How is Kato restaurant rated?

Name: Kato
Address: 11925 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, United States, 90025-2706
Telephone: (424) 535-3041
Price range: $50 and over
Rating: 4.6

Kato

4.6

198 Reviews

$50 and over

Californian

Top Tags:

AFTER APRIL 2ND, 2018, WE WILL NO LONGER BE ACCEPTING RESERVATIONS THROUGH OPENTABLE.

FOR RESERVATIONS, PLEASE VISIT WWW.KATORESTAURANT.COM OR CALL (424) 535 - 3041

Kato is a tasting menu restaurant that is influenced by Californian, Taiwanese and Japanese culture with an emphasis on seafood and produce.

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Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Cuisines
Californian, Japanese
Hours of operation
Tuesday-Saturday: 5:30PM-10:00PM
Phone number
(424) 535-3041
Website
http://katorestaurant.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Dress code
Smart Casual

Location
11925 Santa Monica Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90025-2706
Neighborhood
West Los Angeles
Cross street
Brockton Ave
Parking details
Public Lot
Additional
Counter Seating

What 198 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

4.6

4.6 based on all time ratings

4.6Food
4.8Service
4.1Ambience
4.4Value

Noise • Quiet

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TL
TiffyLuChang
San Diego
4 reviews
3.0
4 reviews
Dined on March 31, 2018
overall3food4service5ambience5
Came here for a birthday which is befitting for a tasting menu. Small place in a non descript plaza, but the ambience and service was amazing! Fairly formal, but with a relaxed hip hop r&b playlist going, definitely breaks it up a bit. I was expecting more Japanese flair, but the menu for the night was definitively Taiwanese. Lobster squid ink was fantastic and there were a couple misses for me, but the saving grace comes near the end of the meal - bolo bao was one of the best things I have ever eaten. Sweet, savory, soft, crunchy, silky, warrants another visit another time!
JA
JerseyAl
Los Angeles
42 reviews
5.0
42 reviews
Dined on March 25, 2018
overall5food5service5ambience4
Kato is a little gem where each dish is prepared lovingly. The only reason I don't go more often is that because it's a set menu, I choose to wait until the next iteration before returning. My only qualm is the absence of a wine list, which is compounded by the fact that we're not permitted to bring our own bottles. But I love it nonetheless.
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on March 24, 2018
overall4food4service5ambience5
The place is great. It is a mostly inventive tasting menu, which is great, but the flip side of that is you don’t get to choose your meal. I eat anything lol, and I really liked everything but one of the 10-courses. My wife is a bit more picky so there were a couple of courses that she either picked around or didn’t eat. The ones she did eat, she loved. The service was awesome. The people were knowledgeable and polite. The background music was stellar. I marked 3 stars for value because there were enough dishes that weren’t inventive enough that i didn’t think i could execute them at home, and it’s not cheap. Without drinks, with tip, it was a little over $100. All that being said, I’d go again when the menu changes.
CF
CatF116
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on March 10, 2018
overall2food2service4ambience4
- Very young chef who clearly has talent but is inexperienced. Some of the food is interesting but the menu construction is all over the place. The dishes are individual dishes and for a tasting menu it should have some continuity to it and it doesn't. - Nothing on the menu was a wow. Some of the experimenting going on in the kitchen worked (the tapioca cubes or the branzino) but others really fell flat (the corn & egg bisque and the sweet bun with pineapple and foie gras) - Attentive and nice service. - Cool minimalist design and good play list. - Bummer they don't a liquor license.
A
Andy
San Francisco
38 reviews
vip
4.0
38 reviews
Dined on March 10, 2018
overall4food5service4ambience4
They've upped the price (to $85) and the number of courses (to 11) since last we were there. Creative food. We were very happy with it, and will return. Note still no liquor license.
s
slinen
Los Angeles
17 reviews
5.0
17 reviews
Dined on February 25, 2018
overall5food5service5ambience4
Our new favorite restaurant what we crave when it's been too long. The staff treat you like welcomed family and the food is an outstanding treat. Creative, beautiful and popping with flavor. Always some repeats that we long for as well as something new.
T
Tina
Los Angeles
12 reviews
5.0
12 reviews
Dined on February 25, 2018
overall5food5service5ambience5
Went to Kato's for a birthday, my daughter wanted a tasting menu. It did not disappoint. The staff were helpful, friendly and attentive. They fully explained each of the 12 courses as they came out. Each course was unique and was fun to explore. We didn't feel rushed and took our time. Would definitely recommend for someone looking for great food, atmosphere and a adventure.
TH
TexasHaysus
Los Angeles
25 reviews
vip
3.0
25 reviews
Dined on February 18, 2018
overall3food3service5ambience4
Super rich tasting menu. Chef likes sugar more than salt. Beautiful looking plates. Waygu short rib was tough. Euro disco soundtrack in stark white room felt like NY 15 years ago
s
ssss
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on February 18, 2018
overall3food3service5ambience4
