SU-SU- STUDIO: Celebrity HotSpots for Sushi in Studio City

Does this sound familar?

You are entertaining out-of-town friends or family who are excited to dine where the celebs dine. They think: Hollywood. You think: Are there any celebrity hotspots right here in our very own backyard.

Good news: Skip Hollywood Blvd and Sunset Blvd! Ventura Boulevard is great for spotting celebs, especially the area aptly named “Sushi Row."

Two of the most popular Japaneses/sushi restaurants along Sushi Row, Katsu-ya and , are known for their celebrity following. Take your guests to either of these celebrity hotspots and if you are lucky you just might spot one or more celebs there!

1)

     11680 Ventura Blvd

     Studio City CA  91604

     www.katsu-yagroup.com/katsuya_studio_city.html

Katsu-ya, one of the busiest and tastiest places on sushi row, is a perennial favorite due to their fresh and original fare. For those that have waited in line, special dishes such as Crispy Rice w/Spicy Tuna, Albacore Onion and Sesame Tuna are constantly touted as “worth the wait”.

Since opening in 1999, this mainstay’s inventive sushi creations have attracted a celebrity following that continues to this day. Studio City local Miley Cyrus has been spotted dining at Katsu-ya numerous times. Actresses/singers Jennifer Love Hewitt, Vanessa Hudgens, Brittany Snow, Hilary Duff and her professional hockey player husband Mike Comrie all frequent this popular establishment.

As the Katsu-ya group’s very first Japanese restaurant, Katsu-ya set the stage for Founder and Executive Chef Katsuya Uechi’s group to open additional Japanese/sushi restaurants. Among these are the highly-rated Kiwami, just a couple blocks down the street on Ventura Blvd. Additionally, together with the ultra-hip SBE enterainment group, Katsuya has continued to create one thriving hotspot after another.

Their #1celebrity hotspot, Katsuya by Starck is located right smack in the heart of Hollywood…just in case you do choose to venture over the hill!!

2)

     11056 Ventura Blvd

     Studio City CA  91604

     www.sushidanla.com (website is currently down)

Sushi Dan caters to American tastes more so than most of the other Sushi Row Japanese/Sushi restaurants. This spot is particularly popular for lunch due to their specially-priced lunch specials. While their menu does include pan-Asian dishes, they are best known for their “Rockin’ sushi”,  an assortment of funky sushi rolls (raw and baked) with non-traditional combinations and names such as Danny Roll, Energy Roll, Forgiven Pleasure Roll, Sunset Roll, Baked Salmon Roll and the like.

Located in a strip mall, this casual joint with a rock-n-roll vibe is where the younger set gets their sushi fix. It’s a fave of teen sweethearts and Selena Gomez, along withand her Hunger Games boyfriend Liam Hemsworth. Twilight star Ashley Greene was spotted grabbing a bite here during tough negotiations for Breaking Dawn and Miley Cyrus has been sighted having lunch at this local hangout with her BFF and YouTube video partner Mandy Jiroux.   

And, yes, Sushi Dan has another location on Sunset Blvd in West Hollywood...if you have that urge to venture over the hill!!