RESTAURANTS • FOUND Table
The Backstory: Previously a food truck, Japanese seafood spot Yess went brick-and-mortar in the Arts District in the spring of 2023. Fittingly, the space, designed by co-owner Kino Kaetsu, has the air of something between a hip art gallery and a cathedral. It’s an inspired setting for chef Junya Yamasaki’s serene plates.
The Experience: Located inside a former 1920s-era bank, the restaurant is restrained but commanding — special occasion dining without the theatrics. The design features soaring ceilings, exposed brick and beams, contemporary art installations, and light wood furniture, with an open kitchen providing a fascinating backdrop for the meal.
The food is a strange mix of solemn and jubilant, a natural continuation of the Japanese temple cuisine shojin ryori, which Yamasaki studied just before landing here. The menu is always slightly different, with whatever is freshest, seasonal, or in the chef’s favor at the moment. Expect a meal rooted in impeccably seasoned, creative plates with vegetables and specialty fish.
Monk’s chirashi, a vegetarian take on a scattered sushi bowl, fashions grapefruit, artichoke, fennel and shiso into delicacies served atop rice. Black cod temaki is another standout, the fish melting into the cucumber and wasabi, buoyed by sweet miso.
Why It’s FOUND: The recent opening of Cafe 2001 — team Yess’s new breezy daytime cafe next door — is as good a reminder as any to visit the original, for one of LA’s most distinct, rewarding dining experiences. –Caitlin White
→ Yess Restaurant (Arts District) • 2001 E 7th St • Wed-Sun 6-9p • Reserve.