Yatai

You could very easily drive right past this place.....but don't! I went last night with a couple of friends and we ate like kings (queens). The food was amazing, we had a sampling of alot of different things. Octopus potato puffs, baked black cod, spicy shrimp, but I think my favorite was crispy calamari salad. Everything was really good and the presentation was great too. The whole place had a really good vibe......even the bathroom was cute. I will be back forsure. Pros: everything, service, space, food... more

I don't really like alcohol, but the whitegria was memorable. I think they make it with sake with a twist. They add slices of pineapple and lychee to add a sweet fruity flavor. Their beer cocktails are also amazing and unique. The prices are totally reasonable, and even better during Happy Hour. The price for being extremely happily tipsy with a friend costed under $20. Pros: Happy Hour !!!!! Cons: Parking more

What a fun place to eat at! My husband and I ate here on NYE and we had a great experience. We got there early and were able to order off of the happy hour menu. We ordered about 12 dishes for the both of us and were full off of that. The resaurant is small and very ambiant with red walls white christmas lights. The food was tasty. Beware - you might have to order many dishes in order to get full, but this place is fun and reasonable. Pros: food was fun, great ambiance, reasonable prices Cons: might have to order many dishes to get full more

Yatai is by far the best place to eat tasty dishes. From its authentic Japanese decor, to its intimate setting and excellent customer service, this place rates very high in my book. Upon arrival my friend and I felt immediately at ease with the tranquil, but slightly lively surroundings. I would imagine if I were to travel to Japan, the setting would be similar. As for the food, the aromas and succulent surprise that awaited us was unexpected. The flavors oozing from each bite zigzagged its way through my palate and all I could think of was ""Wow! Why can't other restaurants be like this?""\r \r Yatai certainly achieved its goal...left me wanting more!!! Pros: Everything! Cons: My stomach was too small to eat everything on the menu! more

Once again... amazing, amazing, amazing. This was only my second time at Yatai as I am from San Diego and do not frequent the LA area often. However, when I made plans to spend a weekend up there, I knew where I had to have dinner... Yatai! The first time I was there, I went with a large group and had a wonderful time. I hoped that going with just a close friend would live up to our previous experience. Once again, Yatai surpassed my expectations. The food was sooooo good that we just had to keep ordering. We had to try a little bit of everything. The food tasted so fresh and the flavor was just right. So many times you go to a restaurant and they overcook everything or cover up the natural tast with too many spices, or worst of all - salt! The food was seasoned perfectly... so perfectly that curiosity got the best of my friend and I and even though we were very satisfied, we wanted to keep trying more. The service was fantastic. We even got to meet the owner whose generosity left us speechless when he walked us out and helped us hail a cab! Yatai is truly a gem in such a bustling, busy city with so much competion. Even though I do not live in the area and am not able to support Yatai as often as I would like, I will defnitely continue to treat myself to their delicious food and unforgettable Japatini whenever given the chance! Seikouri and Shinsaku to Yatai! Pros: Delicious food, Great Group and Date Ambiance Cons: Limited Parking more

Outstanding food. LOTS of choices. Loved the Shrimp Stuffed Portobello with pickled onion the most, but the charcoal grill ribeye was outstanding, too.\r \r Beautiful, small dining room with friendly, attentive service. \r \r For the money, there just aren't any other restaurants in LA that can compete with Yatai. Pros: Food, Prices, Service Cons: No Hard Alcohol, Beer, Wine more

This is a fun and cute restaurant to go especially with a larger size party. Dishes are made in small portions and you can try a wide range of items if you are an adventurous eater. Food is tasty and well presented. I would try sitting in the outside area the next time I go. Inside area is a bit dim and I like to see what I am eating, especially the tasty dishes like the tasty bite-size ribeye steak. Serving service could be improved. more

My husband and I have been there twice in one week. Great, affordable, no fuss dining right on the Strip. Everything we tried was great and the service is excellent! Perfect if you want a good meal, nice atmosphere, & great service without all the fuss of valet's and such. Pros: Great service, easy parking, great location more

What more can I say about this restaurant? Went there on a weeknight so parking was not a problem if compare to weekend. When my friend and I walked up to the door a friendly waitress came to greet us and showed us to our seats. As soon as we sat down we couldn't stop talking about how we loved the decor and the atmosphere the owner had created. We ordered about 8 dishes and each one of them is just as good as the others. One good thing about tapas is that you can try so many different kind of dishes without having leftovers to bring home. If you are a first timer and don't know what to order just ask any of the lovely waitresses for recommendation. Pros: Ambience, Service more

