KAVIAR Restaurants-Los Angeles

Sushi restaurant · Historic Core

KAVIAR Restaurants-Los Angeles

Sushi restaurant · Historic Core

1

449 S Hewitt St, Los Angeles, CA 90013

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KAVIAR Restaurants-Los Angeles by null
KAVIAR Restaurants-Los Angeles by null
KAVIAR Restaurants-Los Angeles by null
KAVIAR Restaurants-Los Angeles by null
KAVIAR Restaurants-Los Angeles by null
KAVIAR Restaurants-Los Angeles by null
KAVIAR Restaurants-Los Angeles by null
KAVIAR Restaurants-Los Angeles by null
KAVIAR Restaurants-Los Angeles by null
KAVIAR Restaurants-Los Angeles by null
KAVIAR Restaurants-Los Angeles by null
KAVIAR Restaurants-Los Angeles by null
KAVIAR Restaurants-Los Angeles by null
KAVIAR Restaurants-Los Angeles by null
KAVIAR Restaurants-Los Angeles by null
KAVIAR Restaurants-Los Angeles by null
KAVIAR Restaurants-Los Angeles by null
KAVIAR Restaurants-Los Angeles by null
KAVIAR Restaurants-Los Angeles by null
KAVIAR Restaurants-Los Angeles by null
KAVIAR Restaurants-Los Angeles by null
KAVIAR Restaurants-Los Angeles by null
KAVIAR Restaurants-Los Angeles by null
KAVIAR Restaurants-Los Angeles by null
KAVIAR Restaurants-Los Angeles by null
KAVIAR Restaurants-Los Angeles by null
KAVIAR Restaurants-Los Angeles by null
KAVIAR Restaurants-Los Angeles by null
KAVIAR Restaurants-Los Angeles by null
KAVIAR Restaurants-Los Angeles by null
KAVIAR Restaurants-Los Angeles by null
KAVIAR Restaurants-Los Angeles by null
KAVIAR Restaurants-Los Angeles by null
KAVIAR Restaurants-Los Angeles by null
KAVIAR Restaurants-Los Angeles by null
KAVIAR Restaurants-Los Angeles by null
KAVIAR Restaurants-Los Angeles by null

Highlights

Kaviar, an upscale Japanese kitchen, dazzles with a dramatic ambiance and exquisite sushi, offering a cozy spot to create unforgettable memories.  

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449 S Hewitt St, Los Angeles, CA 90013 Get directions

kaviarrestaurants.com

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449 S Hewitt St, Los Angeles, CA 90013 Get directions

+1 213 221 7078
kaviarrestaurants.com

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Jul 10, 2025

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"Kaviar opened its second Los Angeles location last week in the space formerly occupied by Simone. It features a dramatic dining room with samurai costumes, moody lighting, and Art Deco furniture. Beyond the main dining room, there's a private omakase area and a caviar room designed by Aureta Thomollari. The menu focuses on luxurious ingredients like Kaluga caviar and Kagoshima A5 Wagyu. The restaurant also offers a wide selection of sake and whiskey, and plans to expand to Dallas and Scottsdale in 2023." - Mona Holmes

A Maximalist Temple to Japanese Luxuries Opens in the Arts District, Private Caviar Room Included - Eater LA
View Postcard for KAVIAR Restaurants-Los Angeles

Torrie Mitchell

Google
This is your sign to stop going to the predictable fancy restaurants around la and book a table at KAVIAR! Their upscale unique ambiance is unmatched from the low light atmosphere, to the swanky art pieces and decor that line the interior. Everything about curating a vibe is here. The food was amazing! My favorite dish was the al pastor sea bass and the spicy tuna crispy rice. Our server Kyle was very informative on the menu and able to recommend items to fit my parties taste pallets and he did not disappoint. Had an amazing experience and cannot wait to return!

Betsy G

Google
Great, service. The bartender, Nick, was warm & welcoming. We were serviced at the bar since it was late, but the entire menu was available to order from & Nick made the dining experience wonderful. I'm definitely going back for more. The ambiance was nice, and music was fitting to my chilaxing mood.

Maria J.

Google
Honest opinion here. The food is overpriced for quality and taste, but the atomosphere and drinks were pretty dope. The presentation was great. But it doesn't make up for the taste or lack thereof for the food. Had several sushi plates and tostada appetizers (imo they put you in the mind of taco bell's gordita crunch) 🤷🏽‍♀️. Greeted at the door, definitely didn't have to wait for a table, and the bartender was A1! I had his signature Old Fashioned and it was absolutely amazing. I enjoyed the Unagi and the gold flakeThe service was very friendly and attentive. Music Selections was 90's RnB, so that was a huge plus. I

Angelica Le

Google
Overall: 3.6/5 (dine in) Kaviar looks pretty upscale so we decided to dine here for my friend's birthday. It was pretty difficult to make a reservation here since the email Yelp provided was different from their website. I emailed both email addresses and didn't receive any response after waiting a week. It was getting closer to my friend's birthday so I decided to just make a reservation through Yelp just in case. A few days later, I called Kaviar to make a reservation through the Yelp event. Never got any confirmation that my other reservations went through so I was nervous when we came on the day of. Luckily everything worked out. They had my name down for the Yelp event, & we were seated right away. It was kind of strange that they sat our party of 4 at a table with 6 chairs so the spacing between us was a bit off. The ambiance was very dark and moody, especially if you sit near the samurai armor display. They had this fire lady that literally just posed with fire sticks and do a bit of contemporary dancing in different outfits around the tables. It reminded me of Toca Modera, but in a less entertaining way. The service was really great though. Our male waiters were attentive & kind. They even brought out a complimentary slice of cheesecake for my friend's birthday! Kaviar Wagyu Tostada ($24): This was yummy & unique. Shiso Tempura With Uni 4 Pieces ($34): I think this usually comes in 3 pieces but we had 4 people so we asked if they could make 1 more. I usually don't like uni but this was really good. The shiso tempura was fried perfectly and paired well with the uni. Tuna Tartare ($39): They rolled out a cart and prepared this dish in front of us so that was cool. They served the toro tartare with some bread slice crackers. Unfortunately it did not taste good and I low key think I got a slight stomachache from it. Truffle Toro ($52): This was good but not worth the price tag. Chilean Sea Bass Al Pastor ($38): They highly recommended this dish so we had to try it. Unfortunately, nothing stood out. The sea bass wasn't as soft or melt-in-your mouth like I was expecting. It was just okay. Baked Salmon Roll ($24): They torched the roll at the table and was kind enough to let us know in case we wanted to film it. The roll was good & the flavors were well balanced. Uni Pasta ($39): This was not worth it & very disappointing. It was just a basic flavorless pasta dish with one uni as garnish. The pasta wasn't creamy like other uni noodle dishes you get at other Japanese restaurants. Kaviar Seafoam ($24): They recommended this drink if you want something sweet and fruity. Well it was not either. It was pretty sour from the lime. Even my husband's drink (Meiro Momo) was sweeter and it's a bourbon based drink. Meiro Momo ($24): This was a peach cream bourbon so it was sweet and way better than the Kaviar Seafoam. Smooth too but the price is a bit steep.

