Fun, casual Japanese birthday restaurant in LA (like Musha)

[DReborn]

tried to make reservations at Musha santa monica but they are booked. Any ideas for about 10 people?

Japanese preferred but not necessary.

thanks!!

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Musha
424 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401

[liu]

DReborn, have you had your birthday dinner yet?
Please be sure to report back!

[liu]

I like all of the suggestions here and have enjoyed frequent visits to most or all. For a birthday, I like the feel of Bar Hayama inside and I think they can easily accommodate 10 with advanced notice. FuRaiBo is delicious, although a little more rowdy and pub-ish. Nanbankan, as Soniabegonia suggested, also has a nice feel inside and would be fun for a birthday celebration. And we have had very good service at Robata-ya.

Actually, I think all of the ideas here are good ones! Japanese small plates are fun and with 10 people you will have lots of interesting choices. You might also wish to consider Orris on Sawtelle.

[soniabegonia]

Nanbankan on Santa Monica, just a block from Sawtelle. Call soon because they do have a very loyal following (including myself) and they are always full.

[whatsfordinner]

+1

[DReborn]

Sawtelle is solid if you know the place but can be somewhat "adverturesome" for people not familiar with it

Anybody been to the Yard in santa monica?

[liu]

We went to the Yard in Santa Monica recently for lunch and it would not be my choice for a return visit.
I am not a drinker, so my "take" is a little different from one who likes that pub feel. I ordered their tacos and the portion was small-plate while the price was grande. The service was friendly -- even a little flirtatious as one might expect in a bar -- but not remarkable or in keeping with the inflated prices. I left with an uneasy feeling and not satisfied.

[veee]

I celebrated my 30th at The Yard in santa monica.
The service was great. The cocktails were delish. The food was good, but not the most amazing ever. It's a cute space and the staff were really nice, even though most of our group was late, etc.

[yinyangdi]

I've revisited Sasaya a couple of times recently after seeing several naysayers on this board and found the food, drink, atmosphere, and service to be better than I remembered (and I have always liked this place).

Izakaya Sasaya
11613 Santa Monica Blvd
West Los Angeles, CA 90025
[phone]
www.izakaya-sasaya.com

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Sasaya Japanese Restaurant
11613 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025

[DReborn]

thanks for the help

I was thinking Bar Hayama but that fire table is awkward to sit and talk around

Never been to Raku tho Furaibo is a good place.

I am trying to stay in the santa monica, brentwood, west la, bev hills, weHo region.

What about Wa Sushi?

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Raku Restaurant
11678 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064

Bar Hayama
11300 Nebraska Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90025

[Servorg]

Haven't been to Wa. What about Robata Ya?

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Robata Ya
2004 Sawtelle Blvd, Los Angeles, CA

[J.L.]

Wa is a good choice! Intimate, with fun chefs, and good food. As long as you don't mind that it's on the second floor of a mini-mall.

[bulavinaka]

You didn't mention a specific area in LA, so I'm taking some license here and assuming you mean just around the LA area. Have you tried calling the Musha in Torrance? This location is bigger and IMHO better. Also in the same shopping center - right across the parking lot - is Torihei. You could also reserve a tatami room for your group at Sanuki no Sato in Gardena.

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Musha
1725 W Carson St, Torrance, CA 90501

Torihei
1757 W. Carson Street, Torrance, CA 90501

[J.L.]

FuRaiBo (on Sawtelle).
Honda Ya (in Little Tokyo, corner of 3rd & Alameda).

[Servorg]

Raku on Olympic? Or Bar Hayama on Sawtelle?

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Raku Restaurant
11678 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064

Bar Hayama
11300 Nebraska Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90025