Really yummy and they let me bring in a cake for a birthday dinner. The service and food was great!read more

We've been coming here for about seven years, and Dojo Sushi has never let us down…read more The fish is consistently excellent, the menu has enough variety to keep everyone in the family happy, and the value is surprisingly good for a family night out. Just as importantly, the staff is always friendly and welcoming. A special shout-out to the Brussels sprouts appetizer, which has somehow become a mandatory order every time we visit. Dojo isn't so much a hidden gem as it is a jewel on Ventura Blvd. On a nice evening, the patio feels like a little oasis, with great food, great people-watching, and an atmosphere that keeps us coming back year after year. Seven years later, it's still one of our favorite spots.

Zen Toro Sushi is easily one of the best sushi restaurants I've been to. The fish is incredibly…read morefresh, and you can truly taste the exceptional quality in every bite. From the sashimi to the specialty rolls, everything was beautifully prepared and absolutely delicious. The ambiance is warm, modern, and inviting, making it the perfect place for a date night, dinner with friends, or any special occasion. The employees are extremely friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable, providing outstanding service from the moment you walk in. If you're looking for the freshest, highest-quality sushi with an amazing atmosphere and top-notch service, I highly recommend Zen Toro Sushi. I'll definitely be coming back!

As soon as you walk in, everyone gives you a warm welcome. The vibes are friendly, intimate, and…read moreinviting -- you're about to have a goood meal! It being our first time, our server explained the menu and gave us her recommendations. We tried the albacore carpaccio -- my favorite item of the night. Loved the tender pieces of albacore drenched in sauce with jalapeños and crispy onions. (Definitely going back to get this again!) We also tried the elite roll (yellowtail) and the tuna on tuna roll. Both good, but the spicy mayo was on the sweeter side, which I'd never really had. It reminded me of candy so that was definitely different! Edamame was good too, and overall, we had a good experience and are interested in trying more items!

Umigame Sushi is a renowned culinary gem, celebrated for its authentic Japanese flavors and…read moreexquisite dining experience. Nestled in the heart of the city, this restaurant offers a diverse menu featuring meticulously crafted sushi rolls, fresh sashimi, and traditional Japanese entrees. Each dish is prepared with the finest ingredients, ensuring a burst of flavor in every bite. The serene ambiance, coupled with exceptional service, makes Umigame Sushi a perfect spot for both casual lunches and special occasions. It's a place where culinary artistry meets a warm, inviting atmosphere, promising an unforgettable gastronomic journey.

Picture of you guys are nothing but the best they have the best service and the people here are…read moreexcellent and of course the food is good

In today's restaurant market, there are many Japanese restaurants that are good and occasionally…read moreyou find one that is fantastic. How does one determine that a Japanese restaurant is fantastic? First you start with the ambience, then you start with a selection of the menu, then you look at the presentation of each plate and dish and the creative reiteration of that dish. At Taisho which is located in the heart of the Valley in Sherman Oaks, is a wonderful restaurant with great creativity and presentation and ambience... And it hits all the marks of a truly wonderful Japanese restaurant. This restaurant is so good that even living in Orange County, what desires to go back into the valley, which is quite a jaunt. We occasionally go to the valley for family and friends and events... And from now on, we will be stopping by this wonderful Japanese restaurant. I'm going to post some pictures and let the pictures speak for themselves. If you're ever in the valley, you gotta make this one of your stops.

In the interest of fairness, I have to lead with the fact that the food is really quite good. The…read morehostess was very sweet, and even helped us change tables when we learned that we while were sitting at an indoor table, it right next to the entrance to the open patio where they have an additional 10 tables or soy. Long story short, my wife was starting to sweat so she wanted to be inside with some A/C. So far, so good. Our waiter was so awesome, but it was his first day, so understandably, he made a couple of very minor mistakes that were easily fixed. He brought out a dish we did not order (which he swapped for the correct one) and he forgot to bring the cocktail that my wife ordered. Again, no big deal. Now... the food. If you are looking for a sushi restaurant, this is not for you. They do have some sushi, but it is very limited, and frankly the options they did have were wildly overpriced. Selling salmon sashimi for $40 is a huge ask. As for the atmosphere, it's a pretty sharp looking space, with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, but they leave all the windows and doors open at all times, so if it's a warm evening, you're going to be hot even if you sit outside. Also, the music gets progressively louder as nightfall progresses, so it can be tough to have a conversation without shouting. Bottom line, if you're looking for a good sushi spot, there are half a dozen other places within walking distance that are, in my opinion, much better. If you're looking for a wider variety of Japanese cuisine, and have a few hundred extra dollars lying around, then go ahead and give Taisho a try.

First time eating here. Very neat experience especially with the food rotating around. Roxanne was…read moreextremely helpful.

As fisherman and long time sushi lover, Fish was great. huge menu that has something for everyone…read moreincluding those looking for something new to try. Appreciate tasty creative accents such as sauces or other flavorings and textures added to nigiri or rolls or other dishes. Wait staff was friendly and seating comfortable. Don't let unlikely area scare you off. Also appreciate specials.

Amazing customer service from the moment we walked through the doors. Delicious food, all served…read morevery quickly. Servers and hosts make you feel welcomed and always keep tables clean. The ambiance is relaxed with good trendy music and lovely decor. 10/10 would try again!

The food was absolutely amazing! And our server, Albert, went the extra mile to make sure we were…read morewell taken care of. Give him a raise. He's great at what he does.

