Review: Crave Sushi

It is 7 p.m. on a Wednesday, you’ve just picked up your hot date and want to impress them by taking them somewhere classy but not widely known in the valley. As you drive down Ventura Boulevard, the sun sets behind the black leather seats of your ‘03 mustang, bright yellow lights beam in the driver side mirror, as you reach for your sunglasses in the passenger side compartment your eyes set on a big red sign, Crave Sushi

From the outside this corner restaurant is set in evenly placed red brick stones with black coated jamb liners around the large clear windows. Upon entering you’re met with a light and airy gothic style, the dining tables are lit from the gold chandeliers and the windows covered by hanging fairy lights. The sushi bar sits across from the sous chef’s station and in between, a transparent fridge compartment which stores the meats and sauces. 

The atmosphere is very inviting with their elegant and comfortable designed seats and decor. Servers and chefs attend to you whether you’re at the bar or the farthest corner of the room. The sushi bar adds an interactive experience allowing the guests to engage with the skilled chefs that prepare their dinner. The overall vibe of this restaurant is classy enough for a first date but not too upscale that it can’t be beat on a second. 

The restaurant opened sometime in 2015 alongside Crave Cafe in Sherman Oaks Ca. by Kam Talebi, who owns the other Crave restaurants. The lights are on from noon to 11 p.m. It can be hard to go out for dinner with friends when one of them is a picky eater that survives solely on 

chicken tenders, but have no fear, Crave Sushi and Crave Cafe share an open door where you can easily travel between restaurants so that everyone is happy with a meal. 

The high-quality fresh ingredients used in the sushi set tastebuds on fire, it’s known for its fresh fish, sushi burritos, and the variety of sake. The price for an appetizer sets from $6.50 to $12, but the most enticing item on that section would be the Heart Attack, half a jalapeno stuffed with spicy tuna and cream cheese fried in tempura batter and drizzled in a light sweet and salty sauce, this is truly ER worthy. Depending on your pallet, each savory roll ranges from $8.95 to $20, with unique dishes such as the Protein Roll that wraps tuna, salmon, and yellowtail in cucumber for a light and refreshing meal. If you’re in search of a simple dish with a little spice, the New Marilyn Mon-roll includes spicy tuna, scallop and shrimp mixed with masago, cucumber and avocado wrapped in rice and soy paper, so you can really taste the light spicy and crunchy

texture. And even if you’re a simple type of gal, or pal, any cut roll such as the rainbow roll will have your mouth watering from the softly cooked rice and fresh vibrant fish carefully laid on each slice. 

The plates were wiped clean on every table but were quickly replaced by newly cut sushi by the attentive and quick server. Every glass was poured to the brim and there was not one frown in the house. Crave sushi is truly first date worthy due to its chic setting and flavorful menu. 

Now share, are you craving sushi?