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Ajisai
Categories: Restaurants Japanese Restaurants Sushi Bars Japanese, Sushi Bars [Edit]
809 Palm AveWest Hollywood, CA 90069
Neighborhood: West Hollywood
(310) 652-7014
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 11:30 am - 2:30 pm
Mon-Thu 5:30 pm - 10:30 pm
Fri-Sat 5:30 pm - 11 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
87 reviews for Ajisai
Review Highlights
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"the chef Shoei is the best and nicest." In 20 reviews -
"The food is always very fresh and so tasty." In 7 reviews -
"The spicy tuna atop crunchy rice appetizer was tasty, if..." In 15 reviews
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87 reviews in English
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Review from Reza B.
4/20/2012 3 Check-ins Here
What can I say that others haven't already said.
The food here is amazing and the price is beyond fair. It's my new go-to Sushi joint in WeHo. I love the cozy ambiance and the staff bend over backwards to accommodate you.
Definitely try the Biscotti (Spicy Tuna on Crispy Rice) you will not be disappointed! -
Review from Anya D.
Los Angeles, CA
4/9/2012
My roommates and I went to Ajisai for one of their birthdays. We found it on Yelp, and it was the closest to our apartment with the best ratings.
We got a very large amount of sushi, and it was great! I got the California Roll and the Dragon Ball, which is a shrimp tempura roll topped with spicy tuna. Yum! The california roll was great, and the Dragon Ball was even better. The tempura was still warm when it got to the table, which to me is always a plus and a sign that they are careful with our food. We also got edamame and miso. This is the second sushi restaurant I have been to in the Los Angeles area that hasn't given us spoons with our miso! I found that a bit odd, but luckily the waitress noticed and ran some over quickly. My friends also enjoyed their rolls.
Service was very good, our waitress was attentive and checked on us often. Our food was very prompt, and as I said, delicious! It was a bit pricey so I won't be able to go here all the time, but it is nice as a special treat. -
Review from Helen M.
Huntington Beach, CA
3/20/2012
Good food but kind of pricey!
Also parking is crazy near here, like most of LA, but kind of a shock for me!
Paid $8 for parking, almost as much as the food that I got!
Anyways back to the food! Good variety of sushi but wish there was some soups dishes!
Also cool atmosphere! very cozy! -
Review from Judy T.
Manhattan, NY
5/25/2012
Really good sushi in a fun neighborhood!! nice vibe too - place is very small but great food!
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Review from Jeff M.
Irvine, CA
5/11/2012
amazing sushi amazing customer service!
everyone was extremely friendly. will def be back. -
Review from Bobee D.
Burbank, CA
Cute.
Love this place! Super cute, great service, very good food.
Super small (if you are not used to it).
YOu may need to make a reservation depending on what day of the week it is.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/17/2011
We happened upon this place while walking to another Japanese/Sushi restaurant.
Thanks to the other… Read more »
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Review from Alex J.
Hollywood Hills, CA
4/22/2012
Wow. Great sushi. In a town where the art of sushi making has become bastardized, this place gives homage to the great Japanese cuisine. Delicate fish, very fresh. Small environment. Cozy. The gyoza was exceptional. Will definitely plan on a re-visit.
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Review from Jake L.
Santa Monica, CA
3/11/2012 1 Check-in Here
With all of the 4 star reviews, I expected better.
Wasn't bad...a solid 'good'.
Plus side included that they have cucumber cut rolls.
Down side, no brown rice rolls.
Fish was fresh-ish...not the freshest I've ever had.
Prices were nominal for the neighborhood. -
Review from Lillian C.
Arcadia, CA
1/18/2012
This little Japanese restaurant seems so out of place next to the Bars/Clubs of WeHo! It's very quiet and intimate and the service was great.
The food was all nicely prepared and you could tell they use pretty good ingredients so I understand why it's a little pricey.
We got the shishinto peppers, cucumber sonomono, soft shell crab as appetizers and those were all really tasty. They also served us cold vinegar-y noodles with sesame seeds (?) as a little appetizer and that was really refreshing.
