Hayato Los Angeles Yelp Reviews - Hayato Los Angeles - Buy Reservations
Getting a Reservation at Hayato Los Angeles for Today or Tomorrow is Easy!
Buy a verified reservation at Hayato Los Angeles from someone who doesn't need theirs anymore.
If there is nothing that fits your schedule, you can bid on your preferred time.
We only list verified Reservations!
All listed Reservations are reviewed by our team before appearing in the calendar or being allowed to answer a bid you place. That's why AppointmentTrader comes with a included Money Back Guarantee for each transaction.
Los Angeles's Best Prepaid Restaurants that are most frequently booked by customers of Hayato Los Angeles
Booked 10 times by Hayato Los Angeles customers.
Ranked #64 in Los Angeles's Best Prepaid Restaurants.
Booked 5 times by Hayato Los Angeles customers.
Ranked #1 in Los Angeles's Best Prepaid Restaurants.
Booked 3 times by Hayato Los Angeles customers.
Ranked #13 in Los Angeles's Best Prepaid Restaurants.
Booked 3 times by Hayato Los Angeles customers.
Ranked #10 in Los Angeles's Best Prepaid Restaurants.
Booked 2 times by Hayato Los Angeles customers.
Ranked #2 in Los Angeles's Best Prepaid Restaurants.
Booked 2 times by Hayato Los Angeles customers.
Ranked #69 in Los Angeles's Best Prepaid Restaurants.
Booked 2 times by Hayato Los Angeles customers.
Ranked #62 in Los Angeles's Best Prepaid Restaurants.
Booked 2 times by Hayato Los Angeles customers.
Ranked #66 in Los Angeles's Best Prepaid Restaurants.
Booked 2 times by Hayato Los Angeles customers.
Ranked #38 in Los Angeles's Best Prepaid Restaurants.
Booked 1 times by Hayato Los Angeles customers.
Ranked #76 in Los Angeles's Best Prepaid Restaurants.
Hayato Los Angeles Yelp Reviews
Latest Reviews On Yelp
29 Reviews
1 Reply |
"This particular catch was killed just outside of Tokyo
"This particular catch was killed just outside of Tokyo yesterday..." "This ingredient isn't available in North America..." "Partial dehydration gives this [salted, preserved roe] the texture of cheese, so expect it to crumble in your mouth" So many descriptions to entice the imagination! Dining at Hayato was truly an exceptional culinary journey. Having dined last summer at two of Barcelona's Michelin 3-star restaurants (Abac and Cocina Hermanos Torres), I've been curious since last Fall to try one of L.A.'s highest rated Michelin offerings. Very lucky to finally land a last-minute reservation at Hayato. The restaurant itself is simply and elegantly decorated, previewing the simple but extremely elegant meal you are about to enjoy. The greeting was very warm and courteous, in line with what you might expect from a high-end Japanese setting. Now onto the food. Having enjoyed a few Michelin 2 and 3-star restaurants now, mostly across Spain and Italy, though some in London and the UK, I've noticed a common quality in a handful of the best dishes prepared at these places. It's what I can best describe as the "knife's edge." It's this point in the dining experience where I've come to recognize that the very delicate collection of flavors in a special dish is both at its peak and hovers precariously on a razor-fine, knife's edge: only the most miniscule deviations in spice or preparation would topple it from this hard-won summit. It's the moment that tells me that I'm in the presence of a master chef who has worked tirelessly at the craft to reach this culmination. I experienced this moment on more than a few of the Hayato courses. A recurring thought I had throughout the meal: "I've eaten X before, but it's never tasted like this..." That held true for the bamboo shoots, crab, turnips, etc, ingredients very common in various Asian cuisines, but never as vibrantly, authentically, and brilliantly presented as at Hayato. Again, a testament to the mastery of the head chef and his uber-talented staff. To wrap up, here is a list of the courses (with photos when