Dropped into Kabuki at The Collection in Ventura for a quick bite and lucked into happy hour -- got…read moreseated right away on a Saturday evening,. Ordered mostly rolls and a few appetizers. Honestly? Solid, reliable mid-tier mall sushi in a good way. Nothing mind-blowing or destination-worthy, but crispy where it should be crispy, fish was soft and fresh, not overly salty, and service was friendly and efficient. Shoutout to the rice being properly cooked -- sounds like a low bar, but a lot of places miss that, and it makes a difference. Overall: dependable spot when you want satisfying sushi and happy hour deals without overthinking it. Not extraordinary, but reliably good. Price was very reasonable.

This was not my first visit: I went with friends last Thursday 04.30.26, we arrived a bit after…read more4:00. It wasn't crowded, but the service was slow. My friends ordered off of the Happy Hour menu and were pleased with the Miso Salmon & Tempura. I ordered off both menus. I ordered the Ika Karrage Twice: both times it was burnt, one would think that after sending it back the first time because it was dark brown & black, that the 2nd time they'd have gotten it right, but they didn't care, nor did our server. I ordered an oyster shooter (better to order two for the price is $2 more) and it didn't arrive until the end of our meal & only after I asked, worse, it may have been a whole oyster, but it was shredded and in 3-4 pieces. The pork belly was excellent, but my drink, didn't arrive until over 1/2 way into our meal... What is wrong with these young people? Seriously if you can't do it correctly, maybe this isn't the job for you. My February rating gave kabuki 5 stars, this time it all fell apart. I'll think twice about coming here again, because from this experience the problem was with the staff.

5/5 -- A Hidden Treasure in Oxnard!…read more If you're hunting for a true comfort-food haven this winter, Ozeki Noodle is the little gem you'll want to keep all to yourself... but it's way too good not to share. The ambience is calm, clean, and quietly inviting--like Oxnard's own little pocket of Japan. The service? Warm, attentive, and wonderfully efficient. You know what truly makes this place? The authentic food. Every dish feels crafted with care. I love being able to sit down with a steaming cup of hot green tea, the most delicious tempura, a spicy tuna hand roll that never misses, and a bright, refreshing seaweed salad--without having to wait forever for seating or service. If you're starving, this is where you want to land for fast, delicious comfort. And the star of the show: the chicken bowl. I promise you will not find a chicken bowl this good anywhere else. Tender, flavorful, and so satisfying it deserves its own fan club. The tempura? Feathery, crisp perfection--easily the best in Ventura County. No exaggeration needed. Their miso is a warm winter hug, and the combo with the chicken bowl + rice + a large bowl of udon is the definition of cozy luxury. The broth is rich, the noodles are plush and filling, and you'll leave full with leftovers to smile at later. If you want authentic Japanese comfort, fast service, and food that feels like it was made just for you, Ozeki Noodle is your new cold-weather sanctuary.

I had my order to go. It was a short wait because I ordered before I got there and they had my…read moreorder ready by the time I got there. The restaurant looked nice but I wasn't in it too long. There was plenty of parking when I got there. The food itself is packed in a plastic bento type of box that separates each part of the meal. I got the galbi lunch special. The slices of galbi are pretty thin but I liked the way it tasted. The portion of the whole order was just right as well. I would definitely order again for a quick lunch order.

Absolute gem in Ventura! Food was absolutely the best I've had ever had!…read more Bring everyone you know!