The dragon ball roll was good, but didn't stand out. However, I would def get the Ajisai roll again if I go back though because it was so yummy. It's crab and salmon wrapped in cucumber and I don't usually like raw fish, and I was able to taste the salmon and still like the roll.
They're open pretty late on weekends (10:30) and it's a great place to come for a nice quiet dinner if you're craving some quality Japanese food!
Side note, the restrooms are towards the back past the sushi bar and it was a little dark, creepy, and cold... scary... -
Review from Chris P.
West Hollywood, CA
Updated - 11/19/2011 22 Check-ins Here
I said brrr, it's cold in here! We've been warming up between sashimi with Ajisai's kitchen food the past couple of weeks. Shoie's sushi is so good, I worry that the hot items get overlooked. Make some delicious new friends this autumn!
- Miso-marinated black cod: a classic sweet/salty "butterfish" preparation with the tenderest, caramelized flesh. Great as an app or a main.
- Calamari tempura: tender, tenderer, tenderest. These are long strips of calamari instead of rings, lightly battered and perfectly fried. The miso honey dip is your new favorite thing.
- Sauteed green beans, asparagus, or shishito pepper: just what it sounds like, but with Ajisai's trademark delicate touch. A great alternative to edamame.
- Crazy balls: technically a secret menu item, Shoei will make these amazeballs for you so long as he has some curry mayo on hand. What you'll get is spicy tuna-filled rice balls, tempura'd and deep fried, served with the aforementioned curry mayo.
- Short ribs: Jenny's recipe features kogi-style beef ribs with the bones still in. Served on a sizzle platter with a bed of thinly sliced onions. Spare your mouth and let the onions cook for a couple of minutes before you dig in. I recommend eating these with your fingers since chopsticks don't hold enough sauce to bother licking.
- Chicken teriyaki: marinated chicken thighs beautifully grilled and glazed with house made teriyaki sauce. Best in town, and totally worth sacrificing a little sushi space in your belly for this one.Listed in: WeHo's Best Local Hangouts
3 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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2/26/2011
Living only two blocks away, I only seem to make it down every couple of months these days. A true… Read more »
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Review from Jared R.
Los Angeles, CA
3/3/2012 1 Check-in Here
Best sushi east of 405!!! Shoei is a great chef and a cool guy. Sit at the bar and chat with him, and get the halibut sashimi.
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Review from Sarah S.
West Hollywood, CA
Tiny place, great service. Everything I've had here is good. The nigiri is always fresh. Here's a list of other things I've enjoyed:
Albacore fiesta tar tar, shishito peppers, soft shell crab, dragon ball roll, salmon skin hand roll, tempura fried red bean ice cream, even though the tempura always falls off. My favorite seat is the odd shaped window seat with a view of the car wash. Very entertaining. -
Review from James S.
8/30/2011
Perfectly fine, cute fresh and welcoming. A tad pricey, perhaps.
While not blown away by any means, I did think the sushi was certainly good fresh fare presented nicely. It all seemed kind of predictable, in fact, and without anything that really distinguished itself.
What do I mean?
The spicy tuna atop crunchy rice appetizer was tasty, if ordinary. I've had and enjoyed this classic starter many times and have to say, Ajisai's was less flavorful, less tuna-y and simply, O.K.
The sake was good, if maybe a bit pricey. The white wine selection (1) was adequate.
The sashimi dinner was a highlight. Salmon, yellowtail, maguro, albacore and halibut arrived fresh and tasty and a hearty portion. (Soup, salad and rice accompanies). And I even liked the green salad that preceded the main. The Black Cod dinner was also tasty, if a bit thin and delicate and not very big. Still, it was enjoyable.
A very pleasant corner restaurant which is not even on the corner --- there's great creative energy here. I wish some of that applied to the dinner. Maybe there are hidden treasures yet to be discovered for a return visit. -
Review from Steve P.
Culver City, CA
9/15/2011
Great sushi! Great atmosphere!
