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Categories: Sushi Bars, Asian Fusion
Neighborhood: BrentwoodMon-Thu. 11:30 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Fri-Sat. 11:30 a.m. - 12:00 a.m.
Sun. 11:30 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
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Ambiance: trendy, modern....designed by Philippe Starck (French designer responsible for select Kartell furniture & chairs, design of bars & restaurants in SLS Hotel, Beverly Hills; Peninsula Hotel, Hong Kong; Delano Hotel, South Beach; Mondrian Hotel, Hollywood: The Clift Hotel, San Francisco, etc.). The famous Kartell/Starck plastic chairs may look nice..but not really that comfortable, I suggest requesting a booth.
They have 2 different rooms (1 huge room with the robata chefs in the middle and the sushi bar against the back wall and also a back room which is a little more quiet and less hustle & bustle) with different furniture in each and a very small outdoor seating area. They can accommodate large groups which is fun to have a bunch of friends with you...good place to share many different dishes. They have huge booths that can fit up to 8 to 10 people.
This is my favorite place in Los Angeles to have sushi. All of there sushi is super fresh. They have many exotic rolls and creations by Chef Katsuya Uechi.
Some "must-trys" on the menu include:
Yellowtail Sashimi with Jalapeno: fresh yellowtail, ponzu, and jalapeno
-Its very light and refreshing....low carb b/c no rice....the jalapeno gives a nice kick (see my picture)
Creamy Rock Shrimp: crispy bite-size shrimp tossed in Chef's spicy creamy sauce
-this is a great appetizer..pretty big portion too..and good for the non-sushi eaters. The sauce is so savory and its not really too much of that "fried" feeling that you get with the normal Tempura dishes.
Crispy Rice with Spicy Tuna: this dish is what Katsuya is most famous for, its their most flavorful dish on the menu...you must order this when you go.
Baked Crab Handroll: baked snow lightly kissed with Chef's signature sauce wrapped in soy paper
-if I had to order just 1 thing from entire menu...this would be it...this is my personal favorite on their menu....the taste, the texture..its first class.
By all means this place is on the more expensive side but for me, I think it is worth it. I don't eat here everyday so its definitely a treat when I do go. If you are looking for barebones sushi (no fancy rolls, etc.) then I am sure there are other places that are good.
Other random notes:
People watching is a plus....many celebrities frequent this Katsuya location if that's your thing.
Every time I have been there, its freezing!! They air conditioning is on a very low temperature...so ladies bring a sweater or jacket or you will freeze to death.
I love this place....I say, try it if you have never been before...I promise you will get hooked...but the prices will probably stop you from making this an everyday lunch/dinner spot.
Ok, so I was very pleased with myself in carefully avoiding this over-hyped not "real" sushi lovers establishment. As much as I hate to admit (ok, so I don't at all :) ), I was completely right in staying away. I had a date last Thursday, and I could tell he meant to take me here to impress me, but my first impression was to ask if he's sure Katsuya? Should have been a sign!
The ambiance is trendy, modern, see and be seen, with acoustics that would and did kill any date instantly. I was actually a bit on the hoarse side (ala sporting event/small concert lounge) after spending a hour and a half shouting over all the other conversation. The service was good, but not extremely helpful when asking what the favorites were on the menu, probably because most of the diners get the exact same thing everytime they come. Yeah, one of those kind of places.
After pulling suggestions out of her, we did:
Yellowtail sashimi with jalapeno - alright but many other restaurants do the same thing fresher and with slightly better saucing
Crispy rice with spicy tuna - again, really how many "sushi" restaurants have a variation of this, not as good as others
Miso glazed cod - much sweeter than preparations I have had before with accompaniments that were again not as good contrasting pickled/fresh components as others.
Sashimi - fresh water eel, kanpachi, toro - definitely worthwhile, but all fresher at Kanpai and my usual sushi locals
So overall, I would give them a 2.5, because none of the food was really bad and seemed consistent. It's just with so many phenomenial sushi locales in LA, why settle for the stuffy ambiance and meh overall experience at Katsuya?
I haven't been to Katsuya in years and the last time I was there was with a big doucher so I really didn't enjoy myself.
Until that is come last Saturday night.
After driving down to Alpine Village in Torrance for Oktoberfest and seeing literally a 1000 + person line to get in me and a buddy looked at each other and said "Sake bombing tonight?"
Where we were going to do it though, was the next question, Sushi in the SouthBay just isn't up to par and downtown is far especially when you've just spent the last hour or so dreaming of beer.
So I mention Katsuya, and although we know it's no "Sake Bombing" establishment, the idea of the fresh fresh fish was enough to haul butt up the 405.
