Shunji's

Those who know me know that I'm a huge sushi aficionado and my sushi palatte is very difficult to please.  My friends are usually reluctant to take me to their sushi spots because they're afraid it won't measure up to my standards.  I'm not that mean, but well...it's a perception.

Anyway, a few months ago, my favorite sushi restaurant closed and I was incredibly sad for days.  I kept in contact with their best sushi chef, Susumu, and he told me that he would be working at a new restaurant soon with similar food.  I was so excited.  A few days ago, I got a text message from him telling me that the new restaurant is opening and they will be having an opening party on Sunday, January 9 and I'm invited! =)

The new restaurant is called Shunji's and it's located on Melrose Ave in West Hollywood.  It's opened by Shunji Nakao who used to work at Tengu in Santa Monica.

I didn't get a chance to taste the food off their menu, since the chefs were so busy.  Obviously, for a large party, they were serving up food catering-style.  They created huge, delicious sushi platters for the party and were serving up several of the sakes on their sake list.

The restaurant is really nice with a very sushi restaurant feel - dimmed incandescent lights, clean minimalist decor and a lot of wood.  The sushi bar is enormous and takes up half the downstairs dining area.  This leaves plenty of sushi bar seating and there are tables lining the wall and a booth at the front of the restaurant.  There's also an upstairs bar/lounge area.  I'm not quite sure if there will be tables there for dining service, but there's a staircase in the middle of the lounge that leads to the kitchen, so it's a possibility.

The grand opening is Tuesday, January 11.  I'll definitely be back to try the food on their regular menu and report back.  Stay tuned! =)

I'll leave you with a picture of me and Susumu.  When you go try out Shunji's, make sure to say hi! =)