Très stylish sushi at Jade Beverly Hills | California

The décor

Rumor has it that the happy few that can snag a table at Jade Beverly Hills have a tendency to linger for the evening. And why would they not? Just look at the décor. Your eyes will never get tired of gazing at the walls adorned with Chinese paintings and vintage sconces; the marble top tables; the pink-salmon chairs; the green velvet banquette; and the majestic bar.

But the pièce de résistance is the ceiling. Waves of fabrics are illuminated by green and blue changing colors, creating a graceful and peaceful backdrop. On Wednesday add to that, subtle live jazz music that elevates the ambiance but lets you talk at your table.

Now to the palate

Now that we are comfortably and stylishly seated, let’s order. Open your appetite with one of the hand-crafted cocktails. Clean your palate with the Miso Soup, before the Spicy Tuna Crisp. This dish is an example of how consulting chef Matteen Khalifian has accomplished to make “sushi & co” different at Jade Beverly Hills. On the plate is served a finely ground tuna tartare, seasoned with paprika to be spread on small crispy nori chips with spicy aioli — writing about this dish whets my appetite and makes me want to return for another experience.

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Then, indulge in a combo of fish, meat or be vegan. Start with the Hamachi Crudo covered with chili crisp. The beef carpaccio is prepared with the noble Wagyu, sea urchin, truffle oil, and glitters with gold flakes. A kick is given by wasabi peas and mustard ponzu.

Get your camera ready for the Sapphire Roll, a vegan roll that is as good as it looks. It is prepared with jackfruit, pickled burdock, sprouts, cucumber, avocado and spicy mayo.

Burdock is an herb known for its numerous health benefits: aiding in digestion, detoxifying the liver, and balancing hormones. It is also good for improving skin quality, reducing inflammation, and lowering blood pressure.

SUGGESTED READING: Jordane Andrieu’s other restaurant Arden in West Hollywood, CA (also on Best LA Décor Restaurants)

Make your own

In order to have the freshest handrolls possible, and to keep the nori as crispy as right out-of-the box, Khalifian had the (great) idea to bring all the ingredients to your table.

Choose or mix yellowtail, spicy scallop, spicy tuna or snow crab, wrap and be convivial. (For those of you who pay attention to their figure, they can skip the rice, though it is well flavored.)

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If there is going to be a “Wagyu Steak on Rice” (a.k.a. Wagyu Donburi), it is going to be prepared with the rare BMS 8 Australian Wagyu. Best is to mix the quail egg, wasabi aïoli, pickled onion and crispy shallot together with the rice. Then, it is all yours, but take your time for the pleasure of your tastebuds.

If you entertain a good relationship with your credit card, dig in to the “Something Special” section, where you can opt for the Caviar Service ($165-$625); Jade Dragon, assorted hand and cut rolls ($295); or the grand 467 Carat Premium Dragon that also includes caviar ($485).

READ MORE: All About Caviar

Sweets & Drinks

The pavlova and the yuzu panna cotta are another delicious excuse for drifting the night away at Jade Beverly Hills…

Andrieu, who hails from Burgundy from a family of winemakers, is offering a small selection of wines with celebrated labels as Dom Pérignon, Vincent Delaporte’s Sancerre, Domaines Ott and Copain Wines’ Pinot Noir. If you want to play it Japanese, favor a beer or saké.

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