Maybe dim sum is a more appropriate comparison than tapas. But the Spanish finger food presentation is the first thing that sprung to my mind while reading about the izakaya, a style of Japanese restaurant defined by its specialty in small-plate noshes and which is currently sweeping the dining scene in Los Angeles.

“When you go into an izakaya here, you are looking for a predominantly Japanese crowd, and at least one big, hairy music industry type,” said Jonathan Gold, the restaurant critic for LA Weekly. “It is the perfect kind of food for people with short attention spans.”

Attention-deficit dining? Love it.

I guess sushi is all played out, at least on the West Coast. I hope izakayas take their time in migrating to New York, though. I’m quite happy with my occasional salmon roll.