-- Hamasaku

11043 Santa Monica Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90025
310-479-7636

This is the perfect example of why you should never judge a book by its cover. Located in the corner of a tiny, generic strip mall, this Japanese restaurant is anything but generic. White clothed tables are perfectly lined with black leather chairs and beautiful lights and art hang from the walls. A hint of aqua light fills the space creating a Zen-like tone throughout the restaurant.

Most popular is its variety of high-quality sushi, but cooked entrees such as the sautéed salmon with mashed potatoes and vegetables or the traditional mixed tempura dinner are available. Prices are somewhat on the higher side but given the type of food and quality are nowhere near ridiculous.

While the restaurant is located in an area where you wouldn’t know it existed unless you were a frequent customer, people (even the Hollywood elite) have still managed to find it. Celebrities such as Steven Spielberg, Jennifer Garner, Brad Pitt, Harrison Ford and Jennifer Aniston consider the place a favorite.

And owner Toshi Kihara knows a thing or two about celebrities. He was once a teenage pop star in his native Japan and is a former protégé of Wolfgang Puck.

-L. Kaiser