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Leona's Sushi House is a modern Japanese-Peruvian restaurant in Studio City that feels like several restaurants crammed into 5,000 square feet. Inside you'll find three distinct dining areas that couldn't clash more if they tried: a chic, white-marbled indoor-outdoor space, a barebones sushi bar, and a dark dining room with gaudy bird nest-shaped chandeliers. These stark differences in ambiance can make choosing a table unnecessarily complicated, which seems to be an ongoing theme here.
photo credit: Vivienne Killilea
Dinner at Leona's requires sifting through lists of small plates, nigiri, Peruvian tiraditos, sushi rolls, Peruvian-inspired entrees, and even a robata menu available only after 8pm. It's a lot to take in, especially when trying to construct a meal of cheesy risotto and sushi that doesn't feel like a weird combo. Most things on the Peruvian-leaning menu fail to leave a memorable impression, including one flavorless chaufa-style paella that can be skipped entirely. The sushi, however, might be Leona's saving grace.
photo credit: Scott Uhlfelder
In this Jekyll & Hyde of a restaurant, the sushi bar is the more enjoyable half of Leona's personality. It's quiet, minimalist, and has comfortable booth seating to eat some solid, reasonably priced nigiri. The buttery salmon belly and sweet kanpachi are as good as your average Sugarfish order and come in pairs of two for $5. And if citrusy, refreshing rolls are your thing, Leona's does those pretty well–like the lightly seared salmon roll that comes in a bright ponzu with sliced red onion and capers. There are much better sushi options on Ventura Blvd., though, so Leona's is best for someone who requires a sake cocktail and sceney ambiance with their toro sashimi.
Food Rundown
photo credit: Scott Uhlfelder
Blue Crab Croquettes
photo credit: Scott Uhlfelder
Sweet Shrimp Tiradito
photo credit: Scott Uhlfelder
Yawarakani Octopus
photo credit: Scott Uhlfelder
Seared Salmon Roll
photo credit: Scott Uhlfelder
Yellowtail Cilantro Roll
photo credit: Scott Uhlfelder
Nippon Chaufa Paella
photo credit: Scott Uhlfelder