KOMACHI
Overall Rating (+++++)
food (+++++) | ambiance (+++++) | service (+++++) | price ($$$$$)

ADDRESS: (MAP)
2143 W 182nd St
Torrance, CA 90504
PHONE: 310.515.6147
RELATED LINK: Chowhound | Yelp

We tried newly opened Japanese restaurant in Torrance called "KOMACHI" from our friend's (Chef Glenn) recommendation last Friday. The restaurant is located where Shu-Chan Ramen used to be... next to Nijiya Market (Japanese super market). They've done really nice job modifying/upgrading the place from old ran down pop's ramen shop to a cozy modern Japanese restaurant.

I-naba
Overall Rating (+++++)
food (+++++) | ambiance (+++++) | service (+++++) | price ($$$$$)

ADDRESS: (MAP)
20920 Hawthorne Blvd.
Torrance, CA 90510
PHONE: 310.371.6675
URL: I-naba
RELATED LINK: Yelp | Organic MLT

Wonderful tasty small Japanese restaurant, I-naba in Torrance :)
Paul and I ended up having lunch there over the past few weeks during his jury duty. We kept going back again and again afterwards... Soooo good here.... Yummmmm....

We've known the name of this restaurant because of the free local Japanese magazine called Lighthouse. Frankly, I was never curious about even trying this place because of where it's located. It's right on the busy Hawthorne Blvd in a narrow parking lot with many old small businesses looking like they're just about to go out of business. The whole shopping strip mall looks very run down and depressed. Even the store front of I-naba blends into the location. But, since it was at a convenient location from the courthouse, we decided to try, and we ended up falling in love :)

Overall Rating (+++++)
food (+++++) | ambiance (+++++up) | service (+++++) | price ($$$$$)

ADDRESS: (MAP)
11777 San Vicente Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90049
PHONE: (213) 622-0512
URL: KATSUYA by STARCK
RELATED LINKS: Yelp | LA.com | Citysearch

All of us went out to Sushi/contemporary Japanese cuisine, KATSUYA for my birthday. It was by Riki's recommendation this time (Thanks Riki!!).

KATSUYA is designed by Philip Starck and is a very sleek, sexy, cool, high-end, and very Hollywood-like place (in the good way) ;) I loved and enjoyed the whole experience of being there.

Overall Rating (+++++)
food (+++++) | ambiance (+++++) | service (+++++) | price ($$$$$)

ADDRESS: (MAP)
3221 Donald Douglas Loop S. 3rd Fl
Santa Monica, CA 90405
PHONE: (310) 313-0977
URL: The Hump
RELATED LINKS: Yelp | CitySearch | Chowhound | LA.com | kodapup

Since Karen was back in town from Portland, all of us Sushi Lovers decided to go to a sushi bar. This time, we chose to try The Hump.

The Hump is located right on the Santa Monica airport. You can observe airplanes taking off and landing from their outside windows. Yep, really cool location and very romantic setting if the budget is out of your concern.

SUSHI SEI
Overall Rating (+++++)
food (+++++) | ambiance (+++++) | service (+++++) | price ($$$$$)

ADDRESS: (MAP)
1040 Hermosa Ave.,
Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
PHONE: 310.379.6900
RELATED LINK: Japanese Restaurant Info | Citysearch | Yelp

I was surprised to find a good sushi place right in downtown Hermosa Beach near the Comedy & Magic Club. We went there the other weekend with our friends by their recommendation. It is right in the heart of beach town, so they get an interesting cross-section of different customers from travelers to locals. So... they seem to serve a wide variety of dishes and not just sushi. But, we went for the straight traditional sushi and sat at the counter :)

Hide Sushi
Overall Rating (+++++)
food (+++++) | ambiance (+++++) | service (+++++) | price ($$$$$)

ADDRESS: (MAP)
2040 Sawtelle Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90025
PHONE: 310.477.7242
RELATED LINK: Yelp | Citysearch | Chowhound

The greatest sushi place to go when your wallet is tight!!
We had planned to go out for sushi when Karen is back in town. All of us love sushi, and we are pretty spoiled with eye popping mouth melting wonderful sushi at other sushi restaurants (like Hiko Sushi... Sasabune...). So, we are somewhat snobby and tough to please.

Sen Nari Sushi
Overall Rating (+++++)
food (+++++) | ambiance (+++++) | service (+++++) | price ($$$$$)

ADDRESS: (MAP)
18220 S Western Ave,
Gardena, CA
PHONE: 310.324.1970
RELATED LINK: Citysearch | Yelp

We decided to venture out and try a new sushi place in a local area this time, so I went online and found a place that had a good review. The place I found, "SEN NARI SUSHI", had a 9.1 rating (out of 10) in Citysearch and 4-1/2 stars (out of 5) in Yelp. Sometimes, the reviews and ratings online don't exactly tell the truth, but this was a good find and so I decided to post about this restaurant in my blog! We had very good sushi and satisfying service along with friendly smile. :)

Bistro Miyoda & Sushi Ichiriki
Overall Rating (+++++)
food (+++++) | ambiance (+++++) | service (+++++) | price ($$$$$)

ADDRESS: (MAP)
1220 Beryl St.,
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
PHONE: 310.376.1081
RELATED LINK: Easy Reader

PICTURE ABOVE:
1. Ono (Hawaiian Fish / Usually prepared with thin sliced onions with ponzu sauce)
2. Kohada (good with wasabi & soy)
3. Amaebi (lemon & sea salt)
4. Hamachi (Yellow Tail)
5. Fried Asparagus with Halibut
6. Aji Battera (Shiitake Mushroom in middle)
7. Real Hon Wasabi on the side (The best stuff!)

We've been going to this place since they opened about 2 years ago, and we absolutely love coming here!! People travel far, far away just to eat their sushi because of their good reputation :) From our experience, Friday is the best night since both of the best sushi chefs (the owner "Peter" and "Glenn") are behind the counter.

Although, all the waitresses are super nice, I highly recommend sitting at the sushi bar and get to know the sushi chefs :) Otherwise, the whole sushi experience won't be the same. The best and cool part of this place is they serve a wide variety of many different things!! Even baked vegetable skin with sea salt (non-menu item)! These guys are always creative, and they are not limited to serve you what's on the menu.

Overall Rating (+++++up)
food (+++++up) | ambiance (+++++) | service (+++++) | price ($$$$$)

ADDRESS: (MAP)
11275 National Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90064
PHONE: 310.473.7688
URL: http://www.hikosushi.com

If you are ever in LA and feel like having traditionally prepared real Japanese sushi, you should try Hiko Sushi. It's in a small shopping mini-mall where you wouldn't expect to find any good restaurants. This place consistently serves high quality sushi. I don't know about you, but I'm really big on how fish is cut for sushi. The way this chef cuts his fish is amazing. The sashimi completely wraps around the warm rice. Hmmm... I feel like I finally found a place where I can honestly say it's as good or better than sushi you could find in Japan.