We arrive, and as usual for a Saturday night the place is JAMMED people are waiting for tables and it's standing room only up front keep in mind it's almost 11pm here too, holy crap.
So, due to the crowd and bustling my buddy started giving me the "I don't know man" face but, I pushed it on past, walked right up to the extremely attractive hostess and said "2 please" to which she replied "Sure, guys night out huh? Let's put you guys at the Sushi bar, it's more fun" to which we were both relieved and shocked over.
Excellent service followed soon thereafter with great recommendations from both our waiter and our Sushi chef, note to others, TRY THE SPECIAL KATSUYA ROLL, UNREAL.
The fish is hands down 5 stars fresh and, although not the cheapest, does still deserve much respect for the taste and cut.
The restaurant overall is extremely beautiful as well, just as I had remembered it, and just as I had remembered it some dude in a Lamborghini rolled up to the valet just as my car arrived, leaving me with uber jealousy upon my commute back down the 405, oh well.
After I vetoed a few other suggestions for sushi, my friend ended up taking me here on a Tuesday night. While I wasn't expecting topnotch sushi from a swanky place that looks more like a night club than a sushi joint, the quality was surprisingly good. The moment we walked in, the place was packed with good, modern energy.
The best part of this place, though, is the random celebrity sighting. Having Bruce Willis sitting a few tables down from us was really cool. (He looks very handsome in person.) And somewhere across the room, we spotted another soap opera star... not that I'd ever admit to ever watch that kind of television anyhow.
Service was impeccable - our server was attentive and didn't rush us at all so my friend and I just chilled over wine, sushi, and caught up with life.
4 stars for the sushi & service. I am debating whether to add an extra star for Bruce. ; )
HOT SPOT. Been here, but with a crap date. Need a guy that I am into to go here with. Enough said. This is a special place, but bring a special someone or the date will suck.......
This place certainly lived up to my expectations of an overpriced, Hollywood hot spot Sushi joint. The decor was intense and ultra modern, there were celebrities to be sighted, and the place was packed. Of course, there is the added fact that the food was good, albeit small and the libations were constantly being refilled.
Upon first entering Katsuya, I was inundated with the large pictures of body parts, like lips, eyes, and chopsticks that were on every wall. Upon further inspection, as we passed through the brightly lit space, I noticed little enclaves of seats, all in white, where one celebrity couple was enjoying a family meal (quite a pricey meal for what seemed like kids under 9, but Hey, if you're in Hollywood I guess...). When we sat down next to the second of two drinking bars, we were seated at a table where a couch sufficed as good seating for eating (also blindingly white like the rest of the joint). I'm all about comfort when I'm enjoying a delicious meal but what is it about these modern restaurants thinking sofas with no back support will be good for eating at high tables?
The service was friendly and willing to please. Accommodating as any pricey establishment should be. The menu was extensive with choices of Japanese dishes that were eclectic like their scallops and Kiwi dish. Or maybe their yellow tale carpaccio thinly sliced and rolled into itself with ponzu sauce and jalapeno on top?
They had delicious Salmon, which as anyone knows about me, I find to be a good indicator of how good the restaurant is. Their rolls were also exciting, like their Rock Shrimp Tempura roll where rock shrimp, doused in a delicious sauce, covered a California roll. Their Rock Shrimp dish was pretty fantastic as well. Try their Spicy Tuna on crispy rice, another good judging staple, for it was lightly battered and perfectly crunchy on the tongue.
Go here with a group, for much like tapas, the dishes should be split and discussed extensively. Though they are small dishes and the prices are high, go here for the sake, or even a martini, the decor, and possibly the stars you'll see along the way in.
To start off, I think Katana is better than Katsuya.
I made reservations on OpenTable for 7 PM and was seated promptly. Upon opening the menu, I realize that there were not as many selections as I had hoped. We had two of their specials - the crispy tuna over rice and the crab roll thing (I forget the name). We also got a few robatas and I highly recommend the beef wrapped in asparagus.
Out of the main entrees, I liked the beef wrapped in asparagus the best and ordered another one ($7 each). The crispy tuna over rice came in second and the rest were just "eh".
The highlight of this was dessert. I highly recommend the mochi balls. Sooooo gooood.
Other than that, it was an okay experience. Not sure if I would go here again. I much rather prefer Katana.
This place was fabulous for food! Everything was incredible. The fab 5 as they call it were all great that we tried which we had 4 out of 5. The ambiance was just okay ...not as hip and happening as we had expected but none the less the drinks and food were to die for. The rock shrimp, black cod, baked crab roll, crispy onion tuna, and the banana ice cream dessert all AMAZING!!! Our waiter was fantastic as well I highly recommend this place for a fun yummy place. Enjoy!!!
