Wow. What an improvement. Lionel was amazing. Food is delicious and amazingly fresh. Tastes are deep and complex and yet inviting. A neighborhood sushi with a sophisticated twist. A gem. read more

This is by far the best Sushi restaurant on the west side! Food was to die for and service was impeccable. Some of the best Gyoza I've ever had. I will be going back here once a week if not more. Rin and Andres (I hope I spelled their names right) were extremely friendly and entertaining! The ambiance in the restaurant is 10/10. read more

Kiitsu - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I was lucky enough to be invited by a friend to join her for a pre-opening dinner on Friday night. Not knowing much about Imari's concept, I was foolishly expecting your standard run-of-the-mill Japanese fare. As a vegetarian, I believed I would be destined to face a menu that would leave me with no other choice than to resort to my usual order of a cucumber avocado roll. Much to my surprise our incredible server, Lorne, introduced us to an array of unique, creative dishes for both myself and my non-vegetarian friend to choose from. Even my friend begrudgingly tried a dish that COMPLETELY changed her opinion on tofu! Without ruining the surprise for those eager to try something delicious and new, I'll leave my review at this: 10/10 recommend for vegetarians and meat eaters alike. Thank you to the entire staff for an incredible dining experience that left me eager to return upon official opening this week!! read more

I don't have to think twice about the new place. The reputations of management and personnel is reason enough to taste this place has to offer. A very intimate place. Wife is pleased. read more

Kiitsu - Menu. - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I was lucky to try Imari on I believe its second day open, as a foodie that always loves to be the first to try new restaurants, this was a real treat. I have dined at most high end LA sushi and Japanese spots- and have to say in addition to being one of the best, it's a truly cohesive experience (design/ music/ food/ drinks/ hospitality) on an exceptional level and it's really very unique! Not only do they have 2 of the most prolific sushi chefs in LA, they really pushed the envelope doing something different with authentic Washoku cuisine. I also felt like the interior design was gorgeous, simple, but powerful. Little details like diagonal linage, stunning wood work, rice paper wall coverings behind the sushi bar, gorgeous dishware for each item (including Imari pottery pieces), and a super cool LA vibe b&w mural that the owner made along with artist Sketch Poetic really put a nice finishing touch on a premium dining experience. Needless to say the service and personal charisma went far- enjoying conversations with the chef, owner, GM partner, and wonderful server made for a spectacular night with superstar hospitality. Great Saké list, delicious and beautifully plated food, but my favorite point to note- after leaving a note in my reservation on tock- they went above and beyond to accommodate my gluten allergy with pointing out what was GF or making minor modifications- to be able to eat sushi or asian food as GF person is sometimes scary- but they really cared and made me feel safe and taken care of. The stand out dishes for me were the Wagu beef, the tomatoes with fresh Yuba, the grilled stripped bass, the red shisho sorbet for dessert (yay for GF/ dairy free dessert too) I also love the sushi bar experience/ seating option thou for covid safety we sat out on the front patio which was very private and nice. They are also soon doing a back courtyard patio that's super nice for al fresco dining and will also offer private dining/ private events- will be a great Brentwood addition. I can't recommend this special place enough- Imari is a special spot! read more

I'm moved by people who are craft masters. This place exudes excellence. I left feeling nourished and inspired! It's delicious on a world-class scale and it's welcoming and neighborly. I'm going to be a regular! read more

More like Japanese fusion than super traditional Japanese cuisine. Nonetheless every item was presented well and the food ingredients were super high quality and tasty. We enjoyed tomato & tofu, among other items. Small menu, but I think it's by design to stick with the seasonal ingredients. We enjoyed our evening here. Kudos to the sushi chef who kept working diligently in the open kitchen with great concentration!! read more

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Kiitsu is now my favorite sushi spot in Brentwood. The quality of the sushi was excellent and the servers were super friendly and efficient. The ambience is beautiful and intimate here definitely will be back. read more

My husband and I weren't sure what to expect when dining here, since we saw it while driving home. Safe to say, we are so glad we stopped in. From start to finish, the experience was A+. Dishes are inventive, tasty and well-priced given the quality and relative to the area. Aside from the food itself, what stood out was the friendly demeanor of everyone we came into contact with. We have been back since our first time, and we look forward to dining here on a regular basis. read more

We had dressed up for the restaurant- shows their website elegant atmosphere but it was far from elegant- food was mediocre- definitely pedestrian food -nothing was carefully made-quick quick to serve- waitress doesn't know how to pour the Sake half was spill on the table because she was busy going next table.place was misleading it's like little temporary set up place.infornt of us (bar counter)chef was even yawning-not too much to do ?- good luck how long they will survive. read more

