The 19 Best Restaurants & Bars In Echo Park

"Opening an izakaya in the same neighborhood as Ototo and Tsubaki seems like a tough gig, but Kushiba makes it look easy. This semi-hidden spot on Sunset specializes in Osaka-style kushikatsu, or deep-fried things on sticks. There are 20 skewers on the menu, spanning from taro to pork belly, and the impulse to order all of them will be strong. But resist. Pick a few (we like the flounder and camembert), add small plates like spicy cold tofu, and save the rest of your budget for Kushiba’s cocktails. Along with martini and negroni riffs, there’s a fantastic DIY highball section with whiskey and shochu. Kushiba is a perfect jumping-off point for a night of bar-hopping or catching a show at The Echo.  " - nikko duren, brant cox, sylvio martins