11/19/08

Worse sushi I ever ate!!

by Coccus

I've never returned sushi before... which is the reason I couldn't bring myself to doing so yesterday. But in retrospect, that is exactly what I should have done. Not a single fish item was good. We started with miso soup, which was below average, and seaweed salad, which was pretty good actually. But when the sushi came... let's just say that I nearly had to spit-out the albacore--rough and dry and chewy. We also got the albacore roll with jalapenos and it was the same story. The hamachi was a bit better, but still not fresh. The vegetable roll was good, the salmon-skin roll was too salty. I think the problem was largely freshness of the fish!! We sat at the bar so we could really check-out the appearance of the fish and it just didn't look fresh or appetizing. I'm sorry to say this, because the service was very friendly and prompt, and the decor is very nice in a great location! Apparently the restaurant changed hands recently, so maybe the new owner is shopping at a new location and getting cheaper fish that aren't as fresh...

• Pros: Pleasant and prompt service, good location, nice ambience.
• Cons: BAD SUSHI! Fish wasn't fresh!

10/29/08

New Decor but miss old owners

by corynne_chester

My husband and I are moving to Atlanta, so we decided to visit Azami for one last Hoorah. Immediately noticed new decor and was excited until we walked in and didn't see the girls. The waitress assured us that although Nikki is gone, they are still using the same fishmonger. My husband and I looked at the menu and noticed a lot of changes. 1. None of the cool appetizers that Nikki and her partner created 2. specialty rolls-I hate specialty rolls at Japanese restaurants. I loved that Nikki and her partner didn't have these on the menu. I wonder if this is something Japanese restaurants do to impress the American palate. I mean how many New York Rolls, La Brea Rolls, Spider rolls can there be. If you go to Japan, do they have these speciality rolls with the funky names? 3. It's dimly lit-I like to see what I'm eating. The waitress said that Nikki is running her father's fish company and one night a week, she hosts a special dinner. The waitress said that these one night special dinners already have a waiting list and it's pretty booked. She said Nikki still wants to cook because it's her passion. All in all the sushi did taste the same, but I like understated. The new owners are trying to gain celebrity clientele with the change of decor I think.

• Pros: New Decor; same sushi
• Cons: Old owners aren't there; speciality rolls

10/20/08

2nd New chef since ownership change

by blfn27

Hi I have to tell you first. This is not review but announcement. My name is Nick and am the 2nd new chef under new owner. I read some of the reviews after ownership changed and thank you guys for your concern. I just finished cleanig up the mess ex chef left and put up temporary menus. I've been working around beach area long time so I don't quite know you guys taste yet. My policy is to make what you would like to eat not to force my taste to you guys. I need to know your opinions so that I can serve you better. Nikki went back to Japan but I'll promise to do even better job. Over all at least my name sounds close enough, doesn't it? I do have over 40 yrs of expierience in not only sushi but other cuisine too. Please let me know what do you guys want me to do. Ok?

• Pros: time to taste new menu
• Cons: Nikki isn't here anymore

09/12/08

New Owners, Still Good Sushi

by amandaco

Yes indeed there are new owners at Azami, and even though ownership has changed hands, the sushi is still delicious and the service is still lovely. Hamachi, Kanpachi and Tori were all fresh and delicious, and we really enjoyed a scallop dish that the sushi chef sent over on the house. I'll miss the lovely ladies that ran the old Azami and I am very curious as to why they sold the restaurant, but Azami will still remain a favorite neighborhood sushi spot.

• Pros: Incredibly fresh fish, great neighborhood spot.
• Cons: I'll miss the ladies!

08/17/08

Azami has changed hands...beware!

by steffsummers

The Azami of yesteryear was a hidden gem of a sushi restaurant run by two lovely lady sushi chefs. It has now changed ownership and while it may look a little fancier, the food is not to be taken seriously.

Steak with 'the perfect pear sauce'? Calamari with chipotle vinaigrette? Citrus marinated 'ceviche' which is actually only marinated in rice wine vinegar? Albacore carpaccio with fresh thyme? (thyme's not an herb typically eaten raw..) And a whole page of ridiculous cut rolls...

Too bad they couldn't fill Niki's shoes.

• Pros: prompt service, nice decor
• Cons: the food.

04/06/08

Just Ok sushi but friendly staffs

by gizzmo01

I dragged my bf to this place because of all the great reviews so I was really disappointed finding that it didn't live up to their hype. We ordered 2 omakase sushi menus but we enjoyed the appetizers that came with it more than the sushis. The place is different since the sushi chefs are women but overall there's nothing special about this hole-in-a wall place. We wont be back since we've had better sushis someplace else...try Hama or Sushi Gen in Japan Town.

• Pros: Women chefs, cheap food, friendly staffs
• Cons: Parking, Over hyped

07/10/07

Great place for Sushi

by xstrike1

This place is a must go for all sushi lovers. When I first went there, I was astonished that the chefs were women. This was, and still is the only sushi place that I know that the itamae are women. But don't be discouraged, because they are fantastic. I highly encourage you to order the omakase, it is unbelievable and quite an experience. SInce they are the ones that will dictate on what you eat, they will choose the best fish they have. I love it and I keep going there again and again.

• Pros: Great food amd good price for the quality of sushi
• Cons: Waitresses are kind of slow

07/07/07

Outstanding Sushi Experience

by piperfoodie

Passed by Azami a million times thinking that it just looked like another hole in the wall Melrose place. I could kick myself, as my recent meal at Azami was the single best sushi experience I've had in Los Angeles. The sashimi was excellent, the service was friendly and professional, and the Omakase menu (about 10-12 courses) was only $60 per person. I've paid double (even triple) for sushi of much lower quality.

Kudos to Azami for doing everything exactly right.

• Pros: Best Sushi in LA, Friendly service, GREAT price
• Cons: That strip of Melrose isn't exactly Bel Air

07/03/07

Excellent food, polite wait staff

by thegrovers

This place was awesome! Amazing food...we had the Agedashi, seared tuna salad and some basic rolls, but the one roll that made us swoon was the lobster roll specially created by one of the owners. She came over to the table saying that it was her creation and it truly was delicious. I also told her that after I came home I was going to give her restaurant 5 stars and she immediately stopped what she was doing backed up a couple of steps and bowed several times saying "thank you very much, thank you very much!" Very sweet lady. Location is bit sketchy but worth it.

05/31/07

The Best Sushi in Los Angeles

by beckynmoses

I love, love, love Azami. For the best experience, sit at the bar and order omakase. Everyone here is so friendly and the food is unbelievable. I used to be a Katsuya fan before their service went downhill, but after finding Azami, I'll never go anywhere else. From the moment you make your reservation, until you are walking out the door, the service is excellent. After only one trip, I was a "regular"- the next time I came in the chefs recognized me and my husband and remembered us as the "seared torro" people! If you are the kind of person who likes "rolls with cute names" this is NOT the place for you. But if you want to sit at the sushi bar and eat wonderfully prepared raw fish for two hours without once having to touch the soy sauce, then you will be in Heaven here. Each piece of nigiri is carefully handled and prepared with the lightest possible touch. The chefs work non stop, but still find time to ask how you felt about each piece. For a true adventure, go on a week night and tell them you'll eat anything. Then sit back and let the sushi euphoria come over you.

• Pros: Not for people who think Sushi Dan is real sushi.
• Cons: There are none! This place is Sushi Heaven!