kato is still killing it. their familiar yet different flavor profiles are comforting and exciting at the same time. I don’t think I’ve ever had a bad dish here. they’re still byob and their portions are still tiny. come for the food, leave because you’re still hungry.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CMIYVkYBXgt/
tapioca, brown butter, uni
stunner as usual
aji, perilla leaf
this reminded me of hayato’s aji bo-zushi, and I later found out this is actually chef yao’s homage to that dish.
tuna, nori
tuna in crispy nori cups, kind of like the tuna poke on nori cracker at liholiho yacht club
milk bread, cultured butter
angler is one of chef yao’s favorite restaurants I wonder if he was inspired by their parker house rolls.
rice, scallion powder
this was meant to be eaten with the savory courses. the rice was so good I could have eaten a bowl for each course. unfortunately you’re limited to one bowl (two, if you ask nicely). I might have to BYORC next time.
caviar, geoduck, koji butter
first of the supplements. the sweet and crunchy geoduck almost steals the show from the astrea caviar. delicious.
3 cup abalone
play on 3 cup chicken, this was sweet and savory with an extra punch of sesame. great with the rice.
lobster, kumquat
a play on orange chicken, the lightly fried lobster was coated in a less sweet orange glaze with kumquat marmalade and cara cara oranges.
fish fragrant black cod
the black cod was perfectly executed with crispy ass skin and flaky, fatty meat. I cleaned the bowl with the rice.
dorade, sesame
if you tried their sesame noodles when they were doing takeout I believe is similar, a play on dan dan. the dorade was not surprising perfectly grilled with kanimiso.
chinese style steamed fish
one of their menu staples that is so comforting, this version uses spanish turbot.
A5 wagyu, fresh bamboo, beef tendon
second supplement of the night. if you had to one supplement this is that one, it was outstanding. the fresh bamboo this time of year is insane. the a5 wagyu was pure luxury and the beef tendon sauce on top reminded me beef pho or a taiwanese beef noodle soup.
yogurt, jasmine, asian pear
great refreshing palate cleanser
boniato yam tapioca, fresh cheese, sable
if you like boba this is for you.
