sauce" signs hanging around the restaurant - I think they're a bit obnoxious because if your customers like and/or want soy sauce, it should be made available without making the patrons feel dumb or uncomfortable to ask for it. Combined with the "no customizing" and "no rice" written throughout the menu, it feels like you're dining at the sushi version of the soup-Nazi. They had a few rolls that sounded delicious minus one ingredient here and there, and it was disappointing not to be able to try something because you can't request to have something taken out (no nuts for me; scallops make me gag). Also, their spicy tuna is not spicy at all. I hate that!
When I received the bill, it just showed total due - not itemized, no subtotal, etc; since it's a pricier place, I would've appreciated a breakdown of the charges.
I've visited 242 a few times now, explored a pretty thorough tour of the menu and the best thing I've had there is the creme brulee, which is kind of strange and sad given it's a sushi restaurant. They serve it closer to a frozen custard with a caramelized crust.
Tip: Check out the filtered reviews for this restaurant - I don't know how/why they were taken off the main page, but there are a lot of legit-looking, not-so-great reviews in there that'll give you a more realistic impression than the current inflated rating. -
Review from Hamed Z.
Aliso Viejo, CA
12/21/2010
On the pricey side but well worth it. I'm gonna take it as far as saying "some of the best sushi i've ever had"!!!
You can close your eyes open the menu to any page and pick anything on that page and it will be...wait for it.......wait for it.....AMAZING!
Order the sexy roll, the sun and moon and the firework. And yes, your welcome.
Small place and only seats about 15-20 people and usually packed (no reservations taken).
I say it again REALLY REALLY good sushi! -
Review from Courtney L.
Los Angeles, CA
12/23/2010
This is my best friend's absolute favorite sushi place in Laguna, and for good reason. It's delicious! They have the typically spicy tuna rolls and California rolls, but they also have some that I had never heard of before. I strongly recommend being adventurous and trying new things here, because I've always been pleasantly surprised when I've done so.
Furthermore, you can't really beat the location. It's one block up from Main Beach, and it has a very beachy feel to it. For example, a lot of the tabletops are skim boards...perfect for Orange County!
Overall, it's a bit pricier than some of the other great sushi restaurants in Laguna, but well worth it.Listed in: Gotta Love Sushi
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Review from Valentina A.
Long Beach, CA
11/5/2010
Since my all time favorite sushi place Gen Kai was closed down for remodeling, I was forced to look around elsewhere to get my sushi fix. One place that i found worthy of replacing Gen Kai for the time being is Cafe Sushi Fusion 242. It's a tiny place located in Laguna Beach that seems to be very popular with the locals. When i say tiny i mean it, there's about 3 tables and 7-9 sits at the sushi bar...your local Starbucks is probably larger than this place.
None the less the food there is simply superb. Their main thing seems to be that wasabi and soy sauce are things of the past and sushi is a form of art where each dish requires its special sauce. If you're looking for traditional sushi place this is definitely not the place to be.
The menu has what appears to be at least a hundred of various specialty rolls, each served drizzled with a special sauce that best compliments whatever fish and condiments are used in it. I only tried about 6 of them and i loved most of them. The one i didn't like didn't have anything wrong with it: I'm just not a big fan of ginger based dishes.
My favorite starter/appetizer was on the special list and is called something like "sashimi fusion-mushroom". Assorted sashimi drizzled with special sauce and topped with thinly sliced shitake mushrooms. Simply amazing, I don't know what the sauce is but it makes the whole thing come together in just the right way.
One of the signature rolls is called "sexy hand roll". Spicy tuna, shrimp, scallops and avocado with some veggies mixed in, soaked in something that tastes like sesame seeds. A must have! As I said before, there are so many special rolls on the menus, I can't seem to recall names of other stuff I had there , but it seems that no matter what you pick you can't go wrong.
The only downfall I can think of, is that despite looking like a typical "hole in the wall" place, this cafe is actually pretty pricey. But then again, it is very popular with the locals so i guess that is to be expected. Oh and another thing, I would not recommend getting Uni here--it wasn't very fresh.