Rodrigo “funning”

Google
I heard this was a great spot and decided to check it out. It’s definitely a sushi restaurant that I highly recommend. We started off with the Edamame garlic spicy, dozen Fresh Oysters 10 Kumamoto, the Salmon blue crab roll, Wagyu handroll & Baked salmon roll. For dessert we got the Hokkaido Milk Bread Puddin with a side of ice cream. The edamame was a solid starter and the oysters were delicious. The salmon blue crab roll was quality and I’d order that again and the wagyu was good but wasn’t spectacular. The seared baked Salmon roll was a phenomenal entree and the dessert was really delicious. It’s a pretty expensive spot but it was worth it. The decor was very dark with a speakeasy vibe. The dancing fire girl was a great touch & it’s a solid spot for a date. I’d definitely come back again to try their other menu items.

Natalie “Natty D” Derderian

Google
So delicious! So pretty! So so good! Such a beautiful spot and their food n drinks are absolutely amazing! This place is definitely a gem and you are missing out if you haven’t tried it yet. I have been to their Pasadena location and love it so I had to try this one as well. So happy I did!! 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻

KimKim Kat

Google
Here for a friend birthday. I saw a Tik Tok showing that the decorations are very unique but when I got there it was kind of disappointed. We got a table by the bar. Didn’t get to see any decor. The food are very pricy. The only good thing is the bar tender made good old fashioned. Not gonna come back for a $350+ sitting next to a bar meal facing a black wall while other get to sit inside and the are tons of table available.

Anna Bari

Google
Very impressed with Kaviar. I visited their Pasadena location, I would say this one is as good if not better. Amazing service, very friendly staff, you can tell lots of attention to the details is given by the management. I never use soy sauce at sushi restaurants, because God knows how long it has been sitting on the table. Not at this restaurant though, the server brought soy sauce, which was cold, so clearly it is kept in the refrigerator, after pouring some for us he took it back to the kitchen. We tried Lemon roll, Amberjack Blue Fin roll, and Baked Salmon roll. All three were excellent, but if I had to choose just one I would say the Lemon roll was simply incredible. Garlic edamame and shishito peppers were extremely good as well, very generous portions too. I’m looking forward to going back and trying more of the items on the menu.

Jessica H.

Yelp
This place is closed down, it's now a new restaurant called Sampa. The signage for Kaviar is still there, but it's a different restaurant

Kristin A.

Yelp
My friend booked the hand roll sushi making class for 4 of us. We arrived a little early, found parking sort of easily, and stopped at the front bar. We received a complimentary glass of wine while we waited and learned a little more about the restaurant from the bartender. On the way to class, we got a tour of the private dining areas and a view into the kitchen. Once escorted to the rear, we were seated with the complete setup waiting on the table. There were about 16-20 people being taught by one chef so it took a little longer. Usually, there are 2 chefs but we still learned a couple techniques. Initially it didn't look like a lot of food but in the end, we were all stuffed. We had such a good time making rolls, drinking wine and enjoying the entertaining fire dancer. I'd definitely return for a date night or a night out with the girls.

Mimi L.

Yelp
We had our second anniversary dinner here after the first dinner nearby. Because we'v just eaten so we mostly ordered raw fish items. To my surprise they didn't have hot green tea at a Japanese restaurant. They ran out sea urchin on a holiday Saturday night which was very odd. The food and cocktail menus were very good though. This restaurant is very beautiful, dark and sexy. The fire show was so entertaining during our dinner! For food we had fresh oysters, truffle toro, toro, bluefin, halibut and Spanish mackerel nigiri, also spicy snow crab hand roll. The raw was very fresh and tasty. The cocktails were very well made and strong pours. We received complimentary sparkling wines and dessert for our special occasion. Our server was very friendly the entire time. We were impressed by the food and service. Just wished they didn't run out sea urchin cause it's hubby's must order at any sushi restaurants. Although I am not a fan of raw fish but I'd want to come back for caviar. Most importantly the fire shows from gorgeous dancers! Ps. Complimentary parking in the restaurant's private lot!

Kathy Z.

Yelp
Very nice ambiance, definitely a fun time, and the food was decent. There's artsy plates and delectable creations. Some of the sauces and garnishes seemed to be masking the quality of the fish, perhaps intentionally, but the concept is there. I had Kaviar at a catered event and they were amazing then, so I tried to order things that were new to me. Perhaps I should have ordered what I already liked. Service was okay, it's a large space and perhaps not very staffed. Parking was easy enough and not too far away from the front door.

Christine H.

Yelp
This is a nice restaurant with a quiet and romantic vibe, located above Tea Rose Garden on Raymond Ave. A great place for a special occasion or date. There is also a bar area in case you want to just go for drinks. We got seated right away and had great service all around. Our server, Berj, explained everything on the menu and went over the specials offered. There were so many choices we had a hard time deciding. I ordered the large order of the Snapper Sashimi and one Spicy Tuna Maki. They were both so fresh and tasty and presentation was great. This is a higher end place to dine with good quality ingredients. It's definitely worth trying!

Katherine L.

Yelp
Ambiance was okay. Music was not it. It was dimly lit. The only decor I noticed was a display of samurai armor and traditional paintings in one corner of the room. We ordered two drinks, paella and seared scallops. Scallops were fresh but were under seasoned. They tasted more steamed than seared. The paella was served with a scallop and octopus. The octopus was good but a bit chewy. Paella was tasty but a bit under seasoned. The drinks were good! They were so well balanced I couldn't taste the alcohol. Service: (3/5) Food came in a timely manner but our server didn't know several items in the menu. I also found it off putting that the server said she would bring us a dessert for our anniversary but forgot at the end of our meal :(

Kay K.

Yelp
Food: Delicious MELTS IN YOUR MOUTH Service: Good not overbearing Ambiance: dark, romantic, great for birthdays Price: High Crowd: Not too busy on a Saturday Pro: Birthday Pastry provided and it was delicious Cocktails were delicious

Kelly P.

Yelp
We stopped by after an event, and only came because it was still open after 9 pm! We didn't realize it was such a fancy spot. It was definitely on the pricier side for drinks, but the veggie roll was soooo good! My partner also enjoyed the baked salmon roll. A word of advice - water is $12

Andrea O.

Yelp
Parking- We got lucky and scored some free nearby street parking! Food- we ordered sushi and it was all sooo DELICIOUS! Each roll had a unique flavor & tasted fresh! Prices are on the $$$ end but totally worth it! Kudos to whoever made the music playlist because it was back to back jams and the atmosphere was such a great chill vibe. The service was amazing! Everyone was so friendly and helpful! Perfect place for date night or ladies night out!

Lydia N.

Yelp
Thank you Yelp for introducing this place to us! We had an amazing dining experience here and thoroughly enjoyed each and every single dish. PARKING: Limited street parking. We went on a Saturday night and were still able to find a spot so it's not impossible. SERVICE: Top notch! Both our host and server were excellent in both their mannerisms and knowledge. We were so impressed. FOOD: I can't emphasize enough how good the food was. The portions were perfect and we left feeling satisfied. Dessert arrived late due to a mixup in the kitchen so they put it on the house, which was incredibly nice of them. The whole place was a dark but sleek, modern Japanese setting - very cool ambiance. There was artwork everywhere and I loved the theming. Check this place out when you're in LA or Pasadena!