Went here on the recommendation of a friend, and boy was he right. The sushi was fresh, tasty and reasonably priced, and actually some of the best I've had here in LA. The vibe of the place is cool too, with a sort of jazzy coffeehouse feel combined with your more typical sushi place type of stuff.
It's a small place, but definitely worth stopping by. -
Review from Lil L.
La Habra, CA
8/20/2011 2 photos
Love the atmosphere. The dim lighting, the jazz music (+1 star), and not to mention the big bass (+1 star) as a part of the restaurant's decor all adds up to a nice back drop to the conversations with great company.
The food was good too! I ordered the Ajisai roll (+1 star). The chef took time to prepare the cucumber and then roll the sashimi (freshness +1 star) into it. A very refreshing taste. Combine all of this with great company, I would most definitely come back here again! :D -
Review from Sean F.
Studio City, CA
8/16/2011
Starting off by saying some of the most fantastic sushi I have ever tasted.
I didn't expect too much when I first came in, the place is kind of small, but I soon found out why. It IS a small place, but that is because the sushi chef makes it all himself. He puts a lot of effort into his craft and every piece of sushi he makes is so damn good.
A nice sushi selection, great and friendly service, very warm and hospitable. Overall a great place to come to enjoy some fine sushi. -
Review from Alissa B.
Mountain View, CA
4/28/2011
What delicious food and friendly service! The rolls were well-sized, and the fish was fresh.
We loved the environment-- it has a very cute jazz theme, and feels small and cozy, but not uncomfortably crowded. I'd definitely go again if I'm ever in that neck of the woods. -
Review from Steven M.
Los Angeles, CA
9/7/2011
Hands Down, Best Sushi in LA! I know that's a bold statement, but I think I've got this one correct. The owner Shoei is behind the sushi bar, and takes care of the customers. Family owned and ran, and the best quality sushi and atmosphere you'll find.
I live around the corner, and frequent this spot often - a lot of my friends come visit me from the Valley just so we can walk over to Ajisai, and the price is fairly reasonable for the quality that you are getting! I would like to call myself the #1 customer since I've introduced this spot to a lot of people, and everyone agrees! Give it a try, tell Shoei Steve says hello! -
Review from Chris V.
1/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
I was pleasantly surprised with this location. My friends and I decided to make reservations here one evening, and unfortunately with LA traffic being how it is, we were running late, so we moved it back. The staff was more than kind and accommodating with moving the reservation.
The place itself is in a kinda cool location, located just off of Santa Monica Blvd, you can easily miss it if you don't pay attention, but after you duck your head in you'll see a cozy sushi joint to grab some delicious foods!
Mussels were good. The spicy tuna roll was fresh, but nothing super standout. There was one roll, I believe the dynamite roll, which was also pretty delicious. -
Review from Sharon W.
San Francisco, CA
1/12/2011
Ajisai really is as good as it gets!
The layout makes great use of their small space, and the Jazz theme is classy and relaxing. Order simple rolls to savor the fish itself, especially the salmon, which may be the best I've ever tasted. Then splurge on the Ajisai roll, a great special with a nice, light amount of cucumber -- much better balanced than low-carb rolls I've tried at other restaurants. -
Review from Nancy H.
Arcadia, CA
12/4/2011
Excellent, Excellent Sushi, Service, Ambience! Definitely found my favorite sushi joint in WeHo! Love it!
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Review from Anastasia F.
Los Angeles, CA
3/10/2012
I experienced Ajisai for the first time last night with 4 other friends. I am particularily choosy about Japanese having spent many years in Vancouver where Japanese food is outstanding and every urban block pretty much has at least one. Ajisai is tasteful in ambience, fresh, clean, delicious food which is beautifully presented. I would recommend to anyone without hesitiation. It is also affordable for just about anyone. Yum Yum Yum!
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Review from Ernesto P.
Los Angeles, CA
7/15/2011
Sho-wee!! Love love love Ajisai!
There isn't a better place to go for sushi. The staff is super friendly and you always feel like you get the royal treatment when you walk through the traditional curtain entrance. You can trust Shoei not to give you a bad cut; he and his wife really care about their customers.
