I ventured with my wife for a very early Valentine's dinner recently. This sushi speak easy has been on my to do list for a long time and I'm pleased we were able to visit this location. The entire staff was amazing, you're definitely here to drop some bills but have a great time. You immediately feel welcomed in this cozy setting , there were only 6 of us for our seating and the staff knew all our names and the reason why we decided to spend the night for dinner to treat ourselves for omakase. We were invited to partake in some pre-dinner cocktails and canapes. The reservations will note this is optional. I strongly suggest attending this and mingling with the staff and your guests because you're going to spend probably at least 2 hours with these folks experiencing top quality sushi. I really enjoyed their spin on omakase and sushi. Of course you're getting really high quality ingredients here but the intentionality in every bite, the pacing of the night, and at least during our visit the banter between everyone made this experience extremely memorable. The flow of food is so well thought out and the chefs work as a team to tee up each bite. You can see them set up nigiri, 2-3 rounds ahead, and watching the process is absolutely mesmerizing. Each bite is well explained along with the ingredients, origin and processes of how each nigiri is built. The drinks options are also very appetizing they have options for whiskey flights, sake flights and can craft up some delicious cocktails and non alcoholic options. They also are very considerate of any dietary constraints. Overall, I was extremely pleased with my experience and would come back for a future special occasion.
Jackie C.
High quality Sushi, great intimate area when you check in then get walked over to an area where your main course begins. An experience you have to have at least once!
Jane T.
By far the best omakase experience I've ever had! Every single piece was very thoughtfully curated and absolutely delicious. Flavors were well balanced. Very filling experience overall, I was stuffed by the end. It was hard to pick a favorite because they were all so delicious. Service was spectacular. The sushi chefs seem very experienced and passionate about their work. Every piece comes with a nice explanation about the origin of the fish and the ingredients utilized. Ambiance is great. Very intimate setting, only about 10 guests per time slot. Make sure to make your reservation 1-2 months ahead as it can get very busy!
Mario R.
Terrible sushi. Experience was ok. But the taste was horrible. First of all they make you wait until 30 min before your meal, so don't go early. It looks like a shady doorway from the outside, no where near the upscale environment inside. No handle, dirty doorway. You think you've shown up to a totally wrong location. Charging premium to take you into an ugly dungeon. They need to change the outside presentation because it's scary and ugly, and you have no idea that it's the correct door because there is no sign. They charge for parking, which should be reimbursed or covered by the restaurant. Back to the food: disgusting taste for "premium" sushi. Chewy, fishy, smelly, garnishes did not compliment the fish. The presentation is good, the chef explains each piece thoroughly. Intimate 10 ppl setting. Good concept, just terrible food. I don't mind paying premium prices if the food is warranted. This place is a joke for people who actually like sushi and appreciate authenticity. The restaurant does not care about your opinion either, because I did leave an honest survey and they couldn't care less to make it right. If you want to go for the hype, go, but if you want to have a good tasting meal, just go to Sugarfish.
Mou R.
Overrated is an understatement. The only good thing about this place was the chefs. They kept the conversation/presentation light and entertaining. Overpriced for terrible tasting sushi. If I'm paying these prices I expect the taste to be out of this world but at least FRESH. I'm not exaggerating here but the sushi tasted like sewage or sea water. I don't mind raw but this was so chewy and foul I almost threw up in my mouth a couple times. I just kept a straight face due to the small intimate crowd and I didn't want to make any one else uncomfortable. I felt really bad for my partner because he went before and loved it and wanted me to experience it. They make you wait outside until they prepare the tasting experience. This wasn't an issue. Just painting a picture. The quality must have gone down 100%. Do better or don't charge these rates. The price isn't the main issue here, the quality was so disappointing that it makes you feel extremely ripped off. We left a review/survey for the actual restaurant and they pretty much ignored it and couldn't care less. If I was the owner of this establishment I would go out of my way to make sure each patron is satisfied or at least offer to make it up with another future experience? Just my opinion.
Sugar B.
This is such a special place. Very intimate and small (10 people max) and you get to know the chefs and other patrons well. I encourage anyone who loves sushi to visit. If you are a California roll only person this is not the place for you. BUT if you are a sushi connoisseur you will really love the experience. And MAX the sake sommelier is the best of the best.
Brandon S.
Always an incredible experience! Between this location and Montecito, we've visited Sushi by Scratch for every birthday in recent memory. From the moment you walk in, you know you're going to have a memorable night. The small dining room is intimate but never stuffy. It usually starts somewhat quiet and reserved but after the first few sips and bites, everyone becomes friends as the room lights up with energy. The beverage manager keeps you VERY well-"hydrated" throughout the evening as you're enjoying the master work of the chefs in front of you. With a contemporary approach to omakase, every bite is perfectly composed and executed - the fish is highlighted, enhanced, and honored. A true gem!
Ashley S.
Best omakase of my life-- full stop. It is super expensive but worth every penny and if I won the lottery I would eat here weekly. The caviar and sake pairings are fantastic, and worth it to do at least once but add a few hundred to the bill. We have done with and without the pairings and it's still the best sushi experience so if you want to get out of there for under $600 skip the pairings. Don't sleep on this place --- it will blow your mind!
