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My favorite Sushi Joint

Sushi Nozawa (Studio City) One has to love that one of the best sushi joints in town is tucked away in an unassuming strip mall in the middle of Studio City: and on a weekend night, there is a line out the door spilling over on the sidewalk (sometimes you'll see funny not-so-famous celebs eating in a corner as well). The best is to get a seat at the sushi bar where the chef can keep an eye on you. But if you're a lover of good sushi, he will be happy that you're inhaling his creations. I'm not even sure if there is a menu, but it doesn't much matter since you go for the omakase. Don't even bother asking...there's really no point. Get a cold beer or a sake and wait for the lovliness to begin. So, yes, it is true, if you are more into California rolls and the like, this might not be the place for you. However, at the same time, even the standard omakase does not consist of the "scarier" fishes. For all the hype and talk, the omakase is pretty tame. (However, if you don't like sashimi or pieces of lone raw fish without the accoutrements, you won't like this). What is so fabulous about this sushi is that it is so fresh and simple. If you sit at the bar, the chef will tell you how to eat each piece...if you ask or are curious. And sometimes, an unsolicited bit of instruction will come quietly but briskly out of the chef's mouth. The sushi is so great, however, that you don't need to douse it wasabi or soy sauce. It starts out with a deliciously and subtly marinated tuna (a whole pile of it!). So so good. I can't remember the exact order, but you get really fresh pieces of yellow tail, mackerel, toro, and other not to exotic fishes. The are all really really fresh and are either marinated in the same subtle way or just fresh sashimi/sushi. You also get a crab hand roll which is stuffed with real crab (so it's beige-ish/gray)...none of that imitation Krab crap. It is SO delectable. As some of the other reviews say, the basic omakase costs about $50-60 per person (without drinks). I, however, can never get enough and keep going. I just tell him to bring out whatever until you literally have to roll me out the door. The omakase gets more exotic with each dish. But, I will eat anything that the chef brings out and I have never been disappointed. If you love sushi, you MUST go to Nozawa. Remember, you're not going for ambience or the decor (some of the stuff comes out on white plastic dishes), but who the hell cares? Not I.