There’s just a touch of an eastside accent to the sushi and Japanese fare at Mia Sushi, now in its third year as our only nearby sushi bar and Japanese restaurant. The slight eastside inflection turns up in the cilantro that accents the miso soup, in the lingering heat of the spicy Firecracker Salad, in the signature Mia Roll, a California roll topped with avocado. Certainly, there’s enough traditional fare on the Mia Sushi menu to keep the sushi purist contented but Mia Sushi’s chef, Chef Kazu Ozawa knows our neighborhood’s palate.

Obviously, the most important attribute for any sushi restaurant is the quality and freshness of the fish, and in that, respect, Mia Sushi gets straight “A’s.”

Of the standards, a rainbow roll (for $12), was beautifully presented. The California roll was plump and nicely priced at $5. The sashimi we ordered ($9 for the tuna and the yellowtail, $8 for salmon and the halibut) was generously sliced and impeccably fresh.

A couple of salads make for ample-sized meals: the Salmon Skin Salad ($9) has a tangy dressing and is stopped with a good pile of the crunchy fish-skin. The Firecracker Salad—my favorite-- is topped by a mound of tuna arranged atop a satisfying bed of sliced cucumber, wonton noodles and carrot, a great balance of taste and texture.

Specialty items include a Mount Washington roll: crab and cream cheese with fresh water eel, topped with avocado (you have to wonder how those ingredients were chosen for the Mount Washington namesake dish). Politicos can chew on a Huizar Roll or a CD 14 Roll.

Try asking your server for fresh wasabi: they’ll grate some of the root on small plate. It’s a more subtle, slightly sweeter taste than the bright green pre-prepared wasabi that’s more commonly served and it makes a terrific accompaniment for the fish.

Of the non-sushi offerings, we’ve tried the wasabi-infused New York sirloin steak ($18) a bountiful cut that arrived at the table on a bed of sautéed vegetables. The steak was tender and the hint of wasabi was a terrific touch. (one word of warning: if you like the meat red, order it rare; our medium rare steak was more on the medium side).
Vegetarians can make a visit worthwhile by ordering the really excellent vegetable tempura, with perfectly light batter light and veggies cooked to a flawlessly firm consistency. Cucumber rolls ($4) and avocado rolls and the miso soup with cilantro are also on the menu.

The restaurant’s interior features chic Eastern décor, bas-relief Buddhas mounted on walls, soft lighting in an elegant dining room that will seat about 2 at tables, another 10 at the sushi bar. An outdoor patio offers al fresco dining for another 20 diners.

The wine list is basic: Among the three white selections, a Rodney Strong sauvignon blanc for $26. Among the reds, a Greg Norman pinot noir at $27. There’s a house sake carafe for $12, an interesting selection of cold sakes and a reasonable corkage fee of $10.

Mia Sushi’s opening has saved us dozens of trips to Glendale, Pasadena or, heaven help us, the west side, trips we used to make regularly when sushi cravings would come upon us. Owner Rudy Martinez has not only given our neighborhood its only sushi restaurant, but a very, very good one at that.

Open for dinner, Tuesday through Sunday, from 5:30 pm.
4741 Eagle Rock Blvd (323) 256-2562