Foodie Review: Katana Peterborough, Cambridgeshire

I was recently invited to experience Peterborough's hottest new restaurant, Katana for a chance to sample their Japanese pan-Asian delights, live Teppanyaki cooking tables and delicious cocktail menu; all within a stylish setting, unlike anywhere else in the city. 

Located on Broadway, Katana is Peterborough's latest dining experience. The spacious pink-neon lit restaurant includes 6 live teppanyaki cooking stations where your food can be prepared before your very eyes, a sushi counter, and a well-appointed bar stocked with the finest wines, spirits and champagnes. For special events, they also offer a zen private dining room and a bubbles bar. Katana's menu includes Bottomless Brunch options, set menus as well as a la carte options which make for whet your appetite before dinner or to round off the evening afterwards. 

After being greeted by their friendly staff with a glass of bubbles and given the tour (the restaurant is surprisingly large), we took our seats at one of the cooking station bars. This was exciting for me as this was probably the closest I was ever going to get to recreating the Office US Benihana episode.

With courses starting from £9.99, Katana have a selection of pan-asian menus available, including a Family Set Lunch Menu (2 courses for £24.99 or 3 courses for £29.99 - plus kids aged 2-11 years eat free), an A La Carte and sushi menu. Each are pretty extensive, and sizable for sharing. 

For our visit, we were asked to try the Weekend Set Menu whereby you choose from a vegetarian or meat option starter, comprised of a chicken skewer, gyoza and two sushi pieces. This is small but perfectly formed. I don't tend to eat chicken (but I'm also not a veggie!) so I swapped mine out for the tempura prawn (served with a creamy spicy mayo) and I regret nothing. This was very tasty, fresh and good quality prawns.

On the set menu, you then select your meat or vegetarian option (chicken, lamb or sirloin steak) for your main menu, which your chef will prepare for you at the table. Much like Benihana, the chef puts on a bit of show, so you can expect flames, practice catching cooked egg in your mouth and flipping little rice bowls. It's genuinely very good fun. The portion is very sizable, besides your choice of rice, comes with fried vegetables. 

Personally for me, I would have preferred a fish/seafood option included in this as I'm not a vegetarian by any means, but I don't tend to eat chicken so would have loved a prawn or a scallop. That said, I would absolutely go back and make a point to order outside of the set menu which has lobster, scallops, prawns - all my favourite things essentially. 

After such a sizeable main, we made the tough decision to finish up our great visit with something sweet. From memory I think there was only one option available, a passionfruit cheesecake, which ordinarily I would probably never order for myself, but was a refreshing, creamy palate cleanser. 

I would absolutely recommend visiting Katana for one of the best culinary experiences in Peterborough that I've had a long time. It ticks all the boxes with a great atmosphere, friendly staff and of course, dinner with a show. We'll definitely be venturing back in the near future to sample the remainder of their menu. A huge thanks to them for having us, we had a really lovely experience.

Until time next fellow foodies,