Rumany P.

Yelp
The food here was very good but a little pricey. Toro with uni and gold flakes: 5 stars. Very fresh and clean tasting. Toro maki with caviar: this was good, but overall too salty. I might not get this one again. Snow crab kanpachi roll: Delicious! I'd come back again and again for this one. You don't see snow crab often and it really hit the spot. The ambience was a little too loud but the fire dancers were really cool. Probably a good third date spot but I was there with my husband so didn't need to impress . The service was pretty good also. Quick to refill waters although they took the bottle away with water still there. Overall, I'd definitely come back for that snow crab roll!

Amanda M.

Yelp
This review has been a long time coming!! I'm very grateful to have attended the Yelp Elite Dinner at Kaviar. Everything was FANTASTIC!! The food was delicious. My absolute favorites were the Truffle Toro, the A5 Miyazaki Wagyu, and the Chilean Sea Bass Al Pastor. The Chilean Sea Bass Al Pastor flavor pairings created an explosion in my brain. The service at restaurant was fantastic, everyone was so friendly. The ambience makes the restaurant sleek & intimate. Go to Kaviar, ASAP!!!

Amber M.

Yelp
What an ethereal dining experience. You are greeted with delightful staff that walk you through a tunnel of light leading into an extremely dimly lit and elegant dining table area. Japanese relics and memorabilia are noticed throughout. I ordered the wasabi margarita, one of the most popular drinks, and I can see why. A smooth tequila cocktail with a flare of spice and served lit with a torch. It doesn't get more experiential than that. The wagyu tostada was addicting. A perfect shareable, it would be even more perfect if the person you're sharing with let's you have them ALL. Of the three rolls we had (garlic albacore, shrimp tempura, and yellowtail jalapeño, the yellowtail was our favorite. It was seasoned so nicely and packed with flavor. The texture was incredible. I'd recommend this one the most. From start to finish this dining experience was beautiful and intentional. It's conveniently located in the arts district across Resident, a chill bar spot, urth cafe, and the co op. There's tons of free parking all around this area and walking distance to mainstream arts district locations. 11/10!

Linda Y.

Yelp
Food:very fresh and tasty! Love the lemon roll! That was prob my fav roll! Highly recommend!! Service: 10/10 everyone here is super attentive and gave great recommendations! Ambiance: great for large parties (the have private rooms) date night! It's super dark inside fyi! The real samurai armor was pretty neat!

Lonnie C.

Yelp
Kaviar fits right into the snazzy restaurant boom in arts district. The difference is that the ambience is by far, the most sexy, and sophisticated. The service was exceptional, very patient and friendly staff, who really went above and beyond. The food was good, but not as outstanding as I had expected. The toro maki melted in my mouth along with savory hints from the caviar. It was by far the best dish out of the 3 I tried. The other roll was standard, and the Chilean sea bass was a bit underwhelming in flavor, although the temperature was spot on. Though not a sommelier, I thought the house red and white wines were smooth and light, pairing well with the relatively heavy dishes. Overall, great spot for date night or girls night, but expect to pay for the ambience and drinks more than the food.

Amy X.

Yelp
This was such a wonderful experience and such a great opportunity to try out a new restaurant! Walking into Kaviar, I felt like the ambience was cool and moody and I liked how dark the restaurant was inside. Our server was extremely helpful and walked my boyfriend and I over what was recommended. We were in the mood for sushi so we ordered the Lemon Roll, Toro Maki, Baked Salmon, and spicy tuna with crispy rice. For cocktails, we also ordered the Panda Fix and my boyfriend ordered the Kaviar Connection. I really liked the Salmon Roll and the Lemon Roll, and highly recommend that! I thought the Toro Maki was unique and the spicy tuna with crispy rice was tasty but three rolls was already a lot for us. Overall this was a nice experience! They only offer dinner reservations starting at 6pm. We were also lucky to get street parking, but they also have parking lots that you can pay to park in.

Evangeline C.

Yelp
Thank you Yelp for this opportunity to try out the food here. Beautiful presentation of food; portions were scanty. Service was a little uncomfortable to be frank. Our server went on what felt like a 5 minute monologue of him just recommending all the most expensive things on the menu, starting with the caviar selection that ranged from $100+ to $1000+. I was already tuned out as I was trying to pick out what I wanted without the push of the most expensive things on the menu, but to actually enjoy the meal and what I order. We ordered the miso cod, which was delicious, but the tiniest portion I've ever seen; the uni pasta, which, aside from the 3 uni pieces, tasted like nothing (my friend didn't even finish this because it tasted like plain spaghetti); bluefin tuna roll and lemon roll (both were great); the Hokkaido bread pudding (overly sweet and overpriced - it didn't have a price on the menu and it came out to $26 or something, and had the worst smoke smell that came out of the dessert. Nice ambiance for a date; they offered house water, didn't tell us that there was a charge, and charged us $14 and it wasn't even the same brand offered on the menu (had I known, I'd have ordered sparkling water). Overall, the food was decent, but could have done without the constant check ups and monologues.

Young Kyung K.

Yelp
As soon as you walk-in you're kind of like... "did I come to the right place?" because you're immediately greeted by an absolutely gorgeous bar; and then your next question is... "where do I eat?" but the hostess will kindly lead you down a dark narrow hallway with another beautiful ceiling light illuminating your path. Once you arrive at the dining area you are once again shocked by the beautiful ambiance; luxury-chic. I couldn't stop staring around the dining area; how dark it was but at the same time how beautiful the accent lights on each table and decor made the place so elegant. Enough about the ambiance and decor but you can tell I was obsessed! Just by looking at the menu you just feel like you're at a dinner party up in the hills ... "caviar, 24k gold, blue fin tuna..." etc. We ordered the Toro Tartare - table side service to show you what goes in and how it's prepared. I loved it! The richness of the toro was complimented by the acidic garnish and of course the caviar and the gold leaves made it even more sumptuous. Oysters: they have 4 different choices to choose from and I went with the kumamotos because they are very sweet- I didn't think anything was extravagant about this but it was very fresh and delicious! Shiso tempura with uni and caviar (you're going to notice a lot of caviar): This is one of my favorite dishes in many Japanese restaurants. It was prepared open faced so the uni was very fresh topped with sea salt and caviar. Fresh hotate with uni and caviar : Beautiful Onto the hot dishes/ appetizers: Shishito peppers: easy table appetizer for everyone. Dashi risotto : This was one of my favorite at this restaurant! The subtle dashi broth with the risotto together was delectable. There were no overwhelming flavors in both the risotto and the broth but the melodious pairing is what keeps me thinking about this dish! I've been really into subtle umami flavors that aren't so strong and this was perfect! I wish to go back and order ....3 of these for myself. Miso glased cod: Cod is cooked to perfection. Flakey but moist and the miso glaze is flavorful! One of the MUST try dishes I would say. Wagyu tostada: We loved it but I would not recommend; try something else on the menu-- if you're wondering what it tasted like "yes, it's exactly what you know a tostada tastes like". The cocktails are delicious too! I definitely recommend you give this place a try! They offer caviar service and have a whole section of wagyu dishes too. Trust me you'll fall in love as soon as you walk in the door.

