Post-Plywood Report: Sashi Sushi + Sake Lounge, Apple

MANHATTAN BEACH: We were just tipped off that the KAA-designed Sashi Sushi + Sake Lounge starts friends and family previews tonight, which means the debut is right around the corner. We've discussed before: Taking over the former Deli Boys space at the Metlox Plaza, owned by two South Bay real estate guys, with chef Makoto Okuwa, a Morimoto protégé and Iron Chef alum, at the helm. While the press release says Okuwa will "produce creative dishes the West Coast has yet to see," we're pretty sure sushi, tuna sashimi, jidori chicken "cigars," robata-grilled meats, and miso Chilean sea bass have been on menus out this way for quite some time. Dinner starts Monday, August 18; lunch will start in September. [POST-PLY]

WEST HOLLYWOOD: The three venues taking over the former Pearl space on Robertson are starting to unravel: First to open is Apple Lounge, promoter Alison Melnick's basement lounge that's attached to Bryan Ogden's forthcoming Apple restaurant. According to The Guide, the lounge debuts tonight and Friday "in sneak preview mode, there are many design changes still forthcoming," and will officially open after Labor Day. As for Ogden's restaurant, it opens to the public next Friday (August 22), and later, Robin Antin's Pussycat Dolls Lounge in the same building. All three are separate entities with separate entrances---gotta keep those club kids away from the diners, natch. [POST-PLY]