RESTAURANTS • First Person
I never imagined I’d gauge a restaurant’s brilliance by the number of times I reached for my phone to Shazam the playlist.
And then I experienced Sushi Note in Sherman Oaks. Part omakase, part wine bar, part jazz haven, it’s seven years in, and all still very much works.
At the heart of Sushi Note’s culinary ensemble are chef Kiminobu Saito’s two omakase options: the ‘Whole Note’ and the ‘Half Note,’ priced at $75, ideal for a midweek indulgence. (You can also order à la carte.) The wine program, orchestrated by Austin Ferrier, contains more than 90 selections — from esteemed classics like Côte de Nuits and Pommard to orange wines and skin-contact varieties. The chef and sommelier riff off each other seamlessly throughout the meal.
The omakase begins with a medley of classic starters: miso soup, kuro edamame, agedashi tofu, and kinuta (daikon wrapped) maki, followed by a mandarino tardivo sorbet palate cleanser setting the stage for the main event. On a recent visit, that meant Hokkaido uni, tender scallops, raw shrimp crowned with caviar, hamachi, lean bluefin tuna from Spain, and dry-aged ora king salmon. The grand finale was a luscious toro hand roll, followed by creamy fior di latte ice cream with yuzu marmalade.
The space’s mid-century modern decor features sleek dark wood, brass fixtures, and walls adorned with framed love letters. Paired with a rigorously assembled jazz playlist, it’s a setting evocative of a West Village jazz club. In addition to the Ventura Blvd. flagship, a Beverly Hills location opened in 2023. Los Angeles is home to countless exceptional sushi establishments, but few have the soul of Sushi Note. –Victoire Loup
→ Sushi Note (Sherman Oaks/Beverly Hills) • 13447 Ventura Blvd • Mon-Sun 530-10p • Reserve.