Yamashiro 30s / 40s / Asian Food / Asian Restaurant / Blazers / Chill / Couples / Date Place / Dinner / Dresses / Dressy / Expensive / Good for Groups / Great View / Groups / High Heels / Japanese Food / Japanese Restaurant / Late 20s / Moderate / Slacks / Sushi / Sushi Restaurant / Tourists / Upscale / Valet Parking

Yamashiro is a Hollywood staple. Located on the top of a hill, right above Magic Castle, the restaurant provides a gorgeous view of Hollywood, which is breathtaking when the city is lit up at night. In addition to it's perfect location, the restaurant has a true Japanese feeling inside, as you walk through an indoor Japanese style garden to get around the restaurant. The garden has a beautiful pond that plays different colors, with unique greenery and flowers growing all around it. Although the inside is incomparably beautiful, I recommend sitting outside with the view directly in front of view. Adding on to the beauty of the location and restaurant, the sushi is perfection. I am personally a sushi addict, and it takes a lot for me to say any sushi is perfection, but at Yamashiro, it's the truth. You will be in love with everything on the menu. There are so many sushi restaurants in the L.A. area that I am sure visitors don't know which to choose. Choose Yamashiro!

When my boyfriend and I visited LA two summers ago, he surprised me with a date night at this super fancy restaurant on top of the Hollywood Hills. I was blown away by the amazing view of the skyline, especially when you watch the city getting dark from the little Japanese garden which is situated right in front of the restaurant. It was the most romantic place ever! I knew the restaurant from an episode of "The Hills", when Scott, Lo Bosworth's boyfriend, took her up there to celebrate their one-year anniversary. It also appeared in a few other movies, so being there it kinda made me feel like a celebrity as well ;D As for the food, I have to admit I wasn't too impressed, especially as it is quite pricey and I'm sure you can get equally good sushi and Japanese food for less. As both reviewers below have mentioned, you definitely pay for the upscale atmosphere which is just unique. If you want to take your special someone on an unforgettable date, definitely check out Yamashiro!

I came here a while ago with a friend who wanted to surprise me. I just remember being driven up a hill, and I wasn't sure what was going on. Next thing I know, I'm being led into Yamashiro, a gorgeous restaurant situated on top of the hills with a great view overlooking the Los Angeles skyline. This place is a perfect date spot as the reviewer has mentioned below. They do have an interesting assortment of sushi rolls. I can't specifically recall, but I don't remember the food being as phenomenal and worth the price. With that kind of money, you could get quality sushi at the smaller joints. You're paying for the decorations and the beautiful environment. Go. Check it out.

My Take: Although the sushi left a lot to be desired, the ambiance of this exquisite Hollywood sushi restaurant more than makes up for it. Yamashiro, set in the Hollywood Hills, is a Japanese pagoda with lush gardens and views of the city that are unmatched by any other LA restaurant. I recommend bringing a date here for a special occasion as it's incredibly romantic. After eating, you should take time to look around the gardens and take in the architecture. The Scene: The crowd at Yamashiro is a mix of older groups, romantic couples on dates, birthday parties, and tourists. The vibe is laid-back, but because the place is so large, it can feel a little like a factory. Cocktails & Cuisine: I would say that the sushi at Yamashiro is average and what most certainly do not get what you pay for. But they have all your typical LA sushi options in addition to big steak entrees, lobster, shrimp, etc. Prices: This is where Yamashiro is the worst. You're really paying for the view because their average to below-average sushi costs as much, if not more than some of the most expensive sushi spots in LA. Salmon sushi $9, Uni $15, rolls in the $15-$20 range. If the fish was stellar, you wouldn't have complaints, but it's simply not worth the price. What to Wear: Everyone at Yamashiro is pretty dressed up. Guys are wearing blazers and slacks and ladies are wearing dresses and heels. Insider Info/When to Go: Probably avoid the weekends, but no matter what you should call ahead and make a reservation. This isn't the type of sushi joint where you can just pull up to the bar and schmooze with the chefs. Like I said, you're coming for the view, so bring a camera and soak in a little Hollywood history while you're there.