Becktoria B.

Yelp
Love the ambiance here and the chill music. I've been here for the original menu dine in and also for dine la. The food usually is great here. I recently did the dine la menu and for 10 courses, the price for dine la was worth it in my opinion. I got an extra appetiser: king crab hand roll which was warm, creamy and soft. Dine la menu: we started with edamame... the softest I've ever had. The sushi was really fresh and tasty. The flavours are simple yet delicious. You get a thick cut of toro that just melts in your mouth. The duck breast was tender and went well with the fruity sauce. The lobster pasta was okay, the lobster was overcooked unfortunately and the flavours could be worked on. My favourite was the seabass, the sauce was very rich and it was one of the softest seabass I've had so far in LA. You get a choice of one roll to pick from and I got the baked salmon. It was warm, smokey and saucy. My friend got the yellowtail which was more of a lighter dish and was refreshing with a hint of spiciness from the sriracha. We then finished it with the bread pudding which was not overly sweet and was satisfying and yummy! This dine la course will definitely fill you up. It's 95$ per person however all of the courses (except for your choice of sushi roll) come on just one plate that is shared between 2 people, which I wasn't expecting. Nevertheless, it was definitely filling and satisfying.

Jose R.

Yelp
Elegant! This restaurant is a fine dining experience, from the Japanese armor focal point to the wall decor, thought was put into every aspect. Uni Pasta- creamy, saucy goodness with an egg to bind it together. Texture and hint of truffle made for a delightful treat. Kuro Paella- an outstanding presentation of a dish. The charbroiled octopus was cooked to perfection, with squid ink rice to compliment every bite. Rolls- we had both the lemon and coconut mango-the freshness of the fish was truly enjoyed. I would return to try all the rolls on the menu. Our server Kai was attentive in every detail of our evening, being accessible and responsive to our needs. In addition, the rest of the staff made each interaction make us feel taken cared of. I am planning my return. Just writing this, my mouth is watering In thinking of those rolls.

Patty S.

Yelp
It was a great time. Food was good, service was good and ambiance was good. My favorite was the lamb chops and the Toro Maki roll. The shishito peppers were nicely done. I was a bit disappointed with the tostadas and the "al pastor". We basically ordered all the items the server recommended. The server explained the menu nicely and he was very helpful and attentive. I do recommend this place. The chairs and tables are comfortable. I personally think it was too too too dark in there. I enjoy the dark ambiance, but it was way too dark for my personal taste. The dishes are a good size and nice and it would be nice to have a table a bit bigger. Even if it was 10% bigger it would be helpful. There were 4 of us eating and it did feel a bit small. There is parking right across the street. Overall a good place and I do recommend.

Anny O.

Yelp
A5 wagyu beef 5/5 - the best pieces of meat I've ever had! It was so juicy and cooked perfectly. The flavor was so good and it was the right amount of salt. There's gold flakes which doesn't taste like anything, just for looks Uni pasta 5/5 - if you love uni get this! It's so creamy and not fishy at all. Toro roll 5/5 - also very good and the toro is fresh and so soft! There's some caviar on top too and some truffle. I'm not a huge fan of truffle but it was still good. I did feel like the truffle taste was overpowering for a sushi roll though Overall service was great and the staff are very nice. The dining area is very dark and moody. We were able to find street parking easily but they also have valet. I did come for a Yelp elite event.

Tiffany C.

Yelp
Came to celebrate a two of my girlfriends birthday. The vibe was very sexy, romantic. Loved the ambiance and interior. Host and waitress were very sweet and polite. We ordered a bunch or sushi and appetizers but i dont think we ordered right. The food was not the best to us but it wasn't the worst. We were still hungry at the end of our meal. Our lease favorite was the dashi risotto. It was very bland but it was still decent. Our favorite was the wagyu tostadas and the sushi seemed fresh. They had a model dancing around with fire and costume change which was fun! I would go back for drinks and a good date night.

Alyssa S.

Yelp
What an amazing experience ! Let me preface by saying that I was there for their 1st Hand Roll Experience. The restaurant is beautiful and as soon as you enter you're greeted by the full service bar. There was an event happening that evening however so a lot of the furniture was moved/ removed , but from what I did see it was pretty. The restaurant is also dimly lit so it puts you in a very "romantic" vibe. The experience began with complimentary champagne. The head Chef, John then took us on a thorough tour of the restaurant , both front and back of the house. The group was then led to long tables where each date had their own place settings and sauces for the class. Chef John stood in the middle of the group and directed the class while addition staff walked around and took drink orders, answered questions, passed appetizers, etc. All the fish was fresh as well as the toppings provided . The miso we tasted literally melted in your mouth. I also had the Watermelon Glow drink and loved that. The service was great, staff was warm and welcoming, the ambiance was perfect and I will definitely be back for a regular dinner. Thank you Chef and your amazing team !

Jacqueline S.

Yelp
Dark cool ambience, all about the show. Had a very early reservation, there were only two other parties and the bar was empty. The food just rushed out of order and without any explanation as to what we were being served. It started to get busy and a large party came in then Service went downhill really quickly. I had a very bad experience with one of the dishes below, It had a huge fishbone and I'm glad I caught it very early on and didn't accidentally eat it. When we finally caught the servers attention, we showed him the uneaten plate along with the very obvious fishbone, he took it away. Server came back, not with a replacement, but rather he just said I'll remove the 2 oysters off the bill - that we had already eaten. No chef or manager came out to apologize or do anything further. Ummm..OK - having a huge fishbone is kind of a big deal and that's all you're going to do? Anyway, we continued as we had many more dishes coming. Edamame Fresh Oysters Ichigo Kanpachi Ikura, Strawberry, Shiso leaf Black Aguachile Aguachile, Octopus, Albacore, Avocado Aioli ***White Fish Ceviche Shallots, lime, cilantro, salt, inferno sauce - this is the dish that had the bone in it Truffle Toro Truffle oil, Himalayan salt crystals, black sturgeon caviar, 24k gold Dashi Lobster Pasta Sautéed onion, capers, butter dashi broth Chilean Seabass Al Pastor Al pastor Japanese adobo, xni pec, ashes aioli, aroma oil Sous Vide Duck Breast Bok choy, apricot-tsuyu reduction Yellowtail Cilantro Roll Garlic Albacore Roll A5 Wagyu Beef Hakkaido Milk Bread Pudding The dishes were beautifully presented, despite the bone mishap. There is also a wonderful performer, she was very talented, and very gracious. They offer valet parking but you can pretty easily find street parking It's too bad we had the bad experience as I would've liked to return.

Kevin L.

