Trust Me

For the sushi-obsessed in Los Angeles- and we are- these two words, Trust Me, can be rendered as a code of sorts. Devotees bow respectfully to sushi master Kazunomi Nozawa, otherwise known as the sushi nazi. The acclaimed Studio City chef left his knives behind and opened the rapidly growing sushi empire SugarFISH five years ago, and his six strong- with more coming- have become almost cult-like. Since his restaurants are usually small and reservations are non-existent, a long wait is just a given… yet once you embark on his Trust Me menu- a pre-fixe assortment of melt-in-your-mouth sushi/sashimi where the fish is chilled and the rice is warm- you’re a goner.

Recently a new SugarFISH popped up in Beverly Hills, but this time there’s a real gem hidden behind a secret door where reservations and good connections are the only way to roll. A return to upper echelon sushi dining in Los Angeles, Nozawa Bar seats just 10 counter-side and offers guests a world-class 20-course omakase experience prepared by master chef Osama Fujita- armed with an omakase background that spans decades…and a 30-year friendship with Nozawa.

Dishes change based upon what Nozawa and Fujita find at the LA fish markets that day, where they’re given exclusive access before anyone else, lending to the exceptional quality SugarFISH delivers. The Nozawa Bar menu leans toward the adventurous, where the experience is based around nigiri sushi, sashimi and handrolls, and priced out at $150 dollars per person- before sake, of course. Live octopus, fatty tuna belly and raw jellyfish are just a few samples of what you’ll discover inside this chi-chi back room, where each course is served to all 10 guests at once. Nozawa didn’t earn his moniker for being warm and fuzzy- you eat what he prepares, period. And don’t even think about substituting or going gluten-free, he’ll chase you out of there in a Tokyo-minute. Not to worry, Bouchon Bakery is directly across the street…which is the perfect spot for dessert since it is strictly off menu at Nozawa Bar. As if you would have room for it anyway… www.nozawabar.com