~ SMALL SPACE, BIG FLAVOR, A HIDDEN GEM ~…read more Gotetsu is one of those blink and you'll miss it spots, but once you're inside, you know you've found something sooo special!! Cozy, intimate, and very much a hole in the wall izakaya, this place is all about authentic Japanese flavors and perfectly grilled skewers. There is NO sushi here (they make that very clear), just kushiyaki, small plates, and goooood vibes. I've never been to Japan (yet), but I would imagine this is what it would be like walking into a small mom and pop shop there. The open kitchen is tiny but fun to watch, and from pretty much any seat you can see your food being made. It's a GREAT date night spot, order a bunch of dishes and share everything so much fun. We came for dinner and with a rotating menu of skewers and specials we were satisfied and it kept things interesting! Lunch is more limited, with preset options, but the quality still hits. The donburi is solid, the chicken curry is comforting (could use a little more protein), and the skewers, especially pork belly, chicken & onion, and meatballs, are seasoned and grilled really well. Veggie skewers like zucchini and brussels sprouts are simple but still tasty. At dinner, my husband and I loved the spicy garlic edamame, chicken thigh with yuzu pepper, ribeye skewer, gyoza, and the yaki onigiri (grilled rice ball with a crispy outside). Pro move: dip the onigiri into the leftover spicy edamame sauce. Trust. Ordering is easy with scan-and-pay, the owner is hands-on, and you can feel the care put into every dish. Take it easy with the ordering (they are typically skewer by skewer because you can easily rack up a hefty bill!) If you're looking for an authentic Japanese izakaya experience in Ventura, focused on flavor, not trends, Gotetsu absolutely delivers.

so good excellent service…read more clean ambiance variety i can literally come here everyday and have good food and have a good time

I'm conflicted. I came here 2 days in a row. Day one I ordered just a salmon sashimi and it was…read moreamazing, 10/10! Day 2 I ordered salmon sashimi, and a few nigiri- eel, salmon belly, and scallop. The nigiri were all delicious, the eel is a very generous size, the scallop while smaller were delicious, and the salmon was tender. My 3 stars is due to the sashimi day 2, out of the 7 pieces 6 of them had small bones, I'm not sure if they weren't cleaned properly or the cuts were not done correctly to avoid bones but that was an incredibly unpleasant and unsafe experience. I'm just thankful it wasn't my nephew eating that as with the sizing that would have been an extreme choking hazard. Based strictly on that I don't think I would return but if you do try this place the fish itself was tasty, just be cautious as you eat.

There's nothing like an evening filled with hanging with friends surrounded by a pile of meat…read more Which is exactly how my Sunday evening was spent hanging out at Gen! Arrived around 7pm on a Sunday and were super silly and didn't put in a reservation beforehand, so we had to wait about 30-40 minutes before securing a table (pro tip: GET A RESERVATION! Sunday night is family night, so it will be tough just being able to simply walk in without a wait). After a beer at another location, we got the glorious text from Gen saying our table was ready, so we scrambled to get back ~30minutes later. We were seated and were met with Arvin, our incredible server. Since we all have been there, he didnt have to go through the rigamarole of telling us how to our nght would go, so we got to orderin! First off, the menu is HUUUUUUUUGE. There are so many options to choose from and we got so many things. My personal favorites were: Kimchi fried rice w/ Cheese - so flavorful with a little bit of kick (i love the spicy) Corn Cheese - because of course Spicy Pork bulgolgi - Again Spicy Honey spicy bulgolgi - This surprised me at how much i liked this. So good They even serve my favorite sake here (Kikusui) which was excellent! Great night over at Gen! Arvin, our server was amaxing, gave us lots of recommendations and treated us really well. This was a bit of a going away dinner for myself, but I know that there are tons of other locations of Gen! If I don't catch this particular location again soon, im sure ill be at another up north!

