I loved this place. Great food and cool relaxed ambiance. Really, the sushi was unlike any I'd ever had. It was first rate and made it a great night.

I loved this place. Great food and cool relaxed ambiance. Really, the sushi was unlike any I'd ever had. It was first rate and made it a great night.
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I have a pretty serious beef with anyone who claims to be a sushi lover but doesn't fall on their knees after eating here. Yes, the service is minimal; yes, the decor is virtually nonexistant; no,... More

I have a pretty serious beef with anyone who claims to be a sushi lover but doesn't fall on their knees after eating here. Yes, the service is minimal; yes, the decor is virtually nonexistant; no, don't expect fusion fried whatnot; and no, don't order, just get the chef's special. If you like fusion sushi, go to Katsu-Ya or Koi on La Cienega; if you are a sushi disciple, go to Nozawa. And don't go with someone chatty, just go with someone who loves sushi as much as you and will just eat and be amazed. Trust me.
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We decided to try this place on a Wednesday night, since Katsu-ya down the street was completely packed. When we arrived at 8:00 pm..there were only 3 tables seated..granted there are about 6... More

We decided to try this place on a Wednesday night, since Katsu-ya down the street was completely packed. When we arrived at 8:00 pm..there were only 3 tables seated..granted there are about 6 tables all together in the restaurant plus the sushi bar. The place was deadly silent and as soon as we entered...all the waiters and sushi chefs just stared at us, while the customers seemed too afraid to speak whatsoever. The place resembles a mental institution. I have never experienced such silence in a restaurant. Essentially, it was completely the opposite of Katsu-ya. If you like plain, simple rolls versus the creative, tempura-fried, saucy ones, then you'll like Sushi Nozawa. Nozawa was extremely expensive and we basically paid the same price per person as we do for Katana! IT was outrageous, given that there is a minimum of 4 orders per person. I thought the fish was okay, not outstanding. The sashimi was falling off the rice. Everything was just very plain and boring. There was nothing creative about the dishes. They were all simple and unoriginal, and the menu was very limited. We definitely felt cheated, since we left hungry and upset at the prices. The service was pretty unhelpful, and I would definitely recommend Katsu-ya more than Nozawa. There's actually no comparison between the two. Pros: nothing really Cons: quality of food, service, ambiance, prices
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I don't understand. I was so freaked out by reviewers comments about Nozawa-san being abusive that I was actually NERVOUS to go there one evening to finally give the legendary Nozawa a try. There... More

I don't understand. I was so freaked out by reviewers comments about Nozawa-san being abusive that I was actually NERVOUS to go there one evening to finally give the legendary Nozawa a try. There was no abuse, even though I would have kicked a couple of the annoying Hollywoods at the end of the sushi bar speaking too loudly about "The Biz." In fact the older woman who greeted me was very gracious and kind. Having just returned from New York and eaten at my favourite sushi restaurant there (Tomoe Sushi), I was determined to settle my great personal debate... East Coast or West Coast sushi? All I can tell you is that I left Nozawa that night having feasted on some of the finest, freshest fish ever served up on a warm tasty little pat of rice. The sashimi was perfectly and I might add, creatively cut. And the unbelievably fresh crab he served to me quickly wrapped into an ultra-crispy handroll, was SUBLIME! I should also mention that Nozawa is by far the fastest sushi experience I have ever had. Granted I went on a Tuesday night around 8:00 and I was by myself which made it easier for them to seat me. I was sat at the bar immediately. But seriously, I reached my "full" point in about 12 minutes. Faster than it took me to drive there. I still can't figure out if that was a good thing. Oh, and that full point I mentioned? Yeah, I ate past that point by letting him feed me three more orders! And I'm petite! It just tasted so good and I was curious to see what he'd serve up next. East Coast vs. West Coast? I don't know.... I've certainly got my faves. Pros: knowing you are in good hands with Nozawa-san Cons: Hollywood mouth breathers
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The first time I went here and was blown away by the quality of the fish. You have to be willing to try different kinds of sushi to appreciate the chef special. There were no incidents during my... More

