changing direction of bday dinner... sushi! need opinions

[Clyde]

Sasabune or Mori? I've never been to either. The places I have been to and love are: Kiriko, Sushi Zo, K-Zo, Nishi-Ya, Hirozen. I also liked Bar Hayama. I just don't want a repeat for a bday dinner -- it should be somewhere we've never been. Also, any opinions on Asanebo? I am even better with trying a spot in Studio City than W.LA. I've done downtown sushi, so no Gen, or 55, etc. Looking for Omakase with a nice atmosphere.

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Sushi Zo
9824 National Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90034

Asanebo
11941 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604

Kiriko
11301 W Olympic Blvd Ste 102, Los Angeles, CA 90064

Hirozen
8385 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048

Nishi-Ya
1712 Victory Blvd, Glendale, CA 91201

Bar Hayama
11300 Nebraska Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90025

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

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

[BSW6490]

I happen to like Sasabune very much. That said, not as a venue for a b-day dinner. Too large and sterile. No ambiance at all. Great for lunch though not as good as the original on Sawtelle. Ahi Sushi on Ventura, just east of Coldwater is very good and has an enclosed patio that could set up nicely for a b-day. How many people are you having?

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Ahi Sushi
12915 Ventura Blvd Ste A, Studio City, CA 91604

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

[Clyde]

it's just going to be 2 of us. i just want something that's not a hole in the wall, even though i know awesome places like nishi-ya are that. kiriko would be perfect for what i'm thinking, but we've been there 3x. looking for high end sushi and also looking for somewhere with 'nice' service (therefore, sushi zo is out of the question -- though i've never had issues there i don't want to enter anywhere with the he may be rude to us vibe).

[namstermonster]

if it's betw the 2, most def mori.

[The Oracle]

While ambiance is subjective, our favorite special occasion sushi place is: Toro's Japanese Fusion in Alhambra. Truthfully, I haven't been there in over a year, but went more frequently prior and it was consistently a wonderful experience. Also, I haven't been to any of the spots you've mentioned, so no reference point there, unfortunately.

[pley]

Hands down Mori. Any comparing of Mori to Sasabune would be shamefully disrespectful to Mori.

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

[pley]

OR, go to n/naka. Just incredibly wonderful.

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n/naka
3455 S. Overland Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90034

[J.L.]

My top 3 recs for you:

(1) n/naka
(2) n/naka
(3) Mori Sushi - Just make sure you guys sit at the bar, not at a table.

Sasabune is not special enough for a birthday, methinks.

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

n/naka
3455 S. Overland Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90034

[Clyde]

thanks! i am excited to try mori. was also considering go's mart for a quick minute... but the reviews on the atmosphere turned me off. some other time, when it's not a bday, i'll try it.

[Clyde]

Thanks to everyone for suggesting Mori. It was PERFECT and delish. my only beef is the tea we got at the end had so much caffeine i was up all night! watch out for that... but the meal itself was superb, as was the service. LOVED IT!