Expanding our borders a bit here at VHH- after all, we are a Swede,  a Korean, and an occasional Dane = International Rockstars -so  we' re brave enough to cross Pico or Lincoln every now and again. Had to let you know- all that stalking of my FB page Hamakaze Nick did was well worth it. We stopped by Hamakaze Sushi last Friday night "undercover". ( It's shocking that any  of us lushes can go anywhere incognito- but, then again, we didn't recoginze Bret from YoVenice! at the table next to us either.)

Place was hoppin! We sat at the sushi bar so we could keep a close eye on Nick... His "Kick Ass Japanese "fries? Kick ass Indeed. Infused Sake? Sumo wrestled our tongues. Hamakaze's Happy Hour karate chops a litany of Nick's amazing creations in half price, but not in deliciousness ( it's a word!).
Now I am all about a cheap drink ( stating the obvious), but we don't tell folks ( like they care) who we are until after we've paid the bill. So when I say Hamakaze is good- it's GOOD. Unbiased.
Nick's creations are incredibly fresh, generous and beautifully presented. Beats the fins off of any raw fish joint running right now. Addiction-inducing sushi, I am counting the hours until Hamikaze Happy Hour ( 5-7 Monday-Saturday).

But one mystery remains: What is it exactly that they hollar at you when you enter a sushi joint? Can anyone tell me?

This entry is dedicated to all my Venice- ajacent friends in Culver, Marina, and Mar Vista!!!
I have got to hand it to the guy behind Hamakaze Sushi- he's been stalking my Facebook page with Sake tasting sessions, and then today one of my research assistants gave me a nudge so... okay ! okay!  The urban mermaid will cross Lincoln!
Although not quite in biking distance, a short roll up Washington will lead you to a killer Happy Hour menu staring hot & cold sake and some surprisingly cheap treats including... AND I QUOTE, "kick ass Japanese fries"! Ha! How do you like that?
Makes me want to do my best Miss Piggy impression while I eat $6 tri-colored tempura shrimp and sip on infused sake for $4 a pop! HHHHHHIIIIIIIIIIIYAAAAAAH!