05/04/09

Great place to sit down and enjoy the surrounding

by vallinmeg

First time at Katsuya, it was on Sunday @ around 4:30pm, so it wasn't that busy yet. We were sited outside on ground level. Itt was a nice sitting outside, we were able to see the fountain, hear the jazz band that was there that day and we enjoyed the beautiful surrounding of the Americana had to offer. The staff was friendly. The food was good, but I wouldn't say is any better than any other Japanese Restaurant. I thought this place was way too Expensive for what they give you. After ordering an entree and sushi, me and my husband still felt hungry when we left but we weren't about to order more food which will probably cost us $50 more on the bill. Bottom line is, if you don't mind paying 3xs more than most Japanese Restaurant and maybe leaving still hungry, then this is a great place to eat and enjoy the surrounding. No, we would we would not go there again. Its not worth it.

• Pros: Location
• Cons: Expensive

03/24/09

still iffy

by dondata

I still cant figure out if i like this restaurant or not. the food is great but the people that go here are stupid

• Pros: great food
• Cons: too many people

03/08/09

Overcharging/cheating and expensive.

by doward

I got overcharged and do not appreciate that. The receipt I signed was less than what my credit card was charged for. Restaurant is expensive and food is definetely better than the alternative fast food but at this price I expected way more. Service above average, food, above average, price and cheating definetely impacted my trust and overall experience.

• Pros: Overcharging Price
• Cons: Fodd is good and convenience, close to shopping and playground for kids

09/21/08

EXPENSIVE!

by radiancelee

If you're feeling lazy (and are shopping at the Americana mall) and overly trendy, this place will do. However, hope you saved some cold hard cash, cause that you will be spending!

Recommend: Go for the Garlic Soy Albacore and the Ceviche! Good portion, good taste.

AVOID: almond crusted scallops (too many whole nuts, no scallop), AVOID: baked crab roll (TEEEEEEEEEENY TINY for 8 bucks! are you guys crazy?!)

The drinks are so so, again: $14 for miniscule martinis...don't let the waiters talk you into the "fresh pressed juices" - hmm....not that special, thanks)

09/14/08

Overcharged by 100%

by nukeage

Did lunch there with my 82 year-old mother visiting from Tokyo, my sister and my five year-old son. 11:43 a.m. according to the time printed on my receipt -- definitely NOT a dinnertime. Two mixed tempura plate came out to $36. The printed menu (confirmed by their online menu) said $10 each. They charged $18 for a grilled salmon plate. The menus said $12. The only thing they got right was kid's tempura with steak plate: $10. OK: I didn't pay attention to the price of water (Large Fiji Water, $10) but what shold have been a $50 lunch came out to be close to $100 with tip.

I have heard about a waiter at another Katsuya insisting on "omakase" (trusting someone else to order for you -- believe me, waiters are NOT qualified to order for you; only chefs are) I am inclined to think that the waiters are encouraged to overcharge or manipulate patrons to order more, seeing that the receipt suggests 18, 20 or 25% tips.

Worse: after making a smooth exit (with a grandma and a kid in the party, you would, too), I wrote to the management. No reply after a month.

• Pros: kids menu.
• Cons: pushy and greedy waiters, less-than-human management.

09/02/08

Hot Spot in Glendale

by LAGUY87

Katsuya at the Americana at Brand was delicious. Ladies in the front were sweet. I definitely recommend the cucumber watermelon mojito. They make it right in front of you. Try the halibut cheek AMAZING, service is great and ambiance is beautiful. Definitely recommend it for a first date experience.

• Pros: Fountain view
• Cons: parking

09/02/08

sushi

by audrulz

Dining at Katsuya Glendale was phenomenal! First off- the tall brunette hostess could not have been more lovely and hospitable. We were seated within minutes of our reservation and had a gorgeous fountain view. Our server was attentive, well informed, and guided us through our dining experience. We started with a Burning Mandarin- delish. The rock shrimp tempura is a must have!!! Strongly recommend for an after movie dinner.

• Pros: service
• Cons: parking

08/27/08

Amazing sushi experience!

by atkinsonkirsten

I went to this sushi restaurant thinking I was walking into the everyday kind of place. come to find out my view on sushi was completely reversed. The place has great service- my drink never was empty. The food and cocktails were amazing- everything was made from all fresh ingredients and the drinks even had organic fruit! As for my actual server, she was great. I forgot her name but she had long brown hair and a cute smile. I highly recommend coming here for a first date or a social gathering. The prices are mid to high range but the atmosphere and cuizine are definately worth it. I can't wait until my next visit to Katsuya at the Americana!

08/17/08

Worst dining experience in years

by chicagochica

To start out the hostess only offered a table at the inside bar (which in hind sight would have been better) even though tables were available outside on a gorgeous night. When I asked for an outdoor table she said "yeah wait in the lobby"in a bothersome way. On our way to the table both my husband and I were nearly run down by little service dudes rushing nowhere. Granted the decor is cool and the layout is not bad, once we sat down it took at least 20 minutes just to get water and about 45 minutes to get edemame. EDAMAME! no joke, i had to ask twice. Even the glass of wine took forever. The table next to us had been there slightly longer and was already having it out with the waitress over their wait (close to an hour). They gave them a random sushi dish mistakenly, after they paid the bill and said oh we have wait staff troubles today. The sushi took another 25 minutes and was just OK. Typical of a random suburbian sushi shop. nothing special. The soy sauce on our table was empty, we were given no table setting and had to continuously ask for water. When the water guy came, he spilled water on my husbands leg and then replied in a cocky way "oh the napkin will be ok". He could clearly see that I was angry, inquired, and then said, "oh thats rare". Our plates were never cleared, we were never followed up with, and forget being offered desert. Maybe they knew we wanted to get the hell out. This place is a disgrace to good sushi dining everywhere. Too bad it was such a good location. If they ever get around to hiring anyone that has ever worked in a restaurant before, maybe, I'll go back...but it will be awhile before the bad taste of this sushi restaurant goes away.

• Pros: Location and outdoor patio
• Cons: Service was horrible and staff was rude

08/12/08

suburbia kills the thrill of hip sushi house

by tataryan

what a horrible franchising idea to take all the reputation Katsu-Ya has built and exploit it by opening up a location in a glorified suburban mall. the football stadium sized floorplan made it hard to make eye contact with our waiter for any request - including asking them to refill the empty soy sauce container. two separate kitchens for hot and cold items required the waiter to explain that our dishes would come randomly and at odd intervals - and they did. at least two tables of "party of 12" guests complete with tots in high-chairs blared loudly that this is now a "family restaurant" rather than one of the top 10 sushi joints in LA. so sorry to have spent my money at this location - next time... Hollywood or a more low-key Studio City! (and i'm Armenian!)

• Pros: they have some of the dishes from the flagship Katsu-Ya restaurants (but not all)
• Cons: overall ambiance, weird 2 kitchen floorplan, bad service