Miyabi, a new Japanese restaurant on Western...

Miyabi, a new Japanese restaurant on Western Avenue, is a welcome addition to the eateries of Gardena. Opened recently by Takeshi Ikeda and his daughter Shiori, Miyabi may be one of the most attractive dining places in the South Bay.

Guests are welcomed by a huge spray of fresh flowers set on a counter. A large crystal chandelier hangs from a brown and gold patterned ceiling. Heavy cream-colored draperies and comfortable beige booths add to the atmosphere.

At one end of the room, eight chairs almost encircle a counter that sets this restaurant apart from others; it is not the usual sushi counter.

At Miyabi, customers make their selections from a tempura bar. Tempura choices include several vegetables, such as Japanese pumpkin and shishi-to , a hot bell pepper ($1 each). A real treat is fresh matsutake , the Rolls-Royce of Japanese mushrooms ($5). The seafood tempura choices include squid ($2), halibut ($2.50) and scallops ($3.50).

Miyabi also serves fresh Japanese eel. The unaju-ume ($19.95) is a whole fillet of eel, marinated in sweet sake, soy sauce and secret ingredients, then broiled. It is cut into two large pieces and set on steamed rice.

Another favorite is kamameshi , a traditional Japanese dish in which rice is mixed with seafood, then steamed in an individual pot. The options include crab meat with vegetables ($14.25), and baby scallops or salmon with vegetables ($12.95). The concoction melds together and the prized part is the slightly burned mixture at the edges of the pot.

Miyabi is at 16008 S. Western Ave., Gardena. (310) 329-9112. Open Monday through Friday 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 to 10:30 p.m.; Saturday 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Closed Sunday. Bar open until 2 a.m.