Monday lunch for sushi...

[cfylong]

I know, Monday's not the day for it, but my wife's birthday is next Monday, and she really enjoys sushi. Would appreciate any suggestions for the most consistent sushi lunch available on Mondays, besides Sushi Gen's sashami special. Open to omakase, but limited to $65-75 pp. Thanks.

[cfylong]

My wife and I went to the downtown Sugarfish as part of her birthday and had the omakase. It's not exactly omakase, as it is a set menu of sushi and handrolls, but it is served plate by plate. The restaurant has nice lighting and friendly staff. The service was very good; the green tea was filled right away when requested, as was any other requests. The food...was fine. What stood out was the albacore and the toro roll. The yellow fish, halibut, and salmon were tender and fresh, but somewhat bland. I guess one could say they were nuanced, like French wines, but as a sushi neophyte, I didn't taste much flavor other than the terrific yuzu and ponzu sauce on the sushi. Overall, it was nice, if a little underwhelming. We were hoping for taste that melted on the tongue, which we've had at some similar places, but didn't quite feel that happened here. Thanks again for the recommendations!

[cutop]

I think that is a fair assessment. Sugarfish is really good... not exactly great.

[tissue]

I enjoy the food at Sugarfish but I think the pacing is too quick.... everyone comes out in rapid succession.

[J.L.]

I think the niche for sugarFISH is for people that want a quick (but very good quality) sushi fix... In and out the door in about an hour. That's probably the best way to think of it.

[cfylong]

Thank you everyone for your thoughtful sugggestions! And, my wife will thank you as well, when she finds out. It looks like we will try Sugarfish downtown on Monday. It's convenient and seems to have everything we'd like to try in their "trust me" lunch special. Will report back afterwards, although I have to admit I'm no sushi expert...

[cdub]

for the price, i feel like the nozawa at sugarfish is an excellent deal. $37 for a fairly well sized, quality sushi dinner is good. i'm a pretty big fan especially when you factor in the price point.

[J.L.]

Please report back, and enjoy your lunch!

[cfylong]

J.L, does Sugarfish serve the omakase sushi plate by plate, or are all the sushi placed on one plate for you? Thanks.

[cdub]

plate by plate. they bring them out when they're ready.

[kevin]

for the most part plate by plate, but i think sometimes it comes like two pieces and the roll at the same time.

[J.L.]

You're right. Monday is NOT the day for sushi in L.A.

BUT if you must... then I trust sugarFISH these days.

http://www.sugarfishsushi.com/

[westsidegal]

respectfully disagree with your recommendation of sugarfish.

[J.L.]

Your view on sugarFISH is well-known, westsidegal. And respected.

As other 'Hounds will recall, I actually despised sugarFISH until 6 months ago, when I gave them another try. And another. And another. The quality problems I had with them before had apparently been fixed. I could care less if the fish isn't cut in front of my eyes - It's the quality I can taste. They catered my Super Bowl party this year, and came through for me spectacularly. I've done a "180" in my opinions of this business.

[cutop]

I am a fan of Sugarfish for casual, midday sushi for sure.

[kevin]

JL, which sugar fish do you go to?

[J.L.]

Downtown & Brentwood.

[cfylong]

I see they have four locations. Have you tried the downtown branch?

[J.L.]

Yes, and it's good.

[Clyde]

Maybe try Hirozen on Beverly & Orlando? I believe they are open Mondays and i've seen many get the omakase while i sit at the bar with my favorite scallop cut rolls.

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Hirozen
8385 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048

[Servorg]

K-zo (no relation to Sushi Zo) would be a good choice.

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K-Zo
9240 Culver Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232

[westsidegal]

just had a VERY lovely monday-night dinner at k-zo.

[kevin]

wg, what was in your kzo dinner, and how much did it cost??? i've actually never been, but now that zo is out of the cards...

[westsidegal]

it was not omakase.
we ordered off the menu and the sushi menu.
can't remember all we had, but partial memory includes:
seafood salad
eel sushi
japanese scallop (the type with NO mayo, served with sea salt)
hamachi belly
ikura
saba
an amuse bouche of radish salad
and maybe a couple of other items.

since i wasn't paying, i don't know how much it cost

[Bob Brooks]

I think Echigo would provide an omakase within your budget. I'm a big fan of this place. I like its rice and their ankimo is among the best I've ever had; certainly as good or better than Sushi Zo.

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Sushi Zo
9824 National Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90034

Echigo
12217 Santa Monica Blvd Ste 201, Los Angeles, CA 90025

[westsidegal]

i love echigo, BUT would not recommend their lunch special.
if you end up there, order off of the regular menu.

[cfylong]

westsidegal, by lunch special, do you mean their lunch omakase? Any particular reason...thanks.

[westsidegal]

he actually offers a lunch special made with presliced fish.
the fish/rice ratio in the lunch special offerings is WAAAAAAY off.

the fish/rice ratio in his normal offerings is fine.
also, he does not preslice the fish for his normal offerings.

i've never had his omakase, lunch nor dinner.
dunno if it is even offered at lunch.
if it is offered at lunch, i don't know if it would come in at your budget.

[Bob Brooks]

Omakase is offered at lunch at Echigo. I can't imagine it would be more than $75 pp.

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Echigo
12217 Santa Monica Blvd Ste 201, Los Angeles, CA 90025

[kevin]

never omakase?

you are correct, i think that it is a very thin slice on the lunch special, but then at 14 bucks you get a taste of what he's serving for 50 to 60 bucks, which as far as taste of this style of sushi for budget, conscious sushi neophytes, it's a good deal.

[westsidegal]

i wouldn't mind the thin slice so much if he compensated by DECREASING the amount of rice so that the fish/rice ratio was normal.
the balance is too far off, and the fish is completely overpowered by the rice.

[kevin]

really that sounds great, execpetional even if so, sadly, i don't think i'll be going to to Sushi Zo, any time in the near future, for price reasons and other reasons. (as far as prices, with tax and tip, it's at least 150 dollars per person now).

when i went to echigo in the past, it was no more than 50 to maybe 65 per person, but the last time i went for the omakase at Echigo whether for lunch or dinner was a solid three years ago. once Zo came on the scene, i for the most part would go nowhere else for great, sauced, Nozawa/Sasabune style sushi that even one upped the masters of that style.

And echigo is in the same style as those four.

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Sushi Zo
9824 National Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90034

Echigo
12217 Santa Monica Blvd Ste 201, Los Angeles, CA 90025

[westsidegal]

fwiw, drinking only green tea and water, we were able to get out of sushi zo for ~$100/pp including tax and tip, last night.
worth EVERY penny if you have that kind of discretionary income with which to work.