Best of Los Angeles Food & Drink: Y

Best Yakatori Bar: Hatch Yakitori + Bar

Centrally located in DTLA’s The Bloc, the open-air metropolitan center with its own access to the 7th Street Metro Station and hub for all metro lines, HATCH Yakitori + Bar is a carefree and car-free spot to enjoy their curated sake list, select premium Japanese whisky selection  and eclectic Japanese beer menu.

Cocktails in bar director James Fastiggi’s program include  the Matcha Highball made with Iwai whisky, coconut lemongrass nigori, lemon juice, house-made honey syrup and matcha powder, or the Yuzu Sour, prepared with Iwai whisky, yuzu liqueur, lemon juice, simple syrup and a fresh creamy egg white. The bright pink For Goodness “Sake” gets its color from a splash of prickly pear juice, also featuring dry sake, Tito’s vodka, lychee juice and pear syrup, while the sweet and spicy Mangorita is a mix of Lunazul Tequila, house-made mango syrup, agave nectar, lime juice, orange bitters, and serrano pepper.

Hatch Yakitori oysters (Courtesy of Hatch)

There are plenty of oysters, (chilled, grilled, or fried)  accompanied by ume mignoette,  yakitori sticks like breast and plum, thigh and miso or mushroom as well as  plates with selections like the Black Karaage, with two-day brined chicken thighs, squid ink, house pickles, grilled lime, and black ranch dip and  slow cooked miso pork spare ribs. —Michele Stueven

700 W. 7th St., Ste G600, downtown; (213) 282-9070, hatchyakitori.com.