Katsuya: Where excellent food meets beautiful people

Some disclosures:

1. I am a sushi snob. Not a sushi purist, and not a total sushi expert, but definitely a snob. I think Sushi Roku is a crime against sushi.
2. I am simultaneously addicted to and repulsed by reality tv.

Last Friday, I was invited to a dinner at Katsuya in Brentwood. Our reservations were at 7:30 and we were seated at almost 9. It wasn't painful to wait around though, because there is plenty to see. Designed by Philippe Starck, the space is quite nice (and really large), if not a total cliché on how you might present a sushi restaurant in Los Angeles. White! There is so much white! And backlit photo murals! Large red lips on one wall, smoky (asian?) eyes on another, and of course...a dragon. But being by Starck, it's a very well done cliché. Even more interesting than the design are the staff and customers who are 90% straight out of a scene from Zoolander. Any scene. Just pick one. We were seated right next to two reality television stars and I wanted to both punch and hug them.

However, I totally forgave Kastuya's Zoolandering once I had the spicy tuna on crispy rice cakes. Delightful, and I love how the rice cake is still slighty soft on the inside. My forgiveness continued with every order. Whenever I walk into a trendy place like Katsuya, I always expect the worst from the food, so this was a really pleasant surprise (well, not a total surprise since my good friend Victoria had vouched for the food, but still, the model to human ratio worried me). The sushi was fresh, buttery, amazing. The albacore with jalapenos and the albacore sushi and the warm crab rolls were my favorite. Yes, all of those. Equal in my heart and belly. Oh, and also the seared albacore (yes, I am an albacore fan) topped with the most finely grated fried onions I have ever seen. The robata grill items were also completely loveable. I highly recommend the king crab and the swordfish.

Oh, and our server Tai was awesome. She was so adorable you wanted her to be your little sister, plus she made excellent recommendations and even steered us away from things she hated. And described in detail why. I loved that.

I can't wait to get a head shot and go back to Katsuya! Seriously, one of the best meals I've had in a while. Blue Steel and all.

Katsuya * website * 11777 San Vicente, Los Angeles, CA 90049