Yelp
My date has been wanting to try this place out and sure enough, it did not disappoint. Ambiance: As soon as you walk in, you are greeted by the amazing hostesses and bartenders. Walking inside the restaurant, the bar was very eye catching and beautiful! The hostess lead us down the hallway where it was dark and intimate (but could still see) and led us to our seats. The music was definitely my taste but also on the perfect volume where it was loud enough to enjoy the music, but at the same time still talk to everyone at the table. This is one of the nicer restaurants for sure! Food: Not sure exactly what was ordered since my date ordered everything but I do remember the Toro Tartare and Wagyu Tostada being delicious! Those are most definitely must try items. Service: Our server Kai was amazing and very knowledgable about the menu. Since it was our first time here, we had so many questions to the point where I thought we were being annoying. But Kai was so patient and didn't make us feel rushed at all and she did it was a genuine smile. She checked up on us throughout service and did not make it seem like she was here to take our money. My date and I felt a real genuine connection with her and because of that we are only going to come back because of her! Thank you Kai and Kaviar team for an amazing experience!

Sayuri B.

Yelp
Walking into this place I felt like I was transported straight to Japan. From the rolls-Royce out front, the samurai encased outfits the art of geisha's on the walls, to the gold finishings on the plates this place is really a upscale Los Angeles restaurant. Their Omakase menu is outstanding, they have three different options to choose from my friend and I had the Base Omakase 125/guest 17 courses and the Premium Omakase 185/guest which has 21 courses. Our bill was close to $400 but it was definitely worth it. All of the seafood, it was very fresh. Each plate was decadent but I do have to say the presentation wasn't as fun as the Al la carte presentations we saw around us though the food itself was splendid. The caviar comes on little ivory spoons with champagne. They're squid ink Aguachile was definitely my top favorite dish, my least favorite was the octopus it was a little chewy. Sashimi was amazing the rice was cooked to perfection. Lots of fresh flavors in the plates the chef had for us. The premium Omakase came with duck, Wagu, scallop, and lamb which were all covered in gold flakes! Very fancy! Lastly for dessert we had cheesecake, baklava and ice cream that had hints of saffron. I enjoyed myself very much. Last remarks: Our waitress Sam was not only beautiful but attentive, there's a fire dancer for entertainment, parking is a little difficult and the bathrooms aren't really up to par with the upscale vibe of the restaurant. Thank you Kaviar Restaurants for having us!

Kamryn G.

Yelp
I LOVE Kaviar! Its a perfect hole in the wall spot located in the arts district. Thankfully they have valet ($10-$15) so you dont have to worry about parking. The ambiance is stunning and will instantly immerse you in Japanese culture. The dark setting is very sexy and intimate, perfect for date nights. We decided to go for the prefix and it was totally worth it! The portions were a little small in my opinion but we were still full by the end of the night. Their pairings are delicious, rich, and refreshing. Unfortunately Yelp limits the amount of photos per post but we were also given complimentary champagne and their drinks are very tasty. The service is awesome and everyone is friendly. Our waiter Anthony was so amazing and super attentive. I will definitely be back!

Colin M.

Yelp
I wouldn't be surprised if they go out of business. Not that I want any business to go out of business. This is just an honest review in hopes they look into a few things before they lose their shirts in this game. Would love to see everyone succeed. You'll understand why the nitpicking when you look at their menu and price tag. Not very cohesive of an experience. Explains why it was empty on a Saturday night when everywhere else in the area was so packed. First major red flag but we had nowhere else to go last night so last minute. Most the good reviews are by Yelp Elites or accounts with one or two reviews. That most likely means friends and Elites were thrown a party or comped tasting for the reviews and stars. Although very important for a business to start up, it can be a conflict of interest there when it comes to authentic reviews. Food was ridiculously priced with poor execution. First dish that came out was the sunomono with Alaskan King Crab. It was so damn dry you'd wonder why any chef would even send it out. We sent it back, and they sent us another rubbery dry crab sunomono. Not once did a manager come to check on us after we sent that first one back. Cocktails were super watered down and for such an obscenely priced menu and experience, they didn't use proper ice. Ladies are to be serviced first at all times traditionally speaking at a high end restaurant unless they are going for the modern day equality scenario. Uni caviar on tempura shiso leaf was poorly executed and plating was awkwardly dysfunctional. Best to serve on flat plate because the bowl made it hard to take it out without breaking the leaf since it wasn't thick enough to hold. Uni pasta was over cooked or temp was too high causing the sauce to curdle. I'm not a chef or anything but that should be basic knowledge for a team who is specializing in it. Noodles were waaay too dense for delicate flavors. Is it their take on fine dining or was it just poor level execution? Just here as an observer asking questions. It could've been intentional and I'm just not understanding their take on the dish. Tuna burrata. The combination doesn't seem to work. Also they tuna cubes were so big while the burrata was lacking. Really only taste the tuna. Kind of a cop out dish. Literally tuna cube, little bit of burrata and a dab of sauce. Zero innovation and didn't come together well. Miso cod was standard. Order that if you want something decent. The duck was also decent but nothing that stands out considering the super pricey high end theme. I think they ended up missing an order or two which we just canceled. Not once did a manager come to our table to check in on us on a slow Saturday night while everywhere else was happening around them. We also walked right past the manager upon leaving and not even a "thank you for coming". Walked right past the bartender and locked eye contact as we exited and not a smile nor thank you for coming. Not sure if the owners or manager even care about the establishment. Energy of staff normally trickles from the top. We didn't complain at the restaurant since we didn't want to ruin a birthday. We paid the tab and tipped. The experience was one of Gordon Ramsey's Kitchen Nightmare episodes. I really hope they can turn this thing around. Hate to see anyone lose in a game that is already so tough to win at. I don't know much but I have a couple of small businesses myself that I operate that is still thriving after 16 years. Just coming from the little experience that I have... Find a good program consultant and manager! Find a theme that's cohesive from beginning to end. Build a good team culture. You need some real reviews not just from elites who got a free meal. Win the community over. Otherwise, better luck next project and hope we get to see something worthy of coming back to from your group. Good luck Kaviar team! Sincerely rooting for you!

Crisia T.

Yelp
Come to Kaviar. And indulge in luxurious yet tasty dishes. By far the best meal I've had in 2023! When you first enter the restaurant, you're greeted by their host and a stunning bar. Once our table was ready we were lead down a hallway to the intimate dining room, playing the best hip hop and r&b to set your mood. We first tried the caviar service which contains various ingredients that allow you to make your own customized caviar appetizer. I love every version you can make! Other starter dishes that were delicious are the Mono Kanpachi, dressed with peach and miso aioli. And the White Fish Ceviche, which they recommend pairing with the cocktail Paris with Citrus Fields. And my favorite of the bunch the Truffle Toro, dressed with black sturgeon caviar and 24 karat gold. Stunning to look at and tasty to eat. On to the second course, we tried the Seared Hotate, also dressed with caviar. The Chilean Seabass Al Pastor, with a sauce that still makes me drool when I think about it. And the big show stopper the Miyazaki A5 Wagyu, that literally melts in your mouth. Let's not forget dessert, we had the Hokkaido Milk Bread Pudding which was the perfect way to end our date night. If you're looking for the perfect spot to celebrate or dress up and enjoy a nice evening, then I highly recommend trying this restaurant asap! They have two locations in Downtown LA and Pasadena. Cheers and enjoy!

