dining review+recommendation
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| Takami Sushi & Robata Restaurant |
Takami Sushi & Robata Restaurant
811 Wilshire Blvd 21ST Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90017
www.takamisushi.com
213-236-9600
lunch hours
Mon-Fri 11:30 am- 2:30 pm
dinner hours
Mon-Thurs 5 pm-10:30 pm
Fri & Sat 5 pm-11:30 am
Sun 5 pm-9:30 pm
happy hour
Mon-Fri 4 pm-7 pm
Sat & Sun 5 pm-7 pm
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| Takami's Kimono Room |
cuisine: Japanese fusion/sushi/Asian
atmosphere: trendy/upscale
features: penthouse 360 panoramic view with options of outdoor patio seating/accommodates large parties, private parties, & special events/convenient club Elevate Lounge next door
attire: dressy casual
payment methods: major credit cards
price range: average lunch $30/person/average dinner $60/person
fees: $20 corkage/ $3 cake cutiing
reservations: highly suggested but do except walk ins
eating preferences: vegetarian/vegan/gluten free friendly
alcohol: full bar/specialty cocktails/extensive list of wine & sake
parking: valet
delish facts: do you know it took the owners 4 years to find the perfect, prime real estate location of what is Takami Sushi & Elevate Lounge?!? (
wow! well worth the wait, might I add, the view is breathtaking!!!)/Tag Front created the beautiful interior design (
they also designed Boa, Geisha House, Blue Velvet, insert amazingly designed popular, upscale, restaurant/club in L.A., etc.)
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| Takami's Lounge |
delish dining
Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Takami, Happy Birthday to you! 3 year old Takami, meaning heightened or elevated place, is a Japanese influenced restaurant located on the 21st penthouse floor in Downtown Los Angeles. In honor of their Birthday celebration, they have invited everyone to join them by offering an extensive $3 Anniversary Menu! (
now that's what I call a Birthday celebration!) Although the Anniversary Menu looks mouth watering
everything delish has decided to cover items that are always guaranteed available ;)
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| Bellini Cocktail |
Happy Hour (
they call it Sunset Hour here) 7 days a week? Amazing! You've got to check this place out! 1st thing's 1st, I'm starting out in the lounge for Sunset Hour. $5 wine & beer specials, deals on sake & specialty drinks like the Bellini Cocktail: nice pour of de valier prosecco with peach schnapps & pama liquor. (
love the floating berries) Going through the menu, I continue to get more & more thirsty, & 1st instinct is the Absolute L.A.: healthy shot of Absolute Blueberry-Acai, splash of St. Germaine & Pama Liquor topped with fresh lemon juice. (
check mark) Now for a snack (
1/2 off food Lounge Faire, score!) I munch on Shishito Poppers: tempura shishito peppers stuffed with spicy tuna, drizzled with sweet soy (
yummy yummy in my tummy, dangerously delish) & how about Takami Bruschetta: buraata cheese, roasted tomato, on a crisp wonton. (
nice Japanese take on the Italian classic)
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| Spicy Tuna on Crispy Rice |
Warmly greeted with "Irasshai!!!," by the hostesses, staff, & sushi chefs, I am officially welcomed to a spectacular view. (
& the sensation as if I'm floating in mid air) I'm now seated in the
dining room, excuse me, Kimono Room. So what should I order from th 3 separate kitchens: sushi, robata, & hot? Well of coarse sushi, duhhh! But what is Robata? Robata is the wide selection of fresh vegetables, savory seafood, & meat on bamboo skewers marinated & grilled over an open flame served with sauces like the Truffle Sauce & Champagne Yuzu (
it's basically Japanese bbq & very tasty) It compliments other Seasonal Favorites & Apps like the pretty much a given Takami Edamame: soys beans sauteed in a garlic butter soy sauce (
soy pod party in my mouth), Spicy Tuna on Crispy Rice: crispy rice cakes stacked with avocado, spicy tuna, & jalapeño (
i'm addicted & definitely a must have!), & Crispy Eggplant: lightly tempura eggplant tossed in a garlic soy reduction. (
finger lickin delish)
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| Yellowtail Jalapeño |
Sake sparks interest! The Oyaji Gokuraku Junmai Ginjo: refreshing aroma of grapefruits & strawberries, elegant acidity pulls all the other elements together, it has a long finish & the taste changes along with the temperature changes, very interesting. (
funny thing, very interesting is actually printed on the menu! & I concur that it is very interesting indeed) Now time for pairing sake with sushi time; under Specialty Dishes are most of the creative sashimi plates. Yellowtail Jalapeño: yellowtail sashimi served with ponzu sauce & sliced jalapeño. (
delish) Under Signature Rolls, which are eclectic collabs of sushi rolls I skip right to the Lemon-Albacore Roll: spicy tuna roll with cucumber wrapped with albacore & fresh lemon slices (
so refreshing, light & sensational) & the Penthouse Roll: spicy tuna roll on soy paper, tempura crunch inside, topped with avocado (
the surprise crunch inside is delightful). P.S. ba da ba ba ba.. I'm lovin the Fresh Made Wasabi, compliments of the sushi chefs, Wow! This definitely beats that pasty stuff.
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| Lychee Mojito |
Lychee Mojito: nice pour of Bacardi Superior Rum, fresh splash of Hanna Lychee Sake finished with fresh mint & lychee fruit, here I come! (
such a fan of the sugar cane stick & the overflow of fresh mint aroma) It makes a perfect pairing with my entrée, the Seared Tuna: takami soy vin blanc sauce served with rice & sauteed vegetables. (
announcement: the sauce on this is absolutely amazing, I could drink it like a bowl of soup, easy)
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| Molten Chocolate Yuzu |
Now what puts the
delish in delicious is desert & most of the times it's my favorite part of the meal. Molten Chocolate Yuzu: warm chocolate center served with vanilla ice cream & raspberry sauce (
ooo definitely opt to have the green tea ice cream! with the rich silky smooth chocolate melting in my mouth.. heaven on earth) Japanese Tiramisu: homemade tiramisu with ginger creme anglais & vanilla ice cream. (
I've never tasted anything like this, the creamy sweet flavors of the custard & bold taste of finger ladies bathed in green tea are magnificent) Finally, cuddling my warm cup of authentic Green Tea @ hand, I should down it pretty soon because the night is still young. I have Bottle Service reservations @ Elevate Lounge next door (
open Fri, Sat, & occasional Thurs nights 10 pm-2 am) & I plan to dance the night away with my friends, total strangers, & the dj. What a night, what an unbelievable dining & entertainment experience!
indulge..
