my boyfriend and I made a reservation the day of at 10:15 and there was no wait when we arrived. ambience was lively. host and staff were so friendly and welcoming. we ordered a total of 6 dishes because they are small portions: mixed rice with duck, squid plate, duck meatball, broccolini, pork gyoza, house ramen (total came out to ~100$)
everything was so amazing (especially the squid) and as someone who doesn't eat much, I could've honestly kept eating forever.
Tomas De Antoni
If you are looking for a restaurant that accepts reservations and then simply ignore them and let their clients waiting outside while all the locals walk alongside and are seated immediately, this is your place. I prefer the places where reservations are respected. Old school maybe.
Sofia De Antoni
Worst service ever! We had a reservation for 8 pm, they told us to be there on time (the whole party) or we would lose the table. They had us waiting for more than half an hour until we decided to leave because they treated us horrible just for being tourist and they would not give us the table, while letting locals go in like nothing, totally discriminating us without even apologizing for the service or delay. Please do yourself a favor and don’t go.
Veronica Susino
The service was extremely bad and the menu only had a few options. Unless you are a friend of them, they treat you horribly.
Richard Slade
The vibes are some of the best in west LA. The food is very good but not worth the price
The service is some of the worst I’ve ever experienced. It took an hour before food or apps started arriving. They forgot two of our dishes and gave us the wrong app
Won’t be in a rush to go back, but might be good for a solo drink by the bar
Natalie
日本人向けではありませんw Not authentic Japanese so I wish there was more emphasis on that — my fault for not taking a deeper look into the menu. As a Japanese I don’t recommend Japanese ppl to come here — geared towards Americans iykyk😓 But ambiance was nice and so were the waiters! Food was interesting too I liked the sweet potato and the tsukune. Kinda pricey though. And the mackerel I can make better 😭 20$ for that was not good esp when how small it was. Maybe I’m too biased but I like the simple curated Japanese taste for the mackerel not all these sauces and it’s so small too. Putting furikake on everything doesn’t make it Japanese either 🥲 Oh my other complaint, not a single Japanese server or owner or any one…. So that was off putting for me 🥲😭 I personally wouldn’t come here but seems popular with the local people around here so if you want a cute date night and are not an Asian food expert then this place is for you.
Paul Morris
RVR is everything I missed about MTN and more—an instant favorite that manages to feel both elevated and effortless. It’s got that unmistakable Venice vibe: moody lighting, bustling open kitchen, and a crowd that’s casually stylish but still here for the food. And the food delivers.
It’s Asian fusion in the best way—creative, craveable, and deeply satisfying without feeling heavy or fussy. The yakitori, noodles, and grilled dishes all hit, with layers of flavor that feel thoughtful but not overworked. You could make a meal out of just small plates and be perfectly happy, but the mains are strong enough to anchor a full dinner if you’re hungry.
The only hitch? It’s not a secret. Getting a table can be a bit of a mission—plan ahead or show up early and hope the universe is on your side. But once you’re in, you won’t want to leave.
RVR is a perfect blend of casual and special, nostalgic yet fresh. An easy five stars.
Motsu King (Motsuking)
This is a really trendy restaurant! It's a popular restaurant that is always full of people no matter when you come. If you go once, you'll understand why it's so popular. The seats aren't spaced far apart, but that doesn't bother you at all. It's a very stylish and nice space for an izakaya. I think it's also worth visiting for tourists as a stylish izakaya in LA. The dessert menu is separate, so please ask for one if you want one. The servers will happily assist you with everything else. There was even a server who spoke Japanese! Thank you for the free tea! It seems they serve keema curry for lunch on weekends, so it's a restaurant I'd like to go back to soon! Thank you for the meal!
Lauren Lamboy
Wow.. this place has an incredible lineup of beautifully crafted dishes full of flavor. Not sure why some of the older reviews say the service is slow - maybe they don’t appreciate the way dishes are brought to the table in sequence rather than all at once, but I think it adds to the experience! The top 3 must-haves in my opinion were the karaage, sweet potatoes, and the duck confit fried rice. The hand rolls are also stars of the menu, but I wasn’t as impressed with the grilled skewers (duck meatballs & chicken thigh). Ultimately, the vibe here they created is immaculate. They have a DJ hand picking & spinning vinyls one by one & servers constantly checking in on your needs. Be sure to make a reservation or get here as soon as they open otherwise prepare to wait! Can’t wait to come back & try more things.
