Appetite Stimulus Menu at Katana

Walking into the bar area at Katana, one experiences an overwhelming sensation of Hollywood trendiness. The concrete walls with recesses for candles, the piles of bricks, the low lighting, the funky world music, the model gorgeous hostesses and bar tenders. It's just the sort of atmosphere in which you expect to find Lindsay Lohan dancing on tables as paparazzi jostle you in their quest for the money shot. However, the clientele at Katana is surprisingly low key. When the hubby and I went on a Sunday night, we found a lot of families and almost touristy looking couples. So while the hostess may be in stilettos, you can certainly come in your keds.

After waiting for about ten minutes (with a reservation) we were escorted back to the surprisingly empty dining area. What were we waiting for? The room is a study in what Americans think "Asian Decor" looks like: Lots of dark wood with embroidered silk cushions and small smooth pebbles where you can rest your chopsticks. A fun place for a date night.

We had come for their Appetite Stimulus Menu - Four courses for $35 dollars. I'll review them in the order they came (which was the opposite of what they were supposed to be, except for dessert). However, our very sweet waitress did warn us that the first course does take a while, and I had fun eating it all tapas style.


First came the sushi (you could also choose a chicken teriyaki entree). A confession: While I enjoy sushi, I don't feel overly qualified to review it. To me it either tastes fishy (which is a very bad thing) or it doesn't. This didn't. The fish tasted fresh and had a nice texture, but it was all pretty basic stuff. A nice simple plate of tuna, yellow tail, salmon, shrimp, spicy tuna, and a California roll.


Then came the Robata or skewers, which Katana is apparently known for. I can't tell you about the salmon with pesto as I hate cooked fish. (I did take one intrepid bite - just for you dear reader - before reassuring myself that I do indeed despise the stuff). The chicken meatballs with teriyaki sauce was steaming hot, moist and tender. However, the teriyaki was quite light and lacked the deep flavor I was expecting. Luckily, all robata are served with three dipping sauces: ponzu, spicy mustard, and ginger. These flavorful concoctions did wonders to elevate the chicken. Finally, we also had cherry tomatoes wrapped in bacon. Now, there is a soft spot in my heart for all things encased in bacon, but these didn't blow me out of the water. The bacon was so thin it simply added a complex note to the steaming tomato juices bursting in your mouth. While I would have liked a little more meat, it did balance the acidity of the tomato beautifully and was quite a tasty morsel.


Finally, the supposed "first course" of Chicken Gyoza arrived (there were two other options offered which I don't recall). The wrapping was light and pliant, and the filling seemed to be made of the exact same ingredients as the chicken meatball robata. So, once again, this dish benefited greatly from the use of the dipping sauces.


We ended with the rich Chocolate Volcano. This tiny cake packed a deep chocolate flavor. Served piping hot with vanilla ice cream, the molten center was divine when used to smother the accompanying berries. Definitely my favorite course of the night!

While the food at Katana was good, it certainly wasn't anything special. If you're looking for a trendy atmosphere, this might be the place to go. Personally, I think you'd do better to spend your $35 on the Farmer's Market Menu at Josie. I give this two and a half belt notches.

Katana's Appetite Stimulus Menu is available all night Sunday-Thursday.
8439 W. Sunset Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA
323-650-8585
www.katanarobata.com/katana

A Somewhat Weak Power Hour at Morton's

There's something about Morton's that just oozes class. From the bowtied waitstaff to the white linen tablecloths to the cart of lusciously marbled steaks and impossibly large vegetables, this is a place of timeless elegance. So when I heard they offer a "Power Hour" with $5 bar bites, I grabbed my girlfriends and headed out for an upscale evening at a downscale price.

The bar area is beautiful, all dark wood polished to a high shine with a large mirrored wall displaying countless varieties of spirits. We were pleased to see that we could sit on benches a around high table in the bar area, rather then being forced to line up at the actual bar itself. I particularly enjoyed the playful lamp on our table. The base consists of an adorable metal sleeping pig, a Morton's signature that I have always loved.


We began with the Petite Fillet Mignon Sandwiches. In my former life as a non deal diner, I have tried the actual Fillet Mignon at Morton's and found it to be delicious: perfectly tender and simply packed with flavor. So, needless to say, I had high hopes for it's baby sibling. Sadly, these tidbits are clearly the red headed stepchildren of this meaty family. (Not that I don't love red heads - and step children;) While I'm sure they use all the same steak, the strips found in the sandwich are clearly the trimmings that don't live up to the Morton's standard. They were much fattier, and not in a marbled sort of way, more in a chewy, my teeth can't break this down sort of way. I would almost venture to say gristly. The soft white buns were huge, dwarfing the little slivers of meat, and doused with a healthy dose of Mayo. Certainly a filling plate for five bucks, but not what I've come to expect from Morton's. If I went again, I would try the three prime cheeseburgers instead.


Next came the Blue Cheese French Fries. While you can't go wrong with pungent blue cheese, a touch of heat, and fried anything, this dish was less then impressive. While I appreciate their generosity with the cheese, the fries themselves were large and almost mushy. I like thick cut fries as much as the next girl, but they're supposed to have a nice crispy outside to contrast with the fluffy interior. Alas, this dish could have been so much better.


Our final choice was the Chicken Goujonettes, which is basically a fancy name for chicken fingers. Now this is the sort of thing you would expect to find on a $5 menu, and they did it well. The chicken was moist with a nice, crunchy bread crumb coating. It was served with a tangy yet smooth mustard/mayo sauce. Simple, cheap, and delicious, this gets my stamp of approval!


Finally came the sweet stuff, Morton's Legendary Hot Chocolate Cake (Full price at $9). This has always been one of my favorite desserts on the planet and it did not disappoint. Luscious fudgy goodness melting out of a moist, cake like exterior is basically my definition of Heaven. The raspberries add a touch of tartness to offset the decadent richness of the cake. Be warned, it takes about twenty minutes to make, but when you're in the company of good friends and anticipating heaven, who could complain about that?

Overall, if you're looking for a fabulous atmosphere with friendly service that won't break the bank, this is definitely one to check out. The three of us were completely stuffed by the end. However, if you're looking for flavor that blows you away, this might not be the place to find it. Save your pennies and mosey on over to the full service dining room instead.

I give this two and a half out of five belt notches.

Morton's Power Hour is 4:30-6:30 and 9-close every day in the bar. You can check out the full Power Hour menu here:.
3400 W. Olive Ave.
Burbank, CA 91505
818-238-0424
(This is a nationwide chain, check the website for other locations)