10/31/2023 0 Comments Maple leaf diner food paradiseThese were in preparation for our Ozoni, the Japanese Hot Pot which offered a choice of soups. Z: While we were enjoying our salad, Mia placed two deep bowls on our table along with a bamboo ladle. Of the dressings, we favored the darker colored Sesame for its pleasing, definitively Asian flavor. We didn't have to ask what anything was made of-we could easily recognize every item on our plates. R: A delicious beginning, the Soba Salad was light and tasty, but, most of all, impressed us with the freshness and purity of each ingredient. It was an entire meal served with a selection of three dressings- Miso, Tofu, and Sesame. Greeting the eye at first was a colorful array of items that included broccoli, hijiki, mashed, lightly seasoned tofu, chopped kale, beansprouts, and carrots. Tucked underneath, at the bottom of the large celadon bowl, was a serving of baby lettuces. Reminiscent of the Korean dish Bibimbop, the Soba Salad was composed of a variety of tast edibles with steamed vegetables arranged in sections over a bed of buckwheat noodles. Z: We began with the Soba Salad, then shared the Japanese Hot Pot Ozoni, and the 5 Pieces Veggie Combination. Our helpful server, Mia, made some excellent suggestions for our tasty and well-rounded meal. Also available on the menu are Appetizers, Salads, Vegetable Plates, Seafood Plates, Japanese Style Hot Pots, Desserts and three traditional Japanese teas. One special meal, their 5 Pieces Veggie Combination, gives diners an opportunity to compose their entrée by selecting favorite items from a list of traditional Asian foods. R: The menu, while not extensive, offers the diner an ample array of choices. Tea candles were the only adornment on the tables. We soon realized the focus is on the food, rather than the décor. Along the window was a simple counter with stools. Pastel green tablecloths and white napkins stood out against the pale yellow walls and the in-vogue bleached wooden chairs. A large, rectangular canvas filling the back wall had its top half painted white, the bottom black. Classical music provided soft background flavor while three, huge globe lanterns glowed softly and sent forth a comforting, diffused light. Z: Yes, the atmosphere became warm and cozy within minutes. As we began to relax and drink in the environment, we realized careful thought went into this unadorned ambience. At first we were surprised by the lack of décor, the stark walls, and absence of enhancement for the huge window facing the busy street. R: In keeping with its Japanese roots, Inaka adopts simplicity in its décor. Though the restaurant serves some fish and seafood dishes, it offers many choices for vegans who can substitute with tofu and sea vegetables. Fortunately, this small dining spot is a rare find. Z: One would imagine that this huge Los Angeles metropolis would provide opportunities to enjoy macrobiotic dining, but that's not the case. Located on La Brea Boulevard between 1st and 2nd Streets, Inaka is an unassuming little gem in an area that features restaurants, upscale shops, and art galleries. R: A great find for those seeking organic, unadulterated foods prepared simply and tastefully in traditional macrobiotic style, Inaka is an oasis in a land of refined, processed, and frequently unrecognizable substances ingested as food. We are sorry to report that this excellent restaurant has closed its doors. Editors' Note: On this page in our January 2006 issue we published a review Inaka.
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