If it's summer in Los Angeles, that means our calendars are filling up quickly with summertime rituals like outdoor movies, beach days, pool parties, rooftop happy hours and trips to the farmers market. This year, though, one of our favorite summer events is missing.
The Yamashiro Farmers Market won't be returning this year. If you never made it to the market, it was held every Thursday evening from April to October on the grounds of the historic Japanese restaurant in the Hollywood Hills. There were a couple of produce vendors, plus prepared foods, food trucks, cocktails at the Pagoda Bar and live music or other entertainment. Brock Kleweno, Yamashiro's executive chef, also served Japanese fusion food at the market, like miso-sake black cod tacos and hoisin duck confit tacos with wasabi guacamole. The market wasn't as crowded as other farmers markets around the city, but it was nice addition to the summer social scene (and a great place to see celebrities).
Here's a statement from the restaurant:
"After five years as a celebrated community event, Yamashiro has decided to forego the 2015 Farmers Market to focus on its thriving dining and private events operations. Yamashiro intends to revisit the possibility of bringing back the Farmers Market in 2016."
Fingers crossed. In the meantime, you can still head to Yamashiro for a sushi dinner and one of the best nighttime views of LA.
Photograph: Christian Duran, courtesy Yamashiro