Soko

Although you can find stellar sushi in almost every LA neighborhood, this new spot is exceptional enough to warrant a trip to the Westside. First of all, it’s an intimate eight-seater—so expect to get up close and personal with your fellow diners (many are locals who’ve already become regulars) and veteran chef Masa Shimakawa, a Hokkaido native who brings his refined techniques and sensibilities to the art of sushi. Secondly, Soko’s location in the stunning Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows, just steps away from the beach, is pretty special. Last, but not least, the fish is jaw-droppingly fresh—offered via a straightforward yet sophisticated selection of nigiri and classic rolls. The name of this sushi bar pop-up (which, by the way, runs indefinitely) means “storeroom”—a tribute to the way fish was preserved with fermented rice and salt in darkened storerooms during pre-refrigeration times and the fact that Soko was built out of a storeroom in the Fairmont’s lobby. Pro tip: Ask for the off-menu secret roll for a stunning gold-flake-topped creation of toro, avocado, uni, salmon roe, and caviar—which, inevitably, at least one of your nearby fellow diners will want to order too.