Japanese Restaurant Iwata

04/12/08

Eat at your own risk!

by tmo2626 at Citysearch

I visited this restaurant last Wednesday, April 9, 2008 with my boyfriend. We ordered spicy tuna hand rolls, a rainbow roll, and a teriyaki chicken and sashimi dish. The fish was very dry and did not seem fresh, but neither of us wanted to complain.

The next day, we were both very sick. When we called the restaurant to let them know, the owner/manager was very rude, defensive, and argumentative. We were not calling for a refund, but we wanted to warn him about unsafe food in the restaurant. He yelled, "Everyone always thinks its the sushi that makes them sick! Usually 3 or 4 people call if the fish was bad." Because we were the only two complaints of the day, our worries were dismissed as an eager attempt to rob him of our dinner money from the previous evening.

I felt it necessary to post this complaint because I don't feel comfortable dining at arestaurant that needs at least 10% of its nightly customers to become ill before they worry about the freshness of the fish.

• Pros: Reasonably priced...
• Cons: NOT fresh. Missed a few days at work due to recovery.

03/11/09

Favorite Sushi Restaurant! - J.Istrin

by JIstrin at Citysearch

Let's start with the fact that I have been eating at iWata for 13 years. iWata was the place where I started eating sushi and I believe I will be taking my kids there one day. Iwata isn't the place you go for a romantic meal, iWata is where you go if you want amazingly well prepared fresh fish at a very reasonable price. Shuga (spelling is off im sure) is very picky about the fish he uses and always delivers the most fresh fish. A few favorites that are must tries are the "Taka Special" which is nothing crazy it is just salmon chopped and put on a crispy rice with a very delicate sauce that heightens the taste of the salmon. The scallop sushi is also great. Their spicy tuna cut roll is one of my all time favorites as is their spicy shrimp handroll (their sauce makes both). Now on the other hand if you want the staples; yellow tail, toro, sweet shrimp, uni, albacore, etc. then those are all amazing as well and should not be left out. Try iWata and fall in love, tell Shuga and Taka Jason says Hi.

• Pros: Fish, Chefs, Service, Price, Creativity
• Cons: None

07/01/08

Best sushi in the Valley!

by LAGirl26 at Citysearch

This is my favorite sushi place! My boyfriend and I used to live in Sherman Oaks and were regulars. We went at least every other week and now we miss it dearly. The wait staff is very attentive and courteous. The sushi is very fresh. My favorite rolls are the crunchy roll, soft shell crab roll, california roll, and spicy tuna roll. They also have a great spicy tuna on a fried rice patty and their tofu and chicken salad are also really good if you want something besides sushi. Prices are reasonable as well. Iwata is consistently delicious!

• Pros: Great Food
• Cons: Parking is limited

10/25/07

neighborhood fav.

by goozy81 at Citysearch

Everyone that I have brought to this place loves it. The sushi is great and the prices are totally reasonable. For the people who posted bad reviews: 1) everyone has at least one bad experience somewhere, it happens - life isn't perfect...dont let it rule your decision making though and lay it down as a judgement against this place. 2) walking in 10 minutes before closing is awful. Anyone who has worked in the restaurant industry will tell you that those are always the worst customers and the least appreciative. That shouldn't be the definitive review of your impressions of this restaurant.

06/06/07

I wanna Iwata

by iohyem at Citysearch

Though I feel the quality has gone down slightly since my first visit almost 4 years ago it is still way above the average. The sashimi is great, they use flavor combinations that are not the norm.

The prices are GREAT... the service is alright...and because they don't take reservations you might have to wait a bit, its worth it. Recommendations: salmon sashimi with citrus sauce, spicy salmon tower, spicy tuna toast, johnny roll, and for dessert...Crunch roll

• Pros: quick, quality, great prices, unique flavors
• Cons: parking sometimes hard, no reservations taken

04/11/07

Best Spicy Tuna Rice Cakes

by jennster at Citysearch

Iwata has the best spicy tuna on rice cakes! This is one of my staples every time I go to a sushi restaurant and Iwata beats them all. The rice cakes are crispy and the spicy tuna sauce is perfect. It really doesn't get better than this. I also highly recommend their jalapeno albacore appetizer. Service has always been fabulous - the sushi chefs are all very friendly and the waiters are attentive. The parking lot is an issue, but I've found that street parking on Moorpark (or the residential neighborhood behind it) works pretty well.

• Pros: spicy tuna rice cakes
• Cons: small and a bit cramped, parking lot, no reservations on weekends

03/27/07

Mediocre Fish Meets Abhorrent Customer Service in The Valley

by eric4321 at Citysearch

I ordered albacore sashimi, which did not arrive, and when I reminded the chef, she prepared the dish. At the end, she charged me for two.

I protested, but frankly did not make enough of a scene. The chef dismissively informed me she had served me two dishes. I think I would remember receiving a double portion of the non-seared albacore had it been presented to me. The master chef corroborated the sous chef's lie.

I left, breathless and frustrated. Customer service is key, and Iwata knows nothing of it.

The portions are meager (think slimy, thinly-sliced salmon sashimi) and the fish is sub-par for Los Angeles.

• Pros: Adequate parking lot.
• Cons: Lackluster fish and service

10/24/05

an update

by ahiatus at Citysearch

i have been coming here for a long time. very loyal - always bringing friends with me. recently i went for lunch, 10 minutes before they were about to close. they wouldn't serve me. i assume if your business' hours are until 2'30pm, for lunch, that means i should be able to walk in until that time and get served! i went over to house of taka, at this point it was three minutes before their closing time of 2'30. no problem, they let me order lunch! what a concept. i have a new favorite sushi place in the valley!!

06/08/05

Best Sushi in West Valley

by keric4la at Citysearch

Iwata is a fantastic neighborhood sushi bar. Nice atmosphere, very resonable prices and fantastic service (especially at the bar itself). Nice menu of other Japanese dishes. There's Valet parking now too! Our favorite spot in the valley!

• Pros: Valet Parking, Reasonable prices

02/27/05

Good sushi

by d_fens at Citysearch

This is maybe the best sushi you can get in the Valley. Nice people seem to come to the restaurant so irrespective if you are alone or with friends you will feel comfortable. The sushi is somewhere between good and very good as well. The service is kind and attentative and because there are so many regulars it can become quite personal...Nice place

• Pros: Nice, Good value, Parking