Being a college town—albeit one just around the corner from the Spelling family compound and the Playboy Mansion—Westwood is home to plenty of inexpensive California-roll-combo sushi joints. But for something hip and upscale (and not exactly fit for a college-student budget), Tengu is the place. With bamboo accents, mood lighting, shoji screen partitions and DJs spinning the kind of mellow but uptempo tunes—think Hooverphonic and Telepopmusik—the vibe here is equal parts Zen and lounge. For libations, opt for the signature house sake, which is infused with fresh Maui pineapples; it makes for the ideal counterbalance to the standout sashimi picante, a tuna, yellowtail and salmon trio with jalapeño and ginger-garlic ponzu sauce.

Tengu Information:

• Japanese menu. Lunch (Monday-Friday), dinner. Bar.