Kuma Sushi Sees Signs

ATWATER VILLAGE'S Kuma Sushi, 3179 Los Feliz Blvd., takes steps toward overcoming Mrs. Newbie's primary obstacle to dining here: "It's good, but a little pricey for a place with so many vinyl banners outside."

Free Sake at Kuma Sushi (Some Hoops Apply)

THE NEWLY RE-CHRISTENED Kuma Sushi (formerly Asia Bistro) (formerly Asia Los Feliz) spammed its mailing list with an offer for "free" sake. The hoops to jump through are as follows: On Monday, July 28, take a printed copy of the email to Kuma Sushi, order a minimum of $20 for your table, and the restaurant will buy the table hot sake. On Tuesday, July 29, take a printed copy of the email to Kuma Sushi, order a minimum of $20 for your table, and the restaurant will buy the table Nama (cold) sake. On Wednesday, July 30, take a printed copy of the email to Kuma Sushi, order a minimum of $20 for your table, and the restaurant will buy the table a Salmon Carpaccio appetizer. I loaded a screen capture of Kuma Sushi's email to this post. (I assume just showing your server the email on a Blackberry or iPhone probably won't cut it.) Since Kuma Sushi revealed customers' email addresses in a CC instead of hiding them in a BCC, I figure it's OK to reveal the email. Go get some "free" sake, dear readers, at 3179 Los Feliz Blvd.

Under New Management: Asia Bistro is Now Kuma Sushi

IT SEEMS THE experiment failed. Just 2 months ago, the 2-year-old Asia Los Feliz changed its name to Asia Bistro and stripped sushi from the menu. Now it seems sushi's back, under a new name, Kuma Sushi, and, according to the sign above 3179 Los Feliz Blvd., under new management. They also cut down the brown fencing around the front patio. Hey, whatever will work.

New Paint, New Chef: Asia Los Feliz is Now Asia Bistro

OF THE FEW upscale eateries in Atwater Village, the 2-year-old Asia Los Feliz (3179 Los Feliz Blvd.) was one that seemed to get better with age. At first we gave it a mixed review. But we've been back a few times, even with tourists, and each time Asia impresses. Now Asia Los Feliz is Asia Bistro. The exterior seems new - less brown, more butter - and it has a new executive chef, Joseph Chouinard, who promises a new small plate menu worthy of sharing. Anyone try it yet? What's the review?