Had lunch at Uoichiba and ordered the medium 5 rolls as it was our first visit. The dining area was…read morea full house as it was peak lunch time, so be forewarned that there may be a little spacing between the rolls arriving at your table. We didn't mind the wait, but if you are on a time crunch it may be something to consider. Service was attentive regardless and we had an overall good first experience. We also ordered the fish bone broth (not the miso soup) and the umami flavor was spectacular. We also appreciated how each handroll was wrapped in fresh crispy/crunchy seaweed and the sushi rice complimented each fish well. The dry aged fish was super tender and creamy and had no fishy taste at all. Our most favorite out of the 5 was the lean tuna, steelhead salmon, and whitefish. We'll definitely be coming back and would love to try their other individual handrolls not included in the pre-fix combinations.

As a handroll lover who loves to come across new joints that could possibly do it better, uoichiba…read moreis the surprising all rounder that has possibly taken the top rank. Unassuming spot that is part cafe and seafood market as well, I can respect a place that is trying to make the most of its space at all hours. Excellent quality fish, good seasoned rice and crispy nori all come together to make the tastebuds rejoice. Slight nuances on the classics, light handed mayo and just sweet seafood pushes this up the bar for us. No problems on service for a relatively filled Saturday later evening meal. I'd skip the shrimp and octopus salad even though usually those items always pique our interest. Would definitely return!

Food was delicious and ambiance was fun. Clean establishment and employees were very friendly…read more Highly recommend!

Dining at Aria was a nice experience. The ambiance was very cool, the sushi was good and the…read moreservice was helpful and kind. Shishito peppers were a delicious appetizer. We ordered the American slam (no rice roll), baked crab roll, eel roll, spicy tuna roll and they were all great. Recommend! :)

I am sharing some love in the 818. I'll start here with Little Izaka-ya by Katsuya, my favorite…read morelocal sushi joint in the San Fernando Valley. The food is always fresh -- trust me. I visit this little Valley gem (near the 405 Fwy and Sepulveda Blvd just south of Ventura Blvd.) about one to two times a month. I went more often when I lived in Sherman Oaks. First, it's always busy at dinner, so you know the word is out that it is good. Second, the food is consistantly very good. Third (and can be First), the staff is great. They work well together and quietly and always make sure you are taken care of and they are also friendly, which is great when you are a regular. So, Katsu-ya is a chain. Little Izaka-ya by Katsu-ya serves the same great taste and standard of any of the Katsu-ya restaurants, only this one will serve smaller dishes. So, I mostly go solo and I can order a variety and get 1 piece of sushi or a mini-order of the sashimi specials. I think this is a big factor in why I started going to begin with. The managers are always so welcoming (Joe (no longer there. Boo.), Koh and the newest sweet manager (I didn't get his name, but will when I go again). The parking is the only downside. The City of Los Angeles owns the war-torn disaster of a "parking lot" in the rear of the row of restaurants. You have to pay at a kiosk (about $2.50). BUT I suggest you call the city and report the pitted asphalt and GO TO LITTLE IZAKA-YA. Some of my favorite dishes -- all gluten-free -- are the Crispy Rice/Spicy Tuna, jumbo scallop sushi with yuzu and sea salt, salmon skin hand roll (no gobo), albacore sushi with gf ponzu sauce, and the salad with blanched broccoli, asparagus, cucumber, avocado, tomato and lettuce... and a cold house sake. Mmmmm.

Great spot and just my go-to when I'm in Sherman Oaks area and am craving fresh sushi!…read more The brussel sprouts, sauteed to well-done, were phenomenal and with a lot of flavor. The spicy shrimp cut roll, creamy salmon cut roll and the spicy tuna cut, were very yummy as well. The ratio of fish to rice was perfect, the fish tasted fresh and flavorful and these rolls always hit the spot for me. The spot gets very busy for lunch but has a good number of tables and about 15 spots for seating at the sushi bar. I prefer to sit at the sushi bar, as I love to see the action of all the chef's creating their masterpieces. The chefs and the general staff are very friendly as well and are always happy to help. Will definitely be back again!

My 4th time at Sushi by Scratch and 3rd time at the Encino location. This has become one of my go…read moreto spots for birthday dinners because the atmosphere is so intimate and fun. The chefs are always incredibly welcoming, we always have great conversations, and the drinks are great too! What I especially love is their unique flavor profiles. The experience is purely nigiri, but each piece incorporates unexpected flavors and seasonings that you wouldn't normally associate with traditional nigiri. The combinations somehow work so well, and that creativity is what makes it especially memorable for someone who eats sushi frequently. I've also been to the Beverly Hills location, but I honestly prefer Encino. The setting feels much more intimate and the overall vibe is better. I sometimes still leave a little hungry as there isn't an option to order additional pieces or pay for extras at the end. Otherwise, always a fun and memorable experience.

Easily the best omakase experience my partner and I have ever had. I genuinely don't think we could…read morego anywhere else after this. It was recommended to us by friends and we can see why. Definitely come about 30 minutes early to experience their speakeasy before dinner. The drinks and small bites were delicious and such a great way to start the night. Make a reservation ahead of time for the space is intimate and every seat was filled when we went. The star of the night wasn't even the food... it was the chef! Jason was amazing. He was personable, entertaining, and made the entire experience feel special from beginning to end. And of course, the 17-course omakase was incredible. You can really see the level of skill, precision, and craftsmanship that goes into every single course. Every piece felt intentional, from the flavors and textures to the presentation. There wasn't a single course that felt like an afterthought, and by the end of the night we were already talking about when we could come back. Amazing food, amazing atmosphere, and an even better experience because of Chef Jason. This is officially our new standard for omakase. We'll absolutely be back!