Leonard A.

Yelp
If you want my money, cause I think you're sexy, come on Kavi let me know. And if you really mean it have the hostess text me and honey I'm ready to go! Once I walked in my heart beat like a drum cause at last it was going on and I told my tastebuds to relax baby cause we're about to get Blown! The tostadas of wagyu were up first and they were perfect bites to start off with before diving into mono kampachi which was so refreshing to clear the way for the roll. The amber Jack blue fin tuna was recommended to me and it delivered with full flavor, now I'm not into rolls but this is one I'll definitely get again. And for a favorite of mine after just having it once, the seared hotate, beautiful presentation like the other plates but the flavor of this was simply amazing. And that brings me to the tasty finale, the desserts. Poached pear in red wine with cream and other fruit, need I write more? I think not. The Hokkaido pudding of the bread kind was last and it was orgasmic! Soaked in milk and covered in whiskey butter caramel, OMG This was definitely a certified Mouthgasm within my tastebuds! And the perfect way to end the night and inside of a sexy chic atmosphere. Service was spot on and there's plenty of parking around the district of art. And that's my take on this sexy spot, Peace...

Marcela O.

Yelp
I don't know if I can say anything for Kaviar that hasn't already been said in these reviews, but everything from service, ambiance, food, and presentation was beyond exceptional! Just amazing!!

Maajida M.

Yelp
This was our second time to Kaviar. This time we came for their Hand roll making class and I'd rate it 10/10! We were greeted with a complimentary glass of sparkling wine, then walked through the kitchen, and showed the different rooms in the restaurant. Then we were seated at our table, lucky for us, we chose a Wednesday to which we were the only people booked to take the class! So we got our teacher (Bill) to ourselves. They brought out the sauces, ponzu, eel sauce, and spicy Mayo. Then they brought out the two shared appetizers, it was just the two of us so we had the large bowl of delicious warm garlic edamame to ourselves along with one Wagyu tostada each, also delicious. Then they brought out all ingredients for our handrolls. Bill gave us a choice of soy paper or seaweed wrap and this began our class. I was also given all of Bill's examples, AND for the chef made hand roll I had one of the best toro rolls. He even made us snow crab rolls (mine extra spicy) since we were the only two in the class. I 100% recommend this class, it is BEYOND worth the $65 per person. I think we ate over $100 EACH worth of food. We will be back!

Jilly B.

Yelp
I have been wanting to try this place for over a year. Finally had the chance to come it out for a private sushi hand roll making class. This place is located in downtown LA they have a private lot next to the restaurant for parking which was nice cause it was raining and the parking lot is about 5 steps from the door also convent cause this area has not parking. From the moment you walk in the vibes here are giving upscale / classy New York City. This was a private event and there were no more than 10 people at this event and the establishment wasn't open for anyone else so you had one on one service. We sat at the bar and had complimentary champs while we waited for everyone to arrive. The bar tender was super friendly and made my BF a speciality drink. When everyone arrived we had a personal tour, followed by the hand roll class. Our instructor was the very best!!! So funny, very knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. We had three different kinds of sushi ( all were delicious) we had speciality drinks and then extra hand rolls at the end to the point where I was so full I couldn't eat anymore. The whole experience was great!!! Love this place!

Jarenn N.

Yelp
Would definitely recommend going here for a special occasion. We found free street parking nearby and were able to make online reservations in advance. We were welcomed and seated quickly with the by the hostess. You walk down a very nice hallway that makes for a great photo spot, into a dimly lit large room of different seating areas. The samurai Armor was really cool to see as well as different Japanese paintings on the wall. Service was great from the recommendations to their attentiveness. Everything we ordered was really good including sushi and hot menu items as well. I also enjoyed my cocktail here.

Lisa S.

Yelp
Long story short - the food, service, ambiance was all great! It's more dark and romantic so it would be perfect for a cute date night with your SO or fam :) the interior was really interesting and there's a LOT of seating which is nice! The food comes out fairly quickly too which I really appreciated What we ordered: 1. Uni pasta - 6.5/10. This wasn't my fave cuz im not the biggest fan of uni but my parents were so curious on how this would taste being big fans of uni. The pasta itself was a little dry and the portion size was too small :( 2. Truffle toro - 10/10. THIS. i think a highlight of the night. Definitely pricey but the toro quality IS INSANE and the presentation is also amazing! 3. Al pastor sea bass - 10/10. ANOTHER HIGHLIGHT. Such an interesting refreshing dish. Was such a cool mix of flavors that went so well together and the fish itself was so buttery and tender! 4. Lobster handroll - 9/10. ANOTHER GOOD ONE. Was much bugger than normal handrolls and I LOVED the shishito peppers that came with it. The seasoning of the lobster was also perfect. 5. Wagyu roll - 9.5/10. Also delicious!! The wagyu melts in your mouth and theres shishito peppers in this too~ 6. Sushi platter - 7/10. The sushi here is also delicious but i honestly have had better sushi at other restaurants. Would use my money on the other hot dishes and rolls cuz that's what they're known for! I'm soo happy I was able to experience this restaurant because if it wasn't for this event I would have never known about it or would have had the budget to come to it x) thank you so much yelp!

Gloria H.

Yelp
If you're looking for a restaurant that's got it all - quality fish, killer decor, and service that'll make you feel like royalty - then Kaviar in Downtown LA is the place to be. With samurai outfit displays, Japanese art, and pitch black darkness that'll set the mood, this place is a sensory experience like no other. And the cherry on top? The bread pudding infused with smoke and aromatic coffee that'll have you swooning. But let's not forget about the service - the staff at Kaviar go above and beyond to make you feel right at home. So if you're ready for a sushi experience that's both memorable and delicious, head on over to Kaviar and let the good times sushi-roll.

Mia M.

Yelp
I had the sashimi yellowtail and my husband and Dad ordered the rock shrimp roll. We also ordered the Garlic albacore tuna roll the black snapper sashimi, the amber Jack blue fin tuna roll and the white fish vegetable roll. The food was fresh, the atmosphere is cool, and a bit on the dark side. We also ordered a Coconut mango roll roll and the baked salmon roll. The service was prompt but they didn't have any of the specialty teas on the menu this evening. The don't have a miso soup on the menu or a fired vegetable tempura but they did have a yummy garlic edamame!

Lauren U.

Yelp
Kaviar is amazing!!! There is street parking and valet. We went for street parking but it was a Tuesday so plenty of spots. When we walked in , we were already obsessed. Such a vibe! A little dark and pretty fancy but that is what we were expecting. We had a reservation and got sat right away. I got wine , the spicy albacore roll, edamame . Everything was so fresh and Delicious! It's pricey but worth it. We will def be coming back and you should try it!! Cute for a fancy date night

Christine C.

