Los Angeles, CA 90021
(213) 596-5579
yxta.net
Parking: Free on-site parking lot, can you believe that?!!
Days: Monday-Saturday
Times: Monday – 4-9pm; Tuesday-Friday – 4-7pm; Saturday – 5-7pm
Drink Deals: $3.50 Bottled and $4 draft beers; $5 margaritas; $6 Wines by the Glass; $8 Specialty Margaritas Food Deals: Selection of $6-7 Appetizers and $2 Sides
You can say one thing about Yxta – it is a beautiful restaurant and event space. Well, you can say more than that because their food and drinks are phenomenal and they have a Saturday Happy Hour, which is pretty rare in downtown LA. The restaurant recently hosted JG and me for said Saturday Happy Hour, where we were able to sample from their terrific food & drink selections. I was stoked because I’d wanted to go ever since I tried to visit several months back with the bro & Booze, but ended up at Villains Tavern as Yxta was closed for an event.
Which makes perfect sense because again, Yxta is really nice for a reception – a hip, open space with beautiful natural lighting and exposed ceilings and brick walls, dark wooden tables, cool artwork (from Dios de Los Muertos iconography to an American Flag wall), a really neat sparkly mosaic behind the bar, and well-thought out details right down to the potted succulents at every table and the thoughtful presentation of food.
Jamaica Margarita ($8), La Fresca w/ Camarena Silver ($10) & Yxta Cadillac Margarita ($8)
We quickly set about ordering drinks – we both started with the Jamaica Margarita ($8) made with Centanario Rosangel (a hibiscus-flavored tequila), fresh sour, and Jamaica and then enjoyed a marathon Happy Hour sampling:
Complimentary Chips w/ Housemade Salsas
Guacamole – Topped w/ Pepitas ($6) 
Squash Blossoms – Blossoms stuffed with cheese, breaded & fried (not on menu yet!) 
Tacos de Papa - Spicy Mashed Potatoes, cabbage, crema fresca, queso fresco ($6) Cilantro Lime Rice ($2) & Frijoles Negros ($2)
Taquitos de Camaron - Mexican Sweet Shrimp, Guacamole, Salsa Brava ($7) 
Taco al Pastor (Marinated Pork, Pineapple, Red Onions, Cilantro) & Tacos de Carnitas (Slow-Cooked Pork, Guacamole, Onion-Cilantro Mix) ($6 for the pair)
Sometime during this delicious feast, we managed to find time to order our 2nd round of drinks – the Yxta Cadillac Margarita ($8) for me and for JG, the La Fresca w/ Camarena Silver, Muddled Strawberry, and Mint (not on HH, $10). And get this, after all that – we still had room for dessert, specifically because dessert was a favorite of both of ours, Bread Pudding served with Cinnamon ice cream ($7) – like everything else we ate, SOOOOOOOOOOOO good!
Bread Pudding w/ Cinnamon Ice Cream ($7)
There seemed to be a somewhat swell evening crowd for our visit that picked up over time – it looked like more people were enjoying dinner than Happy Hour items; of course we highly advocate the cheaper small plates :). Several of the other patrons looked like moms and dads and their hip kids, which makes a lot of sense – Yxta totally struck me as a place that I’d bring my parents or my pal, AP’s, Midwest Foodie folks!
Now, it wasn’t totally hip-hip-hipster, but the crowd was interesting – likely based on Yxta’s east-downtown location, bordering (almost) Skid Row, Little Tokyo, and the Arts District. Although I don’t find myself that way all too often, I would definitely come back for the great atmosphere and delicious food & beverage at pretty good prices for the taste/size/etc. Also, I look forward to checking out Yxta’s sister restaurant, the more traditional family restaurant – El Arco Isis - in my more visited hood of Highland Park!
Special thanks to Ralina Shaw at Spin Shoppe PR and to our hostess with the most-est, Evelyn, for sharing a terrific Happy Hour with us!
--JB
Rating: 5 Martinis
Bread Pudding w/ Cinnamon Ice Cream ($7)There seemed to be a somewhat swell evening crowd for our visit that picked up over time – it looked like more people were enjoying dinner than Happy Hour items; of course we highly advocate the cheaper small plates :). Several of the other patrons looked like moms and dads and their hip kids, which makes a lot of sense – Yxta totally struck me as a place that I’d bring my parents or my pal, AP’s, Midwest Foodie folks!
Now, it wasn’t totally hip-hip-hipster, but the crowd was interesting – likely based on Yxta’s east-downtown location, bordering (almost) Skid Row, Little Tokyo, and the Arts District. Although I don’t find myself that way all too often, I would definitely come back for the great atmosphere and delicious food & beverage at pretty good prices for the taste/size/etc. Also, I look forward to checking out Yxta’s sister restaurant, the more traditional family restaurant – El Arco Isis - in my more visited hood of Highland Park! Special thanks to Ralina Shaw at Spin Shoppe PR and to our hostess with the most-est, Evelyn, for sharing a terrific Happy Hour with us!
--JB
Rating: 5 Martinis
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