While the sushi is great, if you feel like deviating you won't be disappointed in the variety of appetizers and other menu items. Definitely try the fried tofu salad! So fresh and delightful. And the beef short ribs I think are marinated with a family recipe and just melts in your mouth.
Check out the daily specials and try something new every time you go! -
Review from Joanne W.
Los Angeles, CA
8/16/2011
I found it to be rather expensive for what it was.
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Review from Nickie P.
2/11/2011
The noodle salad appetizer was great, and the spicy tuna I ordered was very yummy.
Plus, we saw Kal Penn there, wearing a Detroit Tigers hat! The sushi was a little pricey, but the celebrity sighting made it well worth the trip. -
Review from Daniel L.
8/11/2010 6 photos
I was in the area to wait for a friend and decided to stop in for a quick lunch. This small restaurant is off to the corner of Palm and Santa Monica Blvd, and the wooden décor is surrounded by artwork of music with a yellow backdrop and a small sushi bar tucked in the back. The vibe was serene past lunch hours and the menu was short and simple so I ordered their Sushi Lunch ($13.95) that came with five nigiri pieces, six spicy tuna rolls, salad, and miso soup.
The nigiri pieces included tuna, salmon, sea bass, albacore, and shrimp. The dish was nicely arranged in the order of light to dark pieces followed by spicy tuna rolls nicely stacked. The nigiri came in a decent size and had good color and shine. For some reason, each piece had a splash of lemon so the weighted sour dimension hindered my ability to detect the extent of its freshness and fully enjoy the flavors. The textures were good and the spicy tuna was on point without too much mayo. Intrigued but not fully satisfied, I decided to order a pair of Uni ($7) which had a moderate sweet surge but without the dramatic climax to worth the price. The humongous bowl of salad with vinaigrette carrots was fresh and delicious, and the miso was standard and ordinary.
Overall, the meal encompassed a few bright but puzzling phases where good presentation fell short of the sweet, melt in your mouth experience. The price was also high as I could easily get a better meal at Sushi Masu with a similar price tag. This said, it was still an overall decent meal that did not live up to the 5 stars rating that 49% of the reviewers had purported to experience. Service was brief and not noteworthy. With plenty of other sushi restaurants in the area, I'm not likely to return. -
Review from Dave T.
La Crescenta-Montrose, CA
11/14/2011
Excellent quality sushi, just off of that found at the three or four best LA sushi bars. Mr Shoei (sp) is charming and energetic. Huge and very tasty warm salmon skin salad with lots of Masago. Nice jazz themed decor.
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Review from Adam D.
Los Angeles, CA
12/4/2011
We went to Ajisai a couple of weeks ago for my friend's birthday. It was one of the better sushi restaurants we've been to lately. We don't go for the super-pricey places. We like getting good quality, tasty sushi for what we think is a reasonable price. For four people at dinner, with drinks, including tax and tip it was less than $50 per person. And we all ate a LOT. Ajisai hit the spot. We'd go back again for sure.
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Review from Billy D.
12/19/2010
Sit at the bar if you can. I had the pleasure of meeting their sushi chef Shoei (sp?). It sounded like he barely had heard of Yelp- which is kind of funny. He's the man of the place; if he's sick the restaurant is closed. As Clark said, he buys all the fish himself each morning .
The lunch special is a solid deal and fast. For $13, you 5 pieces of sashimi, one spicy tuna roll (spicy tuna was so-so), mist soup, and delicious salad. But don't stop there.
The pepper tuna, which he seared lightly with a torch, had some staying power. The sea urchin (uni) was the best I've ever had. The halibut was yummy
All the fish was of the finest quality. Also, everything had a special touch. He used light sauces or a squirt of fresh Japanese lemon, and more things when it would complement the fish. Not overpowering - but just right. He's got a bunch of special tricks up his sleeve - ask him about tuna with shiso and relish... -
Review from Brendan H.
West Hollywood, CA
2/1/2011 8 Check-ins Here
The first time that I went to Ajisai in 2003, it changed my world. Don't get me wrong, I had experienced great Japanese cuisine before on more than one occasion, but never have I come across a place that is such a perfect example of great, fresh food lovingly prepared every single time.
