R-23 Japanese Cuisine and Art Gallery
Once a railroad loading dock, now a hip downtown hideaway for those who like it raw.
(213) 784-6600
923 E 2nd St Ste 109
(at Vignes Street)
Los Angeles,
CA
90012
34.0473
-118.2341
Neighborhoods: Civic Center / Little Tokyo, Central LA, Downtown
Hours:
Mon-Fri 11:30pm-2pm, 5:30pm-10pm
Sat 5:30pm-10pm
Price:
$$$
Last updated 4.30.09
What People Are Saying About R-23 Japanese Cuisine and Art Gallery
The Owner
R-23 Japanese Cuisine and Art Gallery
Owner
Minimalist Japanese restaurant and art gallery offers patrons fresh Japanese cuisine.
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
The Scene
Tucked away in a low-slung brick building just east of Little Tokyo, this chic spot is clean and stylish, with exposed brick and painted white walls, a high ceiling and cool corrugated cardboard chairs.
The Food
The menu is simple and concise--fresh, straightforward sushi and sashimi fare, with tempting sides like warm, salty edamame and fried, buttery-crisp soft-shell crab. Sea eel nigiri scores big, barbecued smoky-sweet and anchored by seaweed to a bed of rice. For around $10, the assorted sashimi platter takes your palate several leagues under the sea, with tender scallops, halibut, clam, shrimp, buttery tuna, chewy tentacled octopus and more. For dessert, red-bean ice cream glows pink, but tastes pleasantly subtle, while green-tea ice cream is a palate-friendly herbal refresher.
User Reviews
losangelessake
May 29, 2009
Once you are inside R-23 it's a nice venue, but the ambiance outside leaves a bit to be desired--it's in an industrial complex in what used to be railroad warehouses. This probably isn't an issue on a busy night with lots of other diners, but when we went late night the entire area was deserted and doesn't exactly inspire confidence walking from your car. Having said that though, R-23 does offer some very tasty food and sake. We'll definitely go back there and give it another go.
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lasdbest
December 23, 2008
We went there for the first time on Friday, December 20th. My wife and I were so pleased with the service and food. We first thought to keep this little place a secret from all our friends. We wanted to surprise them all for each of their b-days and bring them there ourselves. But we decided to to be selfish. WE LOVE IT and would recommend it to those who are serious about their sushi :) Love it!
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MikeD2008
August 23, 2008
This is one of my favorite restaurants, period. It's fantastic for a date, as it's very much out of the way but very classy and high-quality. I've also had business lunches and dinners here, and taken out-of-town guests here. The decor just oozes coolness without feeling pretentious at all. The sushi chefs are all the real deal and know what they're doing. I equally enjoy sitting at the counter or at a table, each has its own benefits. Their cooked dishes are great, as is their yellowtail carpaccio. It's not cheap, but for a special occasion or a date, it's definitely worth it. MAKE SURE you make a reservation, it's always packed.
read full reviewThe Details on R-23 Japanese Cuisine and Art Gallery
The Extras:
Omakase menus are available in the $30-60 range. R-23 also offers numerous meat-free choices for vegetarians.
Know Before You Go:
Nervous about venturing downtown? There's prominent signage to guide you, and parking is directly in front of the door. Try lunch instead of dinner for your first visit.
When to Go:
For lunch, get there before it opens at noon or you'll wait 20-30 minutes. Private spaces are available for group reservations.
Category:
Payment Methods:
American Express, Visa, Diners Club, MasterCard
Restaurant Special Features:
Message from R-23 Japanese Cuisine and Art Gallery
- Traditional Dishes
- Art on Location
- Convenient Location
Minimalist Japanese restaurant and art gallery offers patrons fresh Japanese cuisine.