Tatiana M.
Fantastic experience at scratch I came here with family and we all loved the experience. The chefs and bartenders were all so talented and friendly I truly enjoyed my time here and will be coming back. Every single bite of the omakase and sip of the drinks I've had were all delectable. When you walk in you sit at the bar get offered a nice drink and two appetizers as you wait to be seated in a secret back room that you access through walking past the kitchen area then your experience truly begins. If you have the chance to experience I highly recommend it.
Afton L.
Best. Sushi. of. my. Life. Hard stop. Every detail of the food and experience was so expertly crafted that it's beyond compare. These folks are artists. Well worth the cost.
This was the best Omakase sushi dinner I've had by far in Los Angeles. Not only was each piece of fish the best I have ever had, the service was impeccable. From the 3 sushi chefs to the bartender, they made it a great experience. We upgraded to the caviar / truffle addition and it was amazing. I will definitely return soon!
K A.
It was a wonderful experience. Recommend trying at least once. Look forward to trying The Pasta Bar next.
Clara M.
FYI, more of a traditional sushi person. This restaurant was more of a modern take on sushi, chef really experiments with flavor here. I think the fish/rice quality wasgreat and the chefs did a good job explaining what each piece of sushi was. Wasn't a huge fan of almost all of them due to excess flavor, too rich, but I can see why people might like it. The best piece of sushi was either the akami or the kanpachi (also most simple!) ambiance is very nice as the whole dining experience is very intimate with up to 10 people dining at a time. I wished the chefs interacted more with the guests but they were mainly focused on making the sushi. Personally, would rather go to a neighborhood sushi place (sushi enya!!) where I can talk and have fun with the chefs.
Coco L.
Best sushi in town, quality fish and beautiful settings, 7star services. Definitely will come back
Kyoung Eun L.
Honest review: Upon arrival, you are offered a complimentary cocktail or mocktail which was very nice! The room where the experience is held almost feels like an escape room and I think the music they were playing, played a big part of the escape room atmosphere (imo). The Chefs are great, especially Chef Kenny, who was very nice to talk to! The bartender was very friendly and insightful and gave me a great recommendation based on my drink preference! The food was delicious, however, I don't think this Omakase is worth the price. I've experienced multiple omakase before and this omakase just wasn't as special. There isn't much variety as to what you're trying; it is just all nigiri pieces. For pretty steep price point, I think I would've appreciated different types of menu items. However, I think Sushi by Scratch is a great option for people who are just getting into omakase!
I ventured with my wife for a very early Valentine's dinner recently. This sushi speak easy has been on my to do list for a long time and I'm pleased we were able to visit this location. The entire staff was amazing, you're definitely here to drop some bills but have a great time. You immediately feel welcomed in this cozy setting , there were only 6 of us for our seating and the staff knew all our names and the reason why we decided to spend the night for dinner to treat ourselves for omakase. We were invited to partake in some pre-dinner cocktails and canapes. The reservations will note this is optional. I strongly suggest attending this and mingling with the staff and your guests because you're going to spend probably at least 2 hours with these folks experiencing top quality sushi. I really enjoyed their spin on omakase and sushi. Of course you're getting really high quality ingredients here but the intentionality in every bite, the pacing of the night, and at least during our visit the banter between everyone made this experience extremely memorable. The flow of food is so well thought out and the chefs work as a team to tee up each bite. You can see them set up nigiri, 2-3 rounds ahead, and watching the process is absolutely mesmerizing. Each bite is well explained along with the ingredients, origin and processes of how each nigiri is built. The drinks options are also very appetizing they have options for whiskey flights, sake flights and can craft up some delicious cocktails and non alcoholic options. They also are very considerate of any dietary constraints. Overall, I was extremely pleased with my experience and would come back for a future special occasion.
High quality Sushi, great intimate area when you check in then get walked over to an area where your main course begins. An experience you have to have at least once!
By far the best omakase experience I've ever had! Every single piece was very thoughtfully curated and absolutely delicious. Flavors were well balanced. Very filling experience overall, I was stuffed by the end. It was hard to pick a favorite because they were all so delicious. Service was spectacular. The sushi chefs seem very experienced and passionate about their work. Every piece comes with a nice explanation about the origin of the fish and the ingredients utilized. Ambiance is great. Very intimate setting, only about 10 guests per time slot. Make sure to make your reservation 1-2 months ahead as it can get very busy!
Terrible sushi. Experience was ok. But the taste was horrible. First of all they make you wait until 30 min before your meal, so don't go early. It looks like a shady doorway from the outside, no where near the upscale environment inside. No handle, dirty doorway. You think you've shown up to a totally wrong location. Charging premium to take you into an ugly dungeon. They need to change the outside presentation because it's scary and ugly, and you have no idea that it's the correct door because there is no sign. They charge for parking, which should be reimbursed or covered by the restaurant. Back to the food: disgusting taste for "premium" sushi. Chewy, fishy, smelly, garnishes did not compliment the fish. The presentation is good, the chef explains each piece thoroughly. Intimate 10 ppl setting. Good concept, just terrible food. I don't mind paying premium prices if the food is warranted. This place is a joke for people who actually like sushi and appreciate authenticity. The restaurant does not care about your opinion either, because I did leave an honest survey and they couldn't care less to make it right. If you want to go for the hype, go, but if you want to have a good tasting meal, just go to Sugarfish.
