"Japanese restaurants are often very conducive to solo dining, especially at Shirubē in Santa Monica, which has a bustling open kitchen for people eating at the counter to watch. Assemble a meal of sashimi, chawanmushi, crab croquette, and karaage along with other izakaya bites, all washed down with top-flight sake or ice-cold Japanese beer. Most people are going to order the pre-sliced whole mackerel blackened at the table (or counter seat) with a butane lighter. It’s definitely a must-order, even for solo diners. Reservations are available, which is good because Shirubē can get busy during peak hours." - Rebecca Roland