Saketini

Asian art objects and dark-wooden rustic furniture complement an otherwise austere crescent-shaped room on a quiet suburban corner. Fans of manager Sara Kim, formerly of Woo Lae Oak, dine among Brentwood locals and the occasional celebrity. The emphasis is on creative cuisine with a healthy bent. Crowd pleasers include organic salads, crab-filled spinach crepes, sea bass in apple-garlic sauce, sushi and tempura ice cream.

Editor's Tips

Parking:: Get validation for one hour of free parking at lunchtime in the public lot across the street.
What to Drink:: There's only one hot sake, but many premium cold ones are available. For a non-alcoholic option, try the Kyoto rice tea, which is brewed from premium green tea leaves.

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User Reviews (17)

ambiance	83.33000183105469% positive	“The place is quite small but it makes for a nice spot if you are comfortable with your dinner companion.” “Restaurant was small and cozy, nice simple decor.” “The ambience is nice though, but service was only average.” “Also, parking in that area is not fun.” “the atmosphere was very nice.” “I've been there on romantic dates, girls?”
food quality	100.0% positive	“While the sushi was definitely above average (their rolls were the better items), and their meat skewers very tasty, I was shocked at how good their fried rice was!” “My favorite is the Kobe beef.” “Great sushi in Brentwood” “Excellent service and food” “Their cuisine is authentic japanese-korean fusion with a flare of Californian familiarity to it.” “The sushi is very good - The Baked Scallop on Cali is a must.” “One friend who is a food connoisseur (ok, food snob) and worked at another upscale Pan Asian restaurant on the West Side said Saketini beat her restaurant as the best tempura calamari she has ever had.” “Loved the baked salmon roll, we ended up ordering an extra one to go.” “liked the mango chachacha salad- simple, tasty.” “My one complaint is that the food isn't totally consistent: after my first amazing meal there I talked it up too much to a friend, and when we tried it the food was great but not amazing.” “The food is amazing!” “While the food was decent, and there were the same fusion dishes - miso based cod, beef short ribs, overall, things were pricey for what we got.” “have no hesitation in reccommending Saketini to anybody who values fine cuisine, intimate settings, and good service.” “The sushi is fresh and imaginative and the entrees are excellent.” “Best fried rice I've ever had” “Then a mango avocado salad with what the waiter called their secret ginger dressing, super nice.” “They also make surprisingly good sushi rolls - try the lobster.” “The sushi was excellent.” “Interesting main dishes (Good options for health-conscious diners) and very good sushi.” “and the food was very good.” “There is an incredible attention to detail in every dish including quality of ingredients, presentation, and temperature (an often overlooked but critical component).” “great choice for a mixed group where some love sushi and others prefer something else.” “fresh, different and worth every penny.”
menu variety	100.0% positive	“They had the most amazing set menu and my date and I fully enjoyed it.” “Interesting main dishes (Good options for health-conscious diners) and very good sushi.” “They have a lot of interesting, unique options on their menu.”
overall	100.0% positive	“agree this place is a "gem", however it's probably best to call ahead for a table, the place is so small it get's quickly crowded ,so one can miss out on the complete experience if rushed.”
service	90.0% positive	“The service is friendly and accomodating.” “Then a mango avocado salad with what the waiter called their secret ginger dressing, super nice.” “They always have prompt seating and rapid, knowledgeable wait staff!” “The ambience is nice though, but service was only average.” “Excellent service and food” “The manager, Miki, was rude and bitchy when I called the next day to complain.” “The service is always warm and friendly and without pretentiousness you would get at some places.” “was sceptical, however once I was greeted by the friendly young owners I was sold.” “Our waiter was wonderful- very attentive and accomodating.” “have no hesitation in reccommending Saketini to anybody who values fine cuisine, intimate settings, and good service.”
value	100.0% positive	“fresh, different and worth every penny.” “While the food was decent, and there were the same fusion dishes - miso based cod, beef short ribs, overall, things were pricey for what we got.” “have no hesitation in reccommending Saketini to anybody who values fine cuisine, intimate settings, and good service.”

03/15/11

Terrible food

by goodcyrus

Every one of the 7 items we ordered was basically unfresh and untasty. A lot of fake reviews on restaurants in Brenwood 90049.

