Not sure if the restaurant is changing names from the namesake Vana to 1111 Nikkei Sushi. Hostesses may not be informed. If they are, they do not explain changes to guests. There's a bright, nicely decorated streetside dining room that is entirely empty with main corridor and backlit "Vana" sign that can be confusing if you're looking for "1111 Nikkei Sushi". It looks like a storefront showroom, but I guess it's for overflow dining. Although, sitting guests in there at the start would be an attractive ad for passersby. Turning the corner you'll see the vinyl sign wondering why hostesses didn't beckon you to enter through the front entrance. Although we indicated on the OT website to sit in the dining room, we were escorted in the back courtyard with the bar. On their website there wasn't mention of the name Vana, or a menu so it was interesting to see the cocktail and dinner sushi menu with Vana by 1111 Nikkei. Our hostesss (who was also our server) said very little about the concept, restaurant, cocktails or menu. After we ordered she mentioned an enticing mushroom risotto special, but, alas, we had already made up our minds. The cocktails were creative. I had the vodka and dragonfruit which was fragrant and pleasant. We ordered ceviche, Siu Mai, Hamachi and Spider Rolls that basically arrived in reverse order. Food was tasty, seasoned and attractively presented. Shrimp Siu Mai looked like a product you would find in the Foodland freezer section, but they were a petite seafood mousse with light crisp wrappers. Nice, moist and different although a semblance of actual shrimp or shrimp pieces would enhance the texture rather than a tinted mix and reflect value. Nice ponzu sauce that maybe could have been served alongside the tiny dumplings. It was hard to appreciate the sauce in the deep bowl. The sushi rolls were generous and skillfully prepared. The spider roll had great textural contrasts with tempura fried SS crab. The hamachi also offered a similar chopped seafood filling with cucumber and avocado. Sushi Rice was seasoned and had a sweet aftertaste. Note: the sushi ginger (gari) tasted fresh and delicious between bites of sushi. Alpatado Ceviche included very fresh avocado and fish presented in a bowl. Nice fresh lime "Tigers Milk" sauce made from blended and strained garlic, onions and other seasonings topped off the dish. Would have been a plus to get chips or a vehicle to soak the overflow of sauce besides the ever-present Peruvian corn nuts, a pinch of salt too. The courtyard ambiance is attractive, well lit and romantic. Tables are close but there's enough distance for privacy or table conversations. By the time we left the place filled up. It's small ( minus the indoor dining room) so we suggest reservations. Addendum: Review your bill. They added an automatic gratuity for a deuce. read more

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New ownership, delicious food, tasteful sushi, and a beautiful atmosphere. Our server brandon is very knowledgeable with the new menu. We had a wonderful time and will be back for more! Great place and reservation for dinner his highly recommended! It's amazing it's also open for lunch time!! NEW local spot! read more

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