I will remember my 29th birthday as the one where I finally sat down for an omakase sushi dinner. Meals of raw fishes aren’t foreign territory for me, but entrusting my entire supper to one of the city’s best sushi chefs was a significant change and splurge.

Seeing as though Los Angeles is a sushi-appreciating town, I had a bevy of choices as to where to do the deed. After carefully considering my options, Mori Sushi stood out among the crowd. If I was going to spend a pretty penny on sushi, it had to be with a man who cares so immensely about his craft that he sculpts his own tableware and oversees the production of his rice to exacting standards. I wanted a serious sushi experience, and I knew Chef Morihiro Onodera (Katsu, R23, Matsuhisa, Hatsuhana, and Takao) would deliver.

The Astronomer and I had the opportunity to dine at the counter, but chose a table for privacy’s sake. Mostly, I didn’t want to weird the chef out with my happy-snapping ways. Next time, when I’m not documenting my meal plate by plate, I’m totally sitting at the bar.

The small dining room, which was decorated minimally and without fuss, was nearly packed on this Wednesday night.

The chopstick rests set the perfect tone for the evening. I wonder if Mori sculpted these as well.

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