Yelp
I found the food at this restaurant very average and underwhelming overall. We decided to opt for the dine LA menu and ordered a couple extra items on the menu. We got the wagyu tostadas and the wagyu roll in addition to the dine LA menu and I thought both were just okay. The wagyu tostada ended up coming out as wagyu tacos and the meat was a crumbly ground beef. Dine LA menu was just okay, most items were bland or under seasoned. The courses didn't come out in order which is odd. Overall I was quite disappointed in the dining experience, service was fine but the food fell flat for me.

Pierre R.

Yelp
I live right down the street and I was curious about this restaurant. Man, the food was phenomenal. Hats off to the chef. He came out to greet us and he was such a down to earth dude. He explained how a lot of his dishes are fusions and there was one dish in particular that I really liked - The Chilean SeaBass... wait for it... Al Pastor! What?! This was crazy delicious! He was inspired from the local Mexican community and cuisine and infused an Al Pastor inspired sauce into the dish. Look, I come from a line of foodies. My mom is a chef, and I'm definitely bringing her here. You guys have to try this place. It's bomb.

Brittany J.

Yelp
Really good. Spendy by worth it for a special occasion. Loved the seared hotate, Chilean seabass & of course, the A5 wagyu. Good service & on a happening little street in the Arts District. Ambiance was upscale but cool. A bit dark but part of the vibe. Looking forward to going back.

Argin S.

Yelp
Ambiance: Modern looks with Japanese artwork and samurai Yoroi. There's lively pop music playing in the background. Service: Great service and very courteous waiters. Crispy Rice: the crispy rice patty is very satisfying to bite into. Crispy on the outside, softer on the inside. Most crispy rice I've had before get chewy and stick to my teeth, but this one had great texture. The fish topping was spicy and fatty. Went great with the rice patty! Mango Chili Hirame: first time trying the olive flounder/hirame. I think the mango served with this dish could be ripened but these are ingredients from different seasons. The Jalapeños are very spicy, so watch what you wish for. Loved the fish itself. Less spicy and more sweetness could really elevate the taste of the fish. Nevertheless the dish was ok. A5 wagyu nigiri: absolute deliciousness. Smokiness all over the pieces of nigiri, pairs well with the taste of the caviar. The wagyu starts to melt immediately. Chewing is merely a suggestion for this dish. The rice helps distributing the flavor all around your mouth. Definitely worth trying. Lemon roll: very simple, refreshing and fatty. Went great with some extra ponzu. Yellowtail jalapeño: vibrant presentation and great flavors. One of the better sashimis we've had in a while. Bluefin Shishito: the overall roll was good and it goes well with the Smokey theme the restaurant is going for. It's just not something we enjoyed very much. The bluefin pieces were absolutely delicious though. Amberjack bluefin tuna: this was our favorite roll here. Cucumbers made this roll taste and feel fresh, and avocados added a nice fattiness to the roll. The amberjack and bluefin were an absolute hit! Loved this roll. Hokkaido milk bread pudding: very smoky, sweet, warm pudding with a melting scoop of vanilla ice cream on top and lots of caramel in between the two. The prices are a little high, but the quality of the fish make up for it.

Lilianne T.

Yelp
I had a reservation for 2 at 6pm on a Saturday and there were no issues with confirmation during the reservation process and arrival. I got there about 10 mins early to look for parking and I had to drive around once. I think a lot of the spots were taken by customers at Urth Cafe because it on and poppin, but I was luckily able to find a spot. I saw 2 paid lots on the street but prices weren't shown on their signs. Immediately entering the restaurant, you can already feel the boujee vibes. The front of the restaurant had 2 seating areas with nice furniture as well as a bar. There is a hallway that you walk through to get to the main part of the restaurant and this is where the restrooms are located as well. People were not kidding when they said it is DARK in here. The walls are painted black and the only light source is the little lamps at each table as well as by the artwork. You couldn't be a nosy Nancy if you wanted to because you can't even see people's faces if you were to look across the restaurant lol! Because of this vibe, it does feel pretty intimate at your table as if no one else is really around you. All of the staff were incredibly attentive - my cup of water was almost always filled (however, I didn't have cold water until my last refill lol), they took empty plates away immediately, and we were checked on frequently. At one point, one part of the restaurant lit up and I saw a random woman dancing with a fire show on her hands. I guess it's part of the vibe but it just happened so randomly and I don't seem to understand the intention of it? It was kind of like random 'entertainment'? The woman also looked extremely uncomfortable smiling, looking into people's eyes and cameras while dancing so I tried to avoid eye contact as much as possible lol My friend and I looked at the menu ahead of time as well as at Yelp pics and reviews so we were ready to order upon arrival! Below is a list of the items we ordered and what I thought of them. - Kaviar Seafoam Cocktail: Tasty! It was on the sweeter side of a cocktail which is what I typically like heh - Crispy Rice: Good! The spicy tuna was well made, a bit on the chunkier side. I would've liked the crispy rice to be even crispier but it was still a yummy appetizer. - Salmon Blue Crab: Delicious!! This was one of my favorite dishes. The blue crab was super tasty and refreshing, and had this kind of smoked taste. - Baked Salmon Roll: Really good! Loved the lil searing show they did at the table for this roll. It was actually so hot my friend had to let it cool down before she ate it LOL. Unfortunately we found a piece of plastic in the first roll, but our waiter kindly took it away and got it replaced for us. - Yellowtail Sushi (2 pcs): Delectable! It either comes in 2 pieces of 5 pieces -- I REGRET NOT GETTING THE 5 PIECES. The yellowtail was such good quality! At this point, my friend and I are not full so we want to order more and added these 2: - Chilean Sea Bass Al Pastor: HEAVENLY. The fish was so perfectly cooked. It looks stiff but as soon as I poke into it, it just falls apart so perfectly. It literally LOOKS like al pastor on the outside. The sauce that it sits on tastes like thick Boiling Crab juice lmao so kind of cajunny but it was the perfect complement to the sea bass! I wish we ordered this in our first set! I was starting to get full so I couldn't eat as much of it. I probably would've inhaled this if it came out first. - Spicy Yellowtail Escolar Roll: Not bad! We liked the yellowtail sushi so we thought we could make it spicy and get a roll. This just felt so wet and there were many crunchy things I was biting into. Maybe I was too full at this point, but it wasn't something I wanted to finish anymore. Grateful for the opportunity to dine at this lil gem! It's quite a boujee, but luxurious experience. I was nervous the food wasn't going to live up to its price, but I was thoroughly impressed with many of the dishes. I'd come again for very special occasions!

Ann Y.

