Kata Robata

Reviews 5

ST

Stephanie Liang Hsu

I use to work literally down the street from this place. So when it first opened, we would go about once a week for lunch. We always got the bento boxes (so much food). It came with beef rib eye (a bit chewy sometimes), salmon, shrimp tempura, or sashimi. The box included a california roll or rice, seaweed salad + shumai, agedashi tofu, chicken teriyaki with broccoli, and cake (it would change, strawberry, coffee, vanilla, always a surprise). And you get your choice of miso soup or salad...I think they say miso soup cost extra, but weve never been charged. THEN ONE DAY, we came in and got our usual...and there was no shumai! We asked our server, we figured they must have forgotten. Then she said the chef left and they got a new one...and she didnt think he knew how to make them. OH NOOO!!! Okay okay...I can maybe forgive them. So we continued to come here. THEN, a month later we came in and got our usual...and there was no CAKE! WHAT? We put our foot down. They gave us picked vegetables. That is so not a substitute for cake! So then I started trying other things on the menu, udon, ramen, duck salad, sushi combos. - The ramen is pretty good, it is soy-based and you may be hungry after 3 to 4 hours. - The duck salad is tiny....you will probably be hungry after 1 hour (dont get it, unless you eat like a three year old girl, then go for it). - Udon isnt bad, but I love udon noodles so Im never really critical of udon (Im biased). - SUSHI COMBO B, my new favorite out of the bunch, it comes with a eel roll, shrimp tempura roll, and a California roll. The patio seating in the back is really nice when the weather is good in Houston, but the view isnt great. They could spring for some nicer chairs (currently they are orange plastic). Overall not a bad deal for lunch, Ive never been here for dinner but I hear its superrrrrrrr expensive.

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MA

Mark Wang

The only time I ever go to Kata Robata is when taking Greenway Plaza business clients for lunch, because I am very poor and unable to eat there with my own money. The lunch time at this place is pretty good. The hostess moves pretty fast and assigning the seating for the customers. At the front, theres the special for the day displayed there. Both time visiting here for lunch, we were seated promptly and as soon as we sat, the server dropped by, introduce him or herself and took our drink order. The restaurants layout is classy but not over the top "Whoa, this is too rich for me as I am the 99%." I have tried their lunch ramen and rice bowl on 2 different occasions and I still remember them vividly as thats how good they were. First, the beef rice bowl with beef and onion, this is not your typical beef don. I am not sure whats the secret ingredient that makes it so tasty, but its definitely good cooking. In fact, it was so good that I cleaned it up without feeling embarrassed in front of the client. The 2nd time was when I ordered the ramen. You can never find good ramen in Houston other than a handful of restaurant. Knowing that I am paying for such a price already, it did not disappoint. The broth is light but full of flavor, and the portion was good enough to last through the day until dinner time. Besides, Im also trying to cut back on the portions of food Im eating as I need to watch my weight. But enough about my diet as this is a review about Kata Robata. Unfortunately, I did not try their sushi nor their desserts, but just one day, I will come here with my girlfriend for a celebration and then eat instant noodle for the next 2 weeks. This place is definitely a dining place to impress clients or friends.

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YU

Yung Hyun

Loud environment and seriously fresh ingredients. Its odd how energetic and loud this place is but can also provide a nice intimate space (if you manage to get one). Regardless, the food is quite delicious and the ingredients really shine in both freshness and in taste. The menu is mostly Japanese-inspired seafood dishes with an infusion of western ingredients/style such as sashimi w/ foie gras or edamame gazpacho, but the focus is primarily on seafood. They are also known for their sushi and sashimi being some of the freshest (with some cuts of fish coming from as far as Japan) in Houston. When I visited I was able to try amber jack sashimi with foie gras, pan seared U-10 scallops, and a sushi plate. The amber jack and foie gras was simply divine, no literally, I thought I heard angels singing; the simple flavors of amber jack and the rich nuttiness of foie gras mingled so well that I had to stop and think about each bite. The pan seared scallops were lightly seared and cooked a little under done. The scallop had a firm texture but nice mild, sweet flavor and the sauce gave it more creamy, buttery appeal. The sushi was my least favorite but dont get me wrong it was good and better than some other sushi places but not my most favorite in Houston (Teppay being my Houston favorite). Overall, Kata Robata is a great Asian-fusion place to eat due to the food and environment especially for the young adult crowd. Prices range from $15-20 a plate. Side note: you need to RSVP for dinner otherwise youre going to be waiting for a long time also parking is horrible especially during peak dining hours.

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MI

Michelle A

Kata Robata is a warm and intimate environment with great food and service. It can be a little hard trying to find parking in the small lot, and Kata Robata also offers valet service. My husband and I came during Houston Restaurant Week, and were lucky to have made a reservation, because it was busy! Thankfully we had a private booth, because it was a bit loud inside the restaurant, with it being so crowded. Our waitress was very attentive towards the beginning of our meal, but at the end, we never saw her again. Another waiter had to process our check for us. I caught a glimpse of our waitress behind the bar, but we never figured out why she stopped coming by our table at the end of our meal. The sushi didn’t leave much of an impression with me, but oh my the other appetizers and entrees sure did! We had their foie gras, and it was so warm and melted in my mouth. I also loved, loved, LOVED the pan-seared scallop with mac and cheese. The scallops weren’t tough or chewy, which was great. And of course, the mac and cheese was delicious. My husband and I were sharing our dishes with each other, but I did not want to share the mac and cheese! Every time a dish was served, the server would take the time to explain each dish to us. I enjoyed my meal at Kata Robata, save for the missing waitress at the end, but I’d love to come visit again.

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A

A Private User

I had been here for the first time EVER a few weeks ago. I was really excited to see what the hype was about and let me say I was a bit disappointed. I was expecting a really chic atmosphere and it honestly fell FLAT! Not to mention the service. I believe it took the waitress over 15 minutes to bring me a drink and Im not even going to get started on the cocktails. No maybe I will, they advertise this amazing champagne drink. I believe it was supposed to be infused with hibiscus. Darling it tasted like something that was poured out of a 5 dollar bottle of Asti Spumante, not to mention the drink alone was 12 DOLLARS. When I finally got my food, I was pleased with it. I ordered unagi which was tasty along with a roll. I cant remember the name of the roll but I know it was infused with truffle oil. It was very delicious. It was my first time at Kata Robata and I can surely say it will be my LAST time there :/ Save your money and go across the street to Sushi King, or even better and cheaper than both those places...go to Miyakos!!!!

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