Delicious food and wonderful ambiance.
We went around 10pm on a Saturday night for some late noshing. Tables were dying down and a few parties were still going on, but we received impeccable service.
I highly recommend the Watermelon Cucumber Mojito for beverage starters. It was crisp, refreshing, and not too heavy on the alcohol or the flavors. Perfect.
On to the dishes! First came the Creamy Rock Shrimp, Sauteed Shishito Peppers and the Edamame. Both the shrimp and peppers were outstanding. The peppers were not too spicy, almost worked as a palate cleanser between the shrimp bites. The edamame was pretty standard, nothing to write home about, but still good.
Finally, we got the Baked Crab Handrolls and the famous Crispy Rice with Spicy Tuna. They were heavenly. The handrolls are wrapped in rice with a soy paper and one bite has you hooked. There is not much to say about the Spicy Tuna except that there is a very good reason that this dish is a must-order!
All in all, the food was amazing. Drinks were exactly what we were looking for, and the vibe was relaxing and conducive to a nice meal with friends. I would love to come back.
I don't want this four star review to ruin my street-cred in finding "good-valued" places around town...but Katsuya is one of those scene-y restaurants that's worth a splurge every once and awhile, especially if you're taking friends from out of town or just have a craving for something different from your everyday neighborhood joint.
Sure the sushi is by no means the "best"--but a few items on their menu are so unique and different that I would dare say (GASP), they're worth the price you pay: the robata grilled king crab legs, the spicy tuna with crispy rice, and the Kastuya roll. The crispy rice is perfectly flavored and topped with a thin sliver of Jalepeno, which is just enough to get it a little heat without burning your mouth. The Katsuya roll is wrapped in a thinly sliced skin of cucumber (instead of seaweed) and each piece is held together with short wooden dowels making them look like lollipops! I guess I'm a sucker for presentation but no pun intended (hah!).
There's definitely some attitude here that's a bit annoying--ie, having a reservation and the hostess makes everyone wait even though there's clearly empty tables around the restaurant--but I guess it comes with the territory, unless you're Michael Bay who has his ferrari parked out front each time he's there (and he seems to ALWAYS be there with a different hot chick). The servers however, are always awesome and extremely attentive.
The valet can take awhile sometimes, but don't make the mistake that I did and read the signs if you opt for street-parking. Up the block, the parking becomes a tow-away zone after 10pm on one of the side streets, and your $100 dinner soon becomes a $400 meal by the time you get your car out of the impound lot.
Also--am I the only guy who thinks the urinals at the bathroom are a little creepy?! Why would they install a full body mirrored wall and mount the urinals within the reflective mirror? Strange...but I digress...
Overall, four stars for inventiveness and great ambiance--not a five star because of the creepy bathroom (*shudder*).
Dear Katsu-ya,
I came in with such high expectations for my experiene here, and was not completely satisified. The food was delicious, but extremely overpriced. I was also disappointed I only saw Anthony Hopkins and not a multitude of other celebrities like Rihanna or Kim Kardashian (do you hear the sarcasm).
Anyways, the restaurant was almost half-empty when I came for a 6:30 dinner reservation on a Sunday night. The service is a bit misleading. They are extremely "attentive" and have these super cool machines that send your order to the kitchen electronically, but they are extremely pushy. But they do it in such a subtle way, you don't even realize it until the bill comes out.
Everything from the water to the elixir juice bar to the special spicy tuna over crispy rice is delicious, yes even the water, but just way too expensive. The food comes out really quickly, but I felt like I didn't have time to enjoy everything that came to the table.
For 6 people, the bill was closer to $200-$250, I mean seriously, seriously. That's just absurd. I feel like I don't mind paying $10 for good sushi in Orange County instead of $40 for delicious in LA. Just my preference.
Anyways, it was definitely an enjoyable "LA" experience though.
Thanks Katsu-ya.
xoxo, with love
- the sashimi was great, as were the rolls we ordered.
- the crispy tuna rice, which is supposedly the most popular appetizer on the menu, was burnt and chewy.
- overall, it was alright but again, there are a lot of BETTER sushi spots in LA for less $$.
i'm not normally a fan of fussy cocktails or fancy rolls but there is an exception to every rule and katsuya is mine. the watermelon mojito is probably the best cocktail i've ever had and worth every penny. and don't even get me started on the spicy tuna with fried rice cakes. it's so hard for me to sit and savor them because all i want to do when they come to my table is inhale them. can't wait for my next trip back!
