High end Sushi

[kevin]

It's been a few months since I've had sushi, so what's your favorite joint for high-end sushi (by high end I mean up to about teh Mori price range)

Thanks.

[NAspy]

Was recently at Sasabune and really very impressed by the omakase. Dining companions ordered off the sushi menu and were also really happy. I know there are complaints about the pre-sliced nature of the offerings, but is that true at dinner? We were at a table and everything was fresh and incredibly good, the pieces were *much* bigger than at Sushi Zo (my go-to place). Only downside -- rice fell apart on a couple of the nigiri. I paid $65 for the omakase -- it included albacore, oyster, baked mussel, tuna, yellowtail, halibut, scallop, a couple different mackerals, golden eye snapper, wonderful crab roll and a few other things I can't remember.

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Sushi Zo
9824 National Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90034

Sasabune
12400 Wilshire Blvd Ste 150, Los Angeles, CA 90025

[kevin]

supposedly the "american" omakase at sasabune starts at 65 bucks,.a nd the "japanse" omakase which i take it includes abalone sashimi to up the price starts at 95 bucks. it's been a while since i have had omakase there.

but i did try the 18 dollar lunch special with is either a tuna bowl or albacore bowl, and three pieces of sushi, a green salad w ponzu dressing, and miso soup, and either a tuna handroll or blue crab handrooll, and you know what it ain't half bad... yeah, it can't compete with the omakase at bar, but at that price point what can???

[NAspy]

That lunch sounds like a great deal.

[westsidegal]

to kevin:
don't mean to hijack the thread, but if we're talking lunch specials, just a couple of dollars more expensive than the sasabune special, the weekday lunch specials at mori are worthy of mention.
as with sasabune, these don't begin to compare with a dinner omakase in quality, but the price/quality/quantity ratios on the lunch specials are darn good!

[ipsedixit]

Have you been to Mori since the change in ownership?

Heard nothing but positives about Maru-san thus far.

[kevin]

So it's officially changed ownership? Morisan is in longer there? Or is he still the chef and he just sold his ownership stake in the joint?

[westsidegal]

truthfully, i've not gone since the change.

[Servorg]

While I haven't been it seems like it might be an ideal time to try the new Shunji's on Melrose.

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Shunji's
7015 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038

[BombayUpWithaTwist]

I too keep thinking I need to try Shunji's and I love going to Asanebo his brother's place!

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Asanebo
11941 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604

Shunji's
7015 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038

[Servorg]

I would love to get there too. Just gotta save up my nickels and dimes for a while as those great Japanese places then to add up fast (although my wife and I did go to Santouka in Mar Vista last night for a great - and reasonably inexpensive - bowl of ramen).

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Santouka
3760 S Centinela Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90066

[dwg]

Word. Asanebo.

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Asanebo
11941 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604

[ipsedixit]

Kiyokawa.

[andytseng]

along those same lines... if you can get a reservation at n/naka, i think that experience is something else.

neither are pure sushi meals.

[ipsedixit]

Have you been to n/naka? Any thoughts?

[andytseng]

Went last Thursday and had a great time. Same staff as from Inaka, so the service is still on point. I don't think we've really seen the full breadth of what Chef NIki can do in her new kitchen, but it's still a great meal.

Same crab & egg dish (delicious, as always), and the same wagyu beef dish from Inaka. Other prepared dishes seem a bit more refined for an experience more fitting the space.

Sushi-wise, All the fish is fresh and delicious. Particularly the Kumamoto oyster I had.

[ipsedixit]

Thanks. I still lament her departure from Arcadia.

[westsidegal]

i still am in the camp of Sushi-Zo as #1 choice.