Yamashiro Garden Market Every Thursday In Hollywood

There's more than just produce at this new farmers' market

Yamashiro, the iconic Japanese restaurant overlooking Hollywood, is hardly the most obvious venue for a farmers' market. But then again, its new Thursday-night Garden Market offers much more than just-picked produce.

Of course, you can get greens, carrots and a flat of fresh strawberries, but this culinary bazaar is really about the artisan vendors.

There are pastries, beautiful pretzel rolls and baguettes from Röckenwagner Bakery; multiflavored kettle corn by Popstar; and ChocoVivo's intensely flavored hand-ground chocolates.

The Yamashiro chefs serve Japanese-inspired tacos ($3) filled with miso black cod and hoisin duck confit, garnished with accoutrements like ginger pico de gallo and wasabi guacamole.

Bulgarini Gelato dishes up flavors like goat's milk with crunchy cocoa nibs, and pineapple sorbetto ($2). Take a scoop over to the Longshot espresso cart and ask barista Mark Baird to make it an affogato; his light, Australian-roast espresso makes the perfect topper for vanilla or chocolate gelato.

Get a wine flight (four 2-ounce pours for $8) or a cocktail from the Pagoda Bar, which you can take back down to the market. Then just sit at a table along the rim and watch the sun go down as the night comes to life.

It's like happy hour, plus produce.

Thursdays, 5 to 9 p.m.; Yamashiro, 1999 N. Sycamore Ave., Hollywood; 323-466-5125 or yamashirorestaurant.com