11/04/09

Exquisite Japanese Dining experience

by Julie Kwon

I've been to Sashi 5 times now, and every time I go there, the service has been great, the atmosphere is chic, the food is delicious and fresh as well as beautifully presented. And Chef Makoto personally comes out to see if the patrons are happy and satisfied.

I've read some of the negative reviews and it seems like

Sashi is extremely busy and packed at night, especially on weekends, so it must be really difficult to accommodate the huge crowd. I walked by Sashi on one Friday night, and saw an enviable assemblage of young, gorgeous people packed in the bar area and the patio.

I usually go there on the weekdays for lunch, so I feel like I get personal attention and there's no worry about having to wait a long time to be seated or be served.

I even learned how to eat sushi properly from the chef, who served fresh sushi, freshly grated wasabi, and delightful conversation. Uni is so fresh that it melts in your mouth and although I was disappointed that they didn't have amaebi the other day, I am satisfied in knowing that they only serve fresh sushi.

Also, the desserts are whimsical, delectable and makes your taste buds do some thinking because it's not just ordinary ice cream or something you might be familiar with. They are presented in such an enchanting way that you'd want to take pictures of them before daintily spooning them and tasting their exquisite flavors.

• Pros: Immaculate presentation, delicious food
• Cons: sometimes certain sushi or dish may not be available

08/10/09

South Bay's Version of Pretentious

by AEvans

I rarely write a review about a restaurant. It either needs to be an amazing experience or completely horrible. This was completely horrible.

My boyfriend and I had a reservation at Sashi in Manhattan Beach for 8:45PM. It was pointless to make a reservation. The hostesses could not handle the volume of people coming into the restaurant and bar. The flow of business was too overwhelming for them that evening.

We were seated shortly after the 9:15PM party arrived and escorted to a table on the patio that was not cleared. When it was cleaned and set, I asked the heater be turned on. The hostess told me she would "take care of it right now." In the same breath, she turned and walked back to the front of the restaurant.

It took 15 minutes to get attention from the wait staff and glasses of water. We took the rare opportunity of actually having a server at our table to order dinner. We asked to start with Edamame 2 Ways, Spicy Rock Shrimp Tempura Rolls, Shiro Maguro Sushi and Syake Sushi. Our main course would be shared, Spicy Miso Chilean Sea Bass.

I again asked the heater be turned on. I was told “it would be taken care of right away.“ No one came. The edamame and shrimp tempura rolls never came as well. After another 30 minutes our Chilean Sea Bass was brought out and served to the table beside us. We immediately corrected the order, and it was delicious. The fish was perfectly cooked, and the flavors were amazing.

For the third time, I asked the heater be turned on. I would not let the busboy walk away this time, and it was finally taken care of. With some heat and delicious sea bass, we were hoping the evening would pick up.

Another 20 minutes went by, and we were served an entrée for the table beside us. Again, the patrons corrected the order. Shortly after our salmon and albacore sushi were brought out. By this point my boyfriend was furious. With the restaurant prices and hype, an explanation for the complete lack of service was at least due. Instead, we look down 3 tables and our waiter is flirting with a table of women and pouring them champagne.

I called our waiter to the table and asked for our check. I told him I was not sure if they were in the process of making our rolls, but 2 hours for Rock Shrimp Tempura Rolls is ridiculous. He apologized and went to get our bill.

When presenting us with the bill he said “want you to know we comped the rolls and edamame this evening.” I explained that is fantastic, but the rolls and edamame were never even brought to the table. I wasn’t paying for them either way.

I am a foodie! I love to cook, eat and experience new restaurants and flavors. Stick to my area on a regular basis- Santa Monica, Venice, Culver City. Venture out to West Hollywood and Hollywood. Will never come down to the South Bay again!

The sea bass was delicious, but the service is so poor here it completely overshadows. The hostesses and wait staff were an unorganized mess. The left hand doesn’t know what the right is doing. The manager needs to learn how to efficiently run this place on a busy night. They haven’t worked that out yet.

• Pros: Delicious Sea Bass
• Cons: Horrible Service

07/11/09

Great food, Great service

by wyru

Everytime I come to Venice to visit my Brother I just insist on coming here at least one nite.

Great food, Great service, fun place to be

Thanks for being