Katana Robata & Sushi Bar

The team behind Balboa and Sushi Roku has put its muscle into this sceney Japanese restaurant and lounge. The decor verges on "Blade Runner" territory, with ultramodern touches like steel I-beams substituting for traditional teak rafters, and security grills standing in for Japanese lattice. It's all pretty swank, but the primo spot is the elevated patio, which overlooks the action on the Sunset Strip. The encyclopedic Japanese comfort-food menu can be overwhelming. Get your bearings over fragrant red miso soup, then turn your attention to the specialty of the house, robata. The traditional Japanese skewers are roasted over an open flame, infusing the meat, fish or vegetables with a smoky essence. Served in dainty portions, the choices range from chicken breast to sea bass marinated in ponzu. Other dishes include scallops and shiitake mushrooms loaded with minced chicken. The chefs also turn out a lobster roll loaded with broiled meat and a buttery toro roll.