I don’t know how I managed to miss visiting Sherman Oaks' fun Crave Café for so many years. The place has a friendly atmosphere, indoor and outdoor sidewalk seating, and a dizzying, mile-long menu that includes everything from bagels to Mexican entrees, dogs and burgers to espresso drinks and pastries. Order at the counter, and it comes to your table. It's the kind of place that would seem as much at home in a college town as it does on Ventura Boulevard. And Crave represents a rarity in the area: It’s open 24/7, a distinction usually reserved for Du Par’s and a few local pharmacies.

And the Sauce arrived just in time for something new: About a month ago, Crave Sushi opened its doors in an adjoining space. It’s not a 24-hour business but stays open late and offers large menu of reasonably priced sushi, sashimi and specialty rolls. About half of the rolls are designated spicy-hot, including the Crave Roll (spicy tuna roll with salmon, avocado, tomato mix with mustard sauce and crunch onion, photo below). Alcohol is not yet served, but for now you can bring your own with no corkage fee.

And you’ve got to respect any establishment that would serve a Van Nuys Roll—even more “local” than the ubiquitous California Roll (it’s California Roll on the bottom with a mixed sashimi salad on the top, with a special sauce).

Don’t be confused. The smaller Crave Café in Studio City (also open 24 hours) is no longer under the same ownership as the Sherman Oaks restaurant and has no sushi in its future.

14504 Ventura Blvd., 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. but may stay open later depending on business. Plans are to extend hours to 3 a.m. in the near future.