Maru Santa Monica

West LA can add another restaurant to its long list of Japanese restaurants that line Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica Blvd, Olympic Blvd and Sawtelle Blvd. Originally in Valencia, Maru opened in the former home of Sasabune in 2013, only to close its doors for two years. Now the doors of Maru are officially open again. Located in the base of an office building with large windows that look out on Wilshire Blvd, there are two bars - a cocktail bar and a sushi bar, as well as a communal table and individual tables. The restaurant is spacious but the juniper wood tables add a sense of warmth to the space. Maru is owned by Chef Jason Park, a classically French trained chef. This is what sets Maru apart from the other Japanese restaurants in the area. The menu, which is seasonally inspired and market-driven, is French-Japanese. From sushi to steak, the menu has a range that will satisfy many.