Tsubaki

This beloved, California-minded izakaya in Echo Park can do no wrong, offering a host of carefully prepared dishes that are short on fuss and high on taste. In a relaxed space fit with exposed red brick, find kanpachi crudo with ume ponzu, chawanmushi with dungeness crab, delicate tempura and grilled skewers ranging from chicken oysters to scallops. Everything is meant to be shared. The restaurant is serious about sake, too, so engage the servers and explore accordingly. A word to the wise: Plan accordingly when Dodger Stadium is in full swing, as reservations (and parking) might be particularly difficult.