I’m a burger kind of girl.

I lean on the meaty, greasy, dripping down your arm, “Is Danielle eating pure fat?” kind of girl. I think I do a good job at hiding it, particularly on first dates. However, once the third date comes along, I let my true self come out and at that point a guy either likes me or he doesn’t. While heavy food is a favorite of mine, I have to sprinkle in lighter options that carry the same amount excitement. Looking to find the plate of food to do just that led me to Necco in Westwood, but instead of being given plates I was handed a box.

I was invited to check out Necco (“roots” in English) thanks to Tomoko of Turning Off Japanese. The lunch set on Westwood Boulevard came just in time for the restaurant’s unveiling of their new Kaiseki Bento Box ($40). Before the box, which would serve as the focus of the lunch, was placed before me an empty glass and bottle of Soto Sake (price unavailable) was brought to the table. The super-premium sake from Japan had such a smooth and clean taste that made it almost graceful to drink. In each sip the sake was weightless and airy to the point that it could quickly disappear before you know it. That’s a good thing, until you’ve had one too many.

To keep me from reaching that point, the Miso Soup took my attention. Kombu, shiitake, and a shojin broth came together amongst other ingredients to create a perfectly balanced assembly of flavors. The soup wasn’t overly salted and didn’t come off bland whatsoever which can often be a problem in some miso soups. Instead it landed directly in the middle until there was nothing left.

Sake and miso soup aside I then made room for the bento box. Three tiers comprising of the box held a variety of food that I didn’t think would fill me up, or even come close. Two of the three levels were segmented into three parts with individual items to enjoy. It was small and didn’t seem like it would be enough, but I was willing to give it a shot. I went in order and started with the Veggie Tier. Okura Nori Goma Ae, Boiled Lotus Root and Gobo Root with a Sesame Dressing Yaki Nasu, and Necco’s pickles. It was a bit of a foreign oral exploration of foods I was unfamiliar with, yet I was excited to discover. I didn’t think I would be interested in the okra, but the take on it from the prickly texture to the vibrant dressing was a unique one that made me smile. The broiled lotus root had somewhat void nature to it in spite of appearing dynamic, but it was the tart pickles whose flavor heightened when across my taste buds that were one I wanted more of.

Moving into the second tier it was full of all the things a girl like me could ask for: meat and fish. There was Albacore Nanban, Roast Wagyu Beef with Balsamic Soy, and Yuan Yaki Style Cod. Unsure where to begin I closed my eyes and simply let my chopsticks lead the way only for it to land on the cod first. In a matter of two bites I devoured the cod with little realization of what I would be missing once it was gone. From the instant I tasted the cod my immediate reaction was that it was silky and that it almost conformed to my tongue in the mere moments I had with it. After the cod was gone, I moved to the albacore. The crispy exterior should have been one I would have loved except it turns out I didn’t. Once I pierced through the skin and made it to the fish, I didn’t care much for it. It wasn’t as flavorful as I had hoped it would have been and there was a level of moisture that seemed to be missing. A bit drier and tougher than I would like made it somewhat difficult to chew and one I didn’t eagerly finish. Knowing this, I diverted my attention to the final section of the tier. The roast wagyu beef was a complete opposite to the albacore that preceded it. It was cooked to a perfect fragility that allowed it to sink into my mouth and the perfect zest across it made it impossible to eat with any grace. With that, I didn’t and was pleased to finish it regardless of how I looked.

The final of the three tiers was Zuke Don Tier. In it was a soy Marinated Salmon with Marinated Ikura on top of white rice with wasabi. Possibly the safest and most familiar dish to any sushi lover with a bit of a twist included. This box was direct to the point and straightforward. Beautiful pink slices of salmon sat across a heaping amount of white rice. While that could come across as ordinary, it was the soy and the ikura (fish eggs similar to caviar) that made it taste so captivating. The ikura had a light pop with each bite and released a lively level of juice that blended well with the bold soy sauce. Adding it all together with the rice and the near perfect salmon created such a delightful way to close out the bento box.

While I may be a burger girl who loves heavy food, I was extremely surprised at how full I was with the bento box served at Necco. I made the foolish assumption that although small, the box wouldn’t be able to take on my appetite, but I was completely wrong. I loved finding my way through the tiers of the box and discovering the different textures and flavors because when I was finished I was more than elated at the journey Necco took me on.

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Address:  1929 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025
Phone: (310) 446-5241
Hours: Wednesday to Saturday – 11:30am to 3:00pm, 5:30pm to 11:00pm, Sunday – 11:30am to 3:00pm, 5:30pm to 10:30pm, Monday – 11:30am to 3:00pm, 5:30pm to 11:00pm, and Closed on Tuesdays.
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