possible): 1. Seared Kinmedai, Tosa Zu Jelly 2. Shirauo and Sweet Potato Tempura 3. Hokkaido Surf Clam "Nuta Ae" 4. Live California Spot Prawn, Fresh Bamboo 5. Shinogi: Aji Bo-Zushi 6. Owan: Dungeness Crab Shinjo 7. Otsukuri: Japanese Sea Bream, Akagai 8. Steamed Abalone with Liver Sauce 9. Charcoal Grilled Kinki, Roasted Onion 10. Fried Cuttlefish, Fresh Ginko Nuts 11. Seared Duck Breast, Tokyo Turnip 12. Mizore Nabe: Ebi Shinjo, Shiitake, Komatsuna 13. Chinmi: Grilled Karasumi 14. Black Throat Sea Perch Rice Pot 15. Mizu Mono: Asian Pear with Sake Jelly My one and only regret is my stomach wasn't large enough for more than two servings of the penultimate rice pot course. After dining at Hayato, I will never view Japanese cooking the same way. Masterpiece art can do that sometimes: shift and heighten one's perspective to bring new life and new possibilities into what seemed like a well-trodden space. For me, Michelin multi-starred restaurants have been expanded beyond molecular gastronomy, foams, liquid nitrogen and cryo-preparations, etc.; I have learned to deeply appreciate the excellence in a very small handful of carefully selected ingredients, optimally prepared and simply presented for maximum flavor. In some ways, one might argue this approach is quintessentially Japanese. If you are reading this Hayato-sama, thank you again for the opportunity to dine on a last minute, same-day reservation at your wondrous establishment. I hope that I am fortunate enough to do so again in the future. Arigatou gozaimasu! (deeply bowing)
Be the first to ReplyTook me months to get this reservation The chef's
Took me months to get this reservation The chef's meticulous craftsmanship shines through in each carefully curated course, presenting a culinary journey that is both enchanting and unforgettable. From the first delicate bite to the final satisfying morsel, every course is a revelation of flavors and textures. The ambiance at Hayato is a perfect blend of simplicity and sophistication. The intimate setting creates an atmosphere of tranquility, allowing diners to fully immerse themselves in the culinary journey unfolding before them. It's a serene escape from the bustling city life. Probably one of the best kaiseki japanese restaurants. 10/10 would come again
Be the first to ReplyHow this establishment any lower than a 5* review here, is
How this establishment any lower than a 5* review here, is besides me. Getting the reservation is the HARDEST part, given that there's only 7 seats per day. I have put myself on the waitlist and month after month not getting a reservation. However, one day.... I got the lucky email saying that I was selected for a reservation. Seriously, I should have gotten some lottery tickets as well. Parking - there's a few 1 hour parking spaces outside, which we parked at. No validation, or walking to the structure (even if you're there it's not $$ or that far of a walk) but there's something about parking right outside the restaurant Chef Brandon and his amazing staff made us feel welcome from the time they opened the door, until you leave for the evening. To be honest, I did not know what our menu was. I knew that I just had to experience Chef Brandon's creations. Every dish was well prepared, the menu is meticulously chosen, every part of each is intentional. Chef Brandon starts telling you stories (also, drinking doesn't start until AFTER the soup), and we find out that their day starts around 10am to feed us for dinner. There's a lot of prep for all the courses. I won't spoil the menu here. I had an interview the next day, totally worth it. AND I'm still believing that Hayato was my good luck charm. :) NGL, I'm still sad that I didn't get to try one of their famous bento boxes.
Be the first to ReplyCan't get a reservation through their system.
All seats were sold out in 5 minutes. Yet, people are selling the reservations on the web. Go figure?!
