I don’t think he or anyone else at The Infatuation is an idiot. I only postulated a correlation between age (they all seem rather young) and restaurant preferences. This has been true for me for several reasons (more experience and exposure, changing palate from bolder to lighter flavors, evolving preference for quieter environments).
That explains the no reservations.
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When have you gone? I’m curious to know your thoughts depending on what Yess had on their menu.
does anyone have a copy of the new sunday a la carte menu?
Per Resy, it looks like Yess is dropping its tasting menu entirely and is switching to a “new,” “casual” a la carte menu only. I plan to go soon to try it.
That said, Yess isn’t helping itself with its online / social media presence. It has no website. They communicate very little information about the restaurant, and the bad info (Yelp reviews, that Infatuation review) drowns out the good. Also, from reviewing their IG and Resy, you’d be hard pressed to get straight answers on such basic questions as whether they’re open this Thursday, what menu(s) they’re offering this Friday, and what’s on the menu(s).
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I went to try the new a la carte menu. I liked it. I got the sashimi of the day, fisherman’s sashimi, smoked trout, negitoro tamaki, pickles, chirashi sushi, tofu dengaku, fish and chips, and the coffee kakigori. The new a la carte menu is below — it looks more or less the same as their earlier a la carte menus.
I thought all of the fish dishes were good, with the exception of the smoked trout (and that was mainly because of the preparation — the trout itself was good, but the roasted walnuts didn’t add anything and i’m not sure the reason why that dish is on the menu or what kind of diner that dish is supposed to serve). I thought the bluefin sashimi, fish and chips, and kakigori were particularly good, and are worth going for alone. There were some misses though — the tofu, pickles, the trout. Not that they were affirmatively bad. They just weren’t special or interesting.
The service was warm and good, if a little unpolished — for example, not always clearing plates before the next course was served. The space, music, and server attire can feel a bit monastic and self-serious. (That said, I think the criticism of the place as some kind of avant garde art project is truly silly and over-the-top.) And the menu is still too big and unfocused.
I think the biggest problem for the restaurant going forward is shaking its “baggage” from the first year and trying to get people to treat it as just a normal, regular old restaurant. After the whiplash from the glowing addison and NY times reviews to the hostile reviews on social and from places like the infatuation (all of which was probably a little overheated, in both directions), it feels like the restaurant could just use a fresh start. If the narrative on this place turned from “inaccessible and polarizing art project” to “seafood-focused japanese / california food,” i think people would have a very different reaction and would like their meal a lot more. indeed, i think if you went knowing nothing about the restaurant and just ordered down-the-middle and got the fish and chips and kakigori, you’d probably think the meal is fantastic.
In all, if you go with the right expectations and focus on the seafood, you’re going to have a good meal. I’d go back.
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How were they doing on customers?
This is a restaurant in the wrong location IMO. The “monastic” vibe is much better suited to Abbott Kinney.
I was there from 6-730ish and there were about 15-20 other people over that time. It didn’t feel busy, but also didn’t feel empty. I agree on location. The space suits the restaurant, but the Arts District might be an odd fit.
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We really enjoyed the food Yess 3.0 a la carte menu.
Service was very friendly and nice but so inattentive - really hard to get anyone’s attention when needed.
The beverage program needs help. Sapporo as the only “Japanese” beer really upsets me - its all licensed and brewed in the US. It’s so easy to find real Japanese beer these days. The sake’s had no description (just categorized in junmai, daiginjo, etc) and the staff could tell us much at all about them. At this level I think its fair to expect more.
No pic of the Monk’s Chirashi bowl - but it was terrific.
Fried Lobster Sando
Country Ham with Honey and Cantaloupe / Ginger
Fisherman Sashimi - Mackrel w/ Sesame Miso paste
Mala (ish) Tofu
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Actually Canada, I believe. But you’re right: Definitely not Japan.
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Sigh. Sapporo used to be “exotic” lol…
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betcha still being charged ‘exotic’ prices 
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Glad you liked it. I thought I recognized you. I think the monk’s chirashi bowl is the best dish there. It’s unique and refreshing.
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Thanks. Were you there Friday? Please say hi next time - would be nice to meet.
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P: I enjoy dining there. It has a very good environment and very friendly staff. The ingredients are good quality. But I may not like it as much as Warrior does,
W: I realize now that YESS is more of an artistic experience than a foodie experience. I realize how pretentious I am. The feeling I get is the same as going to the Broad or MOMA. They play music I don’t recognize, except for one song by Stereolab, Blue Jay Way, and riders on the storm. Blue Jay Way is an incredible song. Magical Mystery Tour is the best Beatles album, and the first half is even better than the second half. The quality of the ingredients is clear, and the cooking is clean. It’s not Leopardo. It’s an art restaurant. Everything is chosen. The tuna is from Santa Monica. I wish I could show you what I’m seeing…the most beautiful ocean mountains. The food has issues from a foodie perspective. It’s an art project from someone of “means.” Please don’t be long.
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What about the experience makes it artistic? The music? Not trying to challenge, but trying to understand what is artistic or ambitious about this place. Trying to keep an open mind, but something about the proportions or plating looks odd to me almost all across the board. The menus, both food and drink, read just OK from an outsider’s perspective. Is it something about the cooking?
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I just felt it in my heart. I confirmed it with the waitress. The owner is a Hong Kong movie director. I’ve seen her there several times. Her friend, a music producer, curates the music in the restaurant. They are opening a new cafe next door.
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Ok, thanks for explaining. Hong Kong movies, interesting.
Some Mr. Mojo Risin’ is never a bad play, especially ‘Riders on the Storm’
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I sing it to Peony a lot. Girl you gotta love your man.
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