In Hollywood, a Former Recording Studio Finds Second Life As An Omakase Sushi Bar

Much has been written in recent years about the rebirth of Hollywood to the seductive and star-lit scene it once was. From the return of the celebrity hotspot Warwick, to the bustling restaurants and lounges in the “Vinyl District,” the neighborhood is the busiest and most star-studded it’s been since its last heyday in the early aughts.

United States GP Livestream 2024: How to Watch the F1 Race Online Free

But a new restaurant has opened up in Hollywood that isn’t an homage to parties of the past, nor an attempt to bring back any kind of scene. Instead, the intimate, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it space is helping to restore a more grassroots Hollywood, remembering a time when the neighborhood was a hub for innovation, imagination and ingenuity.

Udatsu Sushi LA opened quietly this month on Sunset Boulevard, taking over what was once the legendary Sunset Sound Studio, a historic recording studio that served as a home for many years to rock legends like The Doors, Van Halen and Paul McCartney. Opened in 1958 by Tutti Camarata, Walt Disney’s then-Director of Recording, the building was also known for being the place where many of the animation studio’s most memorable scores were recorded, including Mary Poppins and 101 Dalmatians .

At one point, Sunset Sound had three working studios, in addition to The Sound Factory nearby. The original Sunset Sound is still open, and has welcomed artists like Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift in recent years (Idina Menzel also reportedly recorded “Let It Go” from Frozen there). But with one of the studios no longer being used, the time was ripe for transformation.

Udatsu Sushi reveals itself on the second floor of the former recording studio space, hidden behind a traditional Japanese wooden door amid slabs of minimalist concrete. There, guests are led to one of only eight seats at the bar, with Executive Chef Shingo Ogane (trained by the restaurant’s namesake chef Hisashi Udatsu) offering a twice-nightly, 17-course omakase tasing menu.

Inspired by the mixing of voices and genres that once filled the space, Udatsu’s dishes blend traditional Japanese cuisine with local California ingredients. To wit: fish is flown in fresh daily from Tokyo’s Toyosu Fish Market, while Chef Ogane sources Santa Barbara sea urchin and produce from the Santa Monica and Hollywood farmers markets. On any given night, guests can partake in signature offerings like a seasonal herb roll, at once crispy and fragrant with local, organic greens; a smoked fatty tuna roll, presented on a smoking dish; a delicate flounder with grated ponzu; and fried butternut squash with caviar. A Japanese sweet egg omelet is offered at the end, as a custard-like dessert.

'Oh, Mary!' on Broadway: Here's How to Find Tickets to Cole Escola's Show Online

This is Udatsu Sushi’s third location, following Tokyo and Hong Kong. The LA location comes from Boulevard Hospitality Group, the team best known for opening the Hollywood hilltop restaurant Yamashiro, and for preserving and reimagining the TCL Chinese Theatre.

“For us, it was only fitting to honor the spirit of Sunset Sound’s past while creating a new chapter that continues to celebrate excellence,” the company tells Rolling Stone . “Much like the recording artists who crafted timeless works within these walls, our head chef curates each 17-course omakase experience with the same dedication to precision and creativity. The space, once filled with the sounds of world-class music, is now filled with the sights and tastes of culinary innovation, making Udatsu Sushi LA the most anticipated dining destination in Hollywood.”

The owners say they’re excited to be part of Hollywood’s latest rebirth, and look forward to welcoming guests to the space. With just eight seats and a closed-off dining room, Udatsu has already become an in-the-know hotspot for celebrities and private clientele alike. Still, the owners say it’s not about creating an elite or exclusive destination, but rather about reclaiming the sense of creativity and community that once filled the space.

“We’re proud to continue Sunset Sound’s legacy of craftsmanship, now through food,” they say, “and we look forward to welcoming a new generation of guests into a place that has always been a home for creativity and excellence.”

How to Watch This Week's Kansas City Chiefs NFL Game Online for Free