The first time I went here and was blown away by the quality of the fish. You have to be willing to try different kinds of sushi to appreciate the chef special. There were no incidents during my time at the restaurant. The service was good and we were seated promptly. Pros: Great Sushi Cons: Small parking lot
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the sushi here is quality and very fresh. people talk a lot about the chef but really, don't be an obnoxious LA-er as the people who complain are. shut off the cellphone, stop pretending you know... More

the sushi here is quality and very fresh. people talk a lot about the chef but really, don't be an obnoxious LA-er as the people who complain are. shut off the cellphone, stop pretending you know everything about how sushi bars should be, and making stupid complicated orders. here no one will bend over and backwards to stroke your ego, just come here open minded, patient, and you'll be rewarded with really good, fresh sushi. if you want soemthing mroe restaurant ish, go to sushi gen in little tokyo. the sushi there is some of the best and not pricey. not ubertrendy either. at both places, prepare to wait, but the food is worth it. and you will see actual japanese folk at sushi gen.
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I used to eat here often and the food was very good. However after being out of LA for four years, I had a bizarre experience when I went back. As soon a I walked in the door, I received a call on... More

I used to eat here often and the food was very good. However after being out of LA for four years, I had a bizarre experience when I went back. As soon a I walked in the door, I received a call on my cell phone. I was told by one of the helpers 'no cell phones,' so I went outside to finish the call, which was from an important client. When I came back in, Nozawa starts going on and on about the cell phone. I apologized and told him that I have turned off the phone. His response was "Get out of here!" I asked him if he was serious. He repeated "Get out of here!" On the way out, when my back was turned, he cowardly threw a sticky rice ball at me that got all over the back of my shirt. I thought about going back in and confronting him, but he had a knife and I didn't, plus I was with my 75-year-old Dad, so I let it go. Lots of people here say the guy is a rude a-hole. This is now confirmed by me. Unbelievable. Pros: Very good sushi Cons: Chef is a nut case
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gotta be honest guys. not so great. i eat sushi constantly and this place falls right in the middle. maybe it was all the hype, but i left with no $ in my pocket and still hungry. there is no vibe... More

gotta be honest guys. not so great. i eat sushi constantly and this place falls right in the middle. maybe it was all the hype, but i left with no $ in my pocket and still hungry. there is no vibe to the place at all. it feels a bit institutional. not terrible, but not great. Pros: eh... Cons: $$$$$$
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If you truly love sushi, this is hands down the best place to go. No, it is not romantic or trendy, and they don't have fancy drinks or dessert. However, the fish will melt in your mouth. If... More

If you truly love sushi, this is hands down the best place to go. No, it is not romantic or trendy, and they don't have fancy drinks or dessert. However, the fish will melt in your mouth. If you're nice to Nozawa, he will be nice to you. Don't ask for a spicy tuna roll or for no rice with your sushi. That's just asking for trouble. If you're daring enough to try something that not many people eat (like uni or octopus), he will really appreciate that. You may even get a smile out of him. I try to go there once a month or so because I consider it a treat. I usually end up being disappointed when I go to other places because the fish is just not as good or as fresh. Trust me!
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So I've been to Urasawa (formerly Ginza Sushi-Ko) in Beverly Hills and I must say that Urasawa is a lot more expensive ($750 for 2 with lots of sake) yet the impeccible service, atmosphere and very... More

So I've been to Urasawa (formerly Ginza Sushi-Ko) in Beverly Hills and I must say that Urasawa is a lot more expensive ($750 for 2 with lots of sake) yet the impeccible service, atmosphere and very special food+presentation will make it still worth it. Because of the reviews telling people how easily it is to set off Sushi Nozi, I warned my family first that they shouldn't request for anything. We sat at a table since we had 7 people. The mexican waiter asked us what we want to order and we said we will get the Omakasa dinner. The food came quickly. It is good, but I won't say that I must go back again. The semi cooked shrimp is different, but that is not something I like in particular. I think we finished our food in about 45 mins. The bill came out to about $350 plus tax and tips, so it is a lot of good food and about $50 per person. Overall, it is not bad but it is not great so I don't think I need to go back again. There are a lot more places with about the same price and just as good if not better food and service and atmosphere. Perhaps that's the best place in the Valley but probably not in the entire Los Angeles. Off hand I can name several restaurants makasa style restaurants that are really good, including Takao (on San Vicente in Brentwood), Sasabune, Echigo, Urasawa.
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