Without much fanfare, Sushi Tama debuted two weeks ago in the toney and still-glam North Robertson area between WeHo and Beverly Hills Post Office. Situated just across the street from the perpetual celeb haunt that is The Ivy, it seems the outdoor patio section of Sushi Tama has already been discovered by fashionable locals who long for “escape” from the constant prying lenses of the paparazzo, yet all the while secretly harboring a desire for their presence to be acknowledged.
Sake case, for your perusal (@beefnoguy)…
Seating on the sidewalk is now permitted as well. BYODS (designer sunglasses).
Sushi Tama represents the latest opening for the Showa Hospitality group. Operating a growing empire of Mexican and Japanese eateries in Miami, San Diego and Mexico City, this consortium now sets its sights on Los Angeles. The menu appears to be more or less strictly sushi in the Edomae tradition, while offering quite an abundance of sashimi for the carb-fearing crowd. A few cooked dishes are offered as well, but they are not currently available for take-out. Suffering from a moderate case of mageirocophobia on this day, I decided to purchase their Omakase Nigiri and also an Omakase Don to try at home. With its chic location, and ‘here-to-be-seen’ clientele, I admit that I was initially concerned that the food at Sushi Tama would take a backseat. Well, I am pleased to report that I was pleasantly surprised. I also liked that the pick-up and check-out process was very cordial, professional and clean.
Omakase Don: Beautiful to behold, this large serving offered generous cuts of top-flight quality neta, on a bed of impressive rice! This ranks among the top kaisendon I’ve enjoyed so far during the pandemic. The inclusion of two of my favorite tsukemono (Japanese pickled vegetables) - takuan and narazuke - really helped diversify the flavor profiles from each bite to the next!
Omakase Nigiri: Like the kaisendon, the neta here was again faultless. Nice knifework, and relatively tight packing of the shari all hint at the employing of a more traditional style by the sushi chef. The uni I received was of the highest grade.
Obviously for me, the take-out format is substantially less enjoyable than the formal counter experience at a sushi-ya, BUT I have to say that Sushi Tama got my full attention with the details paid to the preparation of my to-go orders on this visit. I will certainly return to try their full omakase in person once it’s safe to do so.
RECOMMENDED.
Sushi Tama
116 N. Robertson Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90048
424.249.3009
sushitama-la.com