I'm writing this update in response to Nathan W.'s schooling of me. In my review I ignorantly assumed that the wrapping around the tuna roll was pale colored seaweed. It is actually high grade soy paper and only available in "fine Japanese markets", to quote Nathan.
Regardless of its origins, the paper's fleshy color resembles skin and the aesthetics of the roll still evoke a severed, sliced up arm. But at least it's ridiculously, reassuringly expensive. Much like Katsuya itself.
What's the big f*cking deal with this place? I swear, West L.A. people have deluded themselves into… Read more »
Apparently, i went to the wrong Katsuya... I tried this place a while back and had been hearing lots of good reviews about it. However, i was not so pleased with what the brentwood katsuya had to offer. Their "famous" crispy rice with spicy tuna was so overrated on the reviews... some people said it was the most delicious thing they had ever tried. Come on, it's just rice that is heated (to make it crispy) with some spicy tuna (which was NOT fresh that day). The multiple lunch special comes with miso soup, salad, and rice- the salmon teriyaki was a-ok. I have to admit, the yellowtail sashimi with jalapeno was pretty good compared to everything else we ordered. Hopefully the other Katsuya locations have fresher sushi/ tastier food. One plus= the interior decor is very chic and classy.
Food was great. Went here for a b-day party about a month ago. Everything we ordered was incredible. Everyone left happy and satisfied. The burning mandarin martini's are a must have!
Saw Fergie and her husband Josh Duhamel, so if you like celeb sightings, might be a spot for you.
If you are having a party, be prepared to die the minute you get the bill. Heart attack city. But was so fun! I will try the one in Glendale next time, since it is a lot closer to me.
This place is all about ambiance...food is ok, nothing spectacular. Pricey for small portions.
It's for a trendy, dress up, night out with friends or impress your date amongst celebrity type place. Very LA.
Great for ambiance and conversation but there are better alternatives.
I was in town for business again and was having a crappy day at work. I was getting ready to just go back to the hotel, order some room service and call it a day. But my fabulous friend suggested dinner at Katsuya since we enjoyed it last time we went. That really put a smile on my face and my mood changed completely. We called for quick reservations and luckily they were able to accomodate us. Great! We ordered the rock shrimp, rock shrimp rolls, the cod, king crab, the jalapeno yellowtail sashimi, mozarella something rolls (cant remember the exact name but they were good!). The drinks were good too! Had the watermelon cucumber mojito (yummy), last time had the kiwi envy, and my friends had the white grapefruit cosmo and they were raving about it! Can't wait till I come back.
The place was pretty cool. Not too busy nor crowded, we did see Sean Johnson though. The drinks were… Read more »
Katsuya was forgettable. Sure, it's a hip trendy Brentwood joint with good atmosphere and a ton of beautiful people pretending to eat, but honestly, it didn't do much for me.
The food was standard japanese-fusion cuisine. Like every other restaurant, they had rock shrimp tempura, miso glazed cod, etc etc. The food was definitely edible, we had a dish that was scallops with kiwi, which was very tasty, but not for the price I paid.
The total for just me (including one cocktail) was $70. Which is astronomically expensive considering how nothing exceptional stood out about the food. I knew I could get very similar food elsewhere for about half of the price. Obviously, you're paying for atmosphere here.
Katsuya Brentwood is the most consistent of all the Katsuya Chain. This particular location is the nicest, most comfortable and relaxing. I have frequented this location more than a dozen times and suggest you sit at the sushi bar. The dinners at the bar are two to three notches higher in quality than at the tables.
If you eat at the sushi bar be sure to order the Baked Crab Handroll and Crispy Rice with Spicy Tuna. These two signature items are my favorite.
This is a great place for a date, groups and just a simple dinner. The four star rating is for the atmosphere, food and price combined. If you are strictly looking for food then I would not be able to rate it four stars.
The sake list is good and they have a full bar.
Plan on valet parking as on street parking is not usually available.
SBE is a growing company which does an amazing job of taking care of its customers
the food is the star at katsuya
but their customers are treated unbelievably well - in brentwood :)
i am in love with the spicy tuna on crispy rice
and the mozarella/crab appetizer is just yum
i usually try their special appetizers but those two things can keep me busy almost all night
i must say this
when you get to katsuya
they take very good care of you from the moment you get there
and allow you to just focus on your dinner companion and the process of choosing different things to taste and nibble
do not forget about the chocolate cake! it's awesome..
my typical katsuya meal can start at 7:30 or 8:30 and go until 12 or 12:30 as we just take our time and enjoy the restaurant
no one rushes you
we never sit at the sushi bar
i recommend the main room over the bar room as it can get quite noisy but people are enjoying themselves as it gets later in the evening - fun younger crowd
as i am generally leaving around 11:30 or 11:45 people are still trying to get in for dinner!
