My wife and I were gifted a meal here from our children and we loved it. Each course was delicious and the sake tasting was great as well. We will definitely come back again. read more

This is a really new establishment and I would view it almost as an extended sister restaurant to Sushi Kaneyoshi. I went back and forth on what I would rate my experience here, but rounding up would be a 4.5 due to how affordable the experience is so I thought a solid 4 would be the best reflection. I just want to make note of actually getting to this restaurant, my +1 booked the reservation and the details of how to actually get to this restaurant are in the body of the Tock email confirmation. Definitely read your email or you'll be like us wandering around for 10 minutes trying to figure out where it is. If you've eaten at Kaneyoshi before, you basically go the same route. For everyone else, make sure you go through the parking structure, and note that the parking structure is cash only. On the first level there are glass doors, go through them, down the elevator, and you'll be basically at the wait room to be seated. Now for the omakase experience itself, I was really excited to try a cocktail pairing with an omakase experience. Whenever I have omakase its always with sake, so cocktails sounded like a nice change of pace. At $180 for the omakase experience and $45 for 3 cocktails, it's hard to beat the price in LA. My fascination basically ended there. Though the cocktail menu has alot of interesting options, I found it to be lacking. The mixed cocktails were on the sweeter end, and the saketinis were clean but left much to be desired. Funny enough, the cocktail pairing that I was most excited for would be something I would skip out entirely on a revisit. I recommend sticking to a bottle of sake, or if you do the pairing just get 3 highballs. The highballs were the best option on the menu in my opinion. The mixed cocktails lean too sweet, and it takes away from the omakase experience. For some cocktails if you want to cut down on sweetness you can ask to sub the standard whiskey with one of my favorite whiskies to mix, Nikka by the Barrel, just know it'll add $10 to the price. Now for the sushi. To compare the quality and price to some spots, I would place the actual quality a bit below Shin sushi. Though there were some stellar pieces like the sous vide ankimo (monkfish liver) and the prepared squid nigiri, there were also surprising duds. The Spanish mackeral was a bit fishy which I didn't expect from a place like this. For some pieces, the rice was way too warm, and it made it hard to focus on the flavor of the fish. There were more winners for sure, but at a place like this I didnt expect to have any somewhat bad pieces at all. Overall the quality is great for the price, but some pieces did leave a bit to be desired. I will say for the price, I half expected to still be hungry after the meal concluded. I can safely say that isn't the case. They aren't skimping on what they serve, and you should be pretty full when you leave. The decor is fabulous, the sushi chefs are exceptionally sweet, the cocktail pairing is a pass, and the sushi itself is overall pretty good. It's worth checking this place out, but to be completely honest I haven't been to sushi kaneyoshi yet and this experience just made me wish I had gone there instead. I can just tell this place has to do some things to cut down the cost, and I just know kaneyoshi would be a more fulfilling experience. This place is balancing the price to quality, and they do an excellent job with what they have. If you haven't had a sushi omakase experience and want to dip your toes in / want an affordable night out 100% try this place out. If you're looking for the best up and coming sushi spot, this place can leave you feeling like it's almost there, but it's still finding its footing. read more

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Just finished a delicious meal here. It's currently one of the hardest reservations to get selling out in a matter of seconds (under a minute). For that I am happy that Bar Sawa is getting that success, however, I want to go back already. Or maybe in a little bit, got to save up again. Throughout the entire meal, as everyone started loosening up, talking with Chef Anthony and getting to know some of the staff was wonderful. The entire menu was well executed and thought out and there are some nuances that he did that allowed the fish to give and have a different texture. Albeit, I maybe would have enjoyed it more if he sliced it as he went? But it's all in the way the chef chooses to prepare the fish as well. I'm just merely a patron who enjoys the food :) Things that stood out from the menu below? The two things that really stood out to me sushi/fish wise was the White King Salmon, and Ocean Trout. One of my favorite things was the soy sauce cheesecake easily. Menu: (pictures in order) Sea bream Horse Mackerel Stripe Jack Double Fried Halibut with Shibazuke tartare Blue Crystal Shrimp White King Salmon Ocean Trout Smoked Chutoro with shiso Kanpachi Ankimo (Monkfish) with shiso sauce Japanese Mackerel Spearhead squid Santa Barbara Uni Futomaki Shrimp Dashi Somen Soy Sauce Cheesecake read more