The service was great but the food did not quite match up. For the $85 tasting menu, and adding on tax and tip (about $110), it comes out to about $10 / bite (11 course meal) For that price you would expect everything to be perfect and with an interesting flair. A+ on being interesting with some really neat combinations. Not so good with the taste/cooking. A lobster dish, that was smothered in sauce -- turned out way too salty. A sea bass, that was well on it's way to overdone. The wagyu short rib a bit on the tougher side. However the two desserts are pretty decent. That and the tofu was very smooth, was impressed. On the plus side, my water cup was never empty, which given how much water I drank means great service. It can get a bit noisy due to the size of the place, but that doesn't really bother me. The ambiance is slightly brighter than that candle-light dim you typically get at really romantic places - which is a plus for me as it let's you admire the plating of the food. Go for the fun and interesting dinner experience.
a
arianek
New York Area
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on February 9, 2018
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent food; excellent service!
OT
OpenTable Diner
Los Angeles
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on February 8, 2018
overall5food5service5ambience5
Amazing experience with great staff
D
Duncan23
Los Angeles
18 reviews
5.0
18 reviews
Dined on February 1, 2018
overall5food5service5ambience5
A perfect, wonderful little gem of a hidden restaurant. Beautiful, inventive tasting menu food. One of my favorites.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Los Angeles
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on January 27, 2018
overall5food5service5ambience5
We went to Kato for my husband's birthday. Fun and surprising menu. Each dish was delicious. We thoroughly enjoyed the experience! Highly recommend.
r
refinediner
New York Area
10 reviews
4.0
10 reviews
Dined on January 26, 2018
overall4food5service4ambience2
Very well hidden gem in an inobtrusive strip mall. Quietly incredible cuisine - each dish better than the last. 4 snacks and 13 courses for $85? Sign me up. Beware - no liquor license and no BYO.
TM
ToddMcPherson
Chicago
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on January 25, 2018
overall5food5service5ambience5
I've been to Kato on numerous occasions- with family, wife, friends. Each experience has been executed perfectly with surprising consistency. There is always a dialogue to the food and the service is mindfully astute. I would recommend Kato for a weekday date night or catching up with friends. Keep up the lovely work.
t
tulip
Los Angeles
19 reviews
5.0
19 reviews
Dined on January 19, 2018
overall5food5service5ambience5
On our 3rd visit to Kato, we found the tasting menu as outstanding as ever, prepared with great care, with wonderful tastes and textures. A true favorite!
OT
OpenTable Diner
Dallas
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on December 23, 2017
overall5food5service5ambience5
Amazing food. Amazing Staff. Small, but music is good, and service was on point.
G
Gretchen
Austin
35 reviews
vip
3.0
35 reviews
Dined on November 18, 2017
overall3food4service5ambience4
The food was inventive and tasty, however we both left hungry. We also saw another couple who'd left a bit before us coming back to their car with tacos, so clearly the hunger thing is common. Additionally the lack of at least a byob option is a serious downside. Likely won't be back.
R
Renee
Los Angeles
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on November 18, 2017
overall5food5service5ambience3
Excellent Tasting menu and service. Only wished they served alcohol or you could BYO.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Los Angeles
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on November 11, 2017
overall5food5service4ambience5
Amazing food, great value, chill vibe. I took my girlfriend out here for her birthday and we were both very impressed. Food was of the quality that would usually cost twice as much. No alcohol is a bit of a bummer, but for the price point, I will definitely go again. We went at night and it was a romantic, candlelit setting with R&B in the background. Great date spot!
WS
WayneS
Los Angeles
11 reviews
5.0
11 reviews
Dined on October 27, 2017
overall5food5service5ambience5
Amazing!! Can’t be beat for the price.
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on October 25, 2017
overall5food5service5ambience4
I have been here a handful of times and it keeps getting better. It's hard to believe how much value you get on the tasting menu! Many of the dishes would be Standalone entrees for 20 or 30 bucks by themselves. This guy's creativity is amazing, and that's extended to the desserts as well. I mean come on, an elderberry Otter Pop? Genius. When we went there was a 7 and 10 course option. You'd be happy with either but they don't overload you. He's got a new bread course that's essentially I'll waffle served with an amazing coconut dipping sauce that could be a dessert at any restaurant in town. I could go on and on, but trust me when I say this is a gem worth discovering!
M
Mark
New York Area
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on October 21, 2017
overall4food5service4ambience3
It's great especially for the price point but they need a liquor license or at least a BYOB policy. Hard to see myself going back on a weekend night
LG
LenG
Los Angeles
25 reviews
5.0
25 reviews
Dined on October 21, 2017
overall5food5service5ambience3
New taste and combinations on a ten course menu for $85 We enjoyed it immensely Recommend highly Wish they a beer or wine liscense
AA
AAAA
Los Angeles
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on October 19, 2017
overall3food4service4ambience2
Nice friendly staff. Good "foodie" food. Very expensive for what it is. However, the lack of a liquor license is a show stopper and no BYOB. Parking is problematic as well, but there's always Uber.
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
