Shoya - Lomita

At Shoya, a husband-and-wife team manages everything with remarkable precision. The restaurant opens promptly at 6:00 PM, and with only nine seats available, it's essential to make a reservation to ensure they can prepare effectively. Your table will be set up upon your arrival, creating a welcoming atmosphere. While the operations run like clockwork, don’t expect your meal to be rushed; nearly every dish is crafted by a single chef. Plan to spend a couple of hours here, as you’ll likely want to order at least a dozen small plates, served at a perfectly timed pace. With a selection of draft beer, hot and cold sake, and a variety of shochu, Shoya truly embodies the spirit of an izakaya. Allow yourself to indulge in your favorites and enjoy this distinctive experience that you will surely wish would never end.

The food here is excellent! The chef puts in a lot of effort to prepare each dish, and everything is really delicious. Just keep in mind that it may take 3 to 4 hours for your food to be served.

The decor had an odd blend of a kitchen and a Japanese restroom, which didn't really stimulate my appetite. The waitress seemed indifferent or uninformed; she declined to offer any dish recommendations, claiming that everything was good and that I couldn't go wrong with my choices. That turned out to be untrue. I sampled about ten dishes, and half of them were either too salty or overcooked. Additionally, be sure to inquire about prices and any extra fees, as she omits some charges without mentioning them beforehand. Overall, it was an unpleasant experience, especially considering I traveled from out of town.

I strongly advise against dining at this restaurant unless you support racism. Several people of color have shared their experiences on Google and Yelp, stating they were denied service because of their race. I visited twice; the first time, the kitchen was closed despite being advertised to remain open until 11. On our second visit, the restaurant was busy, but there were four open tables that needed to be cleared. Instead of taking the time to clean and serve us, we were turned away. It became clear that they simply do not want customers like us—people of color—there. After my experience, I searched for other reviews and found that many others have faced similar discrimination. If you believe in equality and fair treatment for all, I urge you not to eat here. It’s disheartening to have to write this review in 2022.

This restaurant has an unwritten policy that limits customers to a two-hour stay. If you exceed this time, the woman at the bar makes it known you’re no longer welcome through her rude expressions and harsh comments. Additionally, there’s a minimum spending requirement of $30 per person, and they charge $3 for water without informing you upfront. I've been a patron for a few years, but I was shocked and extremely disappointed when this woman refused to take my reservation because I stayed just half an hour too long during my last two visits, even though the restaurant was nearing closing time and there were many empty seats. The lack of clear communication and what seemed like discriminatory treatment towards customers left a bad impression on me. I would advise avoiding this place unless you’re okay with being treated poorly despite spending your hard-earned money.