Having lived in Palms for some 11 years, we first heard about the n/naka when the Chef's Table episode featuring Chef Nakayama came out and stunned us with the knowledge that our humble neighborhood has a world-class restaurant like n/naka and such an amazing chef....
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Having lived in Palms for some 11 years, we first heard about the n/naka when the Chef's Table episode featuring Chef Nakayama came out and stunned us with the knowledge that our humble neighborhood has a world-class restaurant like n/naka and such an amazing chef. n/naka has held a special spot for both of us long before tonight and what a treat to finally get the experience for ourselves!
In the last 9 years, we've been to many fine dining & recognized restaurants in LA and around the world but never back to our hometown hero and in fact ended up planning a trip to Japan in 2023 as it was just so dang hard to get a table at n/naka!
Tonight we found out why: humility and formality carried from Japanese kaiseki are delightfully coupled with the Chef's innovation and amazing cuisine. She and her team bring a clear story of tradition, but delightful liberties and creativities means both an elemental Japanese deference, but also a playful spirit.
And food! Unwavering attention to detail in visual presentation and ingredient quality across every dish. Texture, temperature, shape, flavors, tools - all adding to beauty. Only one soft-spot: a chestnut dessert that tended too sweet without really sticking the landing for us. But that was easily forgiven with incredible sukiyaki-style beef, a spiny lobster 'meatball' in broth we will continue to dream about, perfectly cut and selected fish for sashimi and nigiri. Stunning ingredients, rich broths, decadent plating and vibrant colors continuously impressed, but a subtle formality and eye to restraint maintained an undercurrent of humility.
The staff were thoughtful and attentive, getting out of the way, but also constantly ready to help, answer a question, extend a smile: among the best we've had in LA. We were greeted at the front door by name. Our host and server seemed to know us. The sweet smiling Chef even came to our table, knew our names, and engaged in conversation. The attention to detail paid to help guests feel truly honored is truly impressive here!
Thank you for a lovely birthday dinner. We appreciate you, Chef Nakayama, alongside what is clearly a devoted team 🙏