The place looks like hell - small, terrible lighting, like a pizza place in a strip mall, but its clean and once you walk in you realize its an institution. Its always packed both at the bar and the tables, and there is no menu. All the walls are covered with pictures that say 'trust me' because the chef does the picking for you. And boy, what pickings. the sushi is quite a friendly selection of fish, nothing too exotic or unusual, but when you put it in your mouth you'd think you died and went to heaven. i don't know how they get the sushi so fresh or the rice so yummy, but it is so fresh that there isn't even the slightest hint that this is fish! We've gone quite a few fridays in a row, only to then notice that a meal that takes 30 minutes to go through (the chef's choice is like 7 courses and served very efficiently) can cost $150 for 2 very quickly. Worth the money, but if you want some more ambiance there are other choices on the strip. I have a friend who comes from ny and eats here 2 meals a day on every day he is in LA. Everyone should try at least once.
more