One of the things we get asked about frequently is “where is fun for dinner.” Fun. For dinner. Hmmmmm. La Bodega Negra in the early days was fun. Nobu Berkeley was energetic. And way back when, The Great Eastern, with the restaurant upstairs and club downstairs, was fun; same with Woody’s. This list, of course, is not all inclusive, but you get the point. MA/NA fits into this category – the kind of places where you can go for dinner and that IS the night out.
The Décor and Vibe
Dark, sultry, could be a club – but is an elegant restaurant. Woods are warm and coppers shimmery. Designed by OV&CO from LA, they say the design balances the serene warmth of a Kyoto autumn and the energy of a Tokyo night, which sounds about right.
The Menu
As this restaurant is from the Thesleff Group, which includes Los Mochis, Juno, and Luna Omakase, they know their sushi and here, things are on the elevated side. The menu is extensive, so make things easy and go with the tasting menu, which includes highlights like a flaming grilled avocado aburi (with teriyaki mushrooms, asparagus, sesame and spicy aioli); o-toro tartare with rice crisps and umami rice; grilled rib eye with ginger, wasabi and spicy leek; plus lashings of truffle on many things.
Highlights
The service is slick, the music (both the sound level and the playlist) is good, and overall, it feels like a treat. The bar here is excellent too, and is led by The Thesleff Group’s bar director, who is behind their bar Viajante87, a World’s 50 Best, and focuses on refined technique, rare spirits, and a ’70s Tokyo soul.
