Wabi Sabi Gutted In Early Morning Fire On Abbot Kinney

I got a text from my dear friend Troy this morning that Wabi Sabi (It's always Wabi Sabi to us) had gone up in flames early this morning. The news spread like wildfire itself, with the whole Venice community gasping and wondering what happened.

The fire is suspected to have been caused by an electrical issue, and the only good thing about it is that no one was hurt and it happened when it was empty. The buildings on either side (Tasting Kitchen and Gorjana) seem to be fine, and all three were probably saved by the fact that the atrium in the middle of Wabi has ventilation for the flames to go up and exit through. I talked to Troy and some other employees and they hear that the popular and beloved Venice eatery on Abbot Kinney will be reopened by New Year's - at least the bar part. That seems mighty optimistic based on the photos they sent me, but I'm all for optimism.

The holidays always make me a little nervous about fires, with dry trees and lights and candles and drinking and all of that, but electrical fires seem like they could/should be avoided. The extra sad part about all of this is that it IS the holidays, and now there are a whole bunch of people without work. Here's hoping that insurance will pay them while the place is being rebuilt ... and/or that neighboring businesses will offer them to pick up some shifts with them, as has happened in the past in other circumstances. The hospitality industry is pretty good about looking out for each other, so I feel good about that being the case.

Wabi Sabi has been a neighborhood hang for a good long time now, and an excellent member of our community. They host local artists to show their work all of the time, complete with receptions for the aritst. They donate to community events, and even gave a gift card for my own silent auction for our 90291: VENICE UNZIPPED documentary. It's one of the few places on Abbot Kinney that you will still see old school locals, especially after the original Hal's closed. The Wabi folks are good people, and they care. It is my hope that the community responds in kind now that Wabi could really use it.

I walked by a while ago, after the flames had all been doused, and it doesn't look as bad from the outside. I was told that the hot kitchen is fine, and that the bar was still fairly intact, so they may be able to open that part sooner than the rest, which could just be walled off while being fixed up. I hate to think of all those beautiful plants hanging in the atrium all ablaze, but that little zone is really most likely what kept it from being far worse. Wabi Venice will rise again - and we'll all be there to support them and celebrate the Venice spirit that will not keep them down. A sad day for Wabi and those who love it ... but also yet another reminder to support and care about the people and places you love WHILE you have them.

We love you, Wabi! We'll be there right when you open those doors once again.

A Rohitash Rao Show At Wabi Sabi - Eat Art!

There was a really fun art opening last night at Wabi Sabi, featuring the wonderful work of Rohitash Rao. There were so many friends, neighbors, and fellow artists crushed in for the reception that I almost felt kind of bad for the diners who perhaps weren't aware that they were going to be eating in the midst of a full on art show. But, hey - good for them. I was told that there was special "Shoe-shi Surrealist sushi" (?), but I never saw that. I like the creativity though. A lot. 

Rao is one of my favorite local artists, with his witty pieces that poke at current events and our society today with clever humor and proper digs when necessary. He was in such demand to talk to that the photo I took of him is just a blur ... and good for him!

I love the old thrift store paintings that Rao inserts Darth Vaders into ... particularly the beach scene being accosted by the Dark Lord. Why not?

It was great to see so many familiar faces out to support their friend, and even more encouraging to see that so many of them are artists still working in Venice. We need you! More than ever!

And this night was a celebration of exactly that, as also on view were photographs of Venice artists in their studios by Debbie Zeitman for her "Before They Go" project - which we all hope they never do.

The ceiling in Wabi Sabi is so beautiful, it really deserves its own artistic shout-out. It's essentially a big terrarium, full of living plants, that need to be lowered to water. It's so gorgeous, I find myself spacing out into it often. Good job, Wabi!

Good job all around, actually, as this was Venice doing what Venice does best - celebrating art and each other, every chance we get. Congratulations to all the artists, there in person and in spirit. We love you and appreciate you! Thank you to Wabi Sabi for recognizing this, and throwing a darn good art soirée! Congratulations Ro and Debbie! Love.

Check it out! See you at happy hour.

A Fond Farewell To Fumi!

