Frommer's Review
In the City of Sushi you need to stand out from the crowd if you want to run a successful Japanese restaurant. And that's just what they did at Katana. Location being everything, first they perched above the perpetually busy Sunset Strip. Then they hired red-hot designer Dodd Mitchell to give the restaurant sex appeal by using aesthetically pleasing accents such as steel beams, perforated metallic screens, exotic woods, and worn brick. Next they introduced robata-yaki to mainstream L.A. -- a traditional Japanese style of cooking where meats, fish, and vegetables are cooked on small bamboo skewers over imported bincho tan coal that imparts a unique smoky essence to the food. Lastly, they trained their waitstaff well (a rarity in L.A.), hired a sake sommelier to create the city's best sake list, and converted the patio above Sunset Boulevard into a coveted alfresco dining area. The result? Well, you'd better make a reservation at least a week in advance, because the only walk-in seating you'll find is at the sushi and robata bars. Yes, the sushi is very good, but it's the incredibly flavorful skewers that you'll want to sample: foie gras and asparagus wrapped with filet mignon, fresh lobster with a peppercorn-miso glaze, giant seared scallops with shiitake mushrooms, Kurobuta pork and pineapple drizzled with plum sauce (okay, now I'm hungry). Each comes with a trio of dipping sauces, adding yet more complexity to the mingling of flavors. Sushi, tempura, steak, and noodles are available as well. Be sure to start the adventure with a $15 Sake Sampler and a glass of their house-special Red Sun beer, brewed exclusively for the restaurant.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