Arissa Avila
Went and was literally served a raw chicken skewer… never coming back
Ate here on Monday and wow everything about this place is BOMB. Every dish was beyond incredible & the service was so so great. Literally could not recommend enough. I guarantee you’ll have an incredible meal here. If the carrot karkiage is on the menu please get it. Same with the beef shank & bok choy. And for dessert if you see the carrot & buckwheat cake congratulations because oh my god your life is gonna be different forever. What an incredible experience! Cant wait to go back
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Guillaume Bourcy
Looking for a dining experience that seamlessly blends chic brasserie aesthetics with a comfortable atmosphere? This Japanese restaurant has got you covered, catering perfectly to both casual outings and business meetings, and it's equally ideal for a romantic date night, thanks to its cozy ambiance.
Beyond the inviting dining area, there's the option to sit at the bar, where you can indulge in expertly crafted cocktails or choose to dine from the full menu. The culinary offerings are vast, which might be challenging for those new to Japanese cuisine, but it's all part of the adventure.
A great way to experience the variety is by sharing plates. I highly recommend trying the veggie pickles plate, the carrots tempura, and the veggie ramen for starters. Also, do yourself a favor and don't pass up on the oyster mushrooms and the sashimi plate, both are perfect for sharing and a testament to the kitchen's prowess. Last their ramen are perfect and they have a great veggie one, that will transport you in another continent.
Vegetarian options: Lot of different options for vegetarian, not necessarily indicated as such but just ask in case of doubt.
Parking: You can park in Abbott Kinney or in the parking lot behind the street block.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mark Cullen
One of the best meals I’ve had in a long time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Solange
The plum negroni, persimmon salad, and duck meatballs were all outstanding. My server Jake was really remarkable. Great service and good atmosphere.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amanda Monducci
I expected more of RVR given the reputation of who’s behind it. I felt the food was good, but not memorable, the service was okay, typical LA service and the atmosphere was okay. It’s a very small place, communal tables like Gjelina, and while we have a good experience I wouldn’t go back.
my boyfriend and I made a reservation the day of at 10:15 and there was no wait when we arrived. ambience was lively. host and staff were so friendly and welcoming. we ordered a total of 6 dishes because they are small portions: mixed rice with duck, squid plate, duck meatball, broccolini, pork gyoza, house ramen (total came out to ~100$)
everything was so amazing (especially the squid) and as someone who doesn't eat much, I could've honestly kept eating forever.
If you are looking for a restaurant that accepts reservations and then simply ignore them and let their clients waiting outside while all the locals walk alongside and are seated immediately, this is your place. I prefer the places where reservations are respected. Old school maybe.
Worst service ever! We had a reservation for 8 pm, they told us to be there on time (the whole party) or we would lose the table. They had us waiting for more than half an hour until we decided to leave because they treated us horrible just for being tourist and they would not give us the table, while letting locals go in like nothing, totally discriminating us without even apologizing for the service or delay. Please do yourself a favor and don’t go.
The service was extremely bad and the menu only had a few options.
Unless you are a friend of them, they treat you horribly.
The vibes are some of the best in west LA. The food is very good but not worth the price
The service is some of the worst I’ve ever experienced. It took an hour before food or apps started arriving. They forgot two of our dishes and gave us the wrong app
Won’t be in a rush to go back, but might be good for a solo drink by the bar
日本人向けではありませんw
Not authentic Japanese so I wish there was more emphasis on that — my fault for not taking a deeper look into the menu. As a Japanese I don’t recommend Japanese ppl to come here — geared towards Americans iykyk😓
But ambiance was nice and so were the waiters!
Food was interesting too I liked the sweet potato and the tsukune. Kinda pricey though. And the mackerel I can make better 😭 20$ for that was not good esp when how small it was. Maybe I’m too biased but I like the simple curated Japanese taste for the mackerel not all these sauces and it’s so small too. Putting furikake on everything doesn’t make it Japanese either 🥲
Oh my other complaint, not a single Japanese server or owner or any one…. So that was off putting for me 🥲😭
I personally wouldn’t come here but seems popular with the local people around here so if you want a cute date night and are not an Asian food expert then this place is for you.
