"Reservations for Hayato in LA are released on the first of the month at 10am PST and vanish instantly. And while they tend to prioritize bookings for regulars, if you’re persistent in joining the waitlist, it’ll eventually pay off—10 spots per month are saved for first-time visitors who have set up notifys. Even though we’ve never had a bad meal at Hayato, the overall experience at this high-end kaiseki counter is serious and a little stiff. There’s no music and only scattered conversation from the chefs. If your priority is solely on elegantly prepared Japanese food, consider it a destination. If not, there are other options for exciting omakase meals in town." - team infatuation