"Here’s the thing about N/Soto: while it’s more casual than its tasting menu sibling restaurant, N/Naka, this upscale izakaya in Mid-City isn’t exactly a place you slide into on a weekday night. And, frankly, we’re fine with that—because sitting at N/Soto’s moody, low-lit bar enjoying a shochu cocktail, some grilled wagyu skewers, and a bowl of sake-steamed clams is a chance to sample the same sophisticated Japanese cooking for a substantially reduced cost, and without months of waiting for a reservation. Everything about a meal at this zen-like hideaway feels considered, from the tiny dab of caviar on top of the chopped toro nigiri to the tempura squid legs that come with chile-dusted mayo. There are plenty of great izakayas in LA, but none of them have the power to melt away the stress of the outside world like N/Soto. " - brant cox, nikko duren, sylvio martins, garrett snyder