Yabu (CLOSED)

There are two outposts of this multi-faceted Japanese gem: The original West LA eatery feels more like a bow-to-greet neighborhood walk-in, while the West Hollywood location is in a small house, complete with fireplace and bamboo-lined patio, giving it a more hushed, rarefied air. The dish to order at either place: Yabu’s signature housemade soba.  Perfect in any iteration—our favorite is the kamo nanban ($15.50) with duck and green onion—but traditionalists would insist that you try the zaru soba ($9), served cold with seaweed flakes and a dashi dipping sauce, the perfect cooldown for an unexpectly 80-degree winter day.