December 30, 2008

• Food, models, thoughts...

  Here are a couple of restaurant reviews and some pics I've shot of my girls.
  Sushi Zo
  I've been wanted to write about this place for a long time. So here goes...To me, most sushi places are either great, bad, or outstanding. There really is no room for just decent sushi in my book. I think just decent sushi=bad sushi in general. Sushi Zo has got to be one of the best traditional sushi joints that I've been to in Los Angeles. I have to say, it's better than Sushi Sushi  in Beverly Hills, which is also an outstanding sushi place.
  <Before filling my belly at Sushi Zo... Dress-Bebe, Shoes-Aldo (Taken in November)

  The ambiance in Sushi Zo isn't so great. It's small, a bit sterile, and a bit bright, with minimal decor. I was actually a bit overdressed when I first went.  Actually, it's pretty much a hole in the wall that turns out to be right next to the laundromat I go to. The good part is that there's plenty of parking because it's in a shopping center. You don't go here for the ambiance though. You go for some of the best damned sushi that'll ever touch your wormy little lips.

  They ONLY do Omakase (chef's choice) at Sushi Zo. You basically tell them what you DON'T like and the waitress starts bringing out the sushi. 1-2 pieces at a time. You tell the waitress when you are getting full, so she can give you your last piece. Don't forget to tell them when you are ready to call it quits, or the food will keep comming. They have a written set of rules similar to Sushi Sushi's.
  When the waitress brings out each piece she will tell you "soy sauce" or "no soy sauce." Follow her lead and you'll be good. Every piece has the right amount of sauce/wasabi so there's no need for extra wasabi. They won't give u any to put in your soy sauce. That would be total blasphemy.
  <Pieces in the order that they were served. I had all of this and enjoyed EVERY bite!

  The quality of the sushi is just as good, if not better than Sushi Sushi's. Every piece melts in your mouth. The main thing that puts Sushi Zo above  Sushi Sushi, is the rice. The rice in the sushi is sooooooo good. Ohmygawd!!!  I swear every piece is like biting into little chunks of  heaven. I have to warn everyone though, If you haven't had sushi this good, you will definitely be turned off to your regular joints for a while. The spanish mackerel=heaven. Toro=heaven. Eel=heaven. Basically if you tell them what you don't like, you will not be disappointed. Everything about Sushi Zo's food is perfect! You might even discover that you actually like some things that you wouldn't normally like at regular sushi joints.  I'm not usually a huge fan of sea urchin unless it's super fresh because it tends to be bitter at times. The sea urchin in squid is sweet, buttery and fucking delicious.

  I think the cost was over $100 pp. I also had a $75 bottle of cold sake. (cheaper than buying it by the glass if you drink as much as I do) I've been back plenty of times. It's one of my favorite sushi joints!

  Sushi Roku
  <Before heading to Sushi Roku. Dress-Bebe, Stockings Hot Topic. Shoes-Cathy Jean. My closet is overflowing with dresses, so I have a bunch hanging on my door.

  Sushi Roku is more of a trendy sushi spot in West Hollywood. The ambiance is cool and sexy. It's no Sushi Zo, but  the food is great. They have lots of the more modern sushi rolls and dishes which I do enjoy. They also have a full bar with some very interesting and fun cocktails. Sushi Roku does tend to get a little loud and crowded because it is a popular spot. I actually prefer going when it's not so busy.

  Delicious floral drink (forgot the name). Refreshing, not too sweet, Garnished with a real flower. This drink smells, looks, and tastes great. I'd get it again.
  <Toro Sashimi- very good.  Not too fatty. Great texture
    <Seared ahi with crispy garlic. This was great, I really liked the crispy garlic with the pungent sauce.
  <Lobster medallions with truffle and ginger-this was pretty delicious. One of my favorite dishes of the evening.
  <Spicy tuna with shrimp and more spicy sauce. This was pretty standard. I probably wouldn't order it again.
  <I sent back the pear martini because it was a bit too sweet and exchanged it for this Passion and Spice cocktail. It's a vodka drink that is sweet, citrusy, and a bit spicy. I really liked it.
  <Baked crab hand roll. You really can't go wrong with a baked crab hand roll at a trendy sushi joint.  I love baked crab rolls. 

  It's pretty, it's cool, the drinks are good, and I enjoy the food. It wouldn't be my first choice to dine at since it does get busy and there are lots of comparable sushi joints in LA, but I would go back. It would be a nice trendy spot for a dinner party, since it has good cocktails, it would make for nice photo ops, and it's near a lot of clubs.

  James' Beach
  <Before heading to James'.  Tube Top- LVLX,  leggings- Rave, Sleeves- Hot Topic, Shoes-Aldo

  James Beach is a quaint and casual bar/restaurant that serves modern American comfort food with a little Asian influence. The atmosphere has a relaxed, warm, beachy feel. It definitely has a nice local neighborhood vibe. I wouldn't say the food is outstanding, but it is delicious and it's decent for the price. The food comes out in  huge portions, which is a plus.
  James' Beach has a full bar with an extensive drink menu- serving many of their own specialty cocktails as well as traditional and popular cocktails. This is a huge plus, since I love special cocktails. I forgot what cocktail I ordered, but it was a bit sweet and I didn't want to waste calories, so I ordered  an extra shot to pour into my drink. When it comes to drinking, I don't like to how-you-say, "fuck around."
  <half assed stitching of the joint. =P
  <Oyster appetizer. Briny, mouth watering. Yummy.
  < Tuna Tartar with Wonton Crisps. This was good, but they made it look like cat food. haha.
  <Seared Ahi Tuna with Wasabi Mashed Potatoes, String Beans, Shiitake Mushroom Vinaigrette. This was really tasty. I liked the shitake vinaigrette with the string beans, and I totally loved the wasabi mashed potatoes. The ahi was a bit tough, but still good.
  <Standard crabcakes. Not really outstanding. The potatoes were a bit tough. This dish was OK.

  This seems to be a popular spot because it is a few blocks away from the beach and it just has a nice vibe to it. I'll definitely be going back because it is right across the street from my new home away from home in Venice Beach. Its nice for a quick bite, and some yummy cocktails.

  Girls, Girls, Girls
  My sexy girl, Autumn.
    <Legs that don't quit. =)
  You'd drool if you were able to see the rest of her sets. Yowzers!

    ...and my lovely Brendita....
  <If she was brunette, wouldn't she make the perfect amazonian Wonder Woman?
  I love these girls. <3

  NYE
  So I bought tickets to Space Island. I plan on losing my mind and sleeping  through January 1st.
  My resolutions....Finish my big secret project....Continue to be more patient with the mongoloid morons that I deal with daily...to follow my artistic instincts more...to drink less...to be more social...to spend more time with my family....hmmm guess that's all for now. Hope you all have a happy, fun, and safe New Year.

  • 9:16 am
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