In town for the sales and looking for someplace new and different to eat, shop or visit? Let the TDN help! Following up on our popular Best Bets on the Jersey Shore series during Breeders' Cup week, TDN subscribers now regularly recommend dining and shopping options to our out-of-town readers.

AKASAKA RESTAURANT AND SUSHI BAR (Los Angeles, CA - Dining)

14926 Clark Ave., Hacienda Heights, CA
Phone: (626) 336-0871
Type: Sushi – reasonable prices, generous portions and great service
Open Monday through Saturday 5-10 p.m. Lunch on weekdays from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Located about 20 minutes south of Arcadia, Akasaka is a hidden gem and a "must try" for sushi enthusiasts and casual sushi eaters as well. The definition of a "mom and pop" restaurant, Akasaka has been in business and flourishing for over 35 years. There are a lot of good sushi places in the Los Angeles area but the combination of great food, very generous portions, reasonable pricing, and friendly service keep me coming back for more. Sushi chef Hisako Aizawa personally inspects every piece of fish and adds her own special touch to traditional rolls. For starters, I highly recommend the Kama (baked yellow tail collar) that is mixed with the chef's secret dipping sauce. It's supposed to be an appetizer, but it's more like a meal on its own. Other appetizers on the menu include the salmon skin salad and Dynamite (a combination of fish that is baked with a sweet mayonnaise sauce). Popular rolls include the Rainbow roll which is very yummy if you're looking for that "all-in-one, every-fish-in-the-place" type of roll, and the baked freshwater Eel roll is terrific if you like teriyaki sauce and avocado.If you go the route of ordering rolls, I highly recommend that you get the half-order when available, unless you are really, really hungry. Personally, I like to stick to traditional sushi which ranges from $6 - $8 for two pieces. If someone in your group is not in the mood for sushi, they can't go wrong with the beef rib eye teriyaki. Bring an appetite and a smile, but be sure to make a reservation because the sushi bar only seats 9 and there are just 11 tables in the restaurant. Tell Hisako that you read this review and she'll be sure send you plenty of goodies that are off the menu.

-- TONY ALLEVATO, TVG

To see the original PDF with all the writeups from 3/10/08 (Barretts March), click here.

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