The Diningdiva at the door of Kabuki, Hollywood, didn’t know she was in for such a treat…
When friends recommended a Japanese chain restaurant, your Dining Diva was skeptical, but once I got over my diverish attitude I said why not. My husband Richard and I were going to see a play just down the street from the place so it made perfect sense. We could park once and walk between the two places.
Well weren’t we delightfully surprised. First of all I loved the setting, a large, attractive room (I took this shot but had to crop people out of it for legal reasons)
There’s a lively bar, cozy booths, tables and an efficient wait staff (our waitress was wonderful). Kabuki Hollywood, part of a group of Japanese restaurants sprinkled throughout Southern California, Arizona and Nevada, is located on Vine Street smack in the heart of Hollywood.
The food surprises and delights. Exquitely presented and as good as we’ve tasted at higher priced spreads–maybe even a little better. 
(My beef and chicken hibachi)
The menu is head-sprinning extensive with lots of different sake, imported beers, a small, affordable wine list and the headliners: sushi, sashimi, rolls, salads, entrees and really outstanding desserts. We shared appetizers like a lovely spicy tuna on crispy rice
that was tangy and tasty. I love this dish and have often had it at a restaurant in Hawaii where I knew the chef so well he had it on our table the minute we arrived. Well Kabuki’s version was nearly as good with just the right spice and perfect rice, a little crunchy not hard and not mushy. I also order seaweed salads often and we had it here and man was it good. So was my beef and chicken Habachi and Richard’s tender, juicy cod—both couldn’t be better. We gave into the tempting dessert menu and had thee New York Cheesecake,
okay pretty incongruous, but it was delicious and so was Richard’s Hazelnut Craquant cake. Our waitress was right on her game, the experience was comfortable, more than satisfying and very reasonably priced with entrees no higher than $17.95, desserts $4.95 to $6.95 and fair prices for appetizers etc.
When I get my next yen for Japanese cuisine, I’m heading straight to Kabuki. I guess you can tell I really liked this place and the Dining Diva does love it when the restaurant she tries is this good.
There’s a Happy Hour Monday -Friday from 3 PM to 6 PM (except holidays) which I’m going to sample. Maybe I’ll see you there.
Kabuki Hollywood, 1545 N Vine St, 323-464-6003, www.kabukirestaurants.com
Check out my other reviews at http://www.examiner.com/x-23074-LA-Insider-Travel-Examiner