Our Imari experience is amazing. All food we tasted were delicious and A5 Wagyu took center stage for us. We are still in cloud nine, having a dream about Wagyu. We will definitely coming back. Been telling friends & families to go check it out. The Chef is superb, and everyone was attentive. It was a busy night with Dine in LA, but Danny, you're the man! Our wedding anniversary was made special by Imari! read more

Kiitsu - The amazing A5 Wagyu - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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One of the most incredible Japanese restaurants I've been to in LA. You have to go. Incredible food - every dish is so thoughtful, and the service was beyond fantastic. Highly recommend. read more

Kiitsu - The food was so good I forgot to take photos except this one at the end! - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Awesome food. Best sushi on west side. Sit at the bar. The chefs are great. Even the fried chicken was amazing.

Absolutely delicious and very fairly priced. The ambiance was very peaceful and clean. The service was really good and the waiter was very friendly. read more

There are so many good sushi houses in Los Angeles, especially on the Westside. This place has a limited but okay menu, but is way overpriced for the quality, quantity and overall environment. read more

Definitely one of the best I've experienced in LA. Everything was seasoned perfectly & carefully prepared. I loved how it was a fine dining experience & honored authentic Japanese cuisine. The dining area was simple, sexy & sleek. My server Ron was absolutely fantastic & was so knowledgeable & charming!! I learned the dishware was even imported after asking about it because it was so gorgeous. It was my first time & I can't wait to go again. read more

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One of the best sushi places I have ever been to the food is so fresh and delicious yummy

Kiitsu is a rare find. The food is as authentic to Japan as it gets in Los Angeles. Chef Derek studied in Kyoto and is a master. His food is exquisite, subtle, sophisticated. Kiitsu is for those who appreciate quality and substance. The atmosphere is beautiful and the staff is friendly and helpful. This is not a cheap sushi joint. It's not designed to be. For those who are looking for a memorable meal with consistent quality, this is the place. Word of mouth is growing. It will soon be packed every night. Best of all, you can get the finest Japanese experience without having to drive downtown. read more

Having already heard wonderful things about this restaurant, I came in for dinner with a girl friend. We were blown away by the attention to detail. The longer we were there, the more we noticed how much care and thought was put into making this a fantastic experience. The small size of the restaurant, the lighting, and the gorgeous woodwork throughout provided an intimate feel which is perfect for a date night or conversation. The staff is extremely knowledgeable and amplifies the experience by talking about the dishes. Our server, Polo, was eager to answer any questions and provide more information so that we could truly appreciate and understand what we were eating and drinking. My friend was hesitant to order sake because she had only had it once or twice, but the manager, Smith, was helpful in picking a sake for us that we both enjoyed. The menu is simple and focuses on fresh, quality ingredients and outstanding presentation. This is not a place that relies on heavy sauces to carry a dish. The chicken gyoza has a nice layer of crispness and great flavor. The handrolls are fresh and the fish is pre-marinated so soy sauce is unnecessary. I definitely recommend trying this place out and can't wait to bring others. read more

Got here at 7:50pm for a 8:00 pm appointment. Needed to wait an additional 20 minutes with about 8-9 other parties. So initial impressions are already not good. Additionally, they were courses out in waves for each section. And all tables in my section of 4 got their appetizers except my table. The service was also snail slow and they missed orders. Not acceptable for a restaurant marketed as a fine dining experience. Was this the losing team on hell's kitchen? Gordon would be ashamed. Food was alright. Maybe a 4-star. But, this place is understaffed in service and chefs. And they had the fucking nerve to overbook on Valentine's day. No offense to the servers who had to sit through a 5 hour shit service where they probably got yelled at a few times. However, this place is mismanaged and this is a terrible look for a restaurant on its first big night. Service staff, you were great. Just dealt a shitty hand for the night. EDIT: I'm changing my review to 3 stars for now. The owner, Philip, contacted me the day after and we discussed what happened that night. He is a stand up guy, a professional, and a humble person capable of manning up and taking responsibility for their faults. I haven't been able to make time for the full experience but it's in the cards for the future. Thanks, Philip read more

Ordered the bento boxes to go here. Fish tasted fresh and loved all the pickled veggies and furikake rice! I was still hungry afterwards though. Parking can be a bit annoying though because they don't validate parking for pick ups. The restaurant looks like a nice and trendy place to eat too. read more

Would definitely recommend checking out Imari if you like inventive Japanese food. The menu is sparse, but the food is delicious. Standouts are the gyoza, black cod, duck, and sardine salad. Will be back to try more things! read more