Be the first to ReplyAfter trying to get reservations for about 9-10 months, we
After trying to get reservations for about 9-10 months, we have failed again last month... But were lucky enough to get a spot after being on the wait-list. Which then begs the question if the whole experience was worth the hassle, which for us, it definitely was. Once you get to row dtla, you can park in the structure and get your ticket validated to get cheaper rates. The whole dinner lasted just under 4 hours for us so we ended up paying $8 for parking on a Thursday night. You might be able to get lucky with free parking in the "1 hour parking spots", but $8 isn't really much in comparison to the dinner to have some peace of mind. The chefs are very friendly and some of the preparation is done right in front of you. Since there are only 7 seats per dinner, the whole experience is very intimate and also feels like you're eating at home with a professional chef in your kitchen. Every dish was well thought out and was delicious. My favorite dishes would be a tie between the nodoguro and the bonito cooked over burning rice straws.
Be the first to ReplyLate review.
Hayato outshines any Japanese establishment in the US by a mile. The authenticity is unmistakable, and the experience comes a close second only to dining in mainland Japan. In my opinion, there's one thing that often stumps Japanese restaurants like Hayato: mastering the art of restraint. And this is what places Hayato above many others. The chef doesn't stack toro over caviar over uni. Instead, each dish is meticulously crafted to bring out the best in simple yet quality ingredients. The decision to take this route deserves a standing ovation, IMO. Not everyone appreciates this kind of pared-down, yet sophisticated dining. You might think, 'oh but some restaurants in LA serve nigiri is also this way' - well he isn't serving nigiri, and what he's making is definitely a lot less common here in the US. I can't help but think about his struggles to educating the masses before he earned his first or second Michelin star. But clearly, it was worth it as getting a reservation now is close to impossible. I'll go as far as saying that Hayato reminds me of Kyo-Aji (RIP), and Ishikawa, the latter of which I learned the chef had trained at. Shout out to the solo server too. She gave all 7 us her undivided attention throughout the meal and provided an authentic ambiance through her service.
Be the first to ReplyThis is my favorite place in town.
It's the best Japanese cuisine I've ever had in my life. The service is warm and wonderful. Parking is nice and the vibe of the district is fantastic!
Be the first to ReplyLove love love love loooooovveee! My ultimate best *FAVE*
Love love love love loooooovveee! My ultimate best *FAVE* in LA!!! I can't believe I never wrote a review other than the bento box. So unfortunately he doesn't make those anymore but the dinner is amazeballs! Not only is the food incredible but the experience is awesome as well! Unlike a lot of other tasting menus you will for sure leave stuffed. Every dish is beyond fresh and delicate. Definitely lives up to their Michelin 2 Star and I hope they'll get 3 soon!!!
Be the first to ReplyHayato is no doubt the hardest reservation to get in town
Hayato is no doubt the hardest reservation to get in town and for good reason: it was the most exceptional meal I've ever had in LA in many years. I'll list a few reasons why you should keep trying each month to secure a spot (though I'm sure it won't take much to convince you anyways). Chef Brandon Hayato has perfected the art of simplicity as the ultimate sophistication. You'll be eating the best of the best seasonal ingredients, prepared in simple ways that create an exquisite experience. Standouts included a highly addictive icefish tempura, grilled bamboo shoots, and fresh Tai sashimi. What surprised me was how large the portions were (pictures don't do it justice). Starting with the kinmedai appetizer to the Dungeness crab soup, you're getting generous portions of fish. Once you get to the final main course, the famous rice pot, you're given the option of eating as many rice bowls as you desire (try to beat the record of 6). I didn't want to leave by the end of the meal. Partly because I was incredibly full from eating more rice bowls than I should've. But also because I really loved the ambiance and warm interactions with Chef and Yuki-San. I highly encourage everyone to pay a visit soon!
Be the first to ReplyImpeccable service, amazing sake and champagne,
Impeccable service, amazing sake and champagne, extraordinary dish after dish. Nothing stands between you and what the chef imagines except the few seconds that it takes between his hands and your plate at the counter.
