In a city that thrives on reinvention, Sam Nazarian’s sbe has dropped a double act worthy of the spotlight: the grand opening of Casa Dani by three-Michelin-starred chef Dani García and the reimagined Katsuya Century City by master sushi chef Katsuya Uechi. Launched July 25, 2025 inside Westfield Century City, the two side-by-side restaurants form a 17,000-square-foot culinary playground designed by David Rockwell, complete with 400 seats, sweeping views of Beverly and Hollywood Hills, and an open-air beer garden that begs for lingering afternoons.
Casa Dani – Andalusian Soul in a Modern L.A. Frame
Step into Casa Dani—literally “Dani’s House”—and you’re met with the warmth of an Andalusian courtyard reimagined for Los Angeles. Earth-toned walls, planters woven into plush banquettes, and a curved green-tiled fireplace create a refined yet inviting atmosphere. It’s more Mediterranean resort-lobby than white-tablecloth stiffness, and the service matches that mood—graceful, unhurried, and genuinely welcoming.
García’s love letter to his Spanish roots, filtered through a modern Mediterranean lens. Signature paellas—farmers market vegetable, chicken with roasted Cornish hen, and a saffron-rich seafood with prawns and mussels—anchor a lineup that also includes Iberico ham croquetas, octopus carpaccio, and steak tartare. Tuna plates are a highlight, from the tuna porterhouse carpaccio to the duo tartare of akami and o’toro. House pastas, like trofie al pesto (pistachio-pecorino) and la fiesta mediterranea (pacheri with scallops, lobster, and blue prawns), hold their own alongside mains such as heirloom chicken in adobo, grilled sea bass, and wagyu flatiron steak.
For lunch, the $39 prix fixe delivers crowd favorites—chorizo & aji empanadas, “the burger that made it all make sense” with wagyu and Chef Dani’s secret sauce, and desserts like roasted pineapple with passion fruit yogurt. The wine list and cocktail program are as cosmopolitan as the clientele, pulling from Spain, France, and California with Andalusian flair.
Katsuya Century City – Precision, Elegance, and the Next Era of an Icon
If Casa Dani is warmth and sun, Katsuya is shadow and precision. The redesign leans into minimalist Japanese elegance: ribbed wood columns, beam-lined ceilings, soft pendant lighting, and a stainless-steel sushi bar that doubles as performance art. Outdoors, the open-air beer garden softens the formality, making it ideal for both business lunches and late-night bites.
The refreshed menu keeps Katsuya’s hall-of-fame classics—spicy tuna crispy rice, baked crab handrolls, miso cod, rock shrimp tempura, crispy brussels sprouts, and tomahawk short ribs—while adding new stars like toro tartare, king crab motoyaki, and A5 wagyu tataki. For a splurge, the century roll ($59) is an edible trophy: king crab, wagyu sashimi, caviar, and truffle.
The $32–$45 power lunch prix fixe offers ‘Katsuya Sets’ with hot or cold options, Chirashi (seasonal sashimi with pickles), and short rib fried rice with chili crunch. Service is sharp yet personable—servers glide between precision plating and casual conversation with ease, making newcomers feel like regulars.
Where the Two Worlds Meet
Between the restaurants lies a circular shared bar, blending Spanish cocktail culture with Japanese craft. It’s a natural pause point, the place to sip an olive-oil martini while deciding between paella or sushi—or both. The terrace beyond frames the skyline, a slow-burn backdrop for long meals and longer conversations.
Casa Dani and Katsuya Century City are may be new openings— but they’re an L.A. statement piece. It’s Andalusian soul and Tokyo discipline sharing the same heartbeat, each honoring tradition while reinventing for the present. The design is cinematic, the flavors are global, and the vibe feels like the city itself: diverse, endlessly evolving, and elegant when you catch it at golden hour.
Need-to-Know
Address: Westfield Century City, 10250 Santa Monica Blvd, Suite 1799, Los Angeles, CA 90067
Hours (Both Restaurants): Lunch — 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Katsuya until 3:30 p.m.); Dinner — 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Reservations: CasaDaniLA.com | KatsuyaCenturyCity.com
Instagram: @casadanibysbe | @katsuyabysbe
Photo credits: Photos courtesy of Casa Dani, Katsuya, and EMC Brands
