SaSaYa, Los Angeles

Sasaya is a West Los Angeles izakaya, specializing in small, shared plates best eaten with friends – and more than a few adult beverages. The warm, inviting space offers two different experiences under one roof: The restaurant, set off to the left, is perfect for casual dining, while the lounge to the right is a great spot for a late-night drink or two. The Japanese small plates here are the standouts, with dishes like takowasa, marinated raw octopus, and Kurobuta sausage, or broiled pork sausage. The restaurant’s grill menu, meanwhile, serves up reliable favorites like shrimp tempura and salmon teriyaki, and the fun, lounge-y drink area, separated from the rest of Sasaya by a single wall, features an extensive selection of sake and shochu, along with Japanese whiskies like Yamazaki and Hibiki.