Monthly Archives: January 2016

Kinder, Gentler Sushi

Sashimi

Sasabune was one of my first great sushi loves. Originally located in a small house on Sawtelle, Sasabune served the freshest and tastiest raw fish west of the 405. Its warm-rice sushi was similar to the sushi served in the Valley by legendary “Sushi Nazi” Kazunori Nozawa (who trained Sasabune’s chef) and, like Sushi Nozawa, they wouldn’t make California Rolls or Spicy Tuna. But I’ve never witnessed customers getting kicked out of Sasabune like they did at Sushi Nozawa for not following the rules. It was the kinder, gentler Nozawa.

Sasabune eventually moved to a cavernous space in Brentwood and then to smaller digs down the street, but seemed to lose a little of its magic with each of those moves. But with an additional location in Beverly Hills presided over by sushi master Ei Hiroyoshi, Sasabune bounced back to the top. The Beverly Hills branch serves insanely good sushi and one of the best omakase meals in the city.

Sushi Sasabune is located at 9162 W Olympic Blvd in Beverly Hills and 11917 Wilshire Blvd in Brentwood. A third LA location just opened in Glendale at 101 N Brand Blvd.

Cucumber and Seaweed Salad

Cucumber and Seaweed Salad

Maguro and Toro

Maguro and Toro Sushi

Mussel with Japanese Mayo

Mussel with Japanese Mayo

Oyster

Oyster

Mussel with Garlic Butter and Seaweed

Mussel with Garlic Butter and Seaweed

Ikura (Salmon Roe) and Uni (Sea Urchin) Sushi

Ikura (Salmon Roe) and Uni (Sea Urchin) Sushi

Fried Shrimp

Fried Shrimp

Butterfish

Butterfish Sushi

Lychee Sorbet

Lychee Sorbet

Head Sushi Genius Ei Hiroyoshi

Sushi Master Ei Hiroyoshi

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Filed under Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Glendale, West LA

Best. Doughnuts. Ever.

Ham and Egg Doughnut
This is going to be the best year ever. I can just feel it. Goals will be met, miracles will happen, and dreams will come true. But if none of that turns out to be the case, there’s always doughnuts.

A couple years ago, I ranked the best doughnut shops in LA. If that list was written today, there would be a new #1 pick. Sidecar Doughnuts & Coffee opened right before the holidays with doughnuts so incredibly good, I can legitimately say that this place is a complete and total game-changer. Utilizing the finest ingredients and a secret other-wordly recipe, the talented artisans at Sidecar craft their mouth-watering creations with amazing flavor and a perfect texture which is crisp on the outside and supermoist on the inside.

The menu consists of permanent offerings, as well as several seasonal monthly specials. My favorite off the list of regulars is the simple yet perfect Butter & Salt Doughnut, but the Huckleberry one is not far behind. If you’re looking for something more nutritious, there’s a doughnut offered in the morning that is filled with sliced country ham and a poached egg, and topped with fresh basil (pictured above). It’s the breakfast of champions.

Happy New Year, food lovers!

Sidecar Doughnuts & Coffee is located at 631 Wilshire Blvd in Santa Monica.

Maple Bacon Doughnut

Maple Bacon Doughnut


Butter and Salt Doughnut

Butter & Salt Doughnut


Huckleberry Doughnut

Huckleberry Doughnut


Gingerbread Doughnut

Gingerbread Doughnut


Madagascar Vanilla Twist

Madagascar Vanilla Twist


Apple Fritter

Apple Fritter


My new favorite doughnut shop in LA!

My new favorite doughnut shop in LA!


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Filed under Santa Monica