Ita Cho Japanese Restaurant

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Parking: Good luck finding a free spot on the weekends. Spring for the valet.

Look Good: Skip dessert altogether and head across the street to Insomnia for a sweet treat. Better yet, if it's early enough, stroll down to SugarPlum.

Ita Cho is a fantastic Japanese restaurant. The only problem is that it is so popular you will have to make a reservation or wait to get in. The food is outstanding and authentic, but the scene is happily not an LA celebrity hipster hang. The staff is really nice! I always have the blackened cod and shishito. There is some street parking and a valet in the back (if your suspension is good; there are some potholes.)

The draw of this storefront izakaya on Beverly Boulevard is the food, plain and simple, although the deep, narrow room's austere look is cut with colorful, tie-dyed fabric wall hangings. The seafood-intensive menu features many specialties…

You won't really be able to eat an actual cho, nor sushi rolls, though a little sashimi is on hand. Eclectic and elegantly prepared Japanese tapas in tiny Temple hotspot in the center of town. Don't hold the decor against them. Heed these locals' warnings and steer clear of the desserts. Super fast service. A lot like Tokyo, actually, in its efficiency, quality, and manner.

The Scene
Despite the uninspiring industrial space and cheesy tie-dye wall hangings, this crowded restaurant is a favorite with both local hipsters and Hollywood elite. There's often a...

Itacho is an authentic Japanese restaurant specializing in traditional Izakaya and fresh sushi.