this is my favorite sushi experience but when you go it's glam all the way
you cannot go in sweats LOL
but it's a great evening out and it's so close to home how can i not love katsuya?
i totally disagree with the reviews i see on here - i have always been treated so well by everyone at the restaurant
i have never tried the other restaurants - i just go to brentwood but they do an amazing job there
i will be back for sure - thank you to SBE xx
I love this place. I think it is better than the Hollywood because it is easier to eat here. Trendy young place with very nice ambiance. Everything I have had here is tasty, but I really like the spicy tuna on crispy rice (DELISH), and you have to try the creamy rock shrimp- they are known for it.. (thats probably my fave). Their ceviche is pretty good too. Love the decor, black/white asian inspired theme with art on the walls (be careful that the face that appears in the mirror in the bathroom doesn't scare u! lol, it scared me!)
I love the design and concept of this place. If you're Starck obsessed as yours truly, I think you'd appreciate the minimalist decor with some kitchy accents. My friend took me here for a belated b-day dinner.
Food was great, but not over the top Asian Fusion. I think that Bond Street in BH is a better pick on food quality. The service here is extremely attentive and well, over the top.
Our selections:
Of course you've got to get the Spicy Tuna on Crispy Rice. Bond Street's version is far better.
Halibut Usuzukuri: Nice, delicate cuts of hirame with some yuzu koshou (yuzu pepper) that accented the top and doused in ponzu
Baked crab roll: Beautiful, savory & mouth watering. I was actually happy that my dining companion is allergic to shell fish.
Miso marinated black cod: Meh. The one at Bond Street is far better.
From the robata:
Shiitake Mushrooms
Unagi Kabayaki (excellent)
Beverages before dinner:
Watermelon Cucumber Fresh (this even sounds exciting!)
White Grapefruit Martini
Cool, chic & sexy place, would not come here just for the food.
I really like Katsuya! The decor, the service, and the food surpassed my expectations and I really enjoyed my experience.
Items I recommend: Beef rolled in asparagus with Yakitori sauce; Yellowtail with Ginger sauce; Stuffed eggplant (filled with albacore and almonds); Rock shrimp tempura roll; Crispy rice with spicy tuna; Katsuya Ceviche; and Kiwi Scallops.
What can you say about Katsuya. It's an interesting take on sushi, for sure. Definitely not traditional. It is very pricey... but I think that you pay more for the atmosphere/ambiance than anything else. If you go, don't expect to have much conversation, because this place is LOUD. I've tried sitting at pretty much every table in the restaurant to try and avoid this, but it is simply impossible.
The fish quality is very good, but it isn't Takao (located across the street and down a block). This is the kind of place where you tell your date, "Yeah, we're going to Katsuya" and he/she gets excited because it means that either a) you make a lot of money, or b) you have high limits on your credit card.
Personally? I think it's overpriced and for that much money you can get better sushi. But it is a unique, creative dining experience, so you might as well try it if you've never been. Oh, and try some of their specialty martinis from the bar... they're pretty interesting.
WHAT A SERVICE??? I've never had such rude service and attitude from a hostess. i called ahead of time to check how booked the restaurant was, and the hostess told me that the sushi bar was completely empty, there is no wait AT ALL! However, when I got there 5 minutes later the hostess tells me I have a 35-45 minute wait! How would you feel? But it gets even more frustrating... Instead of being courteous and polite the hostess was ignorant and was being a smart ass in front of other customers, as if to make me look like an idiot. On top it didn't seem like they care nor that they need the business, since they are supposably SO FULL AND GOOD of a restaurant. (I have eaten there before and the food is average, nothing special.) If you're looking for good sushi and service, I recommend you go elsewhere.
If the service hadn't redeemed themselves, I would have definitely rated this place a "2 or 3". We had reservations for 9pm and still had to wait for ~45 min for our table. I wasn't too bothered by it since we were at the bar having a drink, but my friend was hungry and irritated by the wait. We all had a lichi martini, which was not good. It was to citrusy; they put lemon juice in it for some reason. When we finally got seated, we were given a few complimentary dishes, so I thought that was cool. Also Jamie was super friendly and attentive.
I was not too impressed with the main room of the restaurant, because I felt it was too open and bright, but I did like the love seat couches. I prefer the back room where we dined... much more intimate with dimmed lighting and candles lit thru-out; definitely more swanky
than the main room.
I was very impressed with the food. The rainbow roll was absolutely delicious; fish amazingly fresh... melted like butter. I tasted my my friends crab hand roll with soy paper and the black miso cod both were equally yummy.
