Los Angeles Other Cities

Welcome to Citysearch!

Click around for recommendations and reviews of restaurants , spas , shopping , hotels and tons of other great things to do near you.
 | close

Best of Citysearch

Los Angeles Look Hot, Feel Good 2008

More

Vote Sponsored By

My Summary

Recently viewed

Recommended for you

More

Katana

8439 W Sunset Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90069
Phone: (323) 650-8585
Price:
$$$
Cross Street:
La Cienega Boulevard
Best of Citysearch:
Japanese Food 2006
Hours:
Sun 6pm-12pm, Mon-Wed 5:30pm-12am, Thu-Fri 5:30pm-1am, Sat 6pm-1am

Message from Katana

Katana

Every Sunday Night-DJ Thomas Golubic, 6pm-11:30pm

  • Japanese Beer Garden Sundays
  • Private Dining Room
  • Patio Overlooking Sunset Strip

We specialize in open flame charcoal grill cooking serving Japanese comfort food.

The specialty of the house is robata - traditional Japanese skewers are roasted over an open flame, infusing the meat, fish or vegetables with a smoky essence.

Located in the historic Plaza del Sol building, Katana is distinguished by design accents such as protruding railroad spikes that line the walls of the lounge and polished redwood bar tops made from a mammoth 400-year old fallen redwood tree. The 6,000-square foot restaurant has many distinct spaces, including the bar and lounge areas, the main dining room with Sushi Bar and Robata Grill, the Tea Room, Sunset Room, private dining room and the outdoor heated patio overlooking the bustling Sunset Strip.

Paid advertisement by Katana.

Editorial Review for Katana – by Jane Tunks

The Scene
The team behind Balboa and Sushi Roku has put its muscle into this stylish Japanese restaurant and lounge. The decor verges on "Blade Runner" territory, with ultramodern touches such as steel I-beams substituting for traditional teak rafters, and security grills standing in for Japanese lattice. A swanky patio overlooks the Strip.

The Food
The encyclopedic Japanese comfort-food menu can be overwhelming. Get your bearings over fragrant red miso soup, then turn your attention to the specialty of the house, robata. The traditional Japanese skewers are roasted over an open flame, infusing the meat, fish or vegetables with a smoky essence. Served in dainty portions, the choices range from chicken breast to a more ambitious sea bass marinated in ponzu. Other inspired dishes include giant scallops and shiitake mushrooms loaded with minced chicken. The chefs also turn out gems like the lobster roll loaded with broiled meat and the buttery toro roll.

Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.

Insider Tips

Where to Sit

No reservation? Seating at the sushi and robata bars is available on a first come, first served basis, but the grill end is smoky--head for the sushi side.

Happy Hour

Visit weekdays between 5:30pm and 7pm for $5 select sushi rolls and skewers. Happy hour prices only apply in the bar area.

Know Before You Go

Waiters deliver your skewers whenever they happen to be ready, so order all at once or a few at a time.

What to Drink

Ask for sake tips--Katana has one of the largest selections in town--and one of the only certified sake sommeliers. Redsun is a house beer created to complement sushi.

User Reviews for Katana

1 Star Rating: Not Recommended

05/10/2008 Posted by bonnie_mcbride

The entire wait staff thinks they are better than the diners- all waiting to be discovered. Periodically, this isn't such a bad thing as you get to be around beautiful, want-to-be-liked, early twenty-somethings, but generally speaking, they tend to want to please so the service industry works for them (hence all the actor/waiters in this town). It is as sadly typical of Los Angeles as we've found, having moved here from San Francisco two years ago. We arrived at 6:30 and asked to be seated outside- there was nobody seated there yet, same as the inside. The hostess said, Oh sorry- all booked up for outside. 2 hours later and a very mediocre meal with TERRIBLE service later, the outside was perhaps a quarter full. The "creamy" baked crab roll was incredibly dry. The lobster baked roll was over cooked, and the drinks were unbelivably watered down. If you do go though, get the tuna over "baked" (clearly fried) rice. It was good. Prices were over the top for what they are serving. They are going on location, location, location! But I am not buying a house....I just wanted a decent night out with my husband. In any other town this place would be out of business. Oh, and the tables on our right and left were eagerly griping as well. I realize this site isn't accurate as restaurant owners/staff tend to write them - so, I'm submitting this with a gain of salt.

Pros: One dish- tuna over "baked" (aka: fried) rice

Cons: service, service, service, drinks, rest of the food

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

04/25/2008 Posted by green666

so yeah there's a scene... but can you say yummmmyy!!! during the summer outside is a plus but be sure you call at least a week in advance and request it.. if outside is not possible sit in the tea garden room inside.. you are inside but you feel like you are in this magical sushi garden..... almost private.. very vip like area. last time i was there we were sitting next to tyra banks .. i dont know if thats a pro or a con. the staff is friendly and the food is delicious! you have to order the tuna carpaccio with the soy truffle sauce.. it has tuna, truffle oil, soy, shaved parmesan, arugula and avocado... it literally melts on your tongue! the king crab legs robata with drawn butter.. the lamb chops.. i can go on forever.. a must go place.

Pros: NOT A PLACE FOR KIDS! great people watching, very hip and on the sunset strip if you want to go out after. love the outside area. fresh food

Cons: if you dont have reservations you will have to wait forever. but overall very cool place to go

Users Like You Also Viewed

Little Dom's
2128 Hillhurst Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90027

Koi
730 N La Cienega Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90069

Related Searches

Editor's Review

Rustic Japanese fare, sci-fi-inspired decor and a beautiful crowd add up to a Sunset Strip hot spot.  See the full editorial review.

Insider Tips

Where to Sit

No reservation? Seating at the sushi and robata bars is available on a first come, first served basis, but the grill end is smoky--head for the sushi side.

More Insider Tips

Restaurant Information

Parking

  • Valet

Hours

  • Sun 6pm-12pm
  • Mon-Wed 5:30pm-12am
  • Thu-Fri 5:30pm-1am
  • Sat 6pm-1am

Payment Types

  • MasterCard
  • American Express
  • Visa

Cuisines

  • Japanese
  • Sushi

Meal Price

  • $$$

Amenities

  • Family Style
  • Happy Hour
  • Romantic Dining
  • Outdoor Dining

Recognition for Katana

2006 Audience Winner - Japanese Food

Site Links:

Citysearch is a registered trademark of Bluefoot Ventures Inc., and is used under license.
© 2008 Citysearch.com All rights reserved.

Partner Sites: