Pick up any issue of Playboy and it’s easy to see, Sushi is popular! Wait…that came out wrong. What I mean is, just like long walks on the beach and nights cuddling in front of a fire, there are very few “Turn on” or “Fave” Lists that don’t include sushi. Ask any malnourished celebutante and they’ll tell you, their one edible must have is a Spicy Tuna Handroll (hold the rice) from the sushi mecca du jour. In a town of fickle mouths (Where have all the Noah’s Bagels gone? To Carb Hell? Is Jamba next?), Sushi is our one mainstay. With a litany of choices, we’ve culled to field to these Top Five eateries for your palate’s pleasure. Just remember, don’t eat the big pile of green stuff next to the pink pickled ginger, it BURNS!!!! (Don’t act like you haven’t done it before. It may be a rookie move but it’s a rookie move 99% of the population accidentally inflicts on themselves.)
1. Best I’m Broke Sushi: Sushi Mac
Sometimes you get a craving so overwhelming it hits you like a Mac Truck. If such a need strikes as your pockets are a little thin, Sushi Mac is the truck stop for you. At $2.75 per plate, no one has to wait for the 15th of the month to enjoy a couple Dynamite Rolls. The biggest problem with this place is you tend to leave smelling like a shrimp tempura roll…which is delish, by the way, especially when you self serve some spicy mayo from the conveyor belt that circles offering sauces and menu options. Dunk your roll right in and ask yourself; is $2.75 sushi that scary? Perhaps, but scrumptious nonetheless.
323.653.3959
Daily:
2. Best I Trust You Sushi: Sushi Nozawa
You know him, you love him, he’s The Sushi Nazi! The man who inspired a Seinfeld character and strikes fear into the hearts of all
Sushi Nozawa
Suite C
818.508.7017
Mon-Fri:
3. Best In a Rush Sushi: Famima!!
Inside these sleek Tokyo-style 7-11 stores is a shocking secret. Besides offering cheerily packaged Japanese candies, and delectable grilled paninis, Famima!! has an incredible sushi selection. Their nigiri, hand rolls and cut rolls are fresh, delicious and well prepared. Don’t roll your eyes! If skeptical about the convenience store origins of your meal, open wide. One bite of a spicy shrimp cut roll and any reservations about Ralph’s quality flies out the window. Plus, it’s grab-and-go. No muss, no fuss. Who doesn’t want high quality sushi they can jam in their mouth while speeding down
Famima!!
Multiple Locations (see link below)
www.famima-usa.com/storelocator/index.html
Daily: 7am-12midnight
4. Best Single Dish Served with a Side of Famous People Sushi: Katsuya
Fabulous design meets famous clientele and a new food starlet is born. Sadly, this baby came out a few cards short of a full deck. There are a million reasons to both love and hate Katsuya (i.e. Love: watermelon/cucumber mojito, Hate: crap ass service and a $400 bill) but there is one shining reason to go: the Spicy Albacore Sashimi with Crispy Onions!!! Forget the incredible Phillippe Starck design or that you’re practically sitting on Eva Longoria’s lap (wait, it that supposed to be exciting?) and focus on the majesty of what has been placed before you. On a long clear glass plate festooned with edible flowers sits a crisp, golden mound of paper thin fried onions. Just below huddles barely seared albacore tuna, melt in your mouth buttery and fresh, lightly dressed with a garlic ponzu. Simply put, it is one of the best dishes you can find in LA. But eat with caution! The rest of the menu will sing a siren song. Don’t be swayed. Besides the albacore and mojito, Katsuya is largely just flash, smoke and mirrors. Enjoy it for what it’s worth and then run like the wind!
Katsuya
323.871.8777
or
Brentwood
310.207.8744
Mon-Thur:
Fri:
Sat:
Sun:
5. Best Sushi in Town: Matsuhisa
This is the one that started them all. What do you say about Nobu Matsuhisa? He’s like the George Burns of Sushi Chefs, as close to God and you’ll ever get. There are only four words I can use: “domo arigato” and “expense account”. If you want perfection, look no further.
Matsuhisa
310.659.9639
Mon-Fri:
Sat-Sun:
Since the Sushi Nazi won’t let you have them, here’s how you make your own damn California Roll!
Yields 6 servings
3 1/3 cups rice
5 1/3 tablespoons Rice wine vinegar
5 tablespoons sugar
3 tablespoons salt
10 sheets seaweed, halved
1/2 pound Fresh or imitation crab (if using imitation "Krab", cut into long, thin pieces)
1 cucumber, peeled, seeded, and julienne
1 avocado, peeled, seeded, and cut into long, thin pieces
Sesame seeds, Optional
1. Wash the rice until the water rinses clear. Drain the rice in a colander and let it stand for 30 minutes.
2. Place the rice in a pot or rice cooker, and add 4 cups of water or follow the instructions on a rice cooker.
3. Bring the water to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cover the pot. Cook for 15 minutes. Remove the cover, place a damp towel over the rice, and let cool for 10 minutes.
4. Combine Vinegar, salt, and sugar.
5. Pour sushi vinegar over cooked rice and mix thoroughly.
6. Cover a makisu (sushi rolling mat) with plastic wrap. Place half of a sheet of the seaweed over the plastic on the mat.
7. Place a handful of rice across the seaweed and spread it evenly over the seaweed.
8. Place some of crab meat (or "Krab" meat) along the center of the rice.
9. Add cucumber and avocado along the center of the rice.
10. Using the mat and plastic wrap, roll the rice around the filling and press lightly to seal.
11. Remove the mat and plastic wrap and sprinkle the roll with sesame seeds. Cut the sushi roll into bite sized pieces. Repeat with the remaining ingredients.
12. Enjoy!
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