Une Étoile Guide Michelin 715 Restaurant has an ultra discreet brick store front that has oddly shaped cutouts for its windows & doorway with no signage except 738 in small golden brass lettering to indicate its street address.
Reminds me of leading edge Katsu of 1980's which took pride in being known only by those who should know. Glad I did the 8pm seating for a leisurely 3 1/2 hour dining experience while the 5pm seating allows only 2 1/2 hours.
Omakasè is $350/person. With 2 carafes of Sakè, tax and service charge of 18% which I rounded up to 20% was $565. $175 online deposit to secure the reservation losing it for last minute cancellation. Limited street & pay parking across the street. Lyft may be the way to go.
Interior is classically serene, traditional light wood dominated by clean, minimal rectilinear lines. The warm wood of the Sushi bar seems constructed from Hinoki/Japanese cypress.
Only "oddball" decoration is the slumped Mickey Mouse figurines w/ heads resembling Haniwa figurines from the Kofun period & another looking like the Michelin tire man. My friendly trilingual waiter né Argentina informed me they are called Kaws.
Presiding Chef Sèigo Tamura is one of the most virile, youthful Japanese Sushi chefs in Los Angeles where the average age is closer to 60. He has miracle ears & eagle eyes that oversee restaurant operations to a fine edge.
Chef Tamura has a short list of Sakè by the bottle reaching as high as $1380, but he has OmaSakè, a portmanteau of Omakasè & Sakè where you describe the flavours you want in a Sakè, and a carafe of Sakè is presented. One beer & one wine, Krug Grande Cuvée, on the list since Sakè & Japanese cuisine have evolved together for 3,000 years for the perfect matching.
Because Haute Japanese Cuisine is seasonal for maximum flavour at its peak, my menu for 4-2023 will not be around too long. Also, Chef Tamura related that 715 keeps record of what each guest has eaten in order not to repeat the same menu.
First 8 mini courses are non- Sushi:
1) Buttery Sawara/Spanish Mackerel, low acid grapefruit, Furikakè of colourful, roasted sesame seeds.
2) Hokki Gai/surf clam, al dente brussel sprout leaves seasoned by Kinomè Miso, white Miso & Sansho/Japanese pepper leaves.
3) Hotaru Ika/tiny firefly squid in thin Tempura batter dotted w/ sweet "eel sauce".
4) Steamed Ankimo/soft Monkfish liver "foie gras" of the sea, dollop of grated Hon Wasabi root.
5) Chawan Mushi/egg custard soup: Oceanic sweet, meaty Hokkaidō scallops, Asatsuki/Japanese chives, earthy Truffe Noire.
6) Seared Katsuo/bonito, plush, pink, Nori/black seaweed sauce, toasted white sesame seeds.
7) Tachi Uo/silver belt fish: Roasted firm, fibrous meat brushed w/ delicately sweet Nikiri sauce. Powdered piquant Sansho seeds.
1-7a) SōHomarè Junmai Daiginjo Kimoto Sakè: Subtle bouquet of loquat, apricot, alcohol. Soft sweet Japanese pear fullness, acidity, refreshing bitterness.
Shari/Sushi rice has Aka Su/red vinegar made from Sakè lees & aged at least 3 years. Fruity sweetness & oxidized sourness. Shari made of Hitomèborè & Koshihikari rice feels fat & starchy when chewed yet initially al dente
8) Sumi Ika/golden cuttlefish: Yuzu Shio/Japanese citrus flakey, white salt.
9) Tai/seabream aged in Kombu/kelp, Nikiri sauce
10) Ishi Dai/striped beak fish: smooth, slippery but bit tough. Chiffonade of pickled Shishitō pepper.
11) Hamaguri/cherrystone clam blanched in sweet Shōyu Dashi/soy sauce & broth
12) Sawara: Flamed skin, Nikiri
13) Nodoguro/sea perch seared, Nikiri
14) Amadai/Japanese tile fish: Sakamushi/braised in Sakè w/ finely grated Daikon radish, fresh Sansho leaf.
15) Aji/horse mackerel pink meat, silver & grey scales, light blood minerality, touch of possibly Kizami Wasabi & Nikiri.
16) From Miyagi Shiogama, Akami Zukè/red meat bluefun tuna marinated in Shōyu.
17) Chū Toro Hon Maguro/semi fatty bluefin tuna, aged w/ blood minerality
18) Uni Rice topped w/ Bafun/Hokkaidō Uni & grated Hon Wasabi.
19) Anago/sea eel grilled w/ sweet eel sauce topped w/ spicy Sansho leaf.
20) Tai no Suimono: Clear Umami broth from Sea Bream bones.
21) Tamago Yaki/Egg omelette made cakey by Yama Imo/mountain yam w/ shrimp
22) Wagashi/Japanese pastry: Steamed sweet, sticky Mochi rice w/ sweet Kuro An/sweet Azuki bean paste. All wrapped in salt preserved cherry leaf.
8-22a) Noguchi Naohiko Sakè Institute Junmai Ginjo, Muroka, Jukusèi 2 years: Lightly golden & hazy. Bouquet is cheesy, toasty, bit lacquer. Sweet yet extra dry & bitter, woody, earthy, strawberry, pear.
Totally entertainIng & educational w/ fish & curated premium Sakè rarely served in standard L.A. Sushi eateries. Artisanal ceramic dishes enhance the beauty of the food.
Staff is convivial, thoughtful, hospitable. Definitely a Guide Michelin experience that will hopefully advance to deux étoiles. Chef Tamura sees you out the door from an evening of culinary delight. 5 stars read more