A little late but necessary to post: Ok this is a little lengthy but worth reading…read more I went in last week of February on a Saturday night solo, was seated right away, off to a great start but... we had a a situation were I became invisible, service wasn't was expected. Things were slow, eye contact made but wasn't getting service. I talked politely to a GM named Era. I explained my experience since being seated & I was seated right by the kitchen. But yet I wasn't getting any attention. I had a few things I got to eat but after awhile I was then was leaving, & just wanted to let her know there wholes & what my experience was. After she said she would take care of it & don't worry. She sincerely apologized for my experience, she wasn't happy about it. I thanked her & headed back to my table to gather my things. She then made it a point to come back, to my table were I was to apologies again, she was busy at the time doing multiple things. BUT this lady came back! & remembered my name, she was so nice. ERA, BEST GM! She genuinely felt bad about things. She said not only was she taking care of the bill, BUT! She said "I want you to come back & ask for me & I'm going to take care of you" I was surprised but impressed by her costumer service. It was pure, just out of nowhere. I thanked her & went on my way. Now .. The next week, I did go back, asked for Era, she remembered me & sat me personally right away. She was ON IT! It was Night & Day! This was by far my best experience, this is one she expects from all her staff. She greeted me with open arms compt my meal & my waitress Teresa was amazing as well! Era took ownership, no excuses just wanted me to have a great experience how it should be & enjoy all the options! It was great! I'm going back for my Birthday! A BIG THANK YOU FOR YOUR GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE & AMAZING LEADERSHIP ERA!!! Gen BBQ GIVE THIS LADY A RAISE!!!

Edit update: I had a minor missing item in my online order, and there's a link if you want to…read morecontact the company. I mentioned it, and did not expect a full refund, but they offered that. Unnecessary but appreciated. I returned and ordered my usual Classic Tokatsu, and maybe there is a different broth for Blaze version. This time Classic broth tasted closer to what I happily remember. I also opted for grilled chicken option, and you get much more quantity chicken compared to chashu pork. This makes sense as chashu pork is labor intense. I'm raising back to 4.5 stars (even if I can't show that extra .5) I still place Silverlake and then URamen as my fave local options. I think this location primarily operates as take-out restaurant. There are maybe 5-6 tables available for dining there. There are surprisingly limited # of general tables to eat inside the Annex; may have better luck eating takeout at outside tables. Silverlake's tables are reserved only for those dining in, you can not sit at a table if you're waiting for your takeout order. I ordered the Blaze (tonkatsu broth) ramen. It didn't have that same special taste I remembered. Today my seasoned egg was missing, but that is not the reason for lowering a star. Overall, from what I remember, the broth does not have that same unique flavor; the noodles were still good and fresh tasting. I also had a chicken bao snack, and it did not have a freshly cooked taste; nothing stood out in the flavors. I expected it to have more punch with kimchi inside, but it was kind of flat. Ramen is packed very well for takeout; they have a great system of separating the broth, noodles and making it easy to re-heat ramen at home and mix it together in the larger noodles/ sides bowl. Still good ramen, but maybe the flavors and some quality has become more muted. * Note: I did not realize this until I saw the prices at the counter, but if you order online, prices are approx. 10% higher, probably to cover costs of takeout containers etc. Generally I have not seen higher prices for ordering ahead. It may be more cost-effective to order counter take out if you don't mind waiting in longer lines.

The Garlic Truffle Ramen is absolutely out-of-control good. The broth is rich, savory, and…read moreperfectly balanced with bold garlic and earthy truffle flavor that isn't overpowering. The noodles have the perfect texture and soak up all that incredible flavor. It's the kind of bowl you crave long after you've finished it. Full honesty, the location itself isn't ideal. There's rarely enough room, and the seating arrangement is weak. If you plan to dine in, there has to be an open seat available before you can even order. You have to wait for space to open up first, and only then can you place your order and sit down. It can definitely be inconvenient. The prices are also on the higher side. I'd love to see some occasional specials or slight price adjustments to make it more accessible. That said, I keep coming back anyway. The Garlic Truffle Ramen is just that good. For me, it's worth working around the tight space every single time.

This is for sure my favorite tip on place and always my top choice when I'm craving a fun delicious…read morenight out. The food is consistently amazing and the experience is just as entertaining every single time. The cooks really put on a show which makes the whole meal feel special and memorable. The atmosphere is lively and welcoming. The prices are fair and it's such a great spot to celebrate birthdays or any special occasion. It's the kind of place everyone enjoys whether it's your first visit or your tenth. Helpful tip: come before 5:30 to catch their sunset specials, such a great deal and the perfect way to start the evening.

