Seated in main room with bar. We had a reservation and arrived early so were first to be seated. Department store music was fun though a tad too loud. It's obvious this room can get quite loud when it's full which would be a turnoff. The room was dark but had nice ambient lighting to see menu and eat by. Excellent service from hostess who could have made us wait to the attentive waiter who was playful but professional with excellent suggestions. Sushi was very fresh and beautifully prepared. We ordered Crispy Rice (Spicy Tuna Roll) and the Leona's Special Roll ($19.) (See photo) Tasty and fulfilling. The Wasabi was lacking in bite and needed much more horseradish but that's just my taste. We also ordered the Croquettes for $14. They were a bit on the small side so doubt would order again though they were good. Glad we went early on our Saturday eve to avoid the crowds which I'm sure there is. Parking everywhere but can be more difficult on a busy evening. Pleasant experience. If I was in the area I might pop back in if I remembered it.
So happy I came across Leona's for a great dining experience with our friends. This was our first visit and we are looking forward to go back. From th moment we walked in we were greeted by several staff and our waiter. We thought our waiter Nick was the owner because he was incredible and really took the time to explain the menu and went the extra mile to make sure we had a excellent experience. The different dining rooms have so much character that I want to go back and sit in a different setting. This is a real hidden gem in Studio City and I look forward to go back soon. We really just ordered off what Nick suggested but we also ordered more Nigiri as our last course. My fav: Toro, Salmon belly, Uni. See several pictures and enjoy.
This small sushi spot packs quite a pleasant punch. Upon arrival, we were seated promptly at a nice 4 top table. The decor in this restaurant is absolutely stunning. We ordered miso soup, cucumber salad, spicy tuna and crispy rice, and oxtail baos to start. The miso soup was hot and flavorful. The cucumber salad was tangy and marinated well. The spicy tuna and crispy rice was really good as well, but for the price wouldve been better if there was 4 pieces. (Instead of 2). The oxtail baos were delicious and tender. We ordered a bunch of rolls, the one with yellowtail was absolutely delightful and id 100% order this again. I got the taco trio which comes with 3 out of this world sashimi tacos. The flavors were amazing on each taco and with the jicama shell, they were perfectly light and refreshing. I got the lychee martini and which was decent. Staff was very friendly and made amazing suggestions. However, when notifying them about the occasion (a birthday). We were told they would provide a complimentary dessert but instead we were charged for it. So I felt that was tacky. Considering how much we had spent overall. I would still come back as the food is incredible and worth the second visit.
I've been curious to try this place and finally did. Really massive restaurant with tons of seating and a bar area. Nice ambiance. When I came it was pretty bare but it was a weekday evening. Interesting menu items, they have sushi but other entrees like pasta. Prices are a bit high depending on what you get. Corn Tempura: I thought this was just okay, I didn't love it but my friend did. Crispy Rice: I really liked this! It has a kick to it, it was crunchy, creamy, and delish. Albacore Ceviche Roll: I got this based on the waitress's recommendation. It was presented beautifully and tasted really fresh. It's essentially like a salsa on top of a sushi roll. Don't expect actual fish ceviche on top of the roll.... though that would be cool. It's diced veggies like tomatoes and cucumbers. It was good but I'd probably try another roll next time. Overall, pretty decent meal and service was friendly and great.
Cute restaurant. Nice ambiance! Lots of hanging plants (that are a little annoying if you're on the taller side)! There's a lovely fireplace (photo attached) that really set the mood for the evening! I came for a friend's birthday gathering, and it was a pretty big group, upward of 20. The server seemed a bit overwhelmed by the large party, but was very kind nonetheless. For my starter, I had the blue crab croquettes. They were delicious! Right ratio of crunch to moisture. Then for my entree, I had the Miso Cod, as it was highly recommended online. The texture of the cod was delicious it was very well cooked! I had mine with mashed potatoes and spinach on the side (instead of asparagus). Very glad they allowed me to sub the spinach! I'd definitely come back, and maybe I'll try the oxtail bao or yellowtail next time!
I came here as part of OTH and let me just say. WOW. I LOVE SUSHI, but this place is truly one of the best. The vibes are great, sushi is fantastic, and again, the right vibe. Especially for the valley The price is right and truly cheap for good sushi. I highly recommend checking it out. The wagyu sushi is
I recently dined here and had an overall enjoyable experience. The vibe here is great and offers three separate dining spaces giving you options on where to sit. My husband and ordered a glass of wine and a cocktail. The cocktail was solid. Very refreshing. We ordered the following food: -shishito peppers -assortment of sushi (halibut, kanpachi, salmon and yellowtail). -miso cod -Leona special The food was great -- fresh, high-quality ingredients that were well-prepared. However, I couldn't shake the feeling that I could find similar quality sushi and menu options at other spots along Ventura Blvd. That said, I'll definitely add this place to my list of sushi spots in the area and will be back to try some of their non-sushi dishes, which looked intriguing. Parking is convenient with both valet and street parking options. If you're in the mood for sushi with a bit of a fusion twist, it's worth checking out.
Leona's was selected for me through the social app TimeLeft, which arranges dinner parties for six strangers at random L.A. restaurants. I had never heard of the place, nor do I remember seeing it whilst driving down Ventura Blvd. It's not a taggable location on Instagram. It's truly a hidden gem. The aesthetic is light and airy, modestly sophisticated. Our party of six arrived on time and were promptly waited on. Our server was excellent - attentive, friendly, knowledgeable about the menu, and very patient as my five tablemates asked a bunch of questions. Our seating area was quiet, great for a group conversation. I ordered the Cherry Blossom gin cocktail, which was fresh and zippy, but substantial enough that I sipped on it most of the evening. As others ordered more food or dessert later during our meal, I did finish the drink and ordered Leona's Old Fashioned. Both drinks were made with Japanese gin and whiskey, respectively, and while the Cherry Blossom gave a good buzz, the old fashioned was breathtakingly strong. For my entrée, I ordered the cilantro yellowtail cut roll, which also had spicy tuna and jalapeno sauce. It was good, though not enough of a meal - my focus was on being social, but if I'd been more hungry, I'd have ordered something else. They have a pretty extensive menu, including robata. Two members of our party were vegan and seemed to feel pickings were slim for them. Leona's is perfect for a cosy date or a lovely light meal on a summer night.