Overrated is an understatement. The only good thing about this place was the chefs. They kept the conversation/presentation light and entertaining. Overpriced for terrible tasting sushi. If I'm paying these prices I expect the taste to be out of this world but at least FRESH. I'm not exaggerating here but the sushi tasted like sewage or sea water. I don't mind raw but this was so chewy and foul I almost threw up in my mouth a couple times. I just kept a straight face due to the small intimate crowd and I didn't want to make any one else uncomfortable. I felt really bad for my partner because he went before and loved it and wanted me to experience it. They make you wait outside until they prepare the tasting experience. This wasn't an issue. Just painting a picture. The quality must have gone down 100%. Do better or don't charge these rates. The price isn't the main issue here, the quality was so disappointing that it makes you feel extremely ripped off. We left a review/survey for the actual restaurant and they pretty much ignored it and couldn't care less. If I was the owner of this establishment I would go out of my way to make sure each patron is satisfied or at least offer to make it up with another future experience? Just my opinion.
This is such a special place. Very intimate and small (10 people max) and you get to know the chefs and other patrons well. I encourage anyone who loves sushi to visit. If you are a California roll only person this is not the place for you. BUT if you are a sushi connoisseur you will really love the experience. And MAX the sake sommelier is the best of the best.
Always an incredible experience! Between this location and Montecito, we've visited Sushi by Scratch for every birthday in recent memory. From the moment you walk in, you know you're going to have a memorable night. The small dining room is intimate but never stuffy. It usually starts somewhat quiet and reserved but after the first few sips and bites, everyone becomes friends as the room lights up with energy. The beverage manager keeps you VERY well-"hydrated" throughout the evening as you're enjoying the master work of the chefs in front of you. With a contemporary approach to omakase, every bite is perfectly composed and executed - the fish is highlighted, enhanced, and honored. A true gem!
Best omakase of my life-- full stop. It is super expensive but worth every penny and if I won the lottery I would eat here weekly. The caviar and sake pairings are fantastic, and worth it to do at least once but add a few hundred to the bill. We have done with and without the pairings and it's still the best sushi experience so if you want to get out of there for under $600 skip the pairings. Don't sleep on this place --- it will blow your mind!
Fantastic experience at scratch I came here with family and we all loved the experience. The chefs and bartenders were all so talented and friendly I truly enjoyed my time here and will be coming back. Every single bite of the omakase and sip of the drinks I've had were all delectable. When you walk in you sit at the bar get offered a nice drink and two appetizers as you wait to be seated in a secret back room that you access through walking past the kitchen area then your experience truly begins. If you have the chance to experience I highly recommend it.
Best. Sushi. of. my. Life. Hard stop. Every detail of the food and experience was so expertly crafted that it's beyond compare. These folks are artists. Well worth the cost.
Restaurantji Recommends
This was the best Omakase sushi dinner I've had by far in Los Angeles. Not only was each piece of fish the best I have ever had, the service was impeccable. From the 3 sushi chefs to the bartender, they made it a great experience. We upgraded to the caviar / truffle addition and it was amazing. I will definitely return soon!
It was a wonderful experience. Recommend trying at least once. Look forward to trying The Pasta Bar next.
FYI, more of a traditional sushi person. This restaurant was more of a modern take on sushi, chef really experiments with flavor here. I think the fish/rice quality wasgreat and the chefs did a good job explaining what each piece of sushi was. Wasn't a huge fan of almost all of them due to excess flavor, too rich, but I can see why people might like it. The best piece of sushi was either the akami or the kanpachi (also most simple!) ambiance is very nice as the whole dining experience is very intimate with up to 10 people dining at a time. I wished the chefs interacted more with the guests but they were mainly focused on making the sushi. Personally, would rather go to a neighborhood sushi place (sushi enya!!) where I can talk and have fun with the chefs.
Best sushi in town, quality fish and beautiful settings, 7star services. Definitely will come back
Honest review: Upon arrival, you are offered a complimentary cocktail or mocktail which was very nice! The room where the experience is held almost feels like an escape room and I think the music they were playing, played a big part of the escape room atmosphere (imo). The Chefs are great, especially Chef Kenny, who was very nice to talk to! The bartender was very friendly and insightful and gave me a great recommendation based on my drink preference! The food was delicious, however, I don't think this Omakase is worth the price. I've experienced multiple omakase before and this omakase just wasn't as special. There isn't much variety as to what you're trying; it is just all nigiri pieces. For pretty steep price point, I think I would've appreciated different types of menu items. However, I think Sushi by Scratch is a great option for people who are just getting into omakase!