Yelp
DINELA REVIEW Got to try Kaviar with their $90 DineLA menu and enjoyed my dinner. The ambiance is romantic and chill (very dark btw), interior design Japanese artwork and decor is cool and servers were young and friendly. FYI for DineLA everyone at the table has to order it. Kinda sucks because my husband didn't want some of the items on there. Here are the goods and the mehs: Garlic edamame: 5/5 best we've ever had it was served hot and in a dashi broth so flavorful White fish ceviche: 4/5 refreshing with a slight spicy kick. The cut of the fish was a bit too thick. Toro truffle w/ caviar gold flakes: 5/5 melted in my mouth so so good! White fish kanpachi w/ strawberry and ikura: 3/5 this was a meh kind of no flavor Uni pasta: 1/5 disappointment! Not only did it taste bland no uni anywhere! Sucks for how much you pay you should get some uni (I've seen them in other peoples photos where was mine?!) Noodle choice was poor flat and limp. They should do a spaghetti or cook it more Al dente. Chilean seabass in adobo Al pastor: 3/5 this was a "LA" recipe for sure. Yummy for some but I wasn't feeling it. The rolls 5/5 we got was yellowtail one with yuzu ponzu and asparagus and the albacore garlic chip 4/5 both had spicy tuna and were yum! But it's definitely spicy to the point where it can ruin your palette and leave your mouth burning. I had to stop eating it and got the baked salmon which was creamy and yum too they char it at the table. The fish to rice ratio in these rolls are respectable too. Hokkaido milk cake was amazing and very sweet and caramel-y with that vanilla ice cream it was perfect! Oysters was fresh! They didn't have the small ones and I don't usually like the fat ones but it was nice cold and fresh. Check-in on Yelp and get a free glass of wine or sake!

Monica C.

Yelp
Flavor: 3/5 Presentation: 5/5 Service: 5/5 Reservation System:1/5 Ambiance: 3/5 Value: 3.5/5 Read on for more details. There was a bit of a hiccup as I was told to make a reservation via email, to which I did not receive a reply to confirm my reservation was made. Gave it a weekend and called after work to confirm my reservation was saved, John said yes but then called me back to say my reservation was for an hour later than requested. He informed me my original reservation was not valid since they open at 6pm. Mistakes are fine and all but there should be an automated method for making reservations so I would have known earlier if my spot was reserved or denied. Ambiance: the exterior of the restaurant feels like you're going to a club, once you enter there is lounge seating and the bar. The main dining room was just as dark and felt like an extension of the bar, guarded by samurai in a case, they also had Japanese portraits on one corner. I would have preferred if the dining room was better lit because the table lamps were very dim. Music was a tad loud but you can still have a conversation. However, I'm not sure if you'll need to raise your voice if you're at the larger tables. Restroom was easy to find in the middle of the hall, clean and stocked. My friend and I were served by Kai who was very attentive. Food did take a while to come out. I was seated at 6 and left around 8pm. Service was good, but I want to note that there were only two parties dining at the time on a Monday so while table service was acceptable, the food took a while to be brought out. Overall, the food was hit or miss in taste. The wagyu tostadas had a nice texture and crunch but it was lacking in seasoning and it was more like ground beef. I feel like I could easily replicate this myself for a fraction of the cost. I also ordered the sumomono, which I'm surprised I liked because I normally am not a fan of ponzu, but this is another item I could make myself for much less. I'd have preferred the wagyu to be presented as a slice. Garlic edamame was most seasoned of all dishes, but you should mix it well as the most flavor was in the excess sauce at the bottom which I wish I had used over the tostadas and my Uni Pasta. I would consider the Uni pasta to be the main course which took the longest to come out. It was creamy but slightly bitter from the sea urchin. I felt like it was missing savory to balance the flavor. Servings are small so I added cajun salmon sashimi. Slices were nice and thick and flavor was reminiscent of the lox on a bagel with a strong smokey flavor. Dessert menu does not have prices but the poached pear was $36 and bread pudding $24. Pear had a depth of flavor from the goat cheese, compote and caviar. However, we were surprised that the pear was not served warm. Bread pudding comes in a dome covered platter which they open to release smoke. It was very strong of whiskey topped with a tablespoon of vanilla ice cream. I think I saw in another user photo that the cheesecake comes with a piece of poached pear so if you were indecisive between the cheesecake and pear, just get the cheesecake. There's a lot of effort into food presentation. Servers brought out the dessert and the small tables had to be cleared to make room. Considering other menu items have prices, it was odd that there was no price for the dessert menu. Based on other reviews, I had higher expectations for the food. Hopefully, the prices reflect that they are paying their employees well at least. I noticed that they are participating in DineLA so maybe the curated menu will be a better representation of their quality.

Jeane M.

Yelp
Amazing food !! We loved the White Fish Ceviche the most and also the duck tasted like the best thanksgiving turkey with the cranberry puree . We will be back :)

Casey C.

Yelp
I was thankful to get an opportunity to try this place, as it is within walking distance of eighty-two, which is one of my favorite places. I can tell that they are still a bit disorganized, so I am hopeful they get some of those bugs worked out (hostess not wanting to seat us on time for our reservation although there was plenty of open seating, no towels to dry your hands in the men's room, one of the things we ordered being forgotten). I do really love the ambiance here. It reminds me of a speakeasy, which is perfect for special occasions. The big purple velvet booths were very comfortable and they kindly moved two of the very small tables together, so we weren't cramped. I generally really liked the food here with a couple of distinct exceptions. I will start with what I didn't care for, so I can end this on a good note. The spicy shishito peppers would have been fantastic, except they were drowned in the sauce. They honestly would be very good with about an eighth of the sauce. The rockshrimp roll was super disappointing. The tempura battered shrimp is just plopped on top of the roll instead of being incorporated into it and then covered in way too much sauce, which just made it soggy. Okay, on to the good stuff! The lobster roll was fantastic and had the best textural elements of the night. The lemon roll was probably my favorite. It was perfect in every way. Seriously, you must get this roll. For nigiri, we got the cajun salmon (loved the roe on top), the Spanish mackerel (lovely presentation), and the halibut (not fancy, but good). All in all, I will be back. :)

Jamie S.

Yelp
My experience at Kaviar was nothing short of incredible. From start to finish, my friend and I completely enjoyed everything there was to offer here! The dim space is highlighted by suits of armor commanding the center of the room. Each table was exquisitely and elegantly set with menus and wine glasses. The service was also impeccable from start to finish. There's even a fire dancer! But the food is the real star here. We were overwhelmed with choices for both cocktails and food, since each come inside menus with dozens of options. We finally decided on: The Panda Fix Cocktail (under the Sweet & Zesty category of the cocktail menu, and I loved that the cocktails were designed this way) -- a refreshingly delicious mix of gin, grapefruit, pomegranate, lemon, pandan syrup and rosemary Crispy Rice -- the rice was indeed very crispy, and the tuna was rich and flavorful Fresh Oysters -- there are 4 different kinds to choose from, we went for the small ones which our server said were on the sweeter side. Each order comes with 2. A5 Wagyu Nigiri -- topped with caviar. The Wagyu was buttery soft and flavorful, and melt in your mouth tender. Absolutely epic. Truffle Toro -- toro topped with truffle oil, Himalayan salt crystals, black sturgeon caviar and 24k gold flecks. Oh. My. God. This was the sure standout for me -- I could have eaten a bucket full of it. Sea Urchin with Tuna Roll -- this roll was good, but HUGE and a lot to take in. My friend and I both agreed that the sea urchin was the best part. My friend also ordered a glass of red wine, I can't remember which one but she said it was good. Our total bill was $184 before tax and tip -- which, honestly, was completely worth it for the items we ordered! This is definitely a restaurant for a nicer night out, but it is absolutely, 100 percent worth it. I definitely want to go back!