Apparently there's more than one location for Cafe 242 Sushi Fusion. After visiting their San Clemente restaurant I am going to recommend you stay away from that place! It's night and day compared to Laguna Beach location. The sushi there wasn't "bad" per say, but it just wasn't nearly as good and I'll leave it at that. -
Review from Andy N.
Don't even bother asking for soy sauce here, because they don't have it! Nonetheless this restaurant is still great. It's right across the street from the beach and the inside decor is really artsy. They have a lot of great rolls and special sashimi dishes to choose from.
Each plate ordered had a different sauce used to flavor the fish. I had the sexy handroll which was really tasty. I also had the beef cappacio. That was so so so good. I then ordered the p&g sashimi dish. That was okay a little to much ginger for me. I would def. come here again and recommend sushi lovers to give it a try. It's not traditional so don't come in expecting that. -
Review from Paul S.
Santa Rosa, CA
11/11/2010
Had a great time, I must say, but the restaurant itself was really more of a distraction than anything else.
The menu was confusing: a collection of small picture sheets joined on a ring that are meant to be flipped through. The fish (though fresh) was over prepared, so that sometimes you taste more sauce than sea. The service (though friendly) was a bit pushy and had a TERRIBLE habit of commenting on the conversation I was having with my colleague.
Overall, however, the vibe is relaxed and welcoming, and the aesthetic, though a bit cluttered, is artistic and engaging. Not unpleasant, but less soothing than a sushi bar should be. -
Review from Mischa W.
Irvine, CA
2/9/2012
This tiny little restaurant is a gem. Completely unique menu developed by the owner Miki. Each dish is accompanied by its own sauce. No soy sauce allowed! All female staff (first time I've seen a female sushi chef in this country) puts together tasty and artistic dishes that you will find no where else. Pricey, but worth it.
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Review from Nel M.
Newport Beach, CA
11/3/2011
The best little sushi cafe in So Cal. Try the lollipop roll or seared albacore w/ purple cabbage.
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Review from Lina F.
Los Alamitos, CA
10/31/2011
This is the best Sushi I have ever had. The last couple of times we gone there we have choiced the fixed menue, then you dont have to worry about what to choice and you know you will get a great selection. Every now and then we add a hand roll with it. We always get great service and walk away with a great experience of taste and texture.
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Review from Judy W.
Corona del Mar, CA
7/26/2008 3 photos
Not your standard wrap it in seaweed and dip it in soy sauce sushi place. The chef makes all her own sauces and pairs them with each dish. The fish is ultra fresh and the sauces are out of this world.
Sexy hand roll is a must try. My favorite. a mix of fresh fish wrapped in soy paper with cilantro, spicy sprouts (I think), the chef's sauce and something to add crunch. Light with perfectly balanced flavor.
Also love the cucumber candy roll. Some sort of yummy crab concoction wrapped in cucumber with a dipping sauce. Kids love this too. (many dishes are cooked if you're not a fan of the raw.)
Check the specials menu. The rolls are gorgeous and delicious. If you are lucky enough to come on a night when the chef is making lava roll, I'd recommend it. In addition to super fresh fish, it is garnished with chopped macadamia nuts and rolled in swiss chard. No California Roll here.
The place is teeny-tiny and they have one wait staff so sometimes service for drinks...is slow. This is not fast food. Be prepared to enjoy a dining experience. Order sake - chat with friends and make it a night out with great food.
One of my favorite restaurants of all time. -
Review from Bri L.
Laguna Beach, CA
12/30/2008
hands down the best sushi I've ever tasted. Quite expensive, but you are definitely paying for high quality ingredients with rare combinations and sauces you wont find elsewhere. I've taken people here who do not like sushi and are quickly converted.
Try going in the middle of the week and you won't have trouble finding a seat! -
Review from Monica T.
Berkeley, CA
Updated - 6/13/2007 6 photos
Three and half stars for inventiveness and quality, minus a half star for the stratospheric prices.
When I was in my sushi craze two years ago, I stumbled upon this Laguna Beach gem right off of PCH. It used to be my go-to Orange County sushi joint, but I've since eaten sushi that was more creative, more fresh, and less expensive. Our late-night dinner of two rolls, one hand roll, and a small salad set us back $60 before tip. Talk about sticker shock.