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02/17/08

Exquisite Valentine's Dinner

by savvyeater13

I have been going to Saketini for almost 2 years now and they have never failed me. So I knew they would not fail me on Valentine's Day! They had the most amazing set menu and my date and I fully enjoyed it. We definitely did not leave hungry after the five course meal!! I've been there on romantic dates, girls? night out and just hanging out with a group of friends... Their cuisine is authentic japanese-korean fusion with a flare of Californian familiarity to it. Very good and exotic flavors...The food is amazing!! I'm not a big drinker but their saketinis are definitely something to explore... They always have prompt seating and rapid, knowledgeable wait staff! They did change the decor a little bit when I went there on Valentine's day... They took down their paper shade decoration in the front so the chef can look out the window to see the restaurant. I think that was a bad move... The restaurant loses it's ambiance and mood with the bright blinding light coming from the kitchen. Not to mention you can see the take-out containers and baskets in the window... Probably not a good move. However, this restaurant is worth checking out!

Pros: Great food, amazing value and fantastic for all occasions
Cons: the ambience is lacking due to practicality

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12/29/07

Best in the West, or Anywhere Else

by jrosenphoto

I first went to Saketini for a social gathering a couple years ago, and I have been going regularly ever since. I have yet to have an item on the menu that didn't completely satisfy. Not only do I drive out from Hollywood on a regular basis to enjoy the fine cuizine and serene setting on my own, but I always bring dates and friends to show them this fantastic restaurant. One friend who is a food connoisseur (ok, food snob) and worked at another upscale Pan Asian restaurant on the West Side said Saketini beat her restaurant as the best tempura calamari she has ever had. The Lunch Specials menu is an amazing deal for your money (the specials are also available for diner Sunday through Thursday), and the menu is written with hilarious sincerity. The California Rolls are stuffed to the brim with genuine crab meat. And the butterfish is to die for (try it in sushi or carpaccio form, either way you will love it). You don't even need soy sauce or wasabi with it! If you're interested in drinks, they have a fine selection of Japanese beer, wine, and sake, including some hard to find examples. The "saketinis" are made with real fruit (not just fruit syrups). The lyche saketini uses imported lyche fruit, and the apple saketini is made with real fuji apples, and the strawberry saketini always gets rave reviews. Owners Miki and Sung and the rest of the staff are always kind and welcoming, and they take care of the regulars and new clientele like they're family. I have no hesitation in reccommending Saketini to anybody who values fine cuisine, intimate settings, and good service. Oh, and don't be surprised or starstruck by the random famous faces you may see dining alongside you.

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12/24/07

Hidden Gem!

by johnblake

Drove by this little neighborhood spot for the past three years. The other day I finally decided to check this whole in the wall out. When I say whole in the wall, i mean "Brentwood" whole in the wall. From the moment I walked in, I knew this place was the real deal. Who ever the owner is he or she knows a restaraunt is all about the food. My background is in design and I can tell you this little space is used to it's last square inch efficiently. I ordered a rare beer I've only seen in a few places in the US. Sapporo reserve, very nice. I had a vegi potsticker to start, nice. Then a mango avocado salad with what the waiter called their secret ginger dressing, super nice. Then I had the Jumbo Lava cod, off the chart. This spot reminds me of what I miss so much about Manhattan. Every corner has a gem. In LA it's about flash more than heart. Folks this spot has heart. If you want the real deal, this is your spot.

Pros: Food
Cons: Closes early

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11/10/07

avoid if you don't want a bad stomach ache

by sdayz

I had their tempura dish, which only came with a mound of greasy tempura. Even though the unworthy dish was expensive and listed under 'entree' it came with no rice, no radish on the side (this is usually served on the side because a bowl of tempura is too greasy to eat on its own). I left with a stomach ache and felt ill the next day. The manager, Miki, was rude and bitchy when I called the next day to complain. She simply told me it was not her problem and that I should go to the hospital instead of calling her. I am appalled at her lack of professionalism.

Saketini

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What People Are Saying About Saketini

Andrea Rademan

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Editor's Tips

03/15/11

Terrible food

by goodcyrus

02/17/08

Exquisite Valentine's Dinner

by savvyeater13

12/29/07

Best in the West, or Anywhere Else

by jrosenphoto

12/24/07

Hidden Gem!

by johnblake

11/10/07

avoid if you don't want a bad stomach ache

by sdayz

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