Wa Restaurant

After hearing about Wa and reading the reviews, I went to Wa last night. This crowded little place was loud and has about as much atmosphere as a prison cell. I eat sushi at least 4 times a week and have visited all of the usual suspects. My fiance and I were disappointed to learn that 2 of the specials were already gone (for a 7:30 reservation??). The salmon sashimi was fatty. The Kobe beef dish was decent but nothing extraordinary (although the sauce was great). The seabass and fois gras was the highlight of the menu. All in all, it was OK, but really nothing special. Then the check came. With one glass of wine ($8), we were at $120, pre tip. For that price, I'd much rather go to Katsuya or Hamasaku to get even better food in a much classier and romantic atmosphere. Pros: Big variety in the menu Cons: Pricey, weak ambiance, dingy location, noisy more

you can't go wrong here...little touches like yuzu zest on the sea bream and other pieces using truffle oil and truffles (uni) make this the best sushi place I know...expect 40 bux per person but WELL worth it...real Japanese flavor...it's the real thing. The foie gras and scallop dish is outstanding. GO GO GO!!!!!! SO much attention to detail, and the FRESHEST fish anywhere! I'm a chef and KNOW the difference! Please feel free to write me and thank me for my totally appropriate HUGE recommendation! more

I love the sushi at this place. It's so fresh, it's as if they just pulled the fish out of the ocean. The service is great. It's a bit pricey, but well worth it. I always try at least one of the chef's specials. The dishes are always creative and delicious. Small place, but intimate. Perfect if you wanted to reserve the whole place for a birthday or celebration. It's just big enough for a bunch of your friends. Pros: delicious fish Cons: pricey more

Best Sushi I have ever had bar none... I have been to LOTS of places and most are sub par.\r This place has the best most freshest fish I have ever seen this side of a boating trip and eating it right from the freshly caught fish it self... The Tuna Carpaccio is AMAZING as is most of their top dishes.\r The Tuna is the deepest darkest red you have ever seen,\r I have been to Koi also its very good as well but I like the dive restaurants with better food then the trendy ones with overpriced frozen fish ;-)\r Try it, you will LOVE IT!!! Pros: Amazing sushi! Cons: Service is just ok more

There are plenty of Japanese places in West LA - this is the authentic. The chef and staff make you welcome - the small atmosphere is simple, but perfect for a night out with delicious sushi, wonderful dishes that melt in your mouth. Pros: Intimate setting Cons: None! more

The best Sushi place in LA...forget all the hype about any other sushi restaurant. This is the place to go if you a crazy about sushi and sashimi.....great and original dishes, fresh and wonderful, don't pass up on trying this gem. Pros: Freshest fish in town more

Coming from a Japanese family and having lived there, I can assure you that the food at Wa is authentic. Some dishes are fusion or mixed with contemporary styles, but if you sit at the counter and order sushi, it will be prepared as it would in Japan. Both times I've eaten there, I ordered the Omakase and then ordered some a la carte dishes. The Omakase is $80 and a course dinner and is highly recommended. You can expect dishes such as sea urchin appetizer, kobe beef steak-stew, and the chef's recommended sushi platter. Parking is hard to find, but free valet is available downstairs. Highly recommended!!! Reservations are a must especially for peak times on weekends. Pros: One of the best sushi joints in L.A., authentic, down-to-earth, warm service Cons: Parking, a little bit cramped more

Wa Bistro rocks the house down! Wa has become my favorite sushi joint in LA - hands down. The fish quality is as fresh or FRESHER than the places with the velvet ropes! If you're looking to see a 50% ratio of girls with augmentations, a DJ with dark sunglasses in a dimly lit place with a floral patterned shirt, or maybe you're the type who like to make a reservation for 8pm, but get seated at 9pm with an attitude - this would NOT be the place for you. If you're looking for fresh fish, an expertise in the sushi-culinary arts, and creativity with explosions of flavor that make you beg for more than YES - WA BISTRO is for you. The tuna carpaccio will place you in 7th heaven! The chefs are the owners and all trained at the famous Matsuhisa! I say break free of the velvet rope and eat sushi like it's meant to be eaten! Pros: Top Notch Service / Top Notch Food Cons: An atmosphere that could use a decorator. more

Last night was my second time visiting Wa. I must say, everything we tried was excellent. We particurlarly liked the halibut carpaccio, spicy yellowtail lettuce wraps, albacore and onion salad, and the baked seabass with Japanese eggplant. You can't go wrong with their menu of ""top 15 best sellers"" - it's kind of a self-fulfilling prophecy - ""these are our most popular items, so order them,"" and you do. The food is creative and amazing and you should just trust your server or sushi man. The space is small and the decor is just OK, but there's a nice view and you really go here for the food. Their prices are (much?) higher than most sushi spots. At least there is free parking. Pros: Amazing, creative Japanese dishes Cons: Expensive and small more

I've been there a couple times, never been disappoited. Wa is one of the best sushi I've tried almost 100 places in L.A. Everything looks and taste grest! really nice services, friendly people, and more to say...I'll go back again. more

wa sushi is great when you feel like sushi-chef food but want a laidback atmosphere. every time i have been there the fish has been very fresh, and the menu items are creative and fantastic. this is a solid sushi place. more

Strip mall sushi with a good idea - cute place with lots of windows, but the food is just not up to par. If you're going to do exotic dishes, i.e. abalone, find out how to prepare it before serving it to your patrons. We have eaten at the finest sushi restaurants in the world, and this one doesn't even come close to mediocre. Pros: cute spot Cons: food not-so-hot more

the 3 chef owners bring a wonderful sushi joint to LA. the presentations of all the dishes were absolutely wonderful. try the seabass, toro, crabs! greentea flan is also must. service is great and the view in one part of the restaurant is great. Pros: fresh sushi, presentation, service more

The absolute best sushi restaurant in L.A. Not only is the food amazing , but the service is absolutely incredible. The ambience is great and the 3 sushi chefs as well as the servers are very attentive and there to please their clients!!! A++++++++++ Highly Reccomended more

Wa is fabulous. I frequent there as much as possible. Everything about WA is great - location, food and staff. I highly recommend dining here to anyone that is a sushi connoisseur. more