Go's Mart

You won't see a sign outside of Go's Mart indicating its presence—or rather, you'll just see the word "sushi" in large lettering, which is sort of an understatement. Yes, there is sushi inside this small Canoga Park strip mall, but it is sushi topped with 24k gold leaf flakes and a sprinkling of truffle oil. Two tables and a 10-seat sushi bar are where diners come for outstanding cuts of fish from chef Go, who opened this place in 1997. Many of them are regulars, sushi lovers who ask "What's new today, Go?" when they sit down. Don't ask what's good—"Everything is good," says Go—but after starting with a complimentary block of Chinese broccoli, you'd be wise to ask for toro. The plump tuna comes topped with the aforementioned gold flakes, and just the right amount of wasabi is tucked into Go's exceptional rice. Japanese eel is slick with sweet unagi sauce and slivers of lemon rind on top, while a cut of meaty butterfish is an ethereal bite decorated with truffle oil and a hint of spice. It's a beautiful thing to watch Go and his crew in action, and even more so when you taste the complex fruits of their labor.