An "upscale version" of sibling Katsu-ya, this Studio City "jewel" impresses guests with "sublime" sushi, sashimi and "beautifully prepared" small plates; the vibe is "cool" without being "trendy", and though bills can be "painfully high" – especially for the hard-to-reserve private omakase with Katsuya himself – it's regarded as one of "the best" in town; P.S. check out the "great deals" at...
"Still reliable" is the word on this midpriced Japanese stalwart in Studio City, "one of the originals on sushi row" turning out "fresh" fish and "playfully named special rolls" for a neighborhood crowd; some surveyors say it's "not as good as some of its competition" nearby, but the chefs are "friendly" and the "attractive" landscaped patio is a plus.
Some say this is where the sushi craze in SoCal all started, and they may not be far from the truth. Despite the increased local competition, the crowds here haven't abated and the place remains great fun. On weekends, plan to wait for…
Kiwami Restaurant Review:
Adding to his elite sushi empire in the Valley, Katsuya Uechi opened Kiwami in the former Tama Sushi space on Ventura Blvd. Sushi, sashimi, tempura and other traditional Japanese favorites are joined by new signature dishes such as halibut wrapped with uni, calamari with pasta, Kobe beef in bamboo leaf, and Kobe-style filet with foie gras.