by Amanda Knoles

AKI SUSHI BAR AND BAI PLU THAI RESTAURANT
1626 East Seventh Street
Long Beach, CA
(562) 436-8180

Located near Long Beach State University, this laid-back restaurant features a sushi bar with chefs who delight in creating off the menu specialties for patrons who can’t decide what to order. Fresh fish is served up in myriad sushi, sashimi and roll selections, and there’s an extensive list of Thai dishes for those who prefer vegetarian or cooked entrees. Deep fried whole fish is featured frequently as the house special. Happy Hour offers select rolls for $5 plus discounted beer, wine and sake.

by: Regine Zamor

MASA
10 Columbus Circle, 4fl
New York, NY 10019
212-823-9800

Be prepared to have a lavish dinner, and drop a lavish price when you’re at Masa. The sophomore counterpart to Masa Takayama’s L.A. restaurant, this NY gem is impressive. Reservations are only taken on the first week of the month for the entire month, so you only get one shot to get into the exquisite restaurant. An alternative is the takeout next door, which can be a lot easier on the pockets, but if you’re looking for a unique culinary experience than you ought to sit at Masa’s bar. A dim lit table may not be worth the wait but watching the show-like techniques at the bar definitely is.

by Eleonora Boreyko

THE HUMP
3221 Donald Douglas South Loop
Los Angeles, CA 90405
(310) 313-0977
By all means, The Hump just could be the best sushi restaurant in town, presenting the most reliably fresh sushi, sashimi and other Japanese delicacies “to live for.” With a fireplace in the room and over looking the Santa Monica Airport runway, even with your eyes open, you might find yourself “flying.” Begin by inhaling the airy Hibachi sashimi or the spicy yellow tail/tuna, accompanied with “silky smooth” sake. Another unique specialty is live sweet shrimp; notice the bodies wiggle even after the heads have been cut off. If you’re really an adventuresome person, request the heads to be tempura fried. The waiter will seem a bit sloppy when you observe him over pouring cold sake into the glass and onto the small dish underneath. Don’t be surprised; that’s the way they serve it. Your wallet will look visibly thinner, but have no regrets as The Hump’s sensational delicacies are like precious stones. The service is better at the Sushi bar than at the tables.