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Katana which means “Samurai sword” in Japanese is West Hollywood fine dining. Perfectly located on the world famous Sunset Strip, right across the street from the Mondrian Hotel, Katana combines the design talents of Dodd Mitchell of DMD & Associates. The 6000-squarefoot restaurant (one of Innovative Dining Group’s restaurants) provides many distinct spaces to satisfy those who want hustle and bustle for a first date and those who prefer quiet on the outside patio overlooking the busy Sunset Boulevard in this very historic Plaza del Sol building.

As soon as you step in to Katana, the ambiance is immediately created with the first notes: the bar and lounge area, the subtle lighting, the elegant but dark setting and of course the Hollywood socialites who confirm you are at the right spot. The restaurant Chef Vernon Cardenas has almost perfected the art of grilling Japanese style. Indeed, Katana specializes in authentic “Robatayaki” cuisine which is centered on an open charcoal fire in a robata grill. You pick your desired raw meat, seafood or vegetables from the menu, and then your chosen ingredients are freshly prepared on little skewers over an open fire. We just loved it!

On our recent visit to Katana, we each ordered delicious skewered items such as the jumbo shrimp with kaffir garlic butter, the aged rib-eye, the chicken wings, the Kobe beef tataki, the filet mignon wrapped around foie gras and asparagus and the King crab legs. For a party of three it was great, authentic Japanese dining experience; not to mention the sake sommelier who was on hand for suggestions, kindly advised us to start with the Sake Sampler and move onto other sake choices. Katana boats an extensive selection of over 40 labels of sake, from light and smooth Ginjo-shu to richly flavored Junmai-shu, but also offers an eclectic list of wines from the Old and New world as well as champagnes and other fine spirits.

A very positive aspect remains in the service; servers did a good job of explaining the menu and its various categories and items. No matter how busy Katana was, they were friendly and helpful. So it’s fair to say, at Katana you’re on good hands; after all we are in West Hollywood…

Reservations are highly recommended. Contact your luxury concierge company, Pure Conciergerie to take care of your arrangements. Email concierge@purentonline.com for pricing, info and availability.

KATANA
Robata & Sushi Bar
8439 W. Sunset Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA 90069