Two new Asian restaurants opened in July, offering Thai and Japanese fare in high-design environments.
1. Japanese restaurant Hakobe opened on La Cienega and Wilshire, in the old Lodge space. Asako Lisa Batten is the owner and Tomo Kohyama is the the head sushi chef. Hakobe has a full bar plus sushi bar and serves entrees such as almond shrimp with sea salt and lemon, jumbo shrimp with ginger sauce, Kobe beef steak, miso black cod, and asparagus-wrapped Wagyu. Specialty cocktails include a raspberry sake and vodka mojito and the "Asako Special" (vodka, lychee sake, berry juice, banana juice, fresh lemon, and fresh muddled blueberries). Hakobe has room for 100, with a spacious area adjacent to the main dining room that can be sectioned off for private events. There is also patio seating out front for smokers. Hakobe is available for full buyout.
2. Thai street food is the concept at Soi 56, the fifth restaurant by Boon and Supa Kuntee, who opened Chao Krung restaurant at Fairfax and Beverly in 1975, and have opened five restaurants since, including Soi 56; their second daughter manages the restaurant. Chris Rusay at Rusay Design created the look of the space, with a mix of materials like laser-cut acrylic and recycled lumber from 1800s-era barns and homes. Soi 56 has room for 100 and has a semiprivate area for events and groups. The venue is available for full buyout.