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Loved our omakase experience here. The beautiful, warm space transported us to the tiny sushi bars in Japan, right down to being hidden away in a nondescript building. We appreciated the clear instructions - you wouldn't be able to find it without them. Sawa is upscale without being austere. A modern, casual, and approachable omakase. The service was warm and conversational, and it really added to our experience. We learned a lot about our chefs (Chef Anthony is super kind and talented) as well as Kaneyoshi's influence on the dishes, which is clear. The fish is excellent quality - every piece melted in our mouths and was prepared delicately and beautifully. It's Edomae style that combines California influence with tradition. Some creative flavor profiles, while still honoring the main ingredient. We truly loved every bite. The cocktail pairing is a must - this bar is top notch. Every drink was perfectly balanced and they adjusted sweetness to our preferences. Best whiskey sour we've ever had, perfect highballs, interesting martinis, and all paired well with the meal. I've been to higher end places both here and in Japan and can see how purists and hardcore enthusiasts might not be impressed by Sawa, but for the price I don't think you can get a better or more fun omakase experience in LA. Can't wait to return! read more

Sake pairings Omakase at the unique Bar Sawa. Serving traditional edomae sushi with some innovative fusion items. Love the unique combination flavor of blue cheese with aged mackerel. Fantastic pairing with Kuheji sake. Sitting at the intimate sushi bar, The serving staff are great and the interaction with chef and sommelier add on to this wonderful dining experience. The whiskey wall on the side just call for a taste of whiskey as the perfect ending. read more

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If you've somehow scored a reservation thru Tock, CONGRATS! That alone is an incredible feat. Once you've made your way into the building, get to the lobby and take the middle elevator to the basement. CONGRATS again, you made it! Going forward it's smooth sailing. The dining area is an intimate space with two chefs and two staff to make drinks, etc. If you've been to Sushi at Scratch, very much the same concept except for the cocktail pairings. Drinks were bubbly and refreshing. Sushi itself was good. Highlights were the spearhead squid, otoro and ocean trout. Uni was probably the freshest I've ever had. And still...this would be a 4.5 star if I could give that. It's always a gem to find a sushi place that offers decent drinks. But I can't justify it for its price and hype. read more

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Amazing ambience! Restaurant is like hidden like a speakeasy type. Loved it tho overall, great quality omakase and drinks as well. Very good service too. read more

Omakase! Love their plan and execution, so good! It took us long enough to try this place and didn't disappoint! The pairing cocktails is legit too! read more

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Well priced omakase, and paced pretty evenly. Easily one of the best cocktail offerings in LA with a great selection of Japanese whiskey and sake. Interior design was also beautiful and intimate. It reminded me of spaces you'd find in Chicago and NYC. read more

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Incredible experience and food. Top notch and highly recommended. From the time you arrive to the last dish- the coordination of flavors and service were exceptional. read more

Highly recommend. Food quality is excellent and the chefs made the dinner such a fun and enjoyable dining experience.

This is the best restaurant I've ever been to, and it's not even close. The food? Everything was elite and the portions were IDEAL. I've never been perfectly satisfied. The staff? Incredible. Anthony, the chef (although he made sure to say he wasn't the master), was super charming and friendly and incredible at his work, as every single person in the establishment was. The ambiance was the best part though. Everyone had such a good time that the entire restaurant started hanging out with each other at one point because we had four birthdays, which they made a really cute show of. My wife and I went to Japan this summer on our honeymoon, and this is the best food we've had all year, Japan included (and that's saying something). Also Anthony taught us fresh fish from Japan comes to LA on Tuesdays and Fridays, so for those sushi lovers out there, try and get out those nights of the week! read more

Last night after I left Sawa, I drove home smiling to myself just reflecting on what a delightful experience I had!! I wanted to shout it from the rooftop but I will settle with shout typing a yelp review! Thank you so much for Chef Ryo, Gabriel, Lynn and Kaoru for taking care of us. They take care of you like you're one of their own. This omakase hit the nail on the head for me. I love the laid back atmosphere. Everyone at the bar was talking and conversing about the food and drinks which really brightened the experience. Each piece of sushi was so layered and intentional. My favorite was the 10 day aged hamachi with topped with finger lime and I believe shishito salt? The finger lime acted like little citrusy tobiko balls exploding in your mouth. Bombs away!!! I'm not even a big ocean trout gal but wow was that tasty. Seemed like it was aged in flavortown but it was hickory smoked topped with pickled shallot and ground sesame. If I were to see it on paper I probably would have not had been excited about it but it ended up being a star for me. Instead of ending with a traditional tamago, they concluded the course with a basque soy sauce infused cheesecake. Creamy, sweet, umami flavors. I've had different basque cheesecakes flavors before but never soy sauce. We were also blown away by the cocktails. We tried the yuzu highball which was so refreshing and light. My favorite was the RED SHISO. First of all, can someone tell me where I can find red shiso? Holy moly this was so good. The plum flavor hits straight away and the shiso comes in at the end. But then there's a lingering familiarity that we couldn't pin point so other diners joined in and tried to guess what it was. A lot of people said that it reminded them of haw flakes which is a Chinese candy? I've never tried them but add them to my shopping cart along with the red shiso. I can't wait to take more people here to try. Would 100% return. What a fun evening, I had a blast! read more

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Let's start off with the service was amazing everyone was engaging but the food was so underwhelming maybe because we came in it with high expectations and was really let down the whole experience for two people cost $500 (drink pairing, tip) and we both came out of it thinking we've could eaten at other spots and spent haft the cost. we were told today was experimental of hand rolls. Let's just keep it that way experimental cause it really fell flat. no one wants to spend that kind of money and have handrolls. That's our fault as we didn't see that that was the menu for the night. read more

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Amazing food and service. It was a great experience. Definitely sign up for cocktail pairing. read more

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Hands down one of the best omakase experiences in LA! It's so unassuming being in the basement floor of an office building next to its sister restaurant, Kaneyoshi. Same owner but different style of food and vibe...the hipper younger sibling. Each dish was artfully crafted & we learned so much about the preparation to execute. Drinks were AMAZING & I tried enough of them to know. If you are lucky enough to get a seat at this table, it will definitely be worth your while. read more

Celebrated our anniversary here. Such a memorable experience. Other than the fact that the omakase was amazing, Anthony and Ryo definitely helped set the tone. 10/10 would recommend! read more

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Hands down the best sushi experience I've ever had in my entire life. This intimate experience is only offered twice a day and for a total of about 8 people or so. You get a very intimate experience with Chefs Ryo San and Anthony who make your taste buds very very happy. If you have dietary restrictions of any kind, let Sawa know in advance and they're happy to accommodate. The quality of the fish is incredible. Sawa also offers alcohol pairings with Japanese whisky, sake, vodka or gin cocktails. I got the yuzu saketini and a matcha drink with gold flakes in it. YUM! You do feel satisfied after roughly 15 courses of the finest curated nigiri the world has to offer. So delicious. I can't wait to return. read more

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Tock takes $100 for each person as deposit when reserving a table. The deposit will be refunded to your account a few days after your meal. Parking is $6 flat. Chef Anthony used to work at Kaneyoshi, which is next to Sawa. I have been to Kaneyoshi, so I am very curious about Sawa. Although Sawa is considered a sister restaurant of Kaneyoshi, the whole experience and target customer are very different. While Kaneyoshi serves traditional omakase, Sawa is on the fusion side from interior design to staffs. Sawa has an interesting alcohol list which I like because I love Japanese tea. A lot of drinks are mixed with tea, such as my favorite Old Fashioned which contains Toki Whisky and Hojicha. $170 for omakase and $45 for alcohol pairing. It is totally worth it. Here are my highlights: Ankimo, Chutoro, Sea Bream, and Shoyu Cheesecake. Sawa adds more flavor, such as smoked fish and Jalapeno, on the sushi and it goes well with alcohol. Thank you Chef Anthony's team for this amazing experience. read more

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The intimacy and vibe alone of Sawa blew me away. First off let me say, this is an experience everyone need to have. It became personal to me. I'm a huge music fan and to walk into a place that had records lined on their shelves and stereo equipment displayed, it was definitely a pleasant surprise. There were 10 seats for the time we reserved. Everyone on our group was so down to earth and I really think that a lot of that is because how chill and personable the chef and his team was. We had a 17 course omakase dinner. Everything that ranged from steamed egg with shrimp, blue fin, scallops, uni... I can go on and on. I kid you not when I say everything we tried was phenomenal. The chef's selection was calculated, very well put together, and imaginative. My absolute favorite though was the monkfish liver with wasabi radish. I could eat that every day. This by far was one of my favorite omakase experiences. I came here with my wife on our anniversary and this was the best present we've ever had. Mix in the downtempo hip hop instrumentals, the wall of Japanese whiskey, the exclusivity of it all- helped make for one of the best nights we've had in quite some time. I'd like to thank the chef and his crew personally for such a memorable event. We hope to see you again Sawa! Save one of those Yakuza Boston Sour's for my next visit! read more

Came here for a birthday and had a great experience. This was our first high end omakase dinner so we don't have anything to compare to really. We typically stick to Sugarfish if that tells you anything. Pros: Ambience - the space is very chic and cool. Only 6 people with 2 chefs and 2 bartenders so it feels like a personal service which was very cool. Drinks - Drinks were very tasty. Nothing super crazy or over the top flavor wise. Just done really well with good booze. Food - It was good. Some of the dishes were not very memorable but everything was really tasty and there were a couple that were amazing. The oysters were very unique and interesting. We did not get the ankimo I see everyone raving about :( Price - Compared to other similar experiences it seems to be a good price. I saw lots of others about $100 more Cons: Timing - We did the 6PM seating and I thought it would be about 2.5 hours. We ended the meal around 7:30 and they told us we had to be out by 7:45. So it seemed a bit rushed. I would have liked to stay to try a whisky but there wasn't time. So if you go, try to do the later service. Price - While cheaper than other comparable omakase it's still a lot for a single meal. If just based on food it's not worth it in my opinion. But I'm not a sushi connoisseur and it's really more about the experience anyway. So overall I'm glad we did it, it was very memorable. We might try it again but with a couple of other couples to make it more fun together and definitely for the 8PM seating. read more

Bar Sawa is a hidden gem in Little Tokyo. I've been meaning to try out this omakase for months and it did not disappoint. The service is impeccable. Sawa only services a few people a day so reservations are tight. The staff is friendly and very down to earth. Conversations were flowing and I learned so much about the ancient art of sushi making. The menu is mostly comprised of the fattier fish. The soy sauce cheesecake was an interesting ending to the omakase. read more

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Stuff here is super friendly and the cocktail pairing is def worth it, the cocktail tasted great here. The atmosphere and the vibe is also chill and relaxing. However, the sushi part didn't amaze us much. It seemed pretty normal and the quality of the fish are similar to what you can get with a $100 omakase. The ankimo liver is absolutely the best one and it is creamy like a butter. Aji and Shima aji are great but the 3 smashed nigiris seem to be too much. We were expecting more 'whole piece' nigiris and more premium fish. Overall it was a great experience, but we might try something else with this price (185+45 pp) read more

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Up and coming Omakase whiskey bar. Worth dining here and I can't wait to see how Anthony evolves. I can't speak on the whisky but the virgin drinks were up my alley. Parking: pay for parking ramp it's $6 flat rate Entrance: you need to enter through parking structure on 2nd floor through glass doors then to level B Food: overall was good and top quality ingredients but a few of the beginning dishes either needs to more balanced between sauce and fish, or the progression needs to be changed. The latter half was awesome in terms of balance of fish/sauce, texture and flavor. Service: Excellent, definitely enjoyed talking to the barista and a staff member from Kaneyoshi. If you're celebrating a special occasion this is the place to go. Let them know ahead of time. Tip: aim for 6:30pm/later reservation so you can stay late and chill at the bar/ couches. read more

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Omakase was great. Friendly chefs and staff. Ambiance was nice. I liked the privacy and intimacy. read more

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Epic sushi omakase experience for a birthday celebration. You don't know what sushi and pairing with cocktail sake is until you come here! Excellent ambience, friendly & welcoming staff!! Will be back for sure. read more

Hands down one of the best unique & creative Omakase venues LA has to offer this side of Japan! This place is well underway to receiving a Michelin star rating and most definitely a James Beard award you wait and see. They do just 2 seatings a night one at 4:45 & 7:45 at a romantic 8 seat bar with alcohol pairings if you're adventurous and not driving! All I can say is that it's 2 hours of pure food porn...it's pricey so don't be shocked when the bill arrives and it's $500 not including gratuity. I always say you can't put a price on a good time or an epic 10/10 dining experience read more

Bar Sawa - Japanese Manhattan beautifully crafted to perfection - Sushi Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Parking- there's an attached parking structure. At the time of posting, it was $10. But it's not overnight, so after 11pm you'll be locked out. Atmosphere- this is where Fuga used to be. They've downsized the space to an beautiful, intimate bar. The price point and reservation structure should filter out most undesirables, so the experience should be great. It was for me. Food- the chef is terrific and worth the price of admission. There were no weak links and beverages were great accompaniments too. If the soy sauce cheesecake is on the menu, then you're in for a treat. Service- the staff was superb. There's practically a waiter for each guest, and they were all total professionals. Overall, I'd definitely return on a special occasion. read more

Im not sure what I was expecting. I should've paid attention to the fact that this was a hand roll experience. My ignorance to omakase didn't help. No fault of the chef & staff (they were great) but I was underwhelmed. Especially considering that I dropped 6 bills for the meal, drinks, & tip. I'm not opposed to spending money on food & drink but I did leave disappointed. If I had my druthers about it, I'd prefer to spend half the amount of money at Yonomi Roll in the Arts District, there you get a better bang for your buck and not be underwhelmed & disappointed. read more

had a wonderful time tonight- vibes were so friendly and I was surprised at the quality of the sushi a few of the sushi had unique flavors that was liked by everyone in our group read more