The food, Lionel (their head chef), and the staff here are the absolute best. We came for a special birthday dinner, and this is an intimate sushi spot with a bar that's perfect for a date night. I'd recommend springing for a tasting if you can. They have an incredible array of sake that they'll pair to your desired meal upon request, and the plum sake we tried was the best I've ever had. Beyond that, not only is the food fantastic, and I mean really fantastic--not one course missed--but Lionel is such a great chef with whom you can converse (and I'm awkward beyond reproach, so the fact that he made us feel really comfortable was the best). We tried a little bit of everything--fried tofu, 3 types of sashimi, wagyu, duck, fried chicken, 2 rolls, a rich icecream specially made by a local shop for Kiitsu paired with a matcha sauce, and real, Japanese mochi ice cream--all chosen by Lionel. We couldn't pick a favorite. If you're considering going, just do it! read more

Had an excellent dinner here last night. The scallop and the sea bream sushi roll were our two favorite things we ate, but honestly everything was really good. Keep in mind the portions are small, so you will need to order several items, but that's part of the fun of this place. We spoke to the chef for a while and he is extremely knowledgable about his craft and very friendly. Highly recommend to anyone and I so glad to have such a read more

Imari is an all around excellent dining experience. The chef and staff are engaging, the high quality ingredients are diligently sourced, and the menu is satisfying. In any context it's an elevated meal, but it's also far beyond anything else in the area. Brentwood is saved. A gem for the neighborhood. read more

Amazing, love the vibe and amazing sushi! Welcome to the neighborhood! We have been 2 weeks in a row and will be back for many more!

I had a very lovely time at Imari. This new restaurant opened up about four months ago and it's still well on its way to becoming top notch. The owners and managers are truly passionate about their craft and about the philosophy behind the restaurant which is to be as authentic as possible to the Washoku principles. If you are someone who loves California sushi (spicy mayo, hand rolls etc) this is not the place for you. But if you are looking for an authentic Japanese high end dinner, I think they do a pretty good job. We had everything prepared omakase which is chef's choice. My favorite portion of the evening was when the general manager Smith came out with two different sakes and explained the different flavors and textures of each sake, and we paired them with our food. The ambience is really great at this place once you're inside it feels very authentic classic clean cut Japanese. However it is hard to not notice that you are right next to a gas station if you dine outside. I would love to see more Japanese beers and Japanese alcoholic beverages on the menu, but the beer that we have was from a craft brewery in Kyoto; I think that helped make a special impression. For two people with not a large portion of food, it was a little on the pricier side, so make sure that you know that going in. Overall, I would definitely recommend the experience to some one who is willing to try something out of the box (for a Californian/American) and not afraid to spend a pretty penny on it either. read more

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We've all had sushi, right? WRONG. Imari is the real deal and beyond. The setting is classy without being stuffy - it's sexy and fun. The chefs and servers are passionate about taste, pairing, and the journey of the food. Do not expect a California roll here, please...don't even ask. In fact, "rolls" are not even really a thing here. YES THE HAVE THEM, but the menu is an authentic and tasty experience that shows us what Japanese food is really about. Open your mind, drop your preconceived ideas of what you think sushi is, and let the chefs at Imari show you. read more

Amazing food, wonderfully friendly and knowledgeable staff. Owner says hi which is always nice and he's a real gentlemen. Saki great. A superb addition to Brentwood. read more

Such a disappointment !!!!! Great redo of Nagao and a very welcoming staff ... menu is extremely limited, absent of flavor and creativity and wildly overpriced. We need a fabulous neighborhood sushi restaurant not a try hard, wanna be Nobu or Katsuya. Much ado about nothing. Revamp that menu with quality fish and an innovative menu that speaks to your clientele. This is a complete MISS as it stands now... no wonder it was 3/4 empty. read more

kiitsu is amazing!!!!!!! server was awesome. great ambiance - staff. unforgettable sushi experience better than japan. do not miss this culinary delight!! read more

Kiitsu - Salmon Nigiri - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Beautifully prepared food. Our server guided us through an omakase experience, which not only made the evening stress-free, but meant we got to try a whole bunch of standout dishes. Particularly enjoyed the tempura mushrooms and the duck, which was cooked just right and so tender. Also had sake recommendations, which complemented the plates very well. Looking forward to going back- and to trying the owner's French concept, Fellow. read more

