Michael Hepworth
By Cheri Fox
Los Angeles, CA(Spiritsman)4/4/12/–Koi Los Angeles celebrated its 10th Anniversary Dinner on Wednesday March 21 2012. Over a hundred international food critiques attended, dining on Koi’s most infamous dishes that have made this West Hollywood hotspot a celebrity favorite for over a decade. This celebrity hot spot is still sizzling and CEO Nick Haque’s vision of creating a dining experience which focused on atmosphere as much as the cuisine is still a phenomenon in the unique setting that transports clients to a place unlike anywhere to a place like no other.
Recently serving up frequent client comedian David Spade and serving recording artist Avril Levigne. Koi has a special sparkle which actual gold leaf is served on some of the signature sushi rolls. Around 7pm the evening started by serving the unforgettable Koi Crispy Rice; Spicy Tuna, spicy shrimp salad and gluten free Grilled to perfection Eggplant. The Appetizer Course started with Hamachi Fusion, Soy Yuzu, Truffle Essence a melt in your mouth, yellow tail, apparently this is celebrity Bruce Willis favorite dish at koi.
The “Koi sake” Junmai Daiginjo was introduced during the appetizer course.
This super premium pure rice sake, is refreshingly flavorful, light and smooth. Koi Sake is a mild medium flavor with a hint of fruity aromas of melon, pear and floral. It is dry sake with mild flavor and tranquil acidity; it was served chilled in a shot glass a light shade of bluish green in color and paired nicely with the Koi Shrimp Tostadas which were served with Jalapeno Cream Sauce. The Salmon Carpaccio, Black truffles Citrus Sauce, my personal favorite, the sauce was simply light and tangy and the oh so thinly sliced salmon was flavored daintily with its essence, all paired well with the mild flavorful Koi Sake Junmai Daiginjo.
The Sushi Course began with renowned Rock N Roll, Soft Shell Crab, spicy tuna, baked crab topped with Toro & Gold Leaves, this is literally the Gold Standard for the ultimate sushi roll and they topped it off with real gold leaf shavings. Then the Red Rose Roll, Spicy Tuna and Cucumber Roll with Avocado, Tuna, Yellow Grapes, Tomato, Jalapeno and Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing, what a combination of spicy jalapeno and balsamic, south west meets Mediterranean and Asian tantalizing the taste buds, this was paired with the Rockin Cucumber Martini, Rock Sake, Vodka, Cucumber and Lime Juice. Delicious!
The entrees included the Grilled Sea Bass, with a honey Balsamic Glaze, Shiso-Pea Coulis grilled to perfection topped with tangy glaze, followed by the Peppercorn Filet Mignon with shishito Mashed Potatoes, so special colleagues asked for take home containers, and the Pan Seared Bronzini with habanero Cream, Mashed Potatoes, Broccollini and Baby Carrots, this white fish had just the right amount of kick with the uniquely spiced habanero creamy red sauce, served with a side of carefully glazed string beans. This was paired with a Paradigm, Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, smooth and dry perfect.
The Desserts were absolutely fabulous, I never expected them to be so richly delectable the Flourless Molten Chocolate Volcano Cake a big hit, and the White Chocolate Cheesecake, with passion fruit sorbet and berries, was heavenly and displayed like a white cloud, the Vanilla and Chocolate Crème Brule was out of this world, served on a dish so large it resembled a flying saucer. The assorted Mochi passion fruit, green tea, peanut butter chocolate, strawberry chocolate were a delicious mix of ice cream and Mochi with a chewy sweet consistency.
The desserts were paired with a fruity flavored Hana Hou Shu Sparkling Sake. This sake has a unique smooth blend of Rose Hips and Hibiscus. Executive Chef Robb Lucas remarked he had a full kitchen staff of 8 working diligently to prepare all the food precisely including specialty pastry chef, also mentioned other locations in Las Vegas and Bryant Park, NY and a second location in New York opening in the Trump Plaza . Opening In September in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Located at 730 North La Cienega Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90069 (310) 659-9449 Open Mon-Wed 6–11pmThu 6–11:30pm Fri-Sat 6pm–12amSun 6–10pm, valet.
Michael Hepworth
287 S.Robertson Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90211