Yamato Japanese Restaurant

Love this place and the food more

i recently went to this restaurant with my family. we ate at the sushi bar and the regular table before, it was a great experiance both with the delicious food, very friendly sushimen and extremely caring service from the servers. this time we decided to try the teppan side and was very happy with the food and service. both the chef and our server constantly make sure if we are doing ok or if we need anything. i really don't understand why some people would write a bad review about this restaurant. for me and my family, we are hooked on this place. we are going to be a regular at yamato encino for sure! more

We decided to go to this restaurant because we live in walking distance and my daughter had been there once with friends and liked her food. I can't say that we shared that experience! Not really busy for a Tuesday night, and we were seating in the sushi bar area at a table for four. Our one year old did not eat with us. I was disappointed with the cleanliness in general and how cramped we were both at the table and next to other large parties. If our Japanese female server was experienced she must be family because she was horrible and otherwise should not be kept in that role. Her English was limited, and thus her comprehension, but that aside her table attentiveness was non-existent. She seemed overwhelmed. Basic things had to be requested multiple times which put this evening in the never again category right from the start. We had mixed plates, some cooked fish, some sushi and both were dismal. When I looked at the two sushi preparers, neither inspired confidence and one happened to not be Japanese at all which struck me as odd in a Japanese restaurant. The plates came at different times for the main service and we had to wait inordinately long for a basic Sushi combo off their menu. The taste of the sushi was uninspiring and the preparation was sloppy. With all of the great sushi place to go to around LA this is not one of them. I almost choked at the suggestion to do dessert there by the aforementioned waitress and asked for the bill. The bill for 2 adults and a child was over $100 which was way too much both for the amount of food we were served and the preparation and service. They need to retool this restaurant. more

i happened to pass by this restaurant with a few friends and thought why not lets try this place. big mistake. walked in and asked to be seated in the sushi area and was told by the hostess that she didnt know what she had in there and had to go look. this took her about 10 minutes cause she stopped to chat with a bus boy. so finally we got seated at a table that was not completely bussed (crumbs everywhere). when we asked to have it bussed we where given attitude by the bus boy. when are server came to us she was unfriendly and seemed to have no idea what she was doing when asked about the nigiri she asked whats that? so we ordered the dynamite, a vegi roll, salon skin roll, and tuna nigiri and the rolls came out fast. they looked tasty so we were happy, but boy were we wrong. the moment we picked up the sushi it completely fell apart, i guess thats what you get when you dont have japanese people making the sushi, not a single japanese person in sight. so if youre in the mood for poorly made sushi and lack of customer service this place is for you. Pros: dynamite was large and pretty good, has teppan, big restaurant Cons: terrible service, poorly made sushi more

I really enjoy going to Yamato with my family or a group of friends because sitting at the Teppan grill is always a fun bonding experience. The menu is similar to Bennihana- but perhaps a bit cheaper. The meals are always very filling and yummy- the shrimp is my absolute favortie. The sushi at Yamato is also quite tasty, although I usually go there for the Teppan. Pros: Tasty Teppan Cons: pricey more

I always sit at the bar when I come in the restaruant, not really for anything else but for the great service I get from Mika, the bartender. She is so cute and always pleasent, and my drinks always come out perfectly: I usually end up ordering at least 3. The sushi is wonderful, and incredibly priced for what you get and the fish always tastes very fresh. \r This is also in a great location since the movie theater is right downstairs...stop in for a quick bite and some drinks and go to a movie: makes a great date spot. Pros: Very Affordable but good quality Cons: Loud if there is a ""Happy Birthday"" celebration more

Being new to the Encino area, We went on the internet to find a sushi place. We discovered a place we not only will be back to, but will bring our friends.\r \r We were seated immediately, which is unusual for 7pm on a Sunday Night.\r The service was excellent people were coming to the table very often to see if we needed anything, or if the food was ok. The soft shell crab was the best since I left Louisiana. the Shumai was very good and I was very happy with the spicy tuna,California ,and spider rolls. We got the spicy tuna salad and the portions were more than generous.\r \r I have a feeling I will be going there often as I usually go into sushi withdrawal if I don't have it at least once a week\r \r The only negative thing I can say about my experience is that the spicy could have been a little more spicy, but I took care of that with the extra sauce the waitress brought me\r \r Try it, I think you will like it as much as we did Pros: good food, good service, good sushi Cons: for me, it could have been a little more spicy more