Imari somehow feels like both a neighborhood spot and an exclusive culinary experience, and that's thanks to both the incredible, friendly staff (who really make you feel like part of the family) and the exquisite flavor combinations of world-renowned chef Derek Wilcox. Every element of the restaurant feels well thought out, from the incredible (and unique) sake menu to the beautifully-crafted interiors. I truly cannot speak more highly of this restaurant. It felt like I was back in Japan, dining with people who truly care about food and your experience eating their food. One of the best new restaurants in Los Angeles. I cannot wait to take friends here and see the delight on their faces when they taste this incredible food. read more

Amazing dining experience from start to finish. I came with a group of 5 girls, and we shared everything. We trusted our well informed waiter to course out the meal for us, and everything was well presented, very carefully considered, and absolutely delicious. One of our friends was vegan, and they accommodated her as well:) The owner was there that night and came to say hi to us, and make sure our experience was perfect - he also offered some suggestions. The Saki was also incredible I might add - we also trusted the waiter to choose for us. Overall, we will be coming back! read more

I've never been to Japan, but my dream has always been to go and have an authentic Sushi experience! Well luckily now I can just go to Brentwood. This place is incredible, the ambiance is on point and the food is even better. We started off with Hakurakusei sake, literally the best sake I've ever had, crisp, dry and delightful . Our first dish was the tempura Mushrooms, holy cow these are a must, then there was the Kampachi, literally the freshest sashimi I've EVER had!!! We had the baked cod which was extraordinary and lastly we had chopped shrimp hand roll (I normally don't like shrimp but I was blown away !) We also had the tuna roll and sea bream, and I loved that they only serve fish that's any seasoning and wild, never farm raised !!! We finished off with the pear sorbet, incredible!!!! All in all, this is my new go to for truly a authentic Japanese cuisine experience ! read more

Sushi/Japanese restaurants are a dime a dozen in Los Angeles, which is why when you find one that's truly spectacular and doing something different it's worth talking about. Since hearing about this restaurant from a friend who lives in the area, I've been following the updates on when it would finally open, getting more excited with every Instagram photo posted on their account. My expectations were pretty high, and I was happily surprised to find it did not disappoint. Imari's seemingly simple menu and unique concept pays sharp attention to detail and quality. The fish was all incredibly fresh, from the creamy uni to the tender tuna. I'm fairly picky when it comes to sashimi, having had some so-so or even bad experiences at other places. This was without a doubt the best sashimi I've had in a long time. I was also impressed by the attention to detail in using seasonal ingredients, keeping dishes fresh and creative. It was so nice to dine at a restaurant with this kind of cuisine and not recognize dishes on the menu as rip-offs of other restaurants' (as is way too common in this city). With all the new ingredients and flavor combinations I wasn't familiar with we turned to our server for guidance in ordering - something I love doing. After all, who knows the food better than the people trained to sell and serve it? They couldn't have been more helpful and knowledgeable about the dishes, down to each ingredient. They seemed to genuinely take pride in making sure we enjoyed our meal and chose dishes that would be both new and exciting as well as satisfy our dietary restrictions (one person's allergic to shellfish and the other is a vegetarian). During the meal the manager - Smith - stopped by our table to see how we were doing and liking everything. Having worked in restaurants in college, I always take it as a sign of a good restaurant when I see management so involved. I truly felt like I was being taken care of and was an important, valued customer. He chatted with us for a bit, and later in the night when we were wrapping up, we flagged him down to thank him, and he remembered our names even though there was a dining room full of people he'd also been speaking with. I love becoming a regular at my favorite restaurants for exactly this reason - the comfort/familiarity and special treatment that comes with becoming friendly with the staff. It's great to see that they seem focused on creating that dining experience for every guest. It's a small, intimate place that though high end in terms of food quality and presentation is still comfortable and warm. I'm sure it will be impossible to get a table here in no time, but I selfishly hope not so that I can it make it one of my regular dinner spots. read more

Imari is a hidden gem located in the heart of Brentwood. The manager, Smith, makes sure that all guests are comfortable and feel at home in this intimate space of a restaurant. I sat at the bar and chatted with the talented Chef Derek Wilcox, who I can tell was passionate and particular about every single dish- from the quality of fish down to the pickled vegetables. The service was highly attentive and I did not find myself needing or asking for anything because the team is on top of it! The food is absolutely delicious and it is obvious that the menu was created with love, care, and meticulousness. Finding authentic Japenses restaurants is a rarity, even in a place like Los Angeles, and I highly recommend Imari to anyone wanting to experience high-quality Japanese food that is unique and flavorful. My personal favorites are the potato sa(r)ada, the fresh sashimi (seasonal), the grilled wagyu (so tender and bursting with flavor), and the shrimp cod roe roll. They also have a great Sake menu, so in essence, Imari has everyone you need for a wonderful dining experience! read more