A who's who of LA's tackiest diners.
Real sushi-lover beware! And make a beeline for the original Katsu-Ya in Encino.
I'll start by saying that I'll eat at Katsuya Brentwood any time, so long as someone else is paying.
Katsuya isn't a sushi bar. It isn't even a restaurant, although they do seem to have food there. Katsuya seems to be a cryptic live-motion art experiment, which traps unwitting Westside diners into performing a sort of street theater of almost-criminal LA tackiness, run by a cabal of deranged architects and video artists whose goal it is to recreate "Blade Runner" for the Fred Segal set.
With that in mind, Katsuya has some lovely dishes. But don't expect to really eat them - your job is to snuggle in on a block of acrylic (or if you're lucky, a leveled chunk of driftwood) and attempt to undermine your opponents (i.e. fellow diners) with talk of your latest trust-fund advance, supercar purchase, and/or seven-picture-studio-deal.
If you can't manage that, it's important that you, at the very least, ignore the A-list Hollywood type that just walked in the door. On my last trip, it was Tom Hanks, Ron Howard and Jason Alexander, so that wasn't too hard.
If you still insist on eating (oh, not headed to Jamba Juice after this?), you'll want the Crispy Rice with Spicy Tuna. Everybody gets the Crispy Rice with Spicy Tuna, mostly because everyone says "you gotta get the Crispy Rice with Spicy Tuna", so just get the damn Crispy Rice with Spicy Tuna, ok? It's what you expect - a nigiri of crispy fried sticky rice, topped with LA's signature abomination, Spicy Tuna - and it's delicious.
The Tuna Crab Cone - again with the spicy tuna, this time with an incredible lump crab underneath - is spectacular. Creamy and fulfilling. Can't go wrong.
Spicy Albacore w/ Crispy Onion, and Yellowtail Sashimi w/ Jalapeño. These are but two more of the many fine Katsuya options that sushi haters will love. Absolutely mindblowing examples of premium Los Angeles sushi (meaning you don't get to taste the fish). You'll get to do it in full Westside glory too. No reason this can't be fun.
Oh yeah, sushi. Well nobody orders off the sushi menu here. It's an art experiment, remember?
There's the Robata, which smelled awfully good when my client ordered it. I ate his seared foie gras, thumbs up etc.
In summary, Katsuya has everything you need should you be in the mood for an up-to-date Westside safari, replete with Bentleys and has-beens and former-has-beens and bizarrely contorted sushi coma fantasies. It's worth your time, if you have time for a circus.
If you're looking to rub shoulders with "celebrity wannabees", this is the place for you!
The food is good, but not for the price. The wait-staff is mostly snotty and pushy. Not really what I look for in a restaurant, but I can see how some **pricks**, I mean people would like this place.
Perfect place for you Brentwood poseurs. Ah yes, Brentwood. You know you're there by the preponderance of Range Rovers (never been off the road), Porsches (never been over 60), Faux fit eating disorderly women (no collagen lips are not an indication that you give better oral), Sporty clad men talking about their trainers (though they and their trainers couldn't do 50 push ups between them) and restaurants with average food charging ridiculous prices, well accepted by the local cretin citizenry with the mindset that if it costs more it must be better......
Sorry folks, but my $39.99 Timex Ironman watch says it's 11:35 AM, just like your silly $15,000 Rolex. The same goes for your faux fine sushi joint Katsuya. Just because the name relates to the original and still champion Katsu Ya in my 'hood (Studio City), doesn't mean that the food is any better. It is in fact not better. It is a fact that charging double or more for the same dish does not make that dish better. But if you want to pay more for the same or less quality or quantity for the privilege of being seen with your new fake tatas or Prada glasses, be my guest.
Look the food is acceptable, but the prices are unacceptable. What absolutely, positively PISSES ME OFF IS THAT THESE RAT BASTARDS HAVE THE NERVE TO CHARGE $12 FOR A LARGE SAPPORO BEER WHEN THE EXACT SAME BEER AT THEIR SISTER JOINT IS HALF THAT. It's not a big deal, but the Brentwood joint also charges double for edamame.
Truth be known that I moved away from this part of town years ago because of my allergy. I'm allergic to phony people and found it too stressful to keep myself from punching so many of these self righteous punks in the face, for fear of them sicking their crooked lawyers on me.
So, for those few real people living in Brentwood who crave good sushi at fair prices, I suggest that you travel to the original Katsu Ya in Studio City or venture down Sawtelle as there are excellent real people sushi joints there.
For you myopic, self centered, ego maniacs who refuse to remove your rose colored glasses, continue to support this joint and maybe even Father's Office where they will happily take your $8 or $9 for the same beers you can get elsewhere for $5 or $6. Of course all of your neighbors know that spending that little bit more dramatically improves the taste.
