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Mochi at Koi

admin — Thu, 31 May 2012 17:57:52 +0000

There’s nothing I love better than Mochi, and guess what? Koi has it! The main reason I love Mochi so much is it’s the perfect way to end a meal. Mochi, in case you’re wondering what it is, is ice-cream wrapped inside a soft sweet dough exterior. It might sound a bit strange but it really is delicious. At Koi they have Vanilla, Chocolate-Strawberry, Passionfruit, Red Bean, Green Tea, Coffee, Honeydew, and Lychee ice-creams! My favorites are definitely Green Tea, Coffee, Lychee and Vanilla. Green tea ice cream, if you’ve never had it, is incredible. It’s sweet, but still has a very subtle bitterness to it that keeps the flavor interesting. The coffee mochi is perfect if you’re about to go out clubbing and need a little pick me up. The lychee tastes fresh and light and is perfect for summer. Finally the vanilla is just classic, but with the mochi dough it takes on this really interesting flavor and texture.

A word of caution on Mochi: be careful to start out with small bites. Although the dough helps prevent your teeth from getting too frozen, in some ways it also holds in the cold of the ice cream, so definitely take your time! You should take your time anyway though-it’ll be gone before you know it!

First Date at Koi

admin — Thu, 24 May 2012 18:26:43 +0000

Before I got engaged, I used to always request Koi for a first date restaurant. It’s really the perfect spot for a first date. The atmosphere is romantic and dark, which I think really helps set a relaxed and comfortable tone for the evening. First dates can be sort of stuffy and sometimes even feel like job interviews. But in Koi’s relaxed atmosphere, it’s much easier to be yourself. Plus, if I have to suffer through a first date (most of which are bad, let’s be honest) I might as well get a delicious meal out of it right?

I think the thing I love most about Koi for a first date is that in many ways you can tell what kind of man a guy is by how he approaches a first date at Koi. Did he make a reservation? He’s a planner and likes to have his ducks in a row. Did he show up without a reservation but say he prefers to eat in the lounge anyway? When my now fiance took me to Koi on our first date, he showed up in sneakers and a t-shirt. Blissfully clueless. I was worried they wouldn’t let him in, but they did, and to this day I credit Koi for helping me meet my soon-to-be husband. They sat us in the sushi lounge and we laughed and had the best time. I’m glad Koi didn’t judge a book by it’s cover and I’m glad I didn’t either.

Koi for Non-Sushi Eaters

admin — Fri, 18 May 2012 18:16:50 +0000

My fiance doesn’t like sushi. I know–what?!? It’s such a shame. Luckily for me, he still loves going to Koi! Why? Because Koi has plenty of amazing non-sushi dishes. Koi’s Signature Hot Dishes menu has lots of great items to choose from. Martyn’s favorite is the grilled Lobster Tail. He let me have a bite the other night and man oh man! I think the best thing about it is how subtle the flavoring is: just a little bit of au jus and herb butter to bring out the flavor of the lobster, nothing more. You know what that means right? Koi knows they have the best quality lobster available. They’re not about to cover it up with a bunch of strongly flavored sauces.

When he’s not in the mood for seafood, he also loves Kobe Style filet mignon. He always asks to substitute Mashed Potatoes for the asparagus and mushrooms. What can I say: I’m marrying a meat and potatoes man. And boy, does Koi know how to do meat and potatoes. They kobe filet is so tender and flavorful, and the mashed potatoes are incredible and creamy! It’s a shame I ended up with a non-sushi lover, but at least we know we can always both enjoy Koi!

Simple Sushi at Koi

admin — Tue, 08 May 2012 18:02:53 +0000

Koi is well known for their specialty items, like Creamy Rock Shrimp, Koi Crispy Rice, and Salmon Carpaccio. They have plenty of other delicious specialty items on their menu as well: Lobster Tacos, Kobe Style Potstickers, and the list goes on. But let’s not overlook the deliciousness of Koi’s most simple sushi dishes. I always judge a sushi restaurant by the taste of their simple Salmon Sushi. Salmon is my favorite type of sushi. It’s mild, smooth, and really good for you. I get a few pieces of Salmon sushi at every sushi restaurant I go to, and let me tell you, Koi’s Salmon sushi is the best I’ve ever had.

It always tastes super fresh, without the slightest hint of fishiness. Plus, it’s always perfectly chilled. Really is there anything worse than hot sushi? You just know it’s been left sitting out somewhere, potentially growing bacteria. You’ll never worry about that at Koi. I’ve also tried their simple tuna sushi and had an equally pleasant experience. A friend of mine loves yellowtail sushi, and Koi is her favorite place to get it.

