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It's been a lot In recent years he has written about Hollywood's rebirth into the seductive, star-lit spectacle it once was. From the return of Warwick's popular neighborhood to the crowded restaurants and lounges of the “Vinyl District,” the neighborhood is its busiest and most star-studded neighborhood since its last heyday in the early 2000s.
But a new restaurant has opened in Hollywood that's neither a tribute to parties of the past, nor an attempt to recreate any kind of scene. Instead, the intimate space you'll miss helps bring back more of Hollywood's grassroots, recalling a time when the neighborhood was a hub of innovation, imagination and creativity.
Udatsu Sushi LA quietly opened this month on Sunset Boulevard, taking over what was once the legendary Sunset Sound Studio, a historic recording studio that served as home for many years to rock legends like The Doors, Van Halen and Paul McCartney. Opened in 1958 by Totti Cammarata, then Walt Disney's director of records, the building was also known for being the place where many of the animation studio's most memorable scores were recorded, including Mary Poppins and 101 Dalmatians.
At one point, Sunset Sound had three operating studios, as well as The Sound Factory nearby. The original Sunset Sound is still open, and has welcomed artists like Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift in recent years (Idina Menzel is also said to have recorded “Let It Go” from Frozen there). But with one studio out of use, it was time to switch.
Odatsu
Udatsu Sushi reveals itself on the second floor of the former recording studio space, hidden behind a traditional Japanese wooden door amid simple concrete slabs. There, guests are directed to one of only eight seats at the bar, where executive chef Shingo Ogane (trained by the restaurant's namesake chef, Hisashi Odatsu) serves up a 17-course omakase tasting menu twice nightly.
Inspired by the mix of sounds and genres that once filled the place, Udatsu's dishes blend traditional Japanese cuisine with local California ingredients. To illustrate: Fresh fish is flown in daily from Tokyo's Toyosu Fish Market, while Chef Ojani sources Santa Barbara sea urchin and produce from the Santa Monica and Hollywood farmers markets. On any given night, guests can partake in signature offerings such as seasonal herb rolls, crunchy yet fragrant with local organic greens; smoked fatty tuna rolls served on a smoking plate; Tender flounder with shredded ponzu; And fried pumpkin with caviar. The sweet Japanese omelet is served at the end as a custard-like dessert.
This is Udatsu Sushi's third location, after Tokyo and Hong Kong. The Los Angeles location comes from Boulevard Hospitality Group, the team best known for opening Yamashiro restaurant on a hilltop in Hollywood, and preserving and reimagining the TCL Chinese Theater.
“For us, it was fitting to honor the spirit of Sunset Sound’s past while creating a new chapter that continues to celebrate excellence,” the company says. Rolling Stone. “Just like the recording artists who have created timeless works within these walls, our Chef curates each 17-course omakase experience with the same dedication to precision and creativity. A space that was once filled with the sounds of world music, is now filled with the sights and tastes of culinary innovations, making Udatsu Sushi LA is the most anticipated dining destination in Hollywood.
The owners say they're excited to be part of Hollywood's newest renaissance, and look forward to welcoming guests to the venue. With only eight seats and an enclosed dining room, Udatsu has already become a popular attraction for celebrities and private clients alike. However, the owners say it's not about creating an elitist or exclusive destination, but rather about bringing back the sense of creativity and community that once filled the space.
“We are proud to continue Sunset Sound's legacy of craftsmanship, now through food, and we look forward to welcoming a new generation of guests to a place that has always been home to creativity and excellence,” they say.