We've been here a few times, and the food has consistently been good. The prices are decent, though…read morewe've had better teppan elsewhere. The ambiance is nice, and the customer service has always been friendly. We went on Valentine's Day, so it was understandably busy. The hostess seemed a bit stressed and quoted us a 1-1.5 hour wait encouraging us it's pretty late, but we were seated in about 20 minutes, which was a pleasant surprise. The reason do 3 stars is that our soup bowls had dried food on the outside, which was a bit off-putting. Cleanliness is important, and that detail took away from the experience. Overall, we would still come back and give it another try.

Thank you Larsen's Grill in Oxnard for saving our Christmas dinner! The restaurant we had…read morereservations for flooded due to the rain storm of the century and could not open. We called Larsen's and they had an open reservation at 7:30 PM. We were greeted with friendly faces, a joyful ambience in the restaurant and it was definitely Christmas. We had two dinners of lobster tail and one of the pork chop. This was a preset menu, which was very representative of their excellent food. The pork chop was probably the best pork chop we've ever had in our lives. It was prepared sous vide style and so tender, juicy and seasoned perfectly. The lobster tails were good size, broiled, but a little dry and not much flavor but the butter made them all better. We still enjoyed it and really were happy to be there. We tried 3 of the desserts. The maple bourbon crème brûlée, the butter cake and their house-made Keylime pie. There were three of us eating and we all tried these options. We had two thumbs up on the crème brûlée, one thumb up on the butter cake and no thumbs up on the Keylime pie. The Keylime pie was similar in our mind to a cheesecake (huge piece, super creamy but it's not what we were used to. The crème brûlée was delicious, but we didn't get much maple bourbon flavor. The butter cake tasted and felt like a cake doughnut, delicious but not what we expected. We also enjoyed the maple carrots side dish, it was fantastic! All in all the dinner was successful and again thank you Larsen's for serving us all on Christmas instead of you being home with your families. It is truly appreciated!!!

Stopped in as the restaurant we were intending to go to had a 35 minute wait so thankfully Larsen's…read morehad plenty of available seating and did not disappoint! There was a piano player at the bar and made for the best ambience while dining in the main dining room and our server was spectacular. The food was delicious and the drinks were good and overall made for a nice evening before we had to attend a show at the comedy club nearby.

Sixteen years after my last review I decided to give them another try. Looks like all new chefs…read moreand a much busier place. The sashimi was top notch and likely the best in the area. Really attentive sushi chefs that make my custom orders without a question. Staff are on the spot and arrive quickly and then step back out of your space. Very busy at lunch and even full most evenings to where you have to wait. All good signs for a restaurant.

OMG! I loved this place. The food was incredible and prices were fantastic for their lunch…read morespecials. During the pandemic, they jacked up the prices. It's outrageous now. Service"was" great but I can no longer afford the indulgence. Ambiance is average.

Overall, I really loved this place! My mom and I were in Ventura for the day and needed somewhere…read moreto eat, we love sushi so much so we decided on Kibo! No one was in the restaurant when we came in, just about an hour after opening, but as soon as we walked in we were welcomed and sat! We ordered the Garlic Edamame, Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice, Baked Salmon Roll, Foursome Roll, and the Garlic Albacore Roll. Everything tasted amazing and fresh-- the only roll I wouldn't order again is the Garlic albacore roll, but that's one of the many fish we have yet to try and it doesn't seem like it's for us! Totally fine. The foursome roll was AMAZING because you get a side of tuna poke and it was perfect to put it on top of the roll itself and the crispy rice! All in all it was a great experience and for everything (add a soda and a green tea in there) it was $100 with a tip for the two of us! We even had food left over! I wish I could've snagged a picture but we were too excited to eat! We will definitely be back :)

Love love love this place! Great food, nice staff, amazing happy hour. I like the hot roll!read more