First off, shout outs to Restaraunt Tatsuki for co-opting Poke LA. As an establishment 30 years in the game, the added value from the brand alone inspires a lot of confidence.
But the main stars, obviously, are the two gentleman who started this venture up.
Chef Naoki is the successor to Restaurant Tatsuki, and the muscle behind most of the operation. His meticulous sushi preparation is a large part of what makes Poke LA special, as the usual fair of fish + toppings + sauce is still largely here, but elevated through simplicity. Namely, the quality of the ingredients and the generous portion of protein really highlight the attention to detail that goes into the bowls. Chef Naoki hand-prepares everything, dicing every protein to serve and selecting only the freshest toppings to accompany them. As mentioned, the protein really shines here, which is another ode to Restaraunt Tatsuki in general. Unlike most other poke restaurants that seem to be popping up daily, Poke LA certainly highlights the freshness of their proteins by serving it unembellished, choosing not to hide behind strong or overpowering sauces. He's really done something special here, even if the unique thing is to make each ingredient sing on its own virtues.
On the other hand, (Chef?) Cullen is the auspicious face of the endeavor, much more interested in ensuring that people have a memorable experience whenever they eat Poke LA. Where Chef Naoki might let his food speak for itself, Cullen is there to serve as the the confident mouthpiece, ensuring that people are well-aware of his company's core principle: we serve good food at a great price. Moreover, Cullen works the logistics of the operation, running the numbers on how and when you'll be seeing them in the future. With him in the driver's seat, I'm sure they've got a bright future (even if Chef Naoki bemoans his choice of partner at times).
Honestly, when I got my poke, what impressed me most was how straighforward it was. With a majority of poke restaurants opting to burden their menus with an embarrassment of riches, Poke LA instead lets every ingredient stand on its own merits. And while for some that might not be what they're looking for, I think the more chef-y, Japanese aesthetic is what many others would prefer given how ubiquitous the opposite is in the industry. I certainly feel that way! read more
