Yamashiro Restaurant

How Asian Chef Vallerie Revamped & Revived Yamishiro

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Chef Vallerie’s major energy personality is matched by her superlative classic food with Filipino/Asian twists, starting with out-of-this world fruit marinated proteins

(Gerry Furth-Sides) Every city has that bigger-than-life place where you always take out-of-town visitors but rarely think of going on your own.   Yamashiro is that place in Los Angeles.  Its awe-inspiring city views and quirky charm kept it that way even when it was on its way to becoming dowdy and in decline – not surprising for a century-old landmark.

Yamashiro’s interior dining court. You could not ask for a more private place even though right to the left is the sushi bar and cocktail counter hangouts looking the entire city
Rippling water and a retractable overhead canvas highlight Yamashiro courtyard dining

But dynamic new Executive Chef, Vallerie Castillo Archer, helped only a little by a complete new outdoor dining area changed all this.   Yamashiro is now a  regular dining mainstay of both residents and designation diners alike. 

A city view for all guests with new Yamashiro’s new wrap-around outdoor dining
Big energy goes along with the supreme Sushi Boat to start a meal in Yamashiro style
Asian-inspired Yamashiro melt-in-the-mouth fish and lobster with flowers
Chef Vallerie’s signature pork ribs so tender they fall off the bone

A reminder of the century-old building designed to inspire ad impress

New Yamashiro Brunch Carries on Regal Japanese Legacy

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(Gerry Furth-Sides, Donald Herman) Notes of Japanese and other Asian cuisines skip across the new Yamashiro Brunch Menu of international classics.   Drama to this unique dining experience starts building right at the start of the rural winding drive up Franklin, just blocks from bustling Hollywood and Highland.

Donald Herman

Thhe view “from the front door” (courtesy of Donald Herman)

Buddha

The famous original “Buddha” just down the hill (photo courtesy Yamashiro)

The brunch also celebrates the new (year and a half) ownership of the longtime special occasion favorite. Three generations of happy ladies celebrate a birthday at the party below.

birthday party

Private rooms are divided off naturally within the meandering space around the main room.  We did not even hear, let alone see a party in an adjoining private room.  The mesmerizing “garden room”  (below) replicates the classic banquet hall style of Japan.

garden room

A Japanese Collins feels light and exotic with cucumber soda, along with Stoli vodka, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup echoes the garden colors,  perfect for slow sipping and meditation.

Japanese Collins

The Asian-inspired cocktail list balances refreshing and tart with a subtle sweetness.  (left) A Japanese High Ball features Suntory Toki Japanese whiskey, lemon juice, simple syrup, mint and ginger beer.  (right) A Hiro Tokyo Mule holds HIRO sake, lime juice, and ginger beer served in classic copper mug branded with the distinguished HIRO sake logo.

lime juice

The signature Yamashiro Egg Benedict features two Poached Farm Eggs topped with a Wasabi Hollandaise, Black Tobiko, and Scallions, with Wild Alaskan Smoked Salmon, Grilled Asparagus over an English Muffin.

Yamashiro Egg Benedict

(photo courtesy of Donald Herman)

 

(photo courtesy of Donald Herman)

Sake Sambal and Ginger BBQ Sauce  paint the plate, and the Asian Baby Back BBQ Ribs. The ribs are cooked in Duck Fat Confit add an ethnic flair and make them even juicier.Asian Baby Back BBQ Ribs.

 

Blueberry and Yuzu pancakes topped with whipped cream are served with  (real) warm maple syrup.  Manager, Jared, pointed out that the blueberries keep the pancakes extra moist.

pancakes

 

A subtle, sweet Wasabi Dressing tops the Asian Chicken Salad made up of mixed greens, Mandarin Grilled chicken and green onions with julienned wonton crunchies in the mix.  Shreds of delicate Chinese cabbage add a unique flavor and lacey texture.

Asian Chicken Salad

The universal favorite burger is elevated into a Snake River Farm Wagyu Burger, carrying through the Asian influence with Napa Cabbage and Yamashiro Spicy Mayonnaise folded into the brioche bun, along with tomato.  Perfect, crisp shards of Sweet Potato Fries are served with Sambal Maple Syrup and ketchup.

The rest of the menu includes egg dishes and French toast dishes.

dining room

The exterior wrap around the dining room

Below is the vibrant, new elevated sushi bar and dining room with wrap-around seating that affords a spectacular view of the city.

Originally built as a private residence for the Bernheimer brothers, Yamashiro (“Mountain Palace” in Japanese) took its inspiration from their passion for classical Asian art and architecture. Over its 102-year life, Yamashiro operated as a brothel, boarding house and elite Hollywood cocktail lounge in 1963 before becoming a full-service restaurant.

Yamashiro’s regal Asian influences and breathtaking 180-degree views from downtown Los Angeles to the Santa Monica shore have been featured in popular films.

 

 

Yamashiro,  1999 Sycamore Ave., in Hollywood.  Hours:  weekdays 5-11 p.m. Weekends 5 p.m. to midnight. Sunday Brunch service from 11-3 PM.  Please see www.Yamashirohollywood.com for or phone 323.466.5125 for more information.

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