The Japanese Art of Cuisine

It was quite a summer in 2009 as we celebrated the grand opening of the fourth location of the Katsuya brand restaurants. In June, my partners Sam Nazarian of SBE, designer-extraordinaire Philippe Starck, and I proudly swung open the doors of Katsuya L.A. Live. This particular venue, located downtown at the L.A. Live entertainment campus, next to the Staples Center and Nokia Theatre, caters to a distinct and laid-back crowd ranging from sports enthusiasts to convention-goers to everyday Los Angeles residents and visitors. The L.A. Live entertainment district is quite impressive, measuring in at four million square feet, housing not only my fourth restaurant, but also movie theaters, music stages, nightclubs, and museums.

When conceptualizing Katsuya L.A. Live, we used the entire entertainment development as our design inspiration, therefore incorporating sports and film into the décor. Designed with a more casual feel than the Brentwood, Hollywood, or Glendale locations, Katsuya L.A. Live is 7,500 square feet with private rooms and lounges, outdoor dining, and a 33-foot liquid kitchen and bar that serves as the central point of the space. With these design elements in mind, I created the menu of Katsuya L.A. Live with a lighter, more casual feel as well, based on the theme of the traditional Japanese bento box. Signature classics will still make a regular appearance, pleasing the palates of our loyal fans, such as albacore sashimi with crispy onion, baked crab roll, and spicy tuna on crispy rice. For patrons looking to branch away from sashimi or sushi rolls, I have included two of my favorite recipes here for you to try at home. Wash it down with one of the delicious signature cocktails that have earned our bar a dedicated following of some of L.A.’s most hippest trendsetters.

Itadakimasu,
Katsuya Uechi
Katsuya L.A. Live
800 w. olympic blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90015
213.747.9797