Asian-Peruvian Katsu Restaurant Coming Soon to Los Gatos

A new upscale Asian-Peruvian fusion restaurant will be moving into the former Valeriano's location at 160 W. Main St. in downtown Los Gatos. Approval was granted this month on a 4-0 vote of the Los Gatos Town Council.

However, the Katsu Restaurant won't be allowed to stay open as late as it had desired—1:30 a.m. Thursday through Saturday—and it won't be permitted to have a DJ host for special corporate events and private parties.

Last month, the Los Gatos Planning Commission had recommended that B & G Group LLC's application to modify the property's conditional-use permit for the longer hours and the live entertainment be denied due to the lack of an entertainment policy.

Planners agreed to allow the business hours of operation be consistent with the town's alcoholic beverage policy, meaning closing times of 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 1 a.m. Friday, Saturday, holidays and evenings before holidays.

On Aug. 6, the Council agreed with planners, with Councilwoman Diane McNutt recusing herself due a potential perceived conflict of interest, and allowed the restaurant to proceed with its plans to begin construction in about two months.

Katsu Los Gatos Restaurant will have an alcohol beverage counter with six seats and serve Sunday brunch, dinner and a late-night menu giving town residents and visitors an alternative dining experience, according to San Jose attorney Linda LeZotte, who represents B & G Group. Its capacity will be 72 seats prior to 5:30 p.m., 108 seats after that time.

The building, which used to be a bank, is owned by Robert and Muriel Brouwer.

B and G Group managing member Bobby Sarnevesht said his business concept entailed music, and that the focal point of the restaurant was going to be corporate events. "Almost part of the genesis for this restaurant was a place to consolidate all of our events ... It won't be these large raging parties ... " Sarnevesht said.

The reason for wanting to stay open on Thursday, Friday and Saturday until 1:30 a.m., as opposed to 11 p.m., was to stay competitive with the other 13 establishments in town that are allowed to open after 1 a.m. seven days a week, LeZotte said.

Japan-born Chef Katsuhiko Hanamure,“Katsu,” who lives in Los Gatos, will be in charge of the kitchen. He's worked at A Thousand Cranes Restaurant in the late New Otani Hotel and Garden in Los Angeles under the direction of Japanese Master Chef Saga.

He's also worked with Chef Willie Miller at the Commodore Perry restaurant in the New Otani Hotel and Garden.

In 1986 Katsu met Nobuyuki Matsuhisa, famed and renown chef of Nobu, Matsuhisa and Ubon restaurants, who took him under his wing, guiding his career, developing his talent and acting as a father figure, according to the restaurant's website.

Since then Chef Katsu has been a part of numerous Matsuhisa and Nobu restaurants, working his way up to a Sushi Chef at Matsuhisa Los Angeles and Nobu Los Angeles and then as an Executive Chef of Matsuhisa Athens, Matsuhisa Mykonos and Nobu in Badrutt’s Palace.

To check Katsu's new menu, please click here.