Be the first to ReplyI almost didn't write this review because I don't want to
I almost didn't write this review because I don't want to entice more people to come here and make reservations more challenging, but I must do the right thing and spread the word :)FIRST, let me say that the reservation system is NOT broken, you just gotta keep trying! I am a relative nobody and use the same system as everyone else, my wife and I just try every month and out of 12 months we succeeded 3 times. So to the people complaining that it is somehow rigged I say "get good". Jokes aside, just keep trying, it makes succeeding that much more fun.Next the service here is top notch! I have now eaten at more than a handful of Michelin star places and nowhere have I felt as comfortable and welcome as here, from the moment I got into the restaurant to the moment they walked outside to my car I felt extremely valued.Honestly I would enjoy this place even if they were serving dominos pizza and mountain dew, service was just THAT GOOD!Lucky for me the food was awesome! I won't spend too much time on it since other reviewers have done a better job describing it and I don't have the language to add more value here. All I can say is that each dish was unique and fun, lots of diversity, very good natural flavors.In conclusion, its 10/10 and I will be back just as soon as my fast fingers get me another reservation.
Be the first to ReplyI had the pleasure of dining at Hayato and was thoroughly
I had the pleasure of dining at Hayato and was thoroughly impressed with the Bento Box, Snow Crab Tofu, and Kaiseki Dinner experience. The Bento Box was a beautiful presentation of traditional Japanese cuisine, with each dish expertly prepared and full of flavor. The Snow Crab Tofu was particularly noteworthy, with the fresh crab meat and silky tofu complementing each other perfectly. The Kaiseki Dinner was a true culinary journey, with each course showcasing the skill and creativity of the chefs. The service was impeccable, with the staff attentive to our every need. Overall, dining at Hayato was a truly memorable experience, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a taste of authentic Japanese cuisine at its finest.
Be the first to ReplyNot a food review, but for everyone who thinks they can get
Not a food review, but for everyone who thinks they can get a reservation following the link at 10am on the 1st of a month you are completely wrong. You can't! Computer bots reserve everything in a second and then you can go to appointment resellers websites and try to outbid people and pay $500-1000 to get that reservation. Or may be you can reserve it with concierge service. Having said all that i don't understand why they have this flawed system in the first place, where they favor resellers and not people! To be clear its FINE to be a restaurant that you can't get in, or super hard to secure reservation, i am all for it, but the system could be better, lets say email lottery or any kind of randomization but definitely not a computer bot extravaganza! Again i wrote this review to warn people not to waste their time and try to secure reservation thru their booking system, bots will win!
Be the first to ReplyEvery now and then, you have a meal that you know is one
Every now and then, you have a meal that you know is one for the books - a meal you'll be talking about for months to come - Hayato is that meal. First, and foremost, the food is absolutely perfect. There's really not a better word to describe it, other than 'perfect!' But it doesn't stop there - service is in a tiny 7 person counter - the contact with the chef is a huge part of making this meal special. He also does a masterful job of getting parties talking to one another, which was a lot of fun. Run don't walk to hayato. Wow!
