Does anyone know where Katsu of Tama Sushi (Not Katsu-ya) landed?

[deadorinjail]

I know he closed Tama in Studio City, then had a brief run in Beverly Hills. If anyone knows, it would be sooooo appreciated. Again, not talking about the Katsu-ya gent. Thanks!

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Tama Sushi
11920 Ventura Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 91604

Katsu
306 Rosecrans Ave, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

[inthenameoffood]

I came across him a few months ago at Sushi Dokoro Ki Ra La in Beverly Hills. He does not own it, but was working there Mon-Tue-Wed. He told us that, after he closed Katsu, he'd been doing private parties, I think at studios. I believe he was continuing to do that, as well as helping his friend who works at this restaurant.

[trlevy]

I think this is Katsu
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbi...
I've been looking for him for several years hoping he'd open a new sushi spot in LA. Still haven't found him. This might be why.

[TonyC]

My understanding is that he still catered after the BH location shuttered. But he was so disheartened by the economy, etc. (per fellow itamae in Little Tokyo) that he retired. Cest la vie.

He was a true artisan.

[farmertomato]

It's sad that an artisan like Katsu had to struggle while a hack like Nozawa thrived. I hope Katsu has found a happy, comfortable retirement. He is missed here.

[yinyangdi]

The itamae you are looking for is named Masaru "Katsu" Michite. The BH (260 N Beverly Dr) location was the last sushi-ya, that I was aware of, that he owned.

[farmertomato]

We went to the Beverly Drive location shortly before it closed. The street was torn up and there were only a few of us in there. I hoped he could hold out until the construction was finished, so when we heard he had closed it we were crushed. I keep hoping that someone will point out someplace promising to fill the void, but after making the rounds in Studio City, we're not encouraged.

[farmertomato]

I've been searching for a new location for Katsu since the Beverly Drive spot closed. We always felt honored to patronize him and have yet to find a go-to choice. He always seemed to find the best fish in the market, leaving the dregs for Nozawa and the other pretenders, and watching him at work with the knife was the best show in town. A great man, and I hope he returns soon. The Katsu in Manhattan Beach is no relation. I'll certainly watch this thread in hopes that somebody comes up with something.

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Katsu
306 Rosecrans Ave, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

[deadorinjail]

Exactly. The man was simply amazing at what he does, and I haven't found anyone close that wasn't charging at least double. He's clearly not lucky, though. So yes, wherever he goes, I follow, too. He's probably 75 though, so maybe Beverly Drive was his last stand? If only he had Twitter!

[carter]

The Katsu-ya in Manhattan Beach = huh?!
That is not even the same owner or operator. That is an SBE operation.
Please, do not try to confuse the original with the facsimile.
Katsuya himself is not even Katsu Michite, and knows as well.

[farmertomato]

Please note that Chowhound added the address of the unrelated Katsu in Manhattan Beach, not me. I wanted to make it clear to anyone who might find it on a Google search that the beach joint was NOT connected in ANY way to our dear Katsu. It was confusing enough when Tama was a block away from Katsu-ya on Ventura Blvd. and the friends we had sent to Tama became confused, went to the wrong place and were sorely disappointed.