Chef Miki is one of the few female sushi chefs you'll ever come across and her sense of aesthetic is felt in every detail. Whether it is a mother of pearl dish, the zen rocks, or sushi that is too pretty to eat, there is a delicate exquisiteness to everything she touches.
As the name may imply, 242 is not the type of place for traditional nigiri or sashimi. The restaurant certainly offers top quality fish to your choosing, but where the kitchen really shines is in its daily specials, which are listed on a plate. The descriptions are perplexing, though I've never ordered anything bad from this menu. Be cautious, though, since prices are never listed. You can expect the rolls and sashimi off the plate to set you back at least $15 per dish. However, these dishes are larger by sushi standards and oftentimes embody the meaning of the culinary arts in their presentation.
... [Details from my blog omitted]
Overall I've found 242 to serve quality sushi that is both inventive and flavorful, but I've since learned that better can be had for much less. Service was brusque on this particular night and though we didnt feel welcome today, I wouldnt say that that's the norm. The restaurant is tiny with a sushi bar and five skinny tables. They don't take reservations, though I don't often have trouble nabbing a seat.Listed in: Itadakimasu LA, Orange County,…, Fusion Cuisine for Food…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/13/2006 First to Review
Review w/photos: http://poptisserie.blo...
Three and half stars. Four for inventiveness and quality,… Read more »
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Review from A Kumar M.
Costa Mesa, CA
8/31/2011
Wildly innovative sashimi dishes. No soy sauce required.
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Review from LaChelle S.
Oklahoma City, OK
6/26/2011
I have had sushi here a couple of times because it is close, but I have to say that the other sushi restaurants in downtown Laguna are a lot better. I've tried different things here, but they are all pretty bland to me. Plus, I think I got sick there last time I ate and I've been sick for a few days now. I think I know why. One of the guys preparing sushi was touching the fish, then his cell phone and then the fish again without washing his hands.
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Review from Fum Y.
Mission Viejo, CA
9/19/2011
My BF and I got crush on this restaurant.... The flavors are amazing, ingredient is very fresh, very creative menu, etc....
We always order Fors Gras. This is fabulous. And the owner chef is so friendly and cute! I miss you, Miki! -
Review from Parker S.
San Clemente, CA
3/6/2010
I went here on a date last week, and thought the food was amazing! The dishes/rolls are different from any other sushi place I have been to, and I eat sushi a lot. Yes, you can get a spicy tuna roll, but why would you when they offer such a more diverse menu?
The restaurant is fairly small, with a nice sized sushi bar sitting area and some interior tables. There were a few groups of 4 or more people there, and the mood was lively and festive.
The sexy roll is a great hand roll, ideal for opening (or closing!) a meal.
Edamame (aka 'pow') was warm and salty. Just the way I like it :)
You want to order off of the Gold Platter menu...it has all of the daily specials on it. We had a Sky Rocket roll, which had too many items on it for me to recant here. Trust me though, it was quite good!
They do not serve soy sauce or wasabi, which I think is a ballsy move...I didn't feel the need for either while dining, and I usually have a nice little dipping station set-up.
Good food and good times!! The sushi here is crazy good...check it out. -
Review from Munchausen B.
Northridge, CA
9/15/2006
Food as Art.
Being a meat and potatoes kinda guy, I normally eschew places that emphasize presentation over offering hearty meals. But this place does a very good job of marrying form and flavor, and does not end up sacrificing one for the other.
I also like how the place initially comes across as a hole in the wall -with sparse, rudimentary and even dated furniture. But the food itself is art. And while beauty is in the eye of the beholder (hey, I also believe that M & M's are art), there is little room for argument that the chef's creations here are delicious.
Spend a day at the beach and then partake of the chef's sushi creations for dinner - not a bad way to spend a weekend. -
Review from Kay D.
Updated - 7/20/2010
I came back! This time Miki wasn't there, and it was a Friday evening. This time we had to wait an hour! Last time we walked right in on a Saturday night, but this time, for two people, we had an hour wait. The place is tiny, but I was sad (and hungry).
