Sushi Sasabune

L.O.V.E.

That is really the only word to describe how I feel about the food in Sushi Sasabune. My boyfriend and I consider this one of our favorite restaurants of all time.

I give it 5 dazzling stars.

One thing you must do is TRUST THE CHEF. Nobi Kushuhara, the chef and owner, serves only sushi and sashimi. You won't get the usual fancy rolls and hot meal dishes, but this is really what a sushi restaurant is all about. The staff will immediately suggest the omakase (chef's choice), and I can tell you that you will NOT regret it.

This place is a bit of a wallet breaker, but I have to say, it is worth saving for.

I can't properly review Sushi Sasabune, because all I can think about is how good everything felt and tasted in my mouth. I actually start drooling in a Pavlov-ian way. Therefore, I will graciously link all of you to everyone else who has gone to Sushi heaven and come back just to spread the good news.

Gaga over Sasabune
Citysearch
Yelp
Sasabune: Trust Me

Mmmm...
Definitely L.O.V.E.

The Standard

Hotel. Restaurant. Rooftop Bar. Club. Awesome Night Out.

The Standard is definitely a highlight of living in Downtown Los Angeles. First of all, dtLA has one of THE best cityscapes around.


Now, imagine being right in the midst of that with a lychee martini or a G&T in hand, while a cooler Southern California breeze slightly ruffles your hair. The noise level is not deafening. You are on a rooftop bar where there is no ceiling for the music and chatter can bounce back against. Instead, it just dissipates into the night air. At one section, you are next to a nice warm fire. Women in short dresses congregate close to the fire, glowing in its yellow-red hues.

At another section, there is a shimmering blue swimming pool. This section is cooler, quieter, further away from the noise of the crowd and the thrum of the music. Here, there are mostly couples, courting. Scattered all throughout the rooftop are lounge chairs and couches. Groups of young to middle-aged people are laughing, talking and sharing a drink. At one corner is a small square dance floor where people enjoy whatever grooves them. And yes, along one side are these red...pods...with waterbeds inside, where girls share giggles and secrets, and boys try to look into the darkness to discover what exactly the laughter is all about.

Standard is the ultimate rooftop and pool party. The bar is well-stocked, and there are ample well-to-do men working in the financial district who are willing to buy drinks.

This spot is definitely a go-to spot any day of the week.

Logistics:

The Standard is located on the rooftop of the Standard Hotel, on the corner of Flower St. and 6th St.
There is $15 valet parking, or a smattering of $5-$10 parking lots within a few blocks of it. There is also street parking where available.

Most week days there is no cover charge. On the occassional hopping Thursday-Sunday there may be a $10-$20 cover charge.

Fat Fish Sushi

One of my favorite kinds of food of all time is sushi. It wasn't an instant connection, but definitely a growing love that now will probably withstand the test of time.

Thus, my first post is naturally about the first sushi spot I attached myself to when I moved to LA.

Fat Fish in Koreatown is trendy, fun and best of all, the stuff floating around on the sushi bar is 50% off. They have color-coded little saucers and it's great fun to look at the menu and slash the prices by half.

The fish is pretty fresh and they have a fairly inventive chef. You'll also find baked seafood and spring rolls on the sushi bar, as well as spicy fried shrimp and tempura along with the usual rolls.

I would not, however, recommend Fat Fish for big parties and for meals NOT at the sushi bar. The service is pretty slow and sometimes they don't get the order quite right. Once, I ordered something that was supposed to have spicy sauce on top, but it didn't. Another time, the "crunchies" (pieces of tempura batter) was also missing. They are usually gracious about fixing the order--but the point is, you shouldn't have to point out that you didn't get what you ordered!

Fat Fish also does not have their liquor license...yet. Fat Fish in K-town and I have been in LA for about the same amount of time now--about a year and half--but they still haven't managed to finagle for that liquor license. On the upside, it means you can bring your own booze!

I think that Fat Fish is definitely one of those little hang out spots you go out with your girlfriends for half-priced decent sushi. I wouldn't recommend it for a family dinner or even a birthday shindig.

It's a good little hang out spot.

It's located in K-town, in the corner of W.6th St. and Berendo St. Parking is kind of a hassle, because it's this really tiny driveway where only 1 car at a time (whether going into or out of) can pass. But once you find it, there's ample parking, valet, and validation. Usually will cost a buck to park.

Plus, there's Pinkberry right next door!