Houston’s best sushi chef is coming to Montrose. Kata Robata's Manabu Horiuchi (better known as Hori-san) will open Katami this spring.

Chef Hori-san and Kata Robata owner Yun Cheng have partnered on the project, which will be located in the former Vincent’s space (2701 W Dallas). Named for the Japanese word for “gift” or “keepsake,” Katami describes itself as a sushi-forward restaurant that points the way to the future of Japanese cuisine in America.

Opened in 2009, Kata Robata has long been considered one of Houston’s top restaurants. Credit for much of that success goes to chef Hori, who came to the restaurant after working for the Japanese Consul-General and at seminal Houston sushi restaurant Kubo’s. Hori won Chef of the Year in the 2019 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards, which is the same year that Chronicle critic Alison Cook named it the city’s top restaurant.

“We opened Kata Robata 13 years ago as a Japanese restaurant that offered something for everyone . . . but Katami will be where the sushi really shines,” Hori-san said in a statement. “I will share my first love, sushi, as a gift and a show of gratitude to my adopted city of Houston where I’ve made my home and built a career.”

Whereas Kata Robata serves a ride range of Japanese-inspired dishes — including ramen, robata skewers, even lobster mac and cheese — Katami will be more focused on different kinds of sushi such as sashimi, nigiri, maki, and temaki (hand rolls). Hori-san’s relationships with Japanese fishmongers will ensure that Katami uses the best quality ingredients. In addition, the menu will include three to five dishes that utilize A5 wagyu from Japan.

Another way that Katami’s menu will be distinct from Kata Robata’s is in the use of luxurious ingredients such as caviar, truffle, and foie gras. An omakase will be offered that exclusively consists of sushi and other raw dishes.

Not all of the dishes will be traditional. Plans call for creations such as a foie gras PBJ, toro tartare with Japanese milkbread, and wagyu sukiyaki that will be cooked tableside.

Once Katami opens, Hori-san will spend the majority of his time for the first six months or so, a representative tells CultureMap. After that, he expects to divide his time between both restaurants.

Beverage options will include an extensive wine list, plenty of sake, and a significant amount of Japanese whisky. Design plans include a separate bar and lounge area for those who want to linger over a couple of drinks.

“We’re excited for a new project,” Cheng added. “Chef Hori and his team at Kata Robata have been executing at the highest level for more than 13 years, and we’re ready for a new challenge. We think this location at the intersection of Montrose and River Oaks will complement our existing space, and we look forward to welcoming more guests.”

Katami will be located in the Harlow District, a new dining development that’s located on the site of the former Nino’s and Vincent’s complex. One of its neighbors will be Verde Garden, a Mexican-inspired patio bar from Heights Bier Garten owners The Kirby Group.