I am giving props to Shojin, an amazing restaurant discovery in the Los Angeles area.
My partner and I were attending a film screening, and were looking for someplace new to try on the way there. Sufficient gluten free options is a requirement, but the browser sites for that are still pathetic, and influenced by businesses paying for the PR. Sorry folks, but when your only gluten free item is a plain salad, you shouldn't qualify!
Fortunately, Shojin popped up. Their web site promoted their approach to dining, and also their ingredients: 100% plant-based vegan, all gluten free, organic, and no table salt or refined sugar.
We love Japanese food, but my partner has never had vegetarian or vegan that she liked. Under promise of a protein-style In n' Out burger if this place failed, she was willing to give it a try.
The verdict? OMG-good, and definitely someplace we will take friends to. We opted for their prix-fixe menu. In Japanese restaurants, that's called omasake. There were 12 items listed, serve in groupings, which we knew would be small portions similar to the way tapas is served.
The flavors and textures were amazing from start to finish, and all of the plates left empty. My best-of-the-best were the Baked "Crab Cake" Hand Roll with Truffle Maitake Miso Soup, the Smoked "Salmon" Nigiri, and the Shojin Inari. The meat or fish names were only there for association, and the products and their textures were worthy of it. Each item was presented and talked through. The final three were torched after being placed on our table, so that we could experience that added flavor immediately. Throughout our two hour dinner, our server was attentive, and appreciative of the feedback we provided.
The atmosphere is exquisitely detailed and subdued, allowing us to focus on each other and the artful food presented to us. I would highly recommend this place for a date night, and for people who struggle in noisier places.
All in all, a highly recommended addition to our dining options. You can find them at
https://www.theshojin.com
#vegan
#glutenfree
#japanesedining