Every time. Never a let down. Ever.
Shoei and his wife have an almost playful relationship with their food and it shows. The "crazy balls" are to this day, one of my favorite special requests: Tempura fried garlic shrimp rolls served up with a homemade curry mayonaise that will make you weep from the magnitude of its deliciousness.
Coming here doesn't feel like eating out; It feels like going over to a friend's house for dinner. This may be why I have trouble eating sushi anywhere else. My husband & I joke with friends that "we don't cheat on Shoei," but I realized it was true when I actually felt a tinge of guilt after eating at R23 (which is a far classier joint, but on even ground when it comes to freshness and creativity).
You get what you pay for here when it comes to the food, so don't be afraid if those specialty rolls look a little pricey to you. They are worth every penny. And if by some small miracle you were able to save room for dessert, do not pass by the sautéed banana! -
Review from Emily A.
Los Angeles, CA
2/25/2011 1 Check-in Here
BEST sushi in all of los angeles.
i love the vibe in the restaurant, love the jazz music playing, love the menu, love shoei and everyone there.
don't miss it! -
Review from Paul C.
Los Angeles, CA
11/3/2007
It's really cool to be greeted by two genuinely happy faces and then seated right away. Our server was so helpful and courteous that I wanted to give her a hug...but that's weird...so I just thanked her in Japanese. What a nerd.
Sushi: A+ Although I only ordered vegetarian rolls, the flavor combinations were soooo balanced and yummy.
Miso Soup: A Mi-sooo.....ok nevermind. It's great. =]
Braised Tofu: Ho mai gahhhh....such delicious meaty texture.
Cleanliness: A I think I saw an edamame bean on the floor. That's it. Bathrooms were immaculate.
Service: A+ Our server was so talkative and full of knowledge! Fun!
Yeah, so I pretty much like this place alot. Very niiice. -
Review from Rachel T.
West Hollywood, CA
9/8/2007
Shoei, let's be best friends? I love you? Please?
Ajisai is the best sushi I've had in LA. Yes, I've eaten at Katsu-Ya in the Valley, but, um, hello? If I wanted to get habitually and cruelly ignored, I'd go back to my high school prom. While the menu is not as fusion-y and extensive as at Katsu-Ya, the people at Ajisai are so incredibly nice, and provide excellent, fun, and personal service, which is possible since the place only seats about 20.
The first time, I went with my parents, so they paid, this sushi is so good, I would, and will, pay for it myself. Prices are high, but reasonable for LA.
We've had the Agedashi Tofu, fried with a light broth, and it was creamy and delicate, as fried tofu should be. My dad once ordered the calamari tempura, which is pretty good, and the tempura batter is far more delicate and nuanced in flavor than at most sushi places. I have a feeling Shoei uses rice flour for the tempura, and that a lot of places use straight up all-purpose flour.
I genreally order the "biscotti", which does, in fact, have the quote marks on the menu. It's a bit of rice, like you find under your regular sushi, but here, it's fried into a golden-brown cake, crunchy on the outside, and ricey on the inside. On top is spicy tuna, a perfect match in presentation and taste.
My dad likes the chicken tempura, which came with a pink mayo sauce, which is so Japanese. They LOVE mayo in Japan. My family's other staples are the Mr. Polk Roll, which is a tempura-ed white fish with avocado and enoki mushrooms, the Caterpillar Roll, and the sashimi dinners.
I come here about three times a month, and everything we've eaten is delicious. I try to order less food, since the rolls are really filling, and my dad isn't always there to pay. An appetizer, a special roll, and a tall glass of Sapporo would be just the right size for dinner for one, and probably run about $25. The staff, including Mitsu and Sayaka, are cool beans as well. Shoei fries a lot of fun stuff, but I think his best work is combining subtle elements, such as ginger shavings on top of mackerel sushi.
I live within walking distance, so Shoei is definitely now my homeboy! Suckas! Hope you're jealous. -
Review from Jason F.