There have been many changes at Wabi Sabi the past few years (as there has been with Abbot Kinney and Venice at large), but the one constant since the first month they opened in 2001 has always been Fumi Kimura. She has managed the restaurant, nurtured its workers and customers, and has been the most lovely and gracious hostess of our neighborhood sushi spot ever since ... but now she's leaving, moving back to Japan, and last night was her last night there.

Wabi Sabi closed down early and a party sprang up in the back room, as friends and neighbors filtered in with armloads of floral bouquets to show their respect and give their love to someone who has meant so much to our community. Kimura has been there through many transitions, and it was clear to see from the many adoring patrons lining up to give their hugs and thanks, that she will be sorely missed. It was fantastic to see so many familiar local faces back on the Boulevard, and to know that they were there for Fumi. Venice family. 

The constant sound of champagne bottles popping last night let you know that it was meant to be a celebration, and not as sad as it felt, so we all clinked glasses and toasted our friend, wishing her well ... knowing that now we have someone wonderful to visit in Japan! And also knowing that when someone has been such a big part of Venice for so long ... they tend to return. We can only hope, and send Fumi off with fond memories and so much love.

Genki de (ALL the best!), dear Fumi!

Wabi Sabi - Beauty In Venice's Imperfection

Ever since Wabi Sabi opened on Abbot Kinney Boulevard in 2001, it's been our go-to place for sushi. We were sad when the Korean liquor store in the location at 1637 Abbot Kinney closed up shop, but really good sushi just a walk across the street consoled us quite a bit. Fourteen years later, it's still one of our favorites, and in fact, has become even more of a beloved treasure more recently when it's become one of the few places on the block that you can still see a lot of locals.

I sat down the other day for one of my favorite cocktails in Los Angeles (the grapefruit basil martini - pure Summertime!) with Wabi Sabi's manager, Fumi Kimura to catch up and hear the latest on what's going on with our hangout. Kimura (who has been at Wabi since a month after they opened) told me that after Yo Santa Monica Mirror posted an item about the Wabi Sabi building being sold (for 7.4 million!), the restaurant has been inundated with calls and emails from people wanting a table for their last night, in a total panic that the place was closing. As of now, that is not true.

Kimura said that yes, the building has sold. Yes, there is a new owner. But no, they don't have a new tenant, and Wabi Sabi is staying right where it is, for as long as the new owner allows them to - and even they don't know how long that will be. Total limbo. If the building's new owner is smart, it will be a long, long time. With the closure of our Hal's (now going to be a stupid Houston's/Hillstone!), Wabi Sabi has picked up the slack. The community really can't handle the closure of another community fixture, not without a lot of resentment building up for whoever would take over. So let them be! NO MORE CHAINS! Venice is not everywhere. Gross.

Wabi Wabi is now the place you can walk in and wave to all your neighbors at Happy Hour (5:30-6:30). Wabi Sabi is one of the few places left on AKB where you can get a real drink (and a delicious one!), not just beer and wine, and that liquor license is real valuable. The art on the walls is by local artist legend (being evicted from his Venice studio) William Attaway. The chalk drawings above the bar are by our homegirl, Anna Kondo. Locals who have been priced out and have had to move away make the drive back to Wabi Sabi specifically, always expressing their relief that Wabi is still there, thank God. Wabi Sabi is also one of the places where it's not a hipster scene, and the staff is genuinely glad to see you.

We LOVE the Wabi Sabi staff, and they love each other. It's fun to see people working among friends, going out together in the neighborhood when they get off, and enjoying and helping each other when they are at work. I wanted to take a photo of everyone, and they all wanted to wait until they could all be in it ... so we waited. In the middle of a dinner rush, the sushi chefs can still find the time to make a little origami treasure for a little girl regular. It's like that.

Kimura said that locals are feeling sad that Venice is losing its fabled edge, and are giving up, "but now is the time for us all to appreciate each other even more ... now is the time to grow together in a special way." What a lovely way to put it.

Wabi Sabi means "Beauty in imperfection" in Japanese, and with so much imperfection going on all around us all the time, Wabi Sabi is truly a bit of beauty within it all, and we're all so grateful to still have it.

Wabi Sabi is OPEN - every day.
1637 Abbot Kinney Boulevard
310.314.2229
www.wabisabisushi.com