Hearing about how great the food is, I had to come check it out for myself...\r \r Upon arriving at this location, I had to be patient in finding parking. It gets crowded around dinner time so it's best to arrive knowing that you've made reservations for you and your party to ensure you get seated promptly. If you don't, expect to wait for 30-40 minutues because it tends to get crowded around 6-7. Unfortunately, my party and I didn't make reservations so we waited and for a while. The manager apologized and we were seated as soon as the next available table was vacant. We had free beer, cocktails and soda compliments of the manager on duty since we waited patiently :). \r \r Your seated amongst other guests whom fill up the extra seats available in your table if your party isn't big enough to occupy it that is. Expect to bump arms while forking into your food. The chef entertains you as he cooks your meal in front of you. The sushi was great and my NY steak was fullfilling!!! I think after a couple drinks, all the things you keep score of don't seem to matter any more because it's all for good times with the good people your surrounded with. \r \r It's not a good place to bring babies if you have one or two. It gets loud and hot as the tables are within feet of each other. If you're looking for a quiet and romantic atmosphere, this would not be the place to be, but if you're looking for good Japanese food, then I would suggest this place with an early reservation. Pros: Good food Cons: Without a reservation, you won't be seated for a good while. more

When a restaurant is busy, the kitchen can get backed up and there can be service delays -- that's understood. But when, after a long wait, items that you ordered never come even after reminding the server several times, it is amateurish. Watching the table next to you (that was seated 30-40 minutes after you) get their order, including the same dishes you ordered, BEFORE you is a service failure. Pros: good parking Cons: slow service, nonresponsive service, cold food more

while i wouldn't come here for a sushi meal, the teppan here is pretty decent. the place has really gotten packed within the last year, there's now a 30-40 min. wait most days. the seafood teppan is much better than the chicken or beef and the chefs are usually very nice and entertaining. prices are pretty decent (about $20/person), and people tend to now bring their kids with them to dinner here, so that may or may not be your scene. Pros: good seafood teppan, decent prices Cons: long wait more

I know this place is known primarily for its Teppen grill and sushi, but its traditional Japanese fair is quite good as well. I usually sit in the ""sushi"" or ""regular dining"" area of the restuarant, and get standard Japanese fare, sunomono salad, agadashi tofu, tempura, udon noodle bowls ---it's always quite satisfying, and there is a pleasant warm, buzzing environment. Sometimes the service can be a little bit dodgy, and servers may forget an order, but they are always polite and gracious, and quick to correct their mistakes. I definitely recommend this place if you are looking for solid low-key Japanese and sushi. Pros: Food more

Yamato - great sushi. The bar is good for dates. If you want to dine, be careful. The service as of late has been on a steady decline. I don't know if it is because of the hired help or lack thereof, it took too long to get some of our orders that were all given at the same time and spread out over three seperate delivers spaced about 10 minutes apart! I love the food, but the service needs an overhaul! Pros: Great sushi, Heated patio, Good drinks Cons: Poor service, Missed orders more

My husband and I have been going here since it opened. We're happy that it's become a popular spot, but also realize that it's growing popularity makes it harder to get a table. I cannot say enough how great this place is, and my husband and I have both worked in japanese restaurants. It is my favorite sushi bar, and this place turned me into a sushi fanatic. Definitely sit at the sushi bar if you can. The albacore sushi is the best I've ever had. The giant clam and uni (sea urchin) are the best quality and FRESH FRESH FRESH. Try Toshi's specials, like the cooked sea bass. The food off the regular menu is just typical japanese fare. The teppan grill is very good too, but go for the 1/2 price sushi. How can you beat the freshest top quality sushi, most at half price?!? LOVE IT! Pros: affordable, sushi bar, top quality Cons: crowded on weekends more

go for the tepan grill, it is the best grill in the valley. I have been to benhihan (sp?) and this is a clear winner. I recommend the lobster or the sword fish. Everythign included is amazing AND MAKE SURE U GET THE FRIED RICE it is to die for more

You can beat the half-price rolls and high quality fish. Toshi at the sushi bar is so fantastic... a culinary genius and so personable, making an effort to really remember each and every one of his customers, even their likes and dislikes. Though there can be a wait on Friday and Saturday nights and it gets a little loud when full, it's such a great place. Pros: Fresh Fish, Half-Price Rolls Cons: Can be loud more

I love this joint. I honestly only attend for sushi and normally we like to sit at the bar. The sushi bar guys and friendly and funny, often breaking into songs. The sushi at the bar is half price and is incredible. I also enjoy the little treat at the end a half orange with strawberrys and whipped cream. The perfect way to end an evening. Drinks where also pretty good from what friends have said. I would enjoy eating here any time. I have not eaten at the grills on the other side of the restaurant but people around the grills seem to enjoy themselves and that works great will larger parties. Pros: Friendly Staff, Great sushi, Inexpensive Cons: Sometimes a wait more

There are a lot of sushi places in the Valley... this happens to be one of my favorites. It gets crowded on Friday and Saturday so make reservations or be prepared to wait upto an hour! It features a sushi bar as well as teppan grilling. Much of the sushi is 1/2 price, compared to other places. And the sushi staff is fantastically funny! Pros: good parking, east to find, fun atmosphere Cons: crowded, a bit loud more