Cuisine that bursts with flavors and aroma is served by attractive and knowledge servers. They will suggest beautiful combinations of food that will make this your favorite go-to restaurant every time you desire to dine with comfort and ease. Sublime and not overpowering in taste and design- the restaurant keeps their attention on YOU. Pros: Beautiful staff Cons: hard to find location more

The food was excellent. Got many of the dishes and all of them were wonderful. My favorites were the cabbage in plum sauce, the curry, the rib-eye steak and the spicy tuna. \r \r The service was also excellent. The staff was really proud of their menu, of course becuase they knew it was good. They were also very timely on their service, as well as kind and hospitable. \r \r The atmosphere was pleasant. Even on a chili night, they had their own mini heaters that they placed on the middle of the table to warm you up outside. \r \r It is definitely a must try and then tell all your friends, so that this place can receive lots of business! Pros: Service, parking, food Cons: Nothing to say bad about it more

Great atmosphere, terrific food, excellent service, and a very cool list of asian beers. The patio is the spot. Pros: Patio, food and drink Cons: parking more

My sister & I ate here on our vacation (my first time in L.A.) Lovely little courtyard setting away from the noise of the street. Very good service, beautiful presentation & wonderful food. more

Yummy...what a great place to take a date. You can sit inside and be intimate over happy hour treats or watch the parade of cars and people on the Sunset strip. The soy paper wraped hand rolls are delicious! Pros: Delicious, Fabulous Location, Great Service Cons: None I can think of. more

Amazing selection of tastes, great presentation. Try one of the grills, with your own mini barbeque right at your table - The king crab legs were great! They got it right with this place and everything we tried was new and interesting and delicious. Also the Soji Cocktails rock!\r \r Rate this one A+ Pros: Great location, Food Ambience Cons: moderate to pricey more

This place has a variety of menu and each food is exellent!! We had Green papaya salad,crispy shrimp toast and saigon summer roll. Facing busy sunset blvd and have a nice patio with charming asian decor. This place must be a great for lite dinner and drinks before the live house. I will definitely dine here again. more

If you've been to hip restaurant in Tokyo and enjoyed ""Izakaya"" style food, this is the restaurant for you. It is a small dishes but enough to share with your friends. Try Thai green curry with interesting twist. Pros: Everything Cons: NONE! more

This place a absolutely fine!! \r Stylish, but still cozy. great hospitality.\r I enjoyed every dish that we ordered! Especially, Albacore sashimi with fried onion topping is the best! also, their deserts are delicious. \r I will definetlybe frequenting this place often! \r \r \r Pros: Thums up! more

This place a absolutely an amazing find! The food looks interesting on the menu and lives up to all expectations! I enjoyed every dish that we ordered! Nice atmosphere that is both hip and low key! I will definetlybe frequenting this place often! Pros: Excellent food, great prices, great staff! Cons: none! more

Usually, when going to a restaurant that comes highly recommended by someone else, I find myself being hyper-critical upon first visit. I was in for an extreme disappointment in that department when I walked up to Yatai, a new addition to Sunset's hustle and bustle. From the warm smile that we recieved before even entering, to the ladybug wandering happily on the beautiful menu mounted on wood next to our table, everything encouraged an experience of relaxation, and we were only too happy to oblige. Unfortunately, that was a mistake for our tongues, which should have worn dancing shoes. After starting with Shishito peppers prepared to perfection, we were dazzled by the next tthree entrees which all arrived at once, giving us a multitude of equally delicious choices. The first was the Baby Spinach Salad with 'to-die-for' dressing that you wanted to dip everthing in. Next was the Baked Crab roll, that was simply...amazing, followed by my favorite of the night (and probably my addiction for the next few months) the Calamari Salad whose description escapes my limited vocabulary for portraying how absolutely sublime the flavor was, complimented gently by the bed of spinach on which it lay. The first 'course' (if you want to call it that) left us perfectly full in the stomach, but our mouths wouldn't go so quietly. We had to sample more of the wonderful tapas available to us. We had to order the Garlic Whitefish Carpaccio...look at the title of the dish! Nuff said! I had to see if the 'usual suspects' on a tapas menu were in the same stratosphere as the other fare, and if the Spicy Tuna Tartar is any indication, then they are. It was ALMOST as heavenly as the Chocolate cake that had the consistency of a truffle. Add to the food, good music played at just the right volume, an array of hard to find asian beers, a tasty mojito (among other cocktails), and smiles from every corner, and every server, then it was one of the MOST enjoyable dinners I've ever had in LA. Pros: Everything from A to Z. Cons: Parking, but hey, it IS Sunset... more