Tsubaki

"For refined Japanese cooking, it’s hard to think of a better place than Tsubaki. The diminutive Echo Park restaurant (and attached sake bar and snacks spot Ototo) is perfect for a Monday night celebration, dining over dry-aged sashimi, silken tofu, and grill-kissed meats." - Eater Staff

"After a particularly rough experience where a one-night stand asked you to come over to their house and T-shirt model for their Depop store, you’re back on the proverbial dating horse. Get back in the saddle at Tsubaki. This izakaya in Echo Park is everything you want on a first date - it’s fun and low-commitment, and everything on the menu, from the trout crudo to the yakisoba and the chicken meatballs, is excellent, and generally costs around $8-20. Plus, they have one of the best sake selections in town - which is important when you’re getting to know the person across from you (namely, if they’re giving off a “Please T-shirt model for me” vibe)." - jess basser sanders, brant cox, kat hong, brett keating

"This izakaya near the entrance to Dodger Stadium has everything you want for date night: indoor and outdoor seating, a sake list longer than some dictionaries, and incredible Japanese food. Prioritize the yakitori (we like chicken oysters), but don't ignore the larger dishes. Tsubaki's garlic fried rice with dungeness crab is a requisite order unless you have a shellfish or fun allergy. " - brant cox, sylvio martins

"The Order: Japanese 'Caesar' Salad A meal at this Echo Park izakaya usually revolves around grilled skewers, which you should order a few of. However, we prefer to fill most of the table with Tsubaki’s non-skewered dishes, including the excellent Japanese caesar. The lettuce has a nice density, so it stays crisp after getting tossed in a vibrant, creamy miso dressing. You also get a big ol’ crunch from panko breadcrumbs and a little smoky smooch from the shredded fish flakes. " - brant cox, sylvio martins, garrett snyder

"No matter where you sit at this dimly lit Japanese Izakaya in Echo Park you’ll have a very good meal. If you sit at the tiny bar in the back, however, you’ll have an excellent meal. That’s not because the food is any better than it is in the dining room, but because of the people standing behind the bar. If there’s a sake they think you should try, they’ll just pour it. If there’s an interesting ingredient in the prawn skewers you just ordered, they’re going to tell you about the chef’s recent trip to Japan that inspired it. With only four or so chairs, the bar is certainly intimate, and it’s our favorite way to do this place. " - brant cox