The first time that I went to R-23, four years ago, I was on a date with my current boyfriend and remember being very impressed with the unique experience. We drove through Los Angeles’s "Little Tokyo"; it seemed as though we were possibly lost as we veered off into a less congested area where the streets were filled with trash and the walls were beautifully covered with impressive graffiti. It was like a scene out of a post-apocalyptic movie--sad but beautiful at the same time. I loved feeling vulnerable but then, I am always attracted to dangerous situations. As we approached an alleyway, I spotted clean designer lofts above some sort of a loading dock and felt like we had entered a hidden enclave of mysteries that would soon unveil themselves to me. I felt like, wherever it was that this man was taking me must be very, very hip! It’s a good idea to take a date to this restaurant if you want to impress them with your good taste and cool.
As we exited the car, we walked up a row of stairs leading to lofts belonging to artists, architects, and R-23. My boyfriend had made reservations for us so we just moved right into the restaurant, past the outdoor crowds of people waiting for seats and talking, smoking, and drinking sake. The restaurant is open concept, with brick walls and hardwood floors. The walls have large Gauguin-inspired paintings and the tables come with Frank Gehry corrugated-cardboard chairs. R-23 is dimly lit and therefore very romantic.
The food is good and the Japanese cuisine artfully presented. Dungeness crabs are the favorite dish of a friend, however, I would recommend the shimeji mushrooms, yum! Although the sushi isn't at all bad, the Japanese cuisine is definitely more impressive.
The restaurant has a varied group of customers ranging from hip artists to architects and Japanese business men. I love that you can overhear people at the next table talking about when they'll be going to Japan next.
This may all seem very impressive and you might think you have to dress up in some elegant designer outfit--you don’t. If you show up in something casual and hip you’ll be fine.
I would recommend this restaurant highly for its ambiance but not so much for its sushi. Although I do have to say that, if you're a romantic like me, you'll have to visit here.