Be the first to ReplyAfter months of trying to get a reservation, we were
After months of trying to get a reservation, we were finally able to dine at Hayato. Menu of the night.1. Cold dish of eggplant and Santa Barbara prawns: The shrimp itself tastes good but the dish as a whole was a little bit bland. 2. Smoked eel with wasabi and salt: not much to say here. Light flavor and soft. 3. Kakiage with corn, scallop and mitsuba: the kakiage was fried well but it tasted mainly of corn. Couldn't really taste the scallop.4. Seared sea perch with vinegar and dashi jelly: this was really good. The richness of the fish paired well with the bright flavor of the jelly. Yum!5. Mackerel with rice mixed with chives and soy sauce: The flavor of the rice was good with light fish taste. 6. Dungeness crab with dashi broth: The crab itself had a nice savory flavor. Very good but the broth was very light. 7. Sashimi Bonito and squid: sashimi was fresh and the ika was good.8. Steamed abalone with liver sauce: Abalone was tender and the liver sauce not overpowering. 9. Smoked Hokkaido kinki whitefish with lotus root: Very good dish with the crispiness of the skin with fatty fish. Lotus root also has a good crunch. 10. Kisu fish and fava beans tempura with dashi sauce: tender with strong fish flavor. I like the sauce as well. 11. Nabe with smoked amadai: once again the fish is good. 12. Mullet roe: tastes just like the ones from Taiwan. Has a strong flavor so I usually eat it with rice. This one was paired with sake. 13. Unagi donabe rice: earthy rich hearty flavor. A great end to the meal. Had seconds!14. Dessert strawberries with hojicha cream: strawberries were very sweet. Interesting take with the hojicha. Reminds me of some of the ice cream flavors at Kansha Creamery. Service was very good. The waitress Yuki very attentive and friendly. Chef Brandon seemed nice too and focused on quality ingredients and every detail to make it a good meal. Overall, the food was good but did not live up to the hype IMO.The meal did take about 4 hours. Would be nice if they had some nonalcoholic options which is becoming more popular nowadays at upscale restaurants.FYI. Have had the Bento box before as well. That was very good. Each bite had an interesting flavor.
Be the first to ReplyNO food review, but totally BS reservation system.
I login in to Tock at 10am and that's when the restaurant open for Sept booking. WTH, all sold out with 5 sec. This is fully ridiculous, I am thinking they are all reserved for their "VIP" customer. Regular customer like me would never have a chance to try. I have been trying to book in last 6 months straight, failed every time. I for sure think the owner knowing of this, but he won't do anything since he wants to keep this hype up, labelling his restaurant is the hardest place to book. If you really want your customer to appreciate your foods, please make your restaurant "OPEN TO PUBLIC".
This is my favorite meal ever.
Chef Brandon perfectly prepares every ingredient. Also, the staff here are wonderful.
Be the first to ReplyGood service and very good food.
The food was delicious and the presentation was Okay.
Be the first to ReplyThank you, Master chef Brandon San, and sous-chefs, for the
Thank you, Master chef Brandon San, and sous-chefs, for the amazing dinner for my girlfriend's and my birthday. It was yer another superb experience to be savored and cherished in my memory again and again. Every dish is expertly prepared and from the beginning to the end all tasted and looked perfect.
Be the first to ReplyYasssssss!!! I'm so fortunate that my friend was able to
Yasssssss!!! I'm so fortunate that my friend was able to get reservations because if you know it's so damn hard to get. Finally I get to try Hayato and omg what a great experience. It's a restaurant with 7 seats at the counter to have an intimate experience with the chef. I really enjoyed all the dishes that Chef Brandon and his sous chefs presented to me. To see him explain all the ingredients and the cooking techniques makes me appreciate this type of artistry in fine dining kaiseki style. Yuki the server was really cute and sweet. Her hospitality was beyond superb. This dinner lasted 3 hours and it was time well spent. The only con I would say is that you don't know who you will be dining with and the other people eating there felt a lil pretentious to me. I didn't care for those other diners lol. Otherwise this was an awesome experience want I hope I can score another reservation in the future.
Be the first to ReplyAmazing food, service and vibe! What an experience! Thank
Amazing food, service and vibe! What an experience! Thank you, Chef Brandon.
