0 Followers
YESS Restaurant
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
YESS Restaurant
8.6
YESS is a progressive Japanese restaurant in a former bank building, where chef Junya Yamasaki centers local seafood and vegetables in sashimi, chirashi, and grilled plates. The dining room’s minimal design and focused menu make it a destination for thoughtful, seafood-forward cooking in the Arts District.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mix Seafood Chirashi Sushi, Miso black cod, Daily sashimi or crudo selection
Scores:
Value: 7.1
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 9.1
Atmosphere: 9
Cultural Relevance: 8.6
What makes it special: A seafood-leaning Japanese kitchen blending wood-fired cooking with seasonal chirashi and sashimi.
Who should go: Diners seeking creative Japanese seafood in a design-led room
When to visit: Early evening seatings for calmer service and daylight views
What to order: Mix Seafood Chirashi, miso black cod, daily sashimi plate
Insider tip: If you like chirashi, compare the vegan Monk’s version with the seafood bowl at lunch.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on adjacent Arts District blocks is limited at peak hours; paid lots on 3rd, Alameda, and Traction Ave typically have open spaces ($6–$12). No valet.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning polished; elevated denim is fine, but most guests dress fashion-forward for the Arts District.
Noise level: Moderate — open room with some ambient buzz, but conversation at a date-night distance is still easy.
Weekend wait: Reservations are strongly recommended; walk-ins can face 45–75 minutes depending on the hour.
Weekday lunch: Usually minimal wait, especially for the chirashi bowls.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — a few composed plates plus the Monk’s chirashi offer satisfying options.
Vegan options: Limited but thoughtful — the Monk’s chirashi and select vegetable dishes are fully plant-based.
Gluten-free options: Several items are naturally gluten-free; staff can guide substitutions for sauces where possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the minimalist design, warm lighting, and deliberate pacing make it an ideal setting for conversation and connection.
Can I get a table without a reservation? You can try, but success varies — early evenings or late-night arrivals stand the best chance; otherwise expect a wait.
Is it kid-friendly? Not particularly — the menu skews refined and the atmosphere is best suited for adults; older teens familiar with Japanese seafood will fare better.
Best For
Better for: Highly curated Japanese seafood, elegant plating, and a serene environment that feels more intimate than many Arts District hotspots.
Skip if: You want a broad menu, loud energy, or a quicker, more casual seafood experience — this is a slow, intentional meal.
YESS Restaurant
8.4
YESS is a progressive Japanese restaurant in a 1920s former bank building where chef Junya Yamasaki highlights Southern California seafood and produce. Lunch centers on sushi-oriented sets and chirashi bowls, while dinner stretches into sashimi, grilled fish, and creative small plates that have earned national attention. It’s a thoughtful, seafood-forward take on Japanese cooking rather than a traditional sushi bar.
Must-Try Dishes:
Monk’s Chirashi Sushi, Junya’s Daily Sashimi, Grilled Rockfish & SoCal Shellfish Stew
Scores:
Value: 6.5
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 7.8
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 8.6
Cultural Relevance: 8.8
What makes it special: Nationally acclaimed progressive Japanese kitchen serving sushi-focused lunches and refined seafood dinners.
Who should go: Seafood lovers who appreciate creative, seasonal Japanese cooking
When to visit: Sushi-focused lunch or early dinner to linger at the long bar
What to order: Monk’s chirashi sushi, daily sashimi, grilled seafood specials
Insider tip: Counter seats give you the best view of the wood-fired stove and sashimi prep.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited in the Arts District, especially after 6pm; nearby paid lots along Traction Ave and Alameda St usually have space in the $6–$12 range.
Dress code: Smart casual; polished but relaxed. Jeans are fine if paired with a button-down or elevated top.
Noise level: Moderate; buzzy during peak dinner hours but quiet enough for conversation at the counter or smaller tables.
Weekend wait: Typically 30–45 minutes without a reservation, longer for outdoor seating.
Weekday lunch: Usually minimal wait; walk-ins are often seated immediately.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Moderate options — several vegetable-forward small plates and rice dishes, though the menu leans heavily toward seafood.
Vegan options: Limited — a couple of vegetable dishes can work, but this is not a vegan-focused restaurant.
Gluten-free options: Strong options — much of the raw and grilled seafood is naturally gluten-free; staff can guide substitutions.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the airy, design-forward space and thoughtful seafood menu create an elevated but approachable setting that works well for a first date.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes for lunch; for dinner, walk-ins are possible but expect a wait during peak hours. The counter is usually the best bet for last-minute seating.
Is it kid-friendly? Somewhat — older kids who enjoy seafood may do well, but the quiet, refined ambiance and menu structure aren’t ideal for younger children.
Best For
Better for: Seafood-driven Japanese cooking that highlights California ingredients; ideal for diners who want sushi-adjacent creativity rather than a traditional omakase format.
