Kensho

Tucked away on the grounds of the historic Yamashiro estate in the Hollywood Hills, Kensho is the kind of place that feels like a well-kept secret. As you wind your way up the steep hillside, leaving the chaos of Los Angeles traffic behind, you enter a different world entirely. The tiny standalone structure that houses this Japanese gem offers sweeping views of the Hollywood sign and a sense of escape that’s hard to find in this city.

The food here is thoughtfully prepared and deeply satisfying. The spicy miso soup achieves an almost mystical balance of flavors that will have you wondering why all miso soup can’t taste this good. The uni toast—a combination of crispy sourdough, yuzu creme, marinated truffle, and fresh sea urchin—is the kind of dish you’ll be thinking about for days. The Kyoto-style temari sushi, which started as a pop-up concept and earned a permanent spot on the menu, showcases expertly crafted circular bites of impeccably fresh fish.

What truly sets Kensho apart is the intimacy of the experience. With just a handful of tables and a compact menu, every dish arrives accompanied by genuine conversation—stories about natural sake distilling in rural Japan, recommendations for a skin-contact wine from Chile, or tales from travels abroad. These aren’t scripted talking points but authentic moments of connection that make you feel like the restaurant opened tonight just for you.

This is the perfect spot for a leisurely afternoon with a good friend, watching the sunset paint the Hollywood Hills gold while sipping Georgian wine. It’s the kind of place where you come for a quick pre-dinner snack and end up staying for hours, lost in conversation and captivated by the magic of this little hillside hideaway. For anyone seeking a truly unique dining experience in Los Angeles, Kensho delivers something money can’t usually buy: a meal that feels like a gift.