Slideshows

A Look at What’s Cooking at Plan Check, Opening Wednesday on Sawtelle

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The Blue Print Burger, pig candy and all

Little Osaka’s Plan Check seemed to go from construction to completion in record time, but is certainly no worse the wear for its quick-fire debut. The glass-box gastro-pub looks sharp, relieving a neighborhood whose one stroll-to nightlife option is Max Karaoke down the street. Long communal tables stand central in a spacious room sharing both open kitchen and bar, patio stuck to the outside. A hand-painted menu pops off the wall, on which Umami Burger’s co-founding corporate executive chef, Ernesto Uchimura, saturates every bite with the kind of hedonism any husky appetite should drool over, not to mention an alluring price point that finds the most expensive dish priced at $16.

He stacks house-made pig candy onto a burger of Akaushi red wagyu and smoked blue cheese, stuffs a turnover with bone marrow in a short rib pot roast, makes boneless fried Jidori wade in smoked gravy, and nods to Japan with a rock shrimp tempura-topped rock fish wavering in bonito flakes. Even charcuterie varies from L.A.’s archetypical gastro-scene, with selections like red wine chipotle beef jerky and venison salami. Plan Check should be a smash for Sawtelle and a welcome addition for diners seeking respite from ramen and low-priced while trolling Little Osaka.

Take a look at some of Echimura’s maxed-out U.S. comfort eats, cocktails by Steve Livgni and Pablo Moix, and sleek space in our slideshow look into Plan Check, opening this Wednesday at 1800 Sawtelle Blvd.

Opening on Sawtelle this Wednesday.
Short and sweet.
With rock shrimp tempura, bonito flakes, flaked wasabi, citron tartar sauce, and grilled cucumber.
This desert-colored cocktail contains Vida Mezcal, Tapatio, beer, agave, lime, and a red bell pepper.
Ernesto Uchimura at work.
Fried boneless Jidori with yam preserves, smoked gravy, and pickled okra.
With pig candy, Akaushi red wagyu beef, smoked blue cheese, fried onions, steak sauce, and peppercress.
With chai-infused Herradura, almond milk, all spice dram, and bitters.
Cooked to roder with banana and cream.
Plan Check’s Executive Chef.
An owner tells us more of this cool Philipp Marlowe-style lettering will soon grace the restaurant.
A Look at What’s Cooking at Plan Check, Opening Wednesday on Sawtelle