Ok, just as a preface, I'm the (basic?) type who readily orders and honestly enjoys your run-of-the-mill Japanese restaurant that serves daily bento box lunch specials and advertises half-off their specialty rolls--we all know what I'm talking about, and I already sense the nodding heads. So why was a restaurant like Imari even on my HEAVILY filtered Yelp search?... well, it wasn't lol. Imari was recommended to me by brother, and although I normally wouldn't be persuaded by his epicurean taste for the finer things in life, it was my and my boyfriend's anniversary and I wanted to celebrate our love. We ordered items from each of the four sections of the menu (appetizers, meat/seafood, handrolls and steamed rice, and dessert); they were as follows: - Potato sa(r)ada - handcrafted with homemade Kewpie mayo (egg yolks, instead of whole eggs) and mixed with just the right amount of succulent Japanese sausage slices, the consistency and flavor were incomparable to any other potato salad I've ever had. In fact, we almost ordered another round, but decided to strategically save room for the rest of what we had ordered. - Hiyayakko - meticulously topped with okra, two kinds of ginger, and sea grapes, this tofu was the epitome of a culinary oxymoron. Locally sourced from Meiji Tofu in Gardena, it was smooth and delicate, yet viscous and firm. - Sashimi of the moment (striped jack) - now, I've never acquired a taste for sashimi... It's not so much the fact that it's raw, but that it simply doesn't taste like much to me. I prefer seafood (and meat) to be heavily seasoned/marinated/battered and fried/etc., so this was more for my boyfriend. Despite all of this, I decided to give it a try since it came with six slices and let me tell you, this was an absolute game changer! Fresh, mellow, slightly sweet, and wonderfully fine-textured with high-quality fat--all these distinctive traits opened my mind to sampling more sashimi in the future. - Anago and leek tempura - light and airy, it was like biting into a piece of heaven. I appreciate tempura that doesn't go so hard on the batter (i.e., dense) because then the primary focus goes straight to the core, only after being complemented by the crunch and subtle flavor of the fried batter, of course. What's more, you could tell that their top-grade frying oil is mindfully changed on a regular basis given the light golden color and speckless appeal. - Jidori chicken gyoza - crimpled in a delightfully atypical rectangular shape and pan-seared on both sides, the gyoza had a wrapper that was crisp on the outside and had a filling that was succulent and bursting with immense flavor. Expecting the chicken to be shredded, I was surprised when I discovered that the filling was similar in bite and texture to that of a chicken meatball yakitori! As for the soy sauce, instead of it being served on the side, it was drizzled over the gyoza. According to our server, Polo, the soy sauce is skillfully prepared in-house and infused with fragrant oils of sansho pepper, chili, and toasted sesame oil. - Hirame - as soon as Polo placed the plate on our table, he encouraged us not to let the handroll sit for too long so that we could fully embrace the crisp nature of the nori sheets, and that we did! The star of the dish, of course, was the hirame, which was translucent white with faint hues of pink. It's firm, chewy texture was high in umami content and had a softly lingering, polished sweetness that was paired well with what seemed to be a blend of sea salt and dai dai (zest?). - Red shiso sorbet / Milk ice cream with fresh mochi and sweet green pea - frankly speaking, we inquired if we could get the two flavors in to-go pints after devouring them both lol... Is there anything that this restaurant is NOT doing spectacularly well on? Damn! Haha! To create these flavors, Imari collaborates with Santa Monica's very own Sweet Rose Creamery. Yes, we hit up Sweet Rose after leaving the restaurant to see if we could purchase to-go pints from them and yes, we were unsuccessful at obtaining them because these flavors are totally exclusive to Imari!... Well, guess this only means one thing: We're going back for more of the ice cream and everything else! Taking everything into account, all dishes were elegantly plated on dinnerware of various pottery material and all dishes were irresistibly delectable...a feast for the eyes as well as the soul! read more

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We truly received some of the most welcoming and generous service. They have a lovely unique and on-the-smaller side menu. Don't come here expecting a classic sushi restaurant. Their appetizers were so unique and delicious. They were out of Gyoza early on in the night along with all Ikura dishes, so that was disappointing. The hand rolls weren't anything too special. Their drinks, service and select dishes were a hit. I will give it another try in the coming year. Its hard to open a restaurant during Covid so I commend them for that. read more

Amazing authentic sushi bento boxes from this new Japanese spot in Brentwood! A must try.