This time I got the sexy hand roll to see what all the fuss was about. It was delicious! I don't normally enjoy spicy tuna, but I did enjoy this. Speaking of spicy tuna...it seems that the closer I looked, the more I noticed that almost every roll, hand roll, or platter had spicy tuna in it. Hmmm...
My fiance and I split the Laguna Canyon roll, which was a California roll with various fish on top in addition to a pile of leafy greens. This was alright, nothing spectacular. However, the fish is always tasty and fresh. My favorite was still the Cherry Blossom roll from last time; the sauce was divine! However, everything on the menu is SUPER EXPENSIVE! I've definitely had better sushi for a much more reasonable price.
We also split the tuna carpaccio platter (I forgot the actual name, but that's what it was). This was a massive pile of tuna! It had wasabi sauce and was served over more leafy greens. This was pretty good.
Again we sat at the bar after hoping for a table (the seats are terrible, I feel like I have to go to the chiropractor afterwards!). After asking if we could be moved to an empty table, the waitress offered it to the people waiting outside. Two more tables opened up and they were still given to people that had arrived later, even after we had asked to be moved. Sad...
I think I have become disillusioned with this place. It is tasty, but I think the highlight of the sushi comes with Miki's homemade sauces. The actual sushi isn't all that crazy; mostly rainbow roll and spicy tuna variants with a random ingredient or two thrown in for novelty. I also saw the NO SOY SAUCE rule being violated, as a few jars of soy sauce were seen floating around the restaurant.
I would come back, but only if a table had been secured in my name; also, soooo not worth the hour wait.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/30/2010
This place was absolutely lovely!
I came here with my fiance on a Saturday night, and although the… Read more »
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Review from Kimmy L.
Huntington Beach, CA
12/15/2009
NO SOY SAUCE! That's the sign you'll see posted inside this place, and frankly that's what they really mean. Everything you try and eat here will be an introduction to the excellent and seasoned palates of the chefs. The food is carefully crafted into an artistic flavorful masterpiece.
IT IS GOOD! You've got to try it if you're open to fusion, and you definitely will need to talk about it. It's a tiny little hole in the wall place but believe me the wait here isn't pretty. I waited over an hour just to be seated but indeed it was well worth it and my group ordered so much. It's pricey though.
Finally you're nut's if you don't go and give this place a try especially if you think you know fusion with an artist flare!
And note that this is my first 5 stars for food quality, originality, and flavor.Listed in: Date Spot
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Review from TandemTraveler Z.
Irvine, CA
1/15/2010
LOVE!!! I LOVE THIS PLACE!
The food here is excellent and there is a nice non-corporate non-chain-store creative vibe (the owner is also a visual artist and the place is uniquely decorated as a result.) It's pretty small and there is often a line at dinner time but it is worth the wait to get a seat. I usually order the vegetarian items but everything I've ordered at Cafe 242 has been amazing. I've eaten there at least 2 dozen times. YUM!!! -
Review from Olga P.
WOODLAND HLS, CA
8/15/2011
The food was delicious, great sushi! It was amazing!
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Review from Chris S.
Anaheim, CA
7/18/2011
Great sushi!!!!!! No soy sauce, They have different sauces for each item. I love the Love Roll !!!!!!!!!!! Very small seating area, it can be a wait for a spot.
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Review from Frankie W.
Corona, CA
2/12/2009
Stumbled upon this place with friends straight from the beach and could not believe there were empty seats! so all four of us sat down right at the bar...that almost NEVER happens, esp in Laguna. Very small yet cozy place, seats maybe 15-20...if you're around 90 lbs! Service was -eh- but it wasn't horrible, only one chic servin that night.
The Sexy (hand) Roll is sofaking amazing! Its your typical modest hand roll with spicey tuna, a few veggies, some unknown-not-quite-sure-whats-in-it sauce, and sushi rice but then they add corn flakes to it for the crunch instead of, ya know, tempura flakes. WOW. Sexy is right. A little pricey but good. This is a place where you'll want to actually check out their daily specials rather than scanning the standard menu.
