G and I have been going to Yamashiro for years. It is one of our favorite places to go on special occasions because of it's romantic Asian inspired decor and old Hollywood glamour. Above all, because it's nestled into the Hollywood Hills it has hands-down the most gorgeous view of the City of Angels of any restaurant I have been to yet. While it's wonderful to come here and go all out with a fabulous dinner, but it is also possible to come enjoy the view with cocktails and appetizers in their bar. Actually, you now have the choice of two bars - one inside and one outside.
Sometime ago I heard that they'd started a movie night series. On Wednesday nights at 8:00 p.m. the restaurant screens classic comedies on the back wall of the center courtyard, just beyond their beautiful Japanese Garden. Slated for the evening I went with the Culture Clubbers was Airplane – which I was excited to see again since it had been years. We had a lovely table almost directly in front of the screen, with the one unfortunate flaw of also being directly in line with a tree in the garden perfectly set to bisect our view. It turned out not to be a big deal, since predictably, we didn't really pay any attention at all to the movie and chatted, ate, and drank right through it. Oops.
After a couple of cocktails and much food was consumed, we took the traditional walk around the garden that wraps around the restaurant to take in the full effect of their view. G ended up having to work late, and this is the point when I missed him most. This is usually the most romantic part of the evening. The garden path is narrow but any point it is fairly well hidden from the general view. Between the lovely garden and the fantastic skyline, one can't help but sneak a clandestine kiss or too. No G on this night though, but since Kevin couldn't make it out either, Heather and I took the romantic walk together instead. No worries boys, there was no smooching this time.
Meanwhile, the fantastic Japanese pagoda inspired Marc to do an impromptu photo shoot of Johanna, whose outfit this particular evening coordinated perfectly with the color scheme.
I may have also had a photo shoot with Marc earlier in the evening.
We capped things off with a final drink at the outside bar. (Well, actually, I had water since I was shortly going to have to drive down the very winding road down the hill from the restaurant, but let's pretend I was holding some fabulous cocktail.) This bar is a newer addition to the restaurant's many beautiful spaces, and is set up as a lounge with a more modern aesthetic. This bar overlooks the pool area.
I had always wondered if this pool was ever still used, or if it was completely shut up now, a mere relic of the days when Yamashiro was still a private residence. Our bartender let us in on the tip that they now open up the pool on Sunday's and hold open BBQ's.
Ah ha! . . . a reason to come back once I return from OZ!
As if I needed one.
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