7/18/2008
What a waste of money. Cutting sashimi is an art their chef does not understand. A $12 order of mackerel should not come in an ice cream bowl chopped into tiny chunks. Overpriced yellowtail. Their spicy tuna was so bland, not even crunchy rice cake could make it interesting. Everything we ordered was meh and overpriced: spicy yellowtail, spicy scallop, octopus, mackerel. $6.50 for one very small scoop of ice cream! The only good fish was the albacore.
I understand WeHo rent is pricey, but every other sushi restaurant in the area serves better for less. Never returning here again. -
Review from Sean B.
3/12/2010 4 Check-ins Here
Damn. I actually didn't want to like this place? Why? It's VERY close to where I live, and it's not inexpensive. I walked by a few times, and upon looking at the menu, decided that it was a little too pricey for my budget. Lunch specials hovered around $15 and by the time you tax and tip it, you're over $20 for lunch. Not cute for an everyday kinda place.
But today I got off from work, had a good afternoon, so decided to pop in to celebrate the start of the weekend. Got the most basic bento, for $10.95, drink not included. Though it wasn't a good litmus test for the quality of the place, but it's something.
I was so pleasantly surprised. Quite honestly the best sushi I've had since moving to Los Angeles. Even though it was simple dishes, everything was a bullseye. The tempura was cooked perfectly, really piping hot and flavors were clearly representing the vegetable (or shrimp). It didn't all taste the same like some tempura. The rolls were super-fresh and really tasty. Just enjoyed everything on the bento thoroughly.
So... damn... expensive, close-by, and good. This is bad news. -
Review from Adam H.
Los Angeles, CA
7/19/2008
Pretty generous portions on most dishes & good sushi & fry skills.
The best were the calimari salad, soft shell crab (just one crab though) and miso soup. Great fry skills on the crab & calimari & snuck in some subtle curry spices in the calimari. And, they use the good quality ryokucha green tea. Ajisai roll & salmon sushi were both pretty good & generous w/ the fish too.
That nigori sake though - too darn sweet, gotta get a dryer one next time.
$80 for 2 people. -
Review from andrew a.
West Hollywood, CA
12/17/2009
I love sushi! and i love, love love ajisai!
the place just hits the spot. it is small and cozy and never too crowded and not at all pretentious. in fact the owner and all the employees are genuinely warm and friendly and attentive which you usually don't find in a place with the discipline and attention to detail required to serve up great sushi.
is clear, the owner hits the fish markets himself and early to get the freshest stuff. moreover he is an artist with a generous heart so you don't get an offering that is minimalist or a giant chunk of something, you get exactly what it should be to be amazingly satisfying.
this is great food for your soul. the place is so warm and friendly and accented in jazz and subtle touches that all speak to cozy-elegance while the food is made with care that you can feel coursing through you long after you leave. have a great night and enjoy ajisai it will be a very special occasion... -
Review from Susan S.
Los Angeles, CA
4/20/2007
A friend brought me to Ajisai. I had an amazing experience. GREAT sushi, friendly atmosphere! Shoei is the owner and Chef. He is incredibly friendly and serves up some fresh, yummy sushi. Also, try the sauted asparagus and fried string beans - super fresh. I've been back several times since. It has consistently been a delight!
The best biscotti I've had. -
Review from Amandalynn S.
Valley Village, Los Angeles, CA
8/9/2011 1 Check-in Here
Great place, loved the food here. Very fresh, will be back.
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Review from Nicole P.
Los Angeles, CA
5/22/2008
Hands down, the best sushi anywhere.
My friend Tam (who already rated this fine place) brought me here for the first time. I had yet to really find any sushi I liked at any place previous, but 1 Mr. Shoei Roll and I was hooked forever.
The fish is fresh and generous. Shoei and his wife are always friendly and remember us no matter how infrequently we visit. He knows what we like and always whips up something creative and amazing when we tell him "ah, surprise me."
It's cozy and intimate. Shoei favours jazz and it sets the perfect backdrop for a perfect night out. I cannot give this place enough stars.
Shoei, marry me?