Be the first to ReplyI know I said I was done, but I really do want to keep
I know I said I was done, but I really do want to keep trying at this point. However, my one-star rating remains.At 10:00:00, reservations were "made available" for April. None were actually available.Why do I have a hard time believing the reviews? Because I don't see any possible way to get a reservation for this restaurant. Since many of the 5-star reviews on Yelp and the restaurant site itself talks about the "intimate, personal" atomosphere and "showcasing the work of master craftspeople" like "potters, carpenters, kimono makers" and "countless other artisans" to "create a dining experience"--setting aside the very real point that none of that really has anything to do with the actual food; I've heard some good comedy routines on this exact topic--being there is obviously essential. If nobody can get there, the experience isn't just diminished, it's denied. This restaurant--which "invites you to experience Japanese cuisine"--isn't actually inviting anyone to a place people can enjoy. It seems to be banking on FOMO and showing most people what they'll never get.What about the actual food? I looked around for some reviews of that, and they talk about a "pure" or "clean" taste, and those all brought me back to a message on the restaurant's site itself: "I want the taste of our food to be the taste of a pristine ingredient that has not been interfered with." So the tuna just tastes like... tuna? The nori is nori? From what I read, yeah. There's absolutely something to be said for orchestrating simple flavor profiles into a meal, but I also read that some of these combinations weren't ideal.Seriously. Go to Denny's or Applebees if you want to spend some time eating a no-frills meal with friends. The tables might not be artisanal woodworking, the hosts are probably not wearing bespoke couture, and when they pour you a hot tea the only ceremony is the question "How is everything?", but at least you have a seat, you're with friends, and you're eating.
Be the first to ReplyOne of the best dining experiences I have ever had! Both
One of the best dining experiences I have ever had! Both the food and the people there are amazing! Chef was extremely friendly and explained every single dish in details. Yuki (I think that's her name, not 100% sure) gave us the best service! I have tried every single Michelin 3 star Kaiseki in Japan, and I can tell you this - Hayato IS JUST AS GOOD if not better than some of the 3 stars in Tokyo (cough cough, Kanda...). Make no mistake, getting a reservation at this place is not easy... my friends and I try every month and sometimes Tock crashes when Hayato reservation opens up. But usually one of our friends will be able to get a time for the next month. I have seen some negative reviews SIMPLY because you cannot get into Hayato........ yes I am talking about the Don guy below. I hope you see this, you are a joke and a sad joke... I don't give Saito in Tokyo a negative review because I have not been able to get in for the last 5 years - because that's not what a NORMAL HUMAN BEING does...
Be the first to ReplyWhat an experience.
Chef Brandon creates an expertly crafted tasting menu lasting for close to, if not a little over, 4 hours. For as long as the meal sounds, there was never a point where you feel overwhelmed for the next dish, or hungry and anticipating the next dish. It's expertly paced, and at no point does the meal ever feel over extended or awkward. The service is definitely top notch. Drinks were always replenishes in a timely manner, and the waitress really pays attention to detail. She had noticed I booked a reservation next month and had transfered it to my friend who's been trying to go for 4+ months, and stuck up a fun conversation! The chef and staff really do notice the little things.The food is amazing. One of my favorite things to do is learn and try new foods, and that becomes harder to do as you explore more restaurants. I had at least 7 dishes where it was a new technique I had never seen, or a fish or food product I had never tried. For example, I had no idea there were different harvest times for ikura, and that some of the harvest with the smaller salmon roe is considered a delicacy. I had cooked uni which was a first, and hay smoked Bonito! The Bonito was by far my favorite. For as meaty as it looked it was so fatty, almost akin to a savory otorro but way better. Chef Brandon said its so much easier for a restaurant to buy a big slab of tuna or waygu and serve it to get a higher price point, and he prefers to use uncommon ingredients or smaller fish that other establishments won't use due to quantity restrictions or the increases prep time some require. The wide range of exotic fishes he used really shows, it was such a unique and delicious experience. To finish the night, you can have as much of the rice dish as your heart desires. Definitely go for seconds, it's easily the best rice I've ever had. He never wants a patron to leave hungry!Couldn't recommend this place more. In my opinion this is the best restaurant I have been to in LA so far by a long shot. I do wish there was background music, but I almost think it's purposefully omitted to encourage conversation between patrons and the chef. At an intimate 7 seats, it's easy to talk to and feel comfortable around your fellow diners.If you're lucky enough to get a reservation, just go. It's beyond worth it and I can't wait to go back.
Be the first to ReplyEasily top three fine dining experiences we've ever had.
Food, presentation, and overall experience was just amazing.
Be the first to Reply