Sure the popular specialty dishes are incredible and worth trying. But it’s nice to know that if you’re ever in the mood for just some good, simple sushi, Koi won’t let you down.

Koi at Restaurant Week

admin — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 19:39:33 +0000

It that time of the year again for restaurant week! If you missed it last year be sure to catch it this time around. Our favorite restaurant Koi will be participating with hundreds of other restaurants. Here is what is on the Koi restaurant week menu: First course choices are- Crispy Rice with Spicy Tuna, Creamy Rock Shrimp Tempura, and Spicy Seared Albacorer with Crispy Red Onions. Next for the second course the options are- Miso-Bronzed Black Cod, Oven Roasted Chicken Breast, and Grilled Skirt Steak. For desert Dine-LA customers will be enjoying a delicious assortment of Mochi Ice Cream. The first course choice would be a difficult one for me. Can I get all three appetizers? For the second course I would have the Miso-Bronzed Black Cod. This Black Cod is absolutely amazing and melts in your mouth like butter! Restaurant week is sure to be a lot of fun so make sure to check out Nick Haque’s Koi during this special week. The three course meal is only $34 which is quite a great deal!

Koi is a Top Sushi Restaurant!

admin — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 19:55:27 +0000

Haute Living named their top 5 sushi restaurants in Los Angeles. It was no surprise that Koi was on the list! Haute Living chose Koi for its ability to fuse Japanese cuisine for American palates and of course the freshness of their dishes. Some of the dishes mentioned in the article were the Spicy Crunchy Yellowtail Tartare and even the Pepercorn Filet Mignon! With so many amazing dishes it must have been a hard choice to choose these two items. Nick Haque’s Koi is an excellent restaurant to visit.

Watch: New Menu Items at Nick Haque

admin — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 21:07:33 +0000

Wondering what is on the menu at Koi this holiday season? Find out the delicious items that made it into the holiday menu choices! Check out the video with an exclusive interview from executive Nick Haque Koi chef Rob Lucas!

Kelly Monaco and Cheryl Burke Spotted at Koi!

admin — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 21:01:27 +0000

Kelly Monaco and Cheryl Burke were spotted dining at Koi in Las Vegas this month. Once again, yet another celebrity spotting at Koi! Kelly Monaco is known for being the winner of season one of dancing with the stars. Cheryl Burke is also known from the hit tv show as she is one of the show’s professional dancers. I wonder what they ordered. Perhaps an order of the spicy tuna with crispy rice? The two stars started their night at Nick Haque ‘s Koi Restaurant at Planet Hollywood Resort. After a dinner at Koi they headed to Chateau Nightclub at Paris Las Vegas, where they celebrated Jenny McCarthy’s birthday. Sounds like yet another exciting night out at Koi restaurant!

Kelly Monaco and Cheryl Burke visit Nick Haque Koi

Emma Roberts at Koi!

admin — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 21:01:59 +0000

We know that going to Koi restaurant is exciting for more reasons than just the food. Yes, the food is an amazing experience in itself, but there is also the people watching. A night at Koi is almost sure to end in at least one celebrity spotting. Once I was dining there and sitting at the next table over was Nicky Hilton. More recently though, Emma Roberts was spotted at Koi Restaurant in West Hollywood with boyfriend Dathan Kuppin. You really just never know who you might see when you spend a night out at Koi. Besides the celebrity factor there are always very interesting and trendsetting people at Koi. For those people planning a trip to Los Angeles, if you want to spot a celebrity definitely make reservations for Nick Haque‘s Koi. Many celebrities are regulars there. You probably won’t spot a celebrity walking the Hollywood walk of fame. Check out the tourist spots during the day and and relax with a nice meal at Koi.

Koi is Zen Heaven

admin — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 20:21:02 +0000

One of the highlights of Koi besides the delicious cuisine is the atmospheric tone that is set by the zen inspired surroundings. Koi’s owner Nick Haque recruited the well respected German designer Thomas Schoos to head the design team for the restaurant. Entering Koi is like stepping into a zen retreat. You will immediately feel relaxing as you bathe in Koi’s candlelight. Lovely bamboo, earth tones and fountains will lead you into a delightful evening. Koi offers a tranquil escape from the busy urban atmosphere that surrounds it in the city of Los Angeles. The special attention to detail really pays off from the intricately carved dark wood doors to the green bamboo and low couches. It is the perfect compliment to the sensational food that Koi offers. The atmosphere invites you to sit down, relax and enjoy. Start off with a glass of saki or one of Koi’s specialty beverages. If you are on a diet you will be happily impressed by Koi’s imaginative “skinny menu”. An evening at Koi is a night to remember!