Pretty much over-rated. As far as celeb sightings you may get lucky...I think we saw one of those Snuggie commercial "stars".
Some menu items outstanding. But please, I've had better sushi rolls in MILWAUKEE!
Service better than average but not by much.
If I could give it 3 1/2 I'd do it in a heartbeat but come on, no way does it deserve four full stars.
Tourists forget it. To find this place you'll probably just get lost...and as for location there isn't tons nearby.
Star watchers...like I said ya might get lucky.
Sushi LOVERS look elsewhere. There's got to be better.
Ahh, Brentwood Katsuya. Overrated? Quite possibly. Fun dining experience? Most definitely! The food is in no uncertain terms worse than the original Katsu-ya in Studio City. And the music is too loud, sure. And, yes, it's a bit overpriced. But it's an entertaining scene... and pretty much the definition of a 3.5 star restaurant on my list (and the average rating of the current 161 Yelp reviews!).
Food:
Judged as a sushi place, Katsu-Ya is a little above average. The dishes taken from the original Katsu-ya menu are noticeably inferior and more expensive (but still good). The things they do well, though, are great. Try the kobe filet with foie gras and the black cod. Also, if they have the spectacular green tea creme brulee, get it! The meal, with drinks, usually runs about $70 per person. 3.5 stars.
Service:
Decent, upscale service. Almost always there when you want them there and not when you don't. Reservations are usually necessary to avoid a long wait. 3.5 stars.
Decor:
The main dining room is a large open space divided into a few different areas: tables up front, robata bar in the middle, with booths against the walls and a sushi bar in the back. A side room contains another dining area and has a second bar area. That said, the main decor is the patrons. You'll probably see a minor celeb but you'll definitely see an incredibly attractive 21-year-old with a guy in his late 40s. Classic, trendy LA. 3.5 stars.
Summary:
Food (60% weight for Overall): 3.5 stars.
Service (20% weight for Overall): 3.5 stars.
Decor (20% weight for Overall): 3.5 stars.
Overall: 3.5 stars.
Nice scenery and decent sushi.
*****NOT A GOOD PLACE FOR A LARGE GROUP!!!!!*****
This is for rather a small group of people. They said they usually don't seat everyone unless EVERYONE is there (but they sat us anyways). And they set a minimum of $75/person for a bigger group (our group had 20). AND on top of that, they allowed us to be there for TWO hours!!! Do you know how hard it is to hold a birthday party in two hours with 20 ppl on a saturday night with all that traffic coming into Brentwood? yeah, that's why i say it's not for big group. if you have smaller tables, i don't think there's limit on how how much you have to order or for how long you get to be there. Yeah, my group and I were really disappointed by all this...
The food wise, i'm giving them 2 stars because "Meh, I've experienced better". Now my standards are quite high for $75/person restaurant (esp for a person who doesn't drink). The sushi i have to say it's above average. Sashimi was fresh and everything, but i expected too much on the rolls, i thought they were ok...
the decor was modern. very clean (what you normally expect in a japanese restaurant). I don't know why, but it bothers me that all the waitors and waitresses are white at a japanese restaurant. hahaha. that's just me =P One thing i didn't like was this one waitress kept calling one of my guy friends by "sweetie" "sweet heart" "honey"... i mean, wtf?? i don't expect that kind of etiquette from a fancy restaurant. i was rather bothered by it... hmpf...
Restroom was a quite an experience, however. If you go to this restaurant, GO TO THEIR restrooms. hahahaha =P
Katsuya is one of the trendier, pretentious Sushi/Japanese restaurants in Los Angeles but its food is real legit!
Must gets:
-Spicy Tuna, Crispy Rice (one of the best; on the same scale as Koi)
-Miso Cod (melts in yo' mouth)
-Eggplant (and i hate this vegetable to the max)
-Albacore with Crispy Onions (mouthful of flavor)
-Crab Hand Roll in Soy Wrap (they flambe the mayo, umm, yes please!)
-Burnin Mandarin (have you had a cocktail with spicy peppers before?)
I have only been to the Brentwood and Hollywood ones, and I like the former better. The people are nice and less snootier than Hollywood. Happy Hour 5-7pm is definitely worth going as its pretty affordable with $5 faves (ie. spicy tuna crispy rice and crab roll).
Fantastic High End Japanese
on San Vincente in Brentwood.
Awesome interior by Stark
Interior spaces and Lighting some of the best I have ever seen.
So We know it is a Good place to look
beautiful, but how about the Food?
Fantastic!
