The highly anticipated Lazy Ox Canteen has finally opened its doors in Little Tokyo. Michael Cardenas, owner of multiple hit restaurants like Sushi Roku and Boa Steakhouse, has partnered up with chef Josef Centeno, formerly of Meson G and Opus, to bring downtown Los Angeles its newest neighborhood hotspot. The open kitchen and bar are reminiscent of a Japanese izakaya, and the woodsy furnishings and low lighting make it a cozy and casual place to enjoy a nice drink or meal. After unwinding there, you'll be as content as the steel sleeping ox hanging on their grassy wall.

Lazy Ox Canteen offers a wide variety of beer, wine, and even some sake and shochu. They have twelve beers on draft and another dozen or so bottled. Some of their craft beers, like ocean Weizen and Ozeno Yukidoke i.p.a., will be hard to find elsewhere. The wine list includes vintages from all over the world and boutique California vineyards closer to home. The beverage menu will rotate frequently so catch their specialty features while you can.

In true izakaya style, Lazy Ox Canteen serves up hardy foods to go with the drinks. The cuisine there could be called Asian fusion, but is probably more accurately described as "globally inspired." Appetizers, for example, include yellowtail sashimi—served with castelvetrano olives, pomegranate seeds and fuyu persimmon—and the brick-roasted morcilla sausage with licorice pear, charred tomatillo, and black garlic. In addition to these smaller plates, the multi-course menu features salads and pastas, larger entrees and desserts for the more serious diner. Try the papardelle with braised oxtail, the pistachio tart, or the blood orange flan. For more info, check out their Website.

GetWize: Chef Josef Centeno is famous for his signature bäcos, hybrid gyro-pizza-tacos. They're not on Lazy Ox's regular menu, but they may make an appearance on his weekly chalkboard specials.