THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Maia

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Maia Restaurant Review:

Maia, located in the former Mirabelle space on the Sunset Strip, features a sleek indoor dining room and lively lounge with after-dinner DJs. But by all means sit on the large, twinkling patio, which is quite a scene full of beautiful young things and industry insiders. Between flirting and deals, luxe platters of specialty sushi rolls are brought out and are found on most every table. It’s pop sushi to be sure, but a harmonious combo of crispy shrimp, lobster, spicy tuna and lotus root is a fine accompaniment to a cocktail menu that’s inventive and fun --- try the “matador” with mezcal, Sriracha, lime and sesame salt, or its tequila cousin “mai Angeles,” whose velvety avocado silkiness is cut by lime and smoked paprika. There’s plenty to graze on besides sushi, like a molten lobster quesadilla, bison sliders or wasabi crab, nori and shiso wrapped in a tiny “taco” bite of shaved ginger-infused daikon. Larger appetites may enjoy miso-glazed black cod, but we suggest the moist smoked chicken, nestled with grilled asparagus and silky corn chipotle cream. Chocolate cake fulfills a sweet tooth, but the “cocoa loco” whiskey cocktail’s mix of coffee, mole bitters and cinnamon-cocoa makes a perfect finish.