RVR is everything I missed about MTN and more—an instant favorite that manages to feel both elevated and effortless. It’s got that unmistakable Venice vibe: moody lighting, bustling open kitchen, and a crowd that’s casually stylish but still here for the food. And the food delivers.
It’s Asian fusion in the best way—creative, craveable, and deeply satisfying without feeling heavy or fussy. The yakitori, noodles, and grilled dishes all hit, with layers of flavor that feel thoughtful but not overworked. You could make a meal out of just small plates and be perfectly happy, but the mains are strong enough to anchor a full dinner if you’re hungry.
The only hitch? It’s not a secret. Getting a table can be a bit of a mission—plan ahead or show up early and hope the universe is on your side. But once you’re in, you won’t want to leave.
RVR is a perfect blend of casual and special, nostalgic yet fresh. An easy five stars.
This is a really trendy restaurant!
It's a popular restaurant that is always full of people no matter when you come.
If you go once, you'll understand why it's so popular.
The seats aren't spaced far apart, but that doesn't bother you at all.
It's a very stylish and nice space for an izakaya.
I think it's also worth visiting for tourists as a stylish izakaya in LA.
The dessert menu is separate, so please ask for one if you want one.
The servers will happily assist you with everything else.
There was even a server who spoke Japanese!
Thank you for the free tea!
It seems they serve keema curry for lunch on weekends, so it's a restaurant I'd like to go back to soon!
Thank you for the meal!
Wow.. this place has an incredible lineup of beautifully crafted dishes full of flavor. Not sure why some of the older reviews say the service is slow - maybe they don’t appreciate the way dishes are brought to the table in sequence rather than all at once, but I think it adds to the experience! The top 3 must-haves in my opinion were the karaage, sweet potatoes, and the duck confit fried rice. The hand rolls are also stars of the menu, but I wasn’t as impressed with the grilled skewers (duck meatballs & chicken thigh). Ultimately, the vibe here they created is immaculate. They have a DJ hand picking & spinning vinyls one by one & servers constantly checking in on your needs. Be sure to make a reservation or get here as soon as they open otherwise prepare to wait! Can’t wait to come back & try more things.
Went and was literally served a raw chicken skewer… never coming back
Restaurantji Recommends
Ate here on Monday and wow everything about this place is BOMB. Every dish was beyond incredible & the service was so so great. Literally could not recommend enough. I guarantee you’ll have an incredible meal here. If the carrot karkiage is on the menu please get it. Same with the beef shank & bok choy. And for dessert if you see the carrot & buckwheat cake congratulations because oh my god your life is gonna be different forever. What an incredible experience! Cant wait to go back
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Looking for a dining experience that seamlessly blends chic brasserie aesthetics with a comfortable atmosphere? This Japanese restaurant has got you covered, catering perfectly to both casual outings and business meetings, and it's equally ideal for a romantic date night, thanks to its cozy ambiance.
Beyond the inviting dining area, there's the option to sit at the bar, where you can indulge in expertly crafted cocktails or choose to dine from the full menu. The culinary offerings are vast, which might be challenging for those new to Japanese cuisine, but it's all part of the adventure.
A great way to experience the variety is by sharing plates. I highly recommend trying the veggie pickles plate, the carrots tempura, and the veggie ramen for starters. Also, do yourself a favor and don't pass up on the oyster mushrooms and the sashimi plate, both are perfect for sharing and a testament to the kitchen's prowess. Last their ramen are perfect and they have a great veggie one, that will transport you in another continent.
Vegetarian options: Lot of different options for vegetarian, not necessarily indicated as such but just ask in case of doubt.
Parking: You can park in Abbott Kinney or in the parking lot behind the street block.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
One of the best meals I’ve had in a long time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The plum negroni, persimmon salad, and duck meatballs were all outstanding. My server Jake was really remarkable. Great service and good atmosphere.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I expected more of RVR given the reputation of who’s behind it. I felt the food was good, but not memorable, the service was okay, typical LA service and the atmosphere was okay. It’s a very small place, communal tables like Gjelina, and while we have a good experience I wouldn’t go back.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
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