How have I not rated this place yet?! My father in law came to visit and has never done an omakase and I knew we had to take him. Omakases are my husband's and I favorite thing! It can be hard to find one worth the price or the price is just so much. I felt Sawa was a good price and especially for the dishes that were given to us. The chef was younger than any omakase chef I've seen, but he was incredible. I dream of the monk liver. The drinks/cocktails were also so good. My only little sadness was that they mixed uni with snow crab and I love uni so much I was sad it was not just uni lol. It's a beautiful intimate setting. We had the seats on the end far from the chef, so next time I would get there earlier to get in front of him. We got there 10min early and were still last to be seated. read more

Incredible meal to celebrate my wife's 40th. Fantastic dishes paired with exceptional cocktails in an intimate 8 guest setting. Highly recommend! read more

Bar Sawa - Sushi Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Absolutely the finest Omakase experience in town. Take a trip to Little Tokyo and there are plenty of sushi spots and other Japanese cuisine to enjoy. But if you are looking to have not only amazing and delicious sushi, but have a memorable experience, then look no further than Bar Sawa. The pair of cocktail crafters make everything in front of you and with such grace and perfection that you are excited to try the elixirs. While they tend your hydration needs, the sushi chefs are busy creating artistic masterpieces for your palette. I won't ruin the experience of what was served, as it is seasonal and will vary, but each piece of delivered with an informative description that makes the mouth water. The entire experience is about 2 hours of pure pleasure. The seating is limited so the ambiance is as perfect as you can get. Feel free to mingle with the other three pairs at the seating or stay engaged with your date. This is a fantastic experience that I intend to enjoy again and again. At some point I may even get my own bottle to store at the restaurant. Another perk that I find highlights the quality of the customer service. See you soon Bar Sawa. read more

We came here for a nightcap after our dinner next door. So this review is only for the drinks. They were finishing up their last omakase whiskey tasting of the night so we got to sit on the plush couch in the corner. This place is very intimate and the waitress was very helpful and nice. The highballs are all really good and the whiskey is exceptional! We will be back for the omakase whiskey tasting soon! You can just make the reservation with the waitress if you are already there. If not, you can go to Tock to make reservations. read more

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My boyfriend brought me here for my birthday dinner and it was the best dinner of my life. It is a little tricky finding the place but once you make your reservation they email you a very detailed instruction of how to find their place. The vibes are immaculate and everyone was so friendly. Loved the interaction with the chef throughout the course. I think it was a total of 18 course and we got the alcohol pairing. You have to try their highball. I usually dont drink whisky but this is my only exception so far ! read more

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The best sushi in LA hands down. Food and cocktails are amazing. Sushi is omakase so no menu to choose from but the drinks are a tough choice and you should prob just get one of each =) Real talk though great sake selection, and amazing cocktails. You should try the dashi martini. Sounds crazy, tastes ridiculous. Vibe is killer, but the real treat outside of the AMAZING food/drink is the staff. The whole crew is so fun and friendly. You'll walk away with an arsenal of inside jokes that you can enjoy with them on every future visit (yes, they'll remember you). Sawa is truly something special. read more

What a pleasure! Fantastic menu and service. Every course was a delight. The recommended cocktail pairings were perfect. Would recommend for any occasion, but especially a day/night to remember. read more

Spent my 30th birthday here today and had one of the best dinners of my life. Not only was every course outstanding but the ambiance was spectacular and the staff was top tier. This place is worth it and can't wait to return. read more

Such an amazing experience. This is truly a unique omakase experience - in full disclosure this isn't traditional - they take some creative liberties with the dishes. Some of the fish will be smoked, others fresh, others aged. Very intimate experience - is located in the basement of an office building. Space itself is very warm and cozy with a total of 10 seats. Service was impeccable and great quality on all 19 courses - couldn't really pick a favorite to be honest. In additional to traditional sake offerings, they have a great cocktail program as well / massive selection of Japanese whiskey. We opted for cocktails, which were really good (strong too!). Cannot recommend this place enough. Yes, it is expensive (total for 2 including 20% gratuity was $540), but for an occasional treat, you can't go wrong here. read more

this was the best omakase experience i've ever had. chef ryo, gabriel, lynn, and kaoru were so amazing. you can tell they have so much love and thoughtfulness for the food and they made the experience one that i'll never forget. every course was so amazing and cohesive, the best food i've ever had. the drinks were also the best i've ever had. the ambiance was so beautiful, this 2 hour experience felt like it flew by but i enjoyed every single moment. sawa has a place in my heart forever. read more

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