Sushi Kiyono ~Beverly Hills~ 8.0

Last Wednesday night I got off work and wanted to treat myself to a really delicious sushi dinner without breaking the bank completely. Social Media just doesn't pay what it used to ... oh wait, it's the only semi-inflated job around right now :) Anyway, I've been coming to this little sushi spot on South Bev. for about 3 years now and I just adore it. (BTW, South Bev. is currently a mini-mecca of newly opened eateries from South Beverly Grill by the Hillstone group to a new Mediterranean place which name escapes me .. anyone?)

LINDSAY LOVES Kiyono Because:

1. Fresh, luxurious raw fish at a fair price in Beverly Hills ... unheard of.
2. Fabulous chefs at the bar that will semi-omakase you any time, meaning you can sit and ask them what's the freshest fishy of the day and they'll whip up a variety of things to tantalize your snobby taste buds, but there is no crazy bill that appears post impromptu fish fest.
3. They have La Crema Chard for under $10 a glass.
4. Their hot sake is soooooo reasonable.
5. The owner and his wife ( I think it's his wife) are the cutest couple ever and truly hospitable.
6. It's sceney enough to be fun but laid back enough to roll in alone in a Juicy suit and feel ok about it.
7. Spicy Tuna on Crispy Rice Cakes ... better than Koi I do believe.(Passed on these this time around because even foodflirt's gain weight sometimes.)

Here's what my mouth loved last Wednesday:

Properly Prepared Wasabi and Soy Sauce = 85% Wasabi 15% Soy ... apply to fish lightly using piece of ginger as a paint brush. You want to make a paste not a sauce.

 Needle Fish sashimi , delicate, tender, light  and sweet, no soy sauce needed.

Baked Crab Hand roll in Soy Paper with warm, perfectly sticky rice ... very good ... Koi's has more real crab, but is also twice the price.
 

The highlight of the night was my petite Persian cucumber tree made by the fabulous chef. Sprinkled with a tiny bit of sesame oil and rice vinegar it was divine. This, I did not order and relished every un-asked for bite.

Last, one single piece of seared albacore. The fish at Kiyono is so fresh it's easy to forget you are eating raw swimmers and that's just the way good sushi/sashimi should be. Thanks Kiyono and see you soon!

~XOXO~

LINDSAY JONES