Katana: Red Sun BBQ Garden

Summertime always calls for a BBQ, whether it be at a backyard  family get together or at a friend's pool party the thought of having summer without it feels like a #fail.  We were recently invited to partake in some more Japanese grill cooking, this is not your average backyard BBQ…

It’s Katana’s annual 10th Red Sun BBQ Garden, Red Sun being an appropriate name for the blazing *robata style grilling they offer.  The party is held every Sunday, last day for a fun day, on KATANA’s Patio overlooking the Sunset Strip.  A perfect Sunday afternoon, and while waiting for the sun to go down, we enjoyed some amazing food and drinks, and lets not forget the live DJ XTC, spinning some classic hits, from Hip Hop to Modern Pop Music.  Adding more to the already stylish patio, as soon as it gets dark they project movies off their main patio walls, the night we went they showed Kill Bill - one of our favorite Q.T. Japanese flicks.

The cool vibe  naturally brings in Hollywood’s hip crowd, perfect for Sunday nights which are a popular night for Los Angeles trendsetters.  There is a place for everyone on the patio, whether you are there for dinner with friends, a date or you simply want to do the traditional Hollywood Lounging with drinks. Katana’s Red Sun Menu is not at all intimidating and affordable, the quality of food brought to the table says it all.  As for their drinks, I say “Inochi Mizu” please and if you feel like being a little classy, Champagne and St. Germain it is,  the drink’s fresh flavors match the Sunday Afternoon.

The party takes place from 6 to 11:30 PM every week through Labor Day.  Our favorites are down below…

Dig In: (Menu)

*Robata: Open flame charcoal grill cooking serving Japanese comfort food
Kurobuta Ribs (3 pc) Berkshire Pork Ribs with Soy Garlic BBQ Sauce 7.
Albacore Cannoli  Albacore, Maui Onions, Cucumber, Yuzu Guacamole, Served in a Crispy Cannoli Shell 8.
Yellowtail Fresca Yellowtail Sashimi with Fresh Lime Juice & Cilantro 12.
Kobe Gyoza (5 pc) Kobe Beef Potstickers with Cilantro Ponzu 13.
Koji Roll Shrimp Tempura, Avocado, Spicy Tuna Soy Marinated Jalapeños & Eel Sauce 18.
Dessert Ichimaro (2pc) Crepe Wrapped Strawberry Ice Cream w/ Chocolate Covered Strawberry & Grilled Marshmallow 8.

Drinks

Orange Creamsicle Orange Vanilla Voli, Cointreau, OJ & Cream 12. Inochi Mizu Svedka Vodka, Fresh Cucumber & Lychee 12. Champagne St. Germain Champagne, Elderflower, Lemon Twist 12.

Katana
Yelp says: 4/5*, $$$
8439 W Sunset Blvd West Hollywood, CA 90069 Neighborhood: West Hollywood
(323) 650-8585
http://www.katanarobata.com

 

Oscar Night

Have you ever dreamed of going to the Oscars? Having your personal choice of outfits provided by all the top designers, getting your hair done by Ken Paves’ assistant, and walking that plush red carpet while photographers fight for your attention…calling your name? Welp, guess what. That idea may be a little far out, but we have something that just might hold you over until the next awards show.

Already a huge hit (June is SOLD OUT), the Oscar Academy in Hollywood is putting on the “Oscars Outdoors,” where they are featuring a movie every Friday and Saturday night until August. Pack some snacks and drinks (beer and wine are permitted), or feel free to bring some cash and peruse though the many food trucks that are located right on site.

The best part? It’s only $5 to get in.

If you’re serious about the Oscars like I am, you’ll mark your calendar for Monday, July 2nd, when tickets open up online for the July showings.

For more information, go to:

http://www.oscars.org/events-exhibitions/outdoors/index.html

Martini, With a Sidecar of History

We all know why we go to Musso & Frank, the oldest restaurant in Hollywood: The room (charmingly old-school), the stories (Bukowski drank here), the martinis (always gin, served with a sidecar), the bartenders (ask for Ruben). But for the most part, even the most dedicated Musso’s fans have been left to their own devices to piece together its raucous history—and then separate the truths from the urban legends. All that changed a few weeks ago with the launch of a new salon series by the Los Angeles Visionaries Association (LAVA) that hopes to “celebrate, but also set straight” the details about who actually sat on Hollywood’s most famous barstools.

I was lucky enough to attend and write about the extraordinary evening for KCET Food. You can read the piece, “A Literary Salon at Musso & Frank,” and be sure to admire the amazing photos by Hagop Kalaidjian, who also took the one above.