THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Izakaya Zero

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Izakaya Zero Restaurant Review:

THIS ESTABLISHMENT IS CLOSED Downtown Huntington Beach, a place known for its surf bars and American pub food, finally has a truly contemporary restaurant. Sushi and Japanese fusion chef Takashi Abe has veered a bit off track from the more high-end items at his two Newport Beach locations (Abe, Bluefin) and created Japanese tavern-style plates. Formerly home to the more casual Red Pearl Kitchen, Izakaya Zero’s interior has been transformed into a thoroughly modern space as stark whites and contrasting blacks hit you at every angle in oddly satisfying geometric patterns. While you can start with some of Abe’s signature sushi rolls, remember this casual Japanese dining concept is all about drinking saké or beer and sharing a few plates with friends. It seems at least six can comfortably sit together in wood-and-glass banquettes to enjoy crab "cigars" (hand-rolled and deep-fried crab, shrimp and scallops served with spicy mango salsa), yaki onigiri (grilled rice balls), popcorn shrimp in a truffle-buttered ponzu sauce, mixed sashimi ceviche, seared halibut carpaccio, Mexican-style lobster gratin and marinated lamb chops. The bar here may be small, but it is also one of the coolest spots in downtown Huntington. You can watch the game and enjoy a hand-shaken cocktail along with one of Abe’s sushi or appetizer creations.