3 reviews
vip
1.0
3 reviews
Dined on October 12, 2017
overall1food1service2ambience1
A complete train wreck. Nothing redeeming about this place....and shockingly expensive. The best thing I can say is that it will likely be closed soon.
M
Matienzo29
New York Area
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on September 30, 2017
overall5food5service5ambience4
Great experience, service was excellent and food was top notch. Definitely going back for another tasting menu!
OT
OpenTable Diner
Los Angeles
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on September 26, 2017
overall5food5service5ambience3
innovative cooking with excellent ingredients, interesting composition of each plate and a very nice menu creation that takes your taste buds through some wonderful and interesting moments. Needs to get a wine license.
LA
LADimSumGirl
Los Angeles
33 reviews
vip
5.0
33 reviews
Dined on September 23, 2017
overall5food5service5ambience5
Always love eating here. Menu changes seasonally, and the tastes are out of this world. Eight courses are satisfying, but big eaters should go for the 12 course menu. One gluten-free guest was accommodated graciously with two generously sized dishes while others in our part enjoyed the tasting menu. Service is warm and friendly.
CC
ChrisC
Los Angeles
3 reviews
4.0
3 reviews
Dined on September 22, 2017
overall4food4service5ambience3
The Japanese/Taiwanese inspired food came in small plates. Some outstanding, others very good. The mix was fun. Service was outstanding. A little pricey at $50 or 80 per person but a lot of work went into each dish. I would definitely go again. Oh, it can be hard to find as it is tucked into a shopping mall without signs.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Los Angeles
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 16, 2017
overall5food5service5ambience5
The restaurant is a little hidden inside a strip mall. The only sign is on the door. But once you enter the restaurant, a person comes up to you right away to check you in and take you to your table. The staff was nice, friendly, and informative. The food was great. It comes out faster than other restaurants with tasting menu. I had the 10 course meal. I would go back. You can't beat the value of that place.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Los Angeles
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 14, 2017
overall5food5service5ambience4
Wonderful food with beautiful flavor combinations. Would highly recommend to anyone interested in food, but must like seafood. Great service, absolutely worth the visit.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Los Angeles
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 8, 2017
overall5food5service5ambience4
Kato is art-on-a-plate. Beautiful, low-key, delicious
WL
WinnieL
Los Angeles
8 reviews
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on September 5, 2017
overall5food5service5ambience4
Everything is good. We ordered the$55 tasting menu. It was a good amount for us. I wish the wine pairing option.
WC
WesleyC
Los Angeles
21 reviews
vip
5.0
21 reviews
Dined on September 3, 2017
overall5food5service5ambience1
Kato is a dressy casual dining experience where Taiwanese and Japanese meet Modern cuisine. It was incredible to say the least! From the food to the service, everything was excellent. Kato was definitely one of my favorite tasting menus ever. We chose the 10 course for $80 and were satiated - didn't leave hungry or too full. My favorites of the evening included... • Cold smoked hamachi with pickled cucumbers and charred scallion vinaigrette • Cold Korean style Noodle in tomato water broth • Poached ocean trout and ikura (salmon eggs) in a black vinegar dashi broth • Foie Gras and strawberry jam Uncrustable • Buttermilk custard and Yuzu granita (ice) • Wasabi ice cream with caramel sauce, lime zest and hint of salt Can't wait to come back and try a new menu in the future!
M
Michael
Los Angeles
9 reviews
vip
5.0
9 reviews
Dined on September 2, 2017
overall5food5service5ambience4
Kat is a wonderful restaurant, and good value for the money. The food is inventive, fresh, and delicious, and the staff friendly and charming.
N
Natalie
Los Angeles
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on August 29, 2017
overall5food5service5ambience3
love the unexpected mix of flavors, made each course exciting and most importantly delicious.
r
robm
Los Angeles
9 reviews
vip
5.0
9 reviews
Dined on August 29, 2017
overall5food5service5ambience5
Kato was hard to find because it's tucked in the corner behind a post but...the food was amazing as was the service! Get here before it's swamped.
d
davidjenison
Los Angeles
68 reviews
vip
5.0
68 reviews
Dined on August 26, 2017
overall5food5service5ambience5
Amazing place
B
Berkeleygirl
San Francisco
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on August 25, 2017
overall5food5service5ambience5
The food was amazing. The flavor combinations were astounding. The chef had a delicate hand and most of the flavors worked. The foie gras bao with strawberry jam was so good. The meal was light, refreshing, and tantalizing. The desserts were also amazing. It seemed to us that the chef and pastry chef were passionate about their food and were having fun putting together things. We loved the pastry chef's interpretation of a strawberry tart. I don't know how they can make a profit on these meals...I will suggest smaller portions and increasing the price. $50 for 8 courses or $80 for 10 courses seems very under priced. The portions were huge and we were left very full. I would also suggest fewer desserts or smaller desserts. All in all it was a memorable meal.

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Kato is rated 4.6 stars by 198 OpenTable diners.