$$$$ • Japanese • Hollywood
We visited Katsuya Hollywood on New Year's Day before hitting up the Empire Strips Back at the Montalban a few doors down. This place has a vibe - and it's a Vegas Club vibe. I read another review that finding the restroom here, was like finding a speakeasy, and I'll tell you I couldn't find the lie in that statement! Some slightly off-putting initial experiences: the hostess was not incredibly welcoming, and ignored us at the door while we, and the valet, all struggled to open the door directly in front of the hostess stand. Only after several concerted attempts did she even come to assist. Our server David, more than made for that initial experience; he made our dinner service seamless and made sure we finished with plenty of time to make our show! While the prices are higher, the cuts of the fish are larger as well, so you are getting what you pay for. The menu is about 20% different than what you'd find at another Katsuya Group restaurant; even with the crossover of some items, they seem to do their own iterations, making for a unique experience. The additional choice of a variety of cocktails was cool, as this location features a full bar. My boyfriend ordered the JAJA picante - a tequila, lime, and jalapeño-based cocktail, and I had a glass of prosecco. We ordered a variety of sashimi items, and although "belly" isn't a specifically listed item on the menu we were able to snag some Yellowtail, and salmon belly when requested. I really enjoyed their version of the Yellowtail Jalapeño, and Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice dishes - the Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice was honestly one of the best I've ever had! 3/5 for the initial off-putting experience with the hostess, but our experience with our server, and the deliciousness of the food, brings the overall experience back up to a 4/5 for me! Tip: there is a 24 hour parking garage adjacent to the Montalban with a max $10 fee for the day!
