Studio City

Just over Laurel Canyon, the sweet strip of Ventura Boulevard and its surrounding streets offers dynamite dressing, the most hardcore sushi bars, and some of the sweetest homemade baked goods around. You’d never know it was the gateway drug to The Valley by looking at it.

EXPLORE ANOTHER NEIGHBORHOOD:

Laurel Tavern

11938 Ventura Blvd 818-506-0777

Industrial and rustic with brick and wood details, butcher block tables, and blackboard menus, Laurel Tavern has filled the Valley with good cheer! Bless the full bar and sixteen draft beers, beers, beers.

Photo: Courtesy of Laurel Tavern

Sushi Nozawa

11288 Ventura Blvd 818-508-7017

The first rule of Sushi Nozawa is that you don’t talk about Sushi Nozawa. Rule number two: chef’s choice — no exceptions. Number three: Anyone can get yelled at or kicked out at anytime for acting up (i.e., using soy unnecessarily). Number four: It’s really good.

Photo: Getty Images

Mimi & Hy

12212 Ventura Blvd 818-761-2202

Forget the wood screws and winter’s lard. This shop takes the concept of general store to the heights of modern chic with jewelry, lingerie, art books, apothecary products, and tantalizing tokens from around the globe.

Photo: Courtesy of Mimi & Hy

Katsu-ya

11680 Ventura Blvd 818-985-6976

Before there was Brentwood, Hollywood, and Glendale, there was Kastuya Uechi’s little strip mall gem, where you’ll find the spicy tuna on crispy rice and yellowtail with fried shallots that started it all.

Photo: Getty Images