After he teased me with it fairly soon after we met...
After I would occasionally, nervously bring it up, "Should we...?" then hurriedly change the subject...
After a year and a half of dating...
We finally did it!
...
We went to Sushi Park.
Albacore Sashimi
Bluefin Tuna, Bluefin Tuna with sauce, Bluefin Toro
Red Snapper, Halibut, Striped Bass
King Scallop
Hamachi, Kanpachi, Black Snapper
Black snapper was outstanding.
Skipjack, Jackfish
Spanish Mackerel, Albacore Toro
Spanish mackerel was, as it always is, remarkable.
Scallop, White Salmon, Salmon
White salmon! I don't even know what to say.
Octopus, Surf Clam, Uni
Uni so good, we asked for another. (Good to note: second time I've heard that uni from San Diego is better than uni from Santa Barbara.)
Blue Crab Handroll
Foreau Vouvray Brut 2004/2005, Chidaine Les Bournais 2008
Mochi Ice Cream
Green tea, mango, and the one I loved, strawberry
Chefs
Signs
Quick back story: Le Ben would always mention how good Sushi Park is, how he ate there three times in the first week he moved to LA, but how he wasn't motivated to go back because they had a "no corkage" policy. Knowing that last part, still I'd occasionally bring up Sushi Park in hopes that he might want to go just for the sushi alone. In the end, we'd find ourselves at one of our usual, wine-friendly spots like Hirozen, Jinpachi or Nishimura.
Out of the blue last night, it was he who mentioned we go to Sushi Park so that at the very least, I could try it.
When he called the restaurant, he found out we could bring wine.
(Wait. What?! You mean we've been depriving ourselves this whole time for no reason?! No, no. They changed their minds.)
Omakase. Cuvee 2004/2005 Foreau Vouvray Brut and 2008 Francois Chidaine Le Bournais.
Yeah, we're totally in the honeymoon phase now.
8539 Sunset Blvd, 2nd floor
West Hollywood, CA 90069
310.652.0523
corkage: $25
Greg Park says
Great pics as always. I'm assuming you took these with your trusty S95? If so, what settings do you use to get that massive bokeh effect (the picture with the Sushi Chef)...I hope I'm not asking for your trade secrets...
Anonymous says
greg!
these pics came out of a canon rebel xti (dslr). normally though, i DO carry the compact s95 for restaurant pix.
in this case, the s95 probably would have taken pix that are just as good as the bigger cam especially with the bright halogen lighting at the sushi bar, but i'm trying to practice with dslrs as much as i can :)
Greg Park says
What lens do you use on the dslr? Macro?
I've never been to Sushi Park, but I remember going to Sushi Sasabune in WLA and they too have the No California Roll signs. I wonder who was the first...
Nathan Lau says
I love their signs: NO! California roll. Damn straight! :D
Did you taste both the Santa Barbara and the San Diego uni side by side, or just SD?
Anonymous says
nate!
funny, the signs actually put me off initially. though i usually do shy away from rolls (of any kind), i think i just get irritated when someone tells me right off the bat what i can/cant do. :)
however, while the signs seem somewhat sushi-nazi-esque, the chefs and staff are totally quiet and polite, not aggressive in any way at all.
and on the uni ~ i didnt get to try them side by side but now you have put it in my head to do a taste-off, including uni from japan, which someone tells me is smaller and much "stronger." i am totally curious about that...
Crude Dame says
Totally digging the ring of mochi ice cream quarters. I really liked Jinpachi, but I'm always open to trying other sushi spots. May have to hit up Sushi Park next time I'm in town! :)