Yatai Asian Tapas Bar

09/06/2008 Posted by Sidesgirl

On a Saturday night we expected a little wait but were seated immediately. Inside seating was a little too dark. Each table was lit by one tiny tea light candle with made reading the menu difficult at times. Although it was a romantic setting, the tables were very close together but the music was loud enough to keep your conversations private. The Mojitos were AMAZING! The service was very friendly and helpful. Our server answered all of our questions politely and brought our drinks and food promptly. Thank you Remi! The California roll and BBQ eel roll were fantastic! The soy paper made the presentation impeccable. We also ordered tempura pumpkin with curry salt which was different but delightful. We were not impressed with the Crispy shrimp with black pepper and sweet chili sauce which was found on their most popular list. The flavors were a little off. We will definitely be returning to Yatai!

Pros: Great sushi with soy paper, parking validation

Cons: Cramped seating

06/04/2008 Posted by Jacethebace

I think the last reviewer went to a different restaurant. Yatai has been our favorite restaurant since it opened, and I can honestly say that I haven't ever been able to say that about any other place. My girlfriend wants to go at least once a week, and everyone that I've ever referred to Yatai has come back to personally thank me for the reccomendation. Masa is amazing, as well as the rest of his staff. I had my birthday there last year and the went over and above what I expected. Thank you so much for everything!!!

Pros: ambience, pumpkin tempura, chinese chicken salad, black pepper shrimp

Cons: Parking....street parking is best, can be a little warm inside, so outside is great!

05/22/2008 Posted by simyas

Overall, this place is over-rated. The ambiance is cool but the food is just ok. I have to admit there are waaaaaaaay better places to dine in L.A. for asian cuisine. But here is my BIGGEST problem...the customer service is awful! My friends and I went on a Wed NON-busy night & we had to flag the waiter down EVERY time we needed something (water, to clear our plates, just to order, etc.)! It was kinda ridiculous; it's not like the place was busy. Then to top it off we ordered the chicken egg rolls. NOTE: DO NOT ORDER THE CHICKEN EGG ROLLS!!!!!! When we bit into them the meat tasted a bit "off"...like it was fermented. So we asked the watier to take it back. When the check came, they charged us for the egg roll so we told the waiter that was unfair since we felt uncomfortable with the taste. Next thing you know, the MGR came over and said, "but you ate some of the egg roll, do you always eat some of the food before you send it back?"---with a slight attitude, as if he wasn't going to take it off our bill or as if he didn't believe his food tasted foul. LMAO...seriously, we thought we were being punked. What kind of question is that?!?!?!? Of course we had to taste the food in order to send it back!!!! Furthermore, the dish is $6.50....is the restaurant performing that poorly that you are going to challenge $6.50...especially when the issue we are raising is a valid one?!?!? Anyway, we were highly irritated!!!! The principle at hand wasn't about removing a measly $6.50 [for an egg roll] off our bill. I mean come on, our bill was like $100..what's $6.50 off right?!?!?! The point was, HOW DARE the manager exude such poor customer service over funky food. So, I did NOT have a good dining experience at Yatai. I can safely say I will not be returning...neither will my friends. P.S. One more thing---no lie--yes, I had diahrrea the next day!!!!!! So CLEARLY some of that food was bad like we thought!!!!!!! ~ Unsatisfied Patron

Pros: new experience

Cons: Bad food...literally, the meat in the egg rolls went bad

0 out of 3 people found this review helpful

05/04/2008 Posted by prophetca

This is without a doubt my favorite restaurant in LA. You get great food that is Nobu and Katana quality or better at a much more reasonable price and without the snobbish staff. This place is the best kept secret in LA right on the center of Sunset Blvd. If they hired a PR firm there would be a line out the door and up the street.

Pros: Food, Staff

Cons: None

04/24/2008 Posted by Geemiker

This place is just absolutely perfect! No other words, just perfect! Best Asian food I had in long time.

Pros: The ambiance, food and service

Cons: Non

04/08/2008 Posted by kmcgehee81

I am only writing this review because I want to people to experience the same joy that I get everytime I go to Yatai. This is the best kept secret in LA. By far my favorite restaurant! The food is phenomenal and unique, the sake great and the service makes you feel like you are in someone's home. It is soooo wonderful! If you go, you must get the spicy tuna on rice, cabbage, tuna with crispy onions and popcorn shrimp!

03/20/2008 Posted by tzadiknister

I am posting this on one condition, whomever you take to Yatai must be worthy as this place is a gem! I have torn feelings about writing just how good because i don't want it to become that place that you need a reservation 3 weeks in advance. The service and food surly warrant 3 week advance reservations. And the warm welcome you get from Mr. Masa and the rest of the staff each and every time i go there. i have introduced friends who are now believers. Yatai has a cult like following. and yes the "Mendy Roll" is amazing Spicy Tuna roll with avocado topped with yelow tail, salmon and tuna, garnished with tempura flakes and eel sauce im getting hungry just thinking about it. and the pumpkin tempura is a must! Service is second to none, and the ambiance is intimate yet lively and decor takes you away to a beautiful Japanese garden. all this on sunset... cant be beat!

Pros: overall amazing!

Cons: there are none!

03/01/2008 Posted by YataiMASA

Dear Customer, Firstly, I would like to apologize for any inconvenience and misunderstanding I have caused. Due to my lack of English I could not get my point across to you clearly, which resulted in what may have sounded like a lie. I would like to have this time to re-explain my self. All of our credit card transactions are processed through a third party credit processing company. All transactions with a zero dollar tip automatically have a 20% PENDING tip added for approximately 3 days. This process is done in case any changes are needed whether it be from the customers or the restaurant. The pending amount will then be changed and corrected after the few days. In this case a cash tip was left, which means the pending 20% added will be removed and the original amount will be charged once the company receives the finalization. We never intended this system to freeze or cause any problems for our customers and their credit cards. Again I would like to apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. I have been in the restaurant industry for 10 years, starting off as a bus boy. Yatai is my dream restaurant which I have finally achieved. It is and never will be my intention to cause such inconvenience to my valued customers. But I do realize that this situation has and we are fixing the credit card pending system immediately. I do hope you will stop by soon and when you do please ask for me. I would like you to get to know me and see that I am not a liar and that I truly value and appreciate every single one of my customers. Sincerely, Yatai Asian Tapas Bar Owner Masa Sonobe

02/28/2008 Posted by 18911260

I appreciate very much that you are fixing your credit card machine. Although you are located in a swank area, not all your customers have the money in their accounts to put up 20%, even if it is a few days. See you next time.

01/04/2008 Posted by slpdocstu

This is by far my favorite restaurant in LA. I've only been for happy hour and the place is almost always empty, despite great reviews. I can't imagine why - the ambiance is great, service is attentive, and the prices are great during happy hour. There is also always street parking at that time, but bring quarters for the meters, which are checked into the wee hours of the morning. Another tip: you can buy a $25 gift certificate on restaurant-com for $10 so you'll save $15 on a $35 meal (have to spend $35 to use the gift certificate). Also restaurant-com often has specials so you can buy the gift certificates for as little as $4. ****UPDATE**** When I went back recently, they had significantly reduced their happy hour menu, so I'm taking this down to a 4 star - still a great value, but much more limited in selection! I'm very disappointed.

Pros: Happy Hour, lots of street parking at meters, discount certificates available (see review), ambiance, service

Cons: Might be a bit pricey if you don't have the certificate or don't go at happy hour, recently reduced their happy hour menu