Katana Cocina Nikkei — Restaurant in Weston

It seems I had an uncharacteristically bad experience at Katana on my first visit, but even upon reading the many positive reviews, I can't help but feel like this restaurant will not last very long. The young man who was our server was not very attentive or knowledgeable about the lunch special. The atmosphere is nice and very high class, however there are some aspects of the design I think hinder the customer's experience. For example, the small metal glasses of water (which typically hold Moscow mules) make it difficult for the staff to tell when your out of water, that is, when they're not chilling at the bar on their phones. We did not attend at a busy time, in fact it was surprisingly slow for a Saturday lunch. Another thing: the bowl in which my yakisoba arrived was dark and looked huge but was in fact not actually that deep. I know there's intention behind the presentation, but for such a mediocre dish it adds salt to the wound when they try to hide the excessive amount of sauce with black ceramic. The prices are quite high which is disappointing considering the old restaurant had a variety of options for those on a budget. Speaking of which, I was sad to hear that there was only a single option for soup in the lunch special. Furthermore, I had ordered hot tea, but the waiter was about to walk away without asking me which tea I wanted. When my tea did arrive, less than half the cup was filled, only stevia/Splenda was brought to the table (no non-artificial sweeteners) and when I did ask for honey, they brought me a comically large amount! The manager/owner seemed to be lingering around throughout our entire meal yet did not stop by to actually interact with any guests: it seemed like he was just watching awkwardly or maybe guarding the front? I'm sure this is a better place to eat Peruvian food, but they are advertised as a fusion and literally names katana so, I don't know what to make of that. Finally, we ordered dessert and enjoyed the passion fruit cheesecake, although calling it cheesecake is a bit of a stretch. The custard had more of a key lime pie texture so less cream and more smooth if that's what you like, but not at all what we expected. The most offensive thing about it is the price: 15 dollars for a dessert the size a newborn turtle. I'm not sure how else to describe it. Note that we were not given a dessert menu or told the price beforehand, though that speaks for what these teenage servers are trained to do I suppose. Overall, my experience doesn't seem to line up with that of the majority, but I still don't see myself coming back. Evidently, a lot of money was put into the remodeling, but the service and food itself doesn't line up with the facade the interior decorators are trying to create. I know we live in an expensive city, but as someone who loved Miyoko so dearly, it's such a disappointment to see this is the direction the new owners have taken the venue. Katana may work in Las Olas or other locations where high class restaurants are the norm, but Weston is getting oversaturated with "fancy South American/Asian fusion" and I don't care to...

The place is really nice and well decorated reservation is not required but suggested. Hostess as really nice and accommodating. My waitress Karina was very attentive and took her time to explain the menu this place is a vibe on its own but let’s talk about the food. Japanese Peruvian fusion. I had as appetizer Spicy honey shrimp pops this was very well season and delicious not the person for seafood but This got my attention and boy I do t regret it also order the chicharrón bao buns and this also was amazing the pork belly literally melted on my palate and the sauce was a type of bbq but with a Asian twist Main plate was Tokio duck. Forget what you know about duck this was tender and juicy well season and super good the rice was on point kind of like a border line risotto because is a bit wet but full of flavor and the plate came with potatoes with huancaina sauce but they top this amazing piece of heaven with pickled veggies and a home made yellow classic Peruvian chimichurri. To top this a fried egg with a runny yolk that tight everything up perfectly For dessert they offer a big selection I choose the platter that brings 4 mini options This brings suspiro limeño chocolate cake passion fruit cheese cake mouse and suspiro de lucuma To be honest I was sitting by the exit of the kitchen area and everything that came out I wanted to try the food here looks really appealing and yummy that this place deserves a 2nd 3rd and 10th review

……Update today I had one of the best dragon rolls I have ever had Also had a dumpling soup this was out this world Also had the porteño roll this also was divine I play save and order the lomo saltado just in case my luck run out but apparently you can’t go wrong in this place Like I said previously I have to come here another time to try something else The bao buns where fenomenal this time too Less busy today but is a Wednesday early in the night so not many People Stay tune for...

I had the pleasure of dining at Katana tonight, and I must say, my experience was elevared to new heights thanks to the exceptional service provided by waitress Jimena. From the moment I sat down, Jimena greeted me with a warm smile and genuine enthusiasm that set the tone for the entire evening.

Not only was Jimena attentive and knowledgeable about the menu, but she also went above and beyond to ensure that my dining experience was nothing short of extraordinary. Her recommendations, particularly regarding the duck dish, were spot-on and truly enhanced my meal.

Throughout the evening, Jimena demonstrated impeccable attention to detail, ensuring that my water glass was always filled, my dishes arrived promptly, and any requests I had were promptly addressed. Her professionalism and friendly demeanor created a welcoming atmosphere that made me feel like a valued guest.

In addition to her outstanding service, Jimena's passion for her work was evident in every interaction. She took the time to engage with me, sharing insights about the restaurant's history and the ingredients used in the dishes, which added an extra layer of enjoyment to the dining experience.

Overall, my dining experience at Katana was made truly memorable by the exceptional service provided by Jimena. Her dedication, knowledge, and warmth set the standard for outstanding hospitality, and I look forward to returning to the restaurant soon, eager to be served by Jimena once again. She is undoubtedly an asset to the restaurant, and her exceptional service...