"There are plenty of tables at this casual Santa Monica izakaya, but if you want a show that'll outdo any those street jugglers you just saw did, grab a seat at Shirube's bar. You'll have a courtside view of the small but mighty kitchen, equipped with a charcoal grill and a slushie machine with frozen yuzu mojitos. Chefs swiftly flip gorgeous wagyu steaks over hot coals, slice yellowtail with razor-sharp knives, and adorn tiny egg custards with jewels of roe. Be sure to get the chewy mentaiko udon, crispy corn ribs, and mackerel sashimi that’s blowtorched in front of you." - brant cox