Katana LA — Restaurant in West Hollywood

Oldie but goodie. I recently had the pleasure of dining at Katana Restaurant in Los Angeles, and I must say, it was an unforgettable culinary experience. From the moment I stepped through the doors, I was impressed by the stylish and vibrant atmosphere. The restaurant's sleek design, combined with the energetic ambiance, created the perfect setting for an exceptional evening.

The menu at Katana is a true delight for food enthusiasts. Their selection of Japanese cuisine is extensive, ranging from sushi and sashimi to robata-grilled specialties. Each dish was a work of art, meticulously presented with attention to detail. The freshness of the ingredients was evident in every bite, and the flavors were nothing short of exceptional.

As a sushi lover, I was particularly impressed by the quality and creativity of the sushi rolls. The combinations were innovative and unexpected, delivering a burst of flavors that left me wanting more. The melt-in-your-mouth texture of the fish was unparalleled, showcasing the skill and expertise of the sushi chefs.

Another highlight of my dining experience was the robata-grilled dishes. The aroma that wafted from the open kitchen was tantalizing, and the flavors that followed did not disappoint. The meats and vegetables were perfectly cooked, offering a delightful smoky taste that complemented the other flavors on the plate.

The service at Katana was impeccable. The staff was attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about their craft. They guided me through the menu, offering recommendations and ensuring that every need was met. The attention to detail and the genuine care they demonstrated added an extra layer of enjoyment to the evening.

I must also mention the bar at Katana, which features an impressive selection of sake, cocktails, and spirits. The mixologists were skillful in crafting unique and delicious drinks that perfectly complemented the flavors of the food.

In terms of ambiance, Katana strikes the perfect balance between sophistication and liveliness. The modern decor, combined with the stunning views of the city, creates an atmosphere that is both chic and inviting. It's an excellent choice for a special occasion, a date night, or simply a memorable night out with friends.

Overall, my experience at Katana Restaurant in Los Angeles exceeded my expectations. The exquisite cuisine, exceptional service, and vibrant atmosphere made for an unforgettable evening. I highly recommend Katana to anyone seeking an exceptional Japanese dining experience in the heart of...

The location is very central in West Hollywood, and the “building” housing the restaurant is quite monumental - so that’s totally a plus.

When arriving I was expecting an experience that would mirror the exterior - I was surely mistaken.

There’s a vibe of cool, well-dressed people waiting by the bar and I went to give my name at the reception, to be seated.

We (2) had a reservation at 10:15, arrived at 10:14 - they told us to wait at the bar that someone would come get us. We waited for 20 min, seeing a lot of couples entering and not being asked to wait, before i went up to the girl at reception to ask about our table.

She just normally told me that it wasn’t ready (when I say normal I mean normal, not even sorry or anything). I questioned if it was normal to have to wait even with a reservation - she told in the most emotionless way possible “yes, here is normal to wait for around an hour” “even with a reservation”.

After ten minutes we were seated on the outside, under a window on a table that seemed improvised and was right in the way of all the waiters.

We found menus on the table. No one came to greet us//welcome us for 20 min. We kept on asking for someone to come take our order and waiters seemed to be passing the task to one another and we even heard them “it’s not my responsibility” - which was quite uncomfortable.

Finally a girl came, I expressed my miscontentment and she just resumed by saying “so you know what you’re gonna have?” (im laughing while I type this).

The food: first I’d like to say that I’m a person used to paying for “the brand” so my view here is totally legitimate when I say I’ve never seen such overpriced food. Each dish on the menu (skewers more exactly) count only one unit of product - it’s crazy. When you don’t ask for more than one it even looks weird on the huge plate where it’s served. The wagyu (the most expensive one) was very good - but now thinking back at the price paid, and the quantity served for the same price it was totally overpriced.

Desserts were amazing.

In the end the waitress took out the water from our check for the “problems in the beginning” and I had to tip her 18% of the check for an awful service (gotta love America)

All things considered, the food (expect desserts) don’t make it up for how bad they...

We ate here for the first time last night and were very impressed. We came for the sushi and fell in love with the expansive grilled skewer menu. Everything was cooked and seasoned perfectly, from the sea bass to the wagyu beef. Usually a restaurant is able to excel only at one thing, but this place successfully creates top-notch grilled and cold items. The sea bream, Spanish mackerel, and tuna sushi were just as exciting and flavorful as the grilled items. The only thing we didn’t absolutely love was the tuna jalapeño roll, but we figured that was simply a result of being in the context of more exciting dishes.

Most importantly - and the reason we came in the first place - is that the vast majority of the menu is gluten free. We’re talking 95% gluten free. Since I can’t eat gluten it’s nice to find a restaurant where I’m not limited to a few small salads. I wish every asian restaurant could discover what the management here has discovered: if you only use gluten free soy sauce at your restaurant, then you open up most of your menu to people who are gluten intolerant. And that’s what they did at katana. They only use gluten free soy sauce here.

Another thing that is notable is the friendly staff. My friend and I joke that at Los Angeles restaurants, as price increases, service decreases. It always seems like the nicer, more expensive restaurants employ the coldest, least friendly employees. This is not the case at katana! From the hostess to the bartender to the servers to the food runners - everyone is so nice and friendly. The hiring manager here definitely has a keen eye for great employees.

What we ordered for two people: grilled crab leg appetizer, grilled sea bass skewer, ribeye cap with Korean bulgogi sauce, sea bream sushi, Spanish mackerel sushi, tuna sushi, tuna jalapeño sushi roll, ribeye skewers, surf and turf skewers, and 3oz of wagyu beef. All are highly recommended, except the tuna jalapeño roll. And yeah, we over-ate because we were living for these flavors. Total cost with a couple beers (the beers were for my friend): about...