Koi

The Scene
Guarded by towering bamboo spikes, this sprawling La Cienega space houses four dining rooms, a patio with a glowing fireplace, a lounge and a bustling sushi bar. A chic Asian theme is accented by crimson hues, dark-wood beams and Buddha statues. Couples fill tables in candelit dining rooms, while decked-out singles sip sake and size up the action on the patio.

The Food
Sushi and traditional Japanese favorites are generally well executed, but it's the chef's signature menu that fuels this party scene. Like Japanese tapas, these tasty tidbits are small and easily shared. Lightly seared spicy tuna on quarter-size bed of crispy rice is a perfect bite-size treat. Other favorites include buttery black cod glazed with miso sauce, sweet broiled Alaskan king crab legs coated with garlic-butter sauce, and tuna sashimi boosted by jalapeno pepper. Sushi chefs keep it simple with fresh, generous cuts of salmon, yellowtail and mackerel.