Stay In: Tokyo to Kyoto

With all the world's eyes turned to Japan, I thought this STAY IN should be dedicated to both exploring Los Angeles and helping our friends beyond the sea. From robata-yaki to renge, this mini-journey is a true celebration of the Land of the Rising Sun. 

EAT: Takami
The spectacular view and miso kampachi are only made better by the restaurant's generous commitment to donate all profits to the Red Cross Japanese Relief Fund. Order yourself a penthouse roll and an Aperol Fresh and thank your lucky stars (you can see them from here) that you're safe. 

DRINK: Los Angeles Sake Festival
Explore over 100 brands of sake through classes and tastings at this year's celebration of Japan's national drink. You'll come out knowing the difference between Ginko-shu and Honjozo-shu, plus 20% of your ticket goes to Japanese relief efforts. Kanpai!

STAY: Kyoto Grand
With a rooftop Zen garden and a view of Downtown, this Little Tokyo retreat is a perfect place to rest after your sake spree. Feel like exploring the neighborhood? Check out the art at the George J. Doizaki Gallery located in the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center. You can also make a donation to their UNICEF Disaster Fund. 

Eye on Food: Hara Sushi

12222 Wilshire Blvd., 310-820-1021

Wouldn't it be great if happy hours lasted 5 1/2 hours? (Ok, minus the old jalapeno poppers). Well, at Santa Monica's Hara Sushi they decided to make a quarter of the day (that's 4-9:30pm) dedicated to 1/2 off sushi and cheap drinks! With 32 special rolls, tons of maki choices and raspberry beer, it's a pretty solid stop for dinner. Even better, if you haven't gotten your soybean fill, they serve up edamame  like nobody's business in a huge mound fit for 12. I'm serious. We couldn't finish it. To add to their generosity, Hara also serves a free cup of miso and ice cream to every diner. For production girls night out, 

we ordered the Ginza Roll (spicy tuna and avocado wrapped with albacore and jalapeno) and the Crunchy Roll (crabmeat, avocado, cucumber, shrimp tempura, wrapped with tempura flakes and unagi sauce). Both were delicious. All around us people ordered the Baked Lobster Roll which, had I been eating alone, I might have reached over and helped myself. It looked great. While the atmosphere is lacking (thanks to Mariko for warning us about the happy hour signs everywhere), this place is every bit the yummy hole-in-the-wall it should be and perfect for a Monday night. Hey, it isn't Nobu, but it serves up good toro with $2 sake. No complaints here.