The food is actually pretty good. It’s tapas style but not tapas portion as each plate is actually somewhat appetizer-sized. That being said, we took our time eating and relished each plate and found that after a few plates we were actually very full. Dishes are fairly creative and have good flavor. We had the sauteed mushrooms, the toro tartare, some sushi and their chicken robata (what they’re known for). Their ambiance is nice too, very loungey. Service was great, prompt and attentive.

Butai has some really creative dishes including a five appetizer sampler that comes with it’s very own alcoholic beverage. The drink, a plum wine soda, serves as a palate cleanser and, more importantly,as a fun little addition to the dish that enhances the experience of sampling the [tiny] portions. (Let’s face it, it just fun to order something that comes with it’s own drink that comes with it’s own drink.) The spicy tuna roll was [melt in your mouth] fabulous, as was the asparagus tempura roll. The decor is very LA chic- tasteful, not over done. Be sure to check out the (co-ed bathroom) and try the Green Tea margarita :)