Had the Sashimi Plate about 8 kinds of very fresh fish
very very nicely presented.
It was one of the best Sashimi Plates I have had in USA.
Came here with someone originally from Osaka Japan
and she said it was top notch.
Go here!
Official Score
3 stars for food
1.6 stars for atmosphere
Total Score 4.6 Stars
I went here on a date and made two major mistakes -
Mistake #1 - Bringing a date here. The crowd was ridiculously beautiful. Which made it impossible to focus on my chosen date. Given my own inability to control the swivel in my head, the date was doomed.
Mistake #2 - Letting the server choose what to order - I might as well have said "open up my wallet and attach a vacuum". I have no idea what we ordered. But i do know it made a massive dent on my monthly statement.
The food was OK. But it seems that - after a couple of drinks - who can really tell. I guess that if you're REALLY into sushi you might notice the difference...
The service was top-notch.
The crowd was super-good looking.
As you may have guess, the date ended less than optimally. Which may color my review...
Okay, I know I look like a freak giving this place 5 stars, but I really thought the food was good. Plus my experiences here are always perfect. Good service, friendly staff, seated well, accommodating etc. You can't take stars away just because it's trendy.
The miso black cod here is the best I've ever had. I've tried it 3 times waiting for it to get more average, and it never does. I once said the same thing about Nobu and Hamasaku's black cod, but Katsuya's took over the top spot and I have yet to find better. I didn't try much of the sushi, so perhaps it's not that special, but I can speak for the quality of the fish. I had one roll that used cucumber instead of nori, with salmon, hamachi, and some other sashimi I can't remember. This was really simple and reaaaally good. Cocktails were crisp and refreshing, though they might have been a bit overpriced.
For me, the portion sizes were just right. I usually like to order more small dishes and share everything family style anyway. The only thing that was truly mediocre here was their robata grill. All the cooked meats I had from this menu came out a bit dry and tasteless. So as long as you stay away from these items and stick to the fish, you might like it.
I adore this place! First of all its close to where I live, witch is awesome for those nights you want to drink some sake and cab it. Second its a place I actually feel like a pair of heels and is justified, in West la everything is so casual that dressing up to go somewhere is fun!
The food is unreal! ( mouth watering as I write! ) Spicy tuna handroll is a must, spicy tuna on crispy rice too good to pass up ( even though fried carbs are not something I'd normally cheer for, LOL! ) Warm crab rolls are the ultimate comfort food ( I'd count those in for my last meal on earth, unbelievablely good! ) yellowtail with jalepeno, halibut cheek with this mustard sauce ( just spicy enough! ) the list goes on.
Also its a fun place to people watch, very happening upbeat atmosphere. Great place to have fun cocktails on a night out with the girls, or a group :)
Last but not leat the decor is worth seeing at least once if nothing else, sleek, white with huge black and white pictures behind both sushi bars, STUNNNING!!!
I love bitter people who write rants instead of reviews. I, however, will continue on to the positive on this establishment.
We went with friends who live in Brentwood. For the record...he wears Bruno Maglis, she has no collagen in her lips and they own an Audi and a Lexus... no Range Rover in sight.
The atmosphere is swank, fun and different. We sat in the "dragon" room and had a posh white love seat and two white arm chairs. Very cozy and comfortable.
Katsuya O. (last name I can't pronounce) is actually a Master sushi chef- one of only four in LA. Be prepared to spend a pretty penny if you want to experiment on their menu.
We ordered appetizers ranging from tuna crab cone handrolls to yellowtail & scallop carpaccio-style apps of different sorts. I would skip the scallop & kiwi next time. The crispy rice and the others were great.
The burning panda martini, cucumber watermelon mojito and my Chilean sauv blanc were a highlight. Especially the burning panda! Love some jalapeno kick in my drinks. Not too sugary sweet either.
We ventured to the Robata sides and while they were great, they came out one after the other sparsely. The corn is AMAZING. Get it for sure, but the veggies came out on their own and then a side of Filet a couple minutes later. You can't enjoy the variety when you have to eat it plate by plate instead of picking a little here and there all at the same time. The crab was a decent portion as well for the price. Easy to eat and scored well.
Dessert was non-Japanese but this is a fusion place and we were very happy with our banana sundae crepe and cookies & milk platter.
Next time I will definitely try a main entree. A lot of them sounding enticing but we were enjoying our food family-style on this visit.
The manager was making his rounds as typical restaurant managers do. The servers were big on teamwork each other which I really appreciated. All in all we had a fun night with our friends, the servers were pleasant and had good timing and we will venture back into the realm of Brentwood that so many detest, despise, or maybe are just jealous of.
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