Sushi Note was considered the No. 1 Los Angeles restaurant to eat at by Eater Los Angeles for six months, from the time it opened its doors in July of 2018 and still remains one of the 21 Essential Los Angeles Sushi Restaurants on Eater L.A. An almost hidden restaurant that only seats 30 people, Sushi Note serves authentic Japanese cuisine in an American setting.
Upon sitting down, consumers are welcomed with an amuse bouche – a tiny glass of sparkling, lavender lemonade, which was quite delectable, or a fizzy rosé for adults. Out of the many dishes I tasted, there were a few that stood out as particularly delicious. One of these was the Nasu Miso, which is a simple dish prepared to perfection. This appetizer consists of evenly chopped pieces of lightly fried eggplant coated in miso glaze that were brought out hot. If Sushi Note had nothing else on it’s menu, the Nasu Miso would still make a visit worthwhile! Just thinking about it now makes my mouth water.
The Renkon is a dish that is both crunchy and tasty! When I read the description: “sauteéd lotus root, soy sauce, sake, mirin, red chili,” I honestly didn’t know what I was getting; the only reason I got it is because the waiter recommended it. To my tastebuds‘ surprise, the lotus roots were crispy, circular slices covered in a flavorful, syrupy sauce. The plate had a mound of lotus root and was gobbled up quickly. Even if one thinks they won’t like lotus root, one should definitely try the Renkon.
The Spicy Tuna Biscotti is essentially the popular spicy tuna on crispy rice served at most Westernized sushi restaurants in L.A. However, at Sushi Note, there is less rice than most other places I have been to, and it‘s cooked all the way through to create more tasty crisp. If one is a fan of spicy tuna on crispy rice, 100 percent get this snack!
The Halibut Yuzu is made up of thinly cut halibut sashimi with a dot of yuzu sauce and a single pink peppercorn on each piece of sashimi for a crunch of spice. This simple, appetizing dish was very good, and if one enjoys sashimi, I recommend they try this.
The restaurant holds a relaxed evening vibe, with jazz music playing and a full wine bar. The room is tiny but not cramped because seating is limited. Sushi Note isn’t a typical sushi restaurant, and prices range from five to 28 dollars. The staff was friendly and gave helpful recommendations, as they are knowledgable about the dishes they serve. Reservations are necessary if you want to dine at Sushi Note, and it’s best to call at least a few days in advance because it fills up quickly. Only a five minute drive from the HW upper school, Sushi Note is located on Greenbush and Ventura.
