Katsu

“4.5 stars All of the best omakase places seem to be in the city but sometimes that feels too much of a trip from South Bay. I was really hoping this would be a *the* place to go to if I wanted to treat myself to omakase without needing to make a trip. At $290 pp, I felt like the menu is worth it for the ingredients but the chef wasn’t always able to execute properly. The menu is quite interesting as you get some unique pieces like octopus mouth, but when we had it, it felt a bit chewy. But overall, the menu felt special and there were a lot of bites we enjoyed! Most omakase places follow a usual rhythm, and I was definitely surprised here as some pieces were less predictable. We got the five sake sampler and all the sakes were very good! I wish it was more of a pairing style though. I think it would have elevated the experience more if the waiter had shared what kind of bites each sake goes well with. The atmosphere was beautiful and calming - it’s what I would expect at an omakase. The service was good but there were times when the waitress collected my plates while I was mid-bite. WOULD I COME HERE AGAIN? If I want a fancy omakase place, I think I would try another place. I still enjoyed my experience but am curious to try other places!!”

“Came for a second time for another special occasion. I remembered loving it, but returning, it was somehow even better than I remembered. Things are pricey, but the meal is so well put together. Even compared to fancy places in Japan, Katsu holds up very well. It is best to know "Japanese" sushi and Edomae style to appreciate Katsu. Often for fancy places I feel like after spending a lot of money and having a nice meal, it was fun to experience once but I won't return. But I definitely plan to return to Katsu!”

“Exquisite dining experience at this low-key, quaint omakase restaurant in downtown Mountain View. Small interior is elegantly decorated, and seats only 8 at the bar. Reservations only, no walk-in accepted. The sushi is fresh, tasty, and well-presented. Awesome sake menu! Their key difference is that they serve some hard to find items, not just the typical sushi/sashimi items. Expensive, but worth the splurge for a special occasion. Friendly and attentive service. Plenty of paid and free parking within a 5-minute walk.”

“Dined here for valentine’s day and we were really impressed with the chef’s skill! Intimate seating with only 8 people + the atmosphere is very authentic - really felt like being back in Japan Overall the meal was fantastic as well. We tried a lot of exotic pieces/dishes that you don’t usually see at a standard omakase. All the nigiris were incredible + they have the sweetest hokkaido uni (highlight of the meal!)”

“Overall a great omakase experience with high-quality ingredients. I’ve been there twice, and the second time they intentionally changed the menu, which I really appreciated. The fish and other ingredients were fresh and seasonal. I especially like how the chef seasons the food just enough to let the natural flavors shine. The price is reasonable for the quality and experience you get.”