Los Angeles - February 26, 2007

Secrets of the Ya-Ya

Izaka-Ya by Katsu-Ya

Crackers, and cheese, and olives — oh, my!

You’re so tapped out on tapas, it’s frightening.

But follow the proverbial yellow brick road to Third Street and The Izaka-Ya by Katsu-Ya. The great and powerful  Katsuya Uechi, sushi chef behind the famed Brentwood and Valley spots, serves izakaya (small plates of traditional Japanese happy hour grub) at his latest destination.

Sidle up to the ten-seat sushi bar or score one of the dozen tables and behold the specials board. Along with signature dishes, like spicy tuna on crispy rice and seared albacore with crispy onions, the menu emphasizes rustic cooked foods including agedashi tofu (deep-fried bean curd with soy broth) and nabeyaki udon.

We had a feeling we weren’t in Kansas anymore.

The Izaka-Ya by Katsu-Ya, 8420 West Third Street, between La Cienega Boulevard and South Orlando Avenue, Mid-City West (323-782-9536).