O Fine Japanese Cuisine

First opened in Laguna Beach back in 2009, followed by an Irvine location in 2011, O Fine Japanese Cuisine offers above-average sushi at premium prices. The Irvine location has a relatively small dining room and sushi bar, spotlighting Nobu-style fusion sashimi and similarly semi-luxurious items – “Japanese A5 Wagyu Steak,” served in 5-ounce portions at market price, and A5 Wagyu Fried Rice for $48 – on its short menu.

O Fine’s lobster specialties are perhaps its most interesting offerings. We were initially lured in by the promise of live lobster sashimi, which at the time was all but impossible to find in Orange County, and was also “out of stock” at O immediately after being advertised online. Thankfully, it was available on our return, though the presentation was more impressive than the lobster itself – sliced tail meat adorned with three colors of roe and gold foil, then splayed out atop a flattened shell. It didn’t feel like a good value, nor was it as beautiful as images shown online, but it was essentially what was ordered. By comparison, a bowl of lobster miso soup (featuring a cooked claw, tofu, shiitake, and enoki mushrooms) underpromised and overdelivered on both flavor and beauty.