Skip if: You’re looking for a classic sushi bar, an extensive nigiri menu, or a quick, casual meal.
YESS Restaurant
8.5
In a former cold-storage building in the Arts District, YESS offers progressive Japanese cooking that leans on pristine seafood, charcoal grilling, and thoughtful vegetable dishes. The menu feels both coastal and modern, with a lobster katsu burger and composed plates that have attracted national press attention.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lobster katsu burger, Grilled local fish with seasonal vegetables, Seasonal sashimi and crudo-style preparations
Scores:
Value: 6.7
Service: 8.1
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 9
Atmosphere: 8.8
Cultural Relevance: 8.5
What makes it special: A progressive Japanese kitchen that treats California seafood and produce with izakaya spirit and fine-dining technique.
Who should go: Diners chasing inventive Japanese plates and natural wine.
When to visit: Weekend evenings for the full energy of the dining room.
What to order: Lobster katsu burger, grilled fish specials, seasonal sashimi.
Insider tip: Sit at the counter if you can; it’s the best view of the charcoal and plating action.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited in the Arts District, especially after 6pm. Paid lots along 3rd St. and Traction Ave. are the most reliable options.
Dress code: Smart casual, leaning stylish. Most guests dress trend-forward without being formal.
Noise level: Moderate. Conversation is comfortable at tables; counter seats are livelier but still manageable.
Weekend wait: Expect a 30–45 minute wait without a reservation, especially for counter seats.
Weekday lunch: No lunch service; for early-evening walk-ins on weekdays, waits are typically minimal.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Strong options — vegetable-forward small plates and seasonal produce dishes are highlights.
Vegan options: Limited — a few composed vegetable items can be adapted, but it’s not a vegan-focused menu.
Gluten-free options: Good flexibility — many seafood and grilled items are naturally gluten-free; staff can guide substitutions.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes. The coastal-modern aesthetic, polished service, and creative plates make it an impressive but not overly formal first-date pick.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Walk-ins are possible early in the evening or later in the night, but prime weekend slots often require reservations.
Is it kid-friendly? Not ideal for young kids. The menu is refined and the room skews adult. Teens who enjoy seafood or adventurous plates will fare better.
Best For
Better for: Inventive Japanese seafood and charcoal-grilled dishes with a coastal, modern angle — more experimental than traditional izakaya spots.
Skip if: You want classic sushi-focused menus, large-portion comfort dishes, or a loud, high-energy environment.
YESS Restaurant
7.9
YESS sets its progressive Japanese cooking inside a restored 1920s bank building, where charcoal-grilled seafood and sashimi-driven plates anchor a longer, slower dinner. It’s more contemplative and chef-driven than traditionally cozy, but the room’s scale and lighting lend themselves to thoughtful, conversation-heavy dates.
Must-Try Dishes:
Monk's Chirashi Sushi, Whole Lobster Katsu Burger, Grilled Rockfish with Green Sauce
Scores:
Value: 6.2
Service: 7.9
Consistency: 7.4
Food Quality: 8.5
Atmosphere: 8.8
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: Progressive, seafood-led Japanese cooking in a dramatic historic building.
Who should go: Adventurous couples who follow chef-driven tasting rooms.
When to visit: Unhurried mid-evening seatings to settle into the menu.
What to order: Monk's chirashi sushi, lobster katsu burger, grilled rockfish.
Insider tip: Ask your server to steer you toward the day’s best fish specials.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking around the Arts District is limited in the evenings; metered spots open up after 6pm but fill quickly. Several paid lots within a 2–4 minute walk typically run $8–$15.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning polished—elevated basics, clean sneakers, and date-night tops fit the room’s modern-Japanese aesthetic.
Noise level: Moderate. The high ceilings create a gentle hum, but tables are spaced enough for low-voice conversation without straining.
Weekend wait: 20–40 minutes for walk-ins depending on party size; bar seats sometimes open faster.
Weekday lunch: Not applicable—YESS operates primarily for dinner.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Moderate. A few composed plates lean vegetable-forward, but the menu is primarily seafood-driven.
Vegan options: Limited. Dishes can occasionally be modified, but this is not a vegan-forward kitchen.
Gluten-free options: Good options. Many plates are naturally gluten-free; staff can guide substitutions where possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—if you want a slower, more intentional meal focused on conversation. The space is dramatic without being flashy, ideal for thoughtful first-date pacing.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Sometimes. Early-week evenings and off-peak times offer the best odds. Weekends usually require reservations, though bar seating may turn over faster.
Is it kid-friendly? Not particularly. The menu is refined, service is deliberate, and the atmosphere skews adult. Best suited for teens and up who are comfortable with chef-driven dining.
Best For
Better for: Couples seeking quiet, seafood-led Japanese cooking in an architecturally striking space—ideal for slower, more intimate dinners.
Skip if: You want a high-energy room, hearty comfort food, or a menu friendly to picky eaters, large groups, or strict plant-based diets.