Yatai Asian Tapas Bar
West Hollywood, CA 90069
Phone: (310) 289-0030
- Price:
- $$
- Cross Street:
- La Cienega Boulevard
- Hours:
- Mon-Fri 12:00pm-3:00pm, Mon-Thu 6pm-11pm, Fri-Sat 6pm-11:30pm, Sun Closed
Editorial Review for Yatai Asian Tapas Bar – by Martha Burr
In Short
This charming, elegant room finds a sexy Zen balance with red walls, sleek dark wood, candles, calligraphy and Asian pottery. A small bar and wood booths add intimacy, while the courtyard patio hosts a handful of tree-shaded tables beneath tiny sparkling lights, which illuminate the good looking club crowds. The menu offers small plates of whitefish yuzu pepper carpaccio, octopus potato balls, baked black cod, bite-size rib eye, and specials like roasted duck, Kurobuta sausage and tempura pumpkin.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
Happy HourHappy hour takes place weekdays from 5:30pm to 7pm, with discounts on soju drinks and hand rolls.
Save MoneyWeekday lunchtime specials feature bento boxes priced under $10, with combinations of rolls, sashimi and tempura; all come with rice, miso soup and salad.
Where to SitPrivacy and lively Sunset Strip people-watching can be found in the one intimate table for two overlooking the sidewalk.
What to DrinkThe bar offers premium sakes, bamboo shooters, limited wines by the glass, Asian beers, a dozen tropical Asian soju cocktails and herbal elixirs.
User Reviews for Yatai Asian Tapas Bar
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
Users Like You Also Viewed
Little Dom's
2128 Hillhurst Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90027
