There are plenty of hibachi houses in town, but there is one off the beaten path that should not be missed. Nearly hidden away, Kanpai of Tokyo sits at 1645 Downtown West Blvd. # A. Passing through its windowless exterior via its large wooden doors, one finds a dim and cozy atmosphere and speedy service.
There are early bird specials Monday through Thursday from 5 to 6:30 p.m. and Friday through Sunday from 5 to 6 p.m.
The early bird special is a choice of any two of the following: chicken, yakiniku, shrimp or scallops. It includes soup, salad, appetizer shrimp, vegetables and hot tea for $10.95.
Other entrees offered are salmon for $14.95, chicken for $11.75, scallops for $16.95 and shrimp for $15.95. You can also order a lobster tail with an entrée for $13.95. As it is a steakhouse, I had to order the 5 oz. filet mignon ($17.75 or $21.95 for the 8 oz.).
Before I got to the filet, an entire pot of hot green tea was brought to me. The pot was metal, so it was set on the hibachi grill to keep warm — a wonderful touch for tea drinkers. Another bonus of Kanpai’s tea experience is that the tea was at a comfortable drinking temperature made possible because it was served in a wide-mouthed plastic cup. The plastic makes it cool enough to pick up safely, unlike ceramic cups, which can practically burn your finger tips when the tea is steamy hot. The wide mouth helps the piping hot tea to cool quickly at the surface. Thus your tea will keep hot on the grill, but be perfect for drinking when it gets to your lips.
The steaming soup is comparable to those at other hibachi places, but I found it to be potent and more satisfying than many.
My fellow dining critic and I felt that our steaks were cooked to a perfect medium — tender and moist — soaking up the delectable sauce. The chunks were just the right size for the savoring. The steak was just right when it hit the plate, so there was no need to hold back any of the many sauces you may have been poured.
As for the vegetables, mushrooms and bean sprouts are optional. Do not pass up the bean sprouts. The chef squeezes a fresh lemon over them while cooking, and these seared-golden treats are a hearty and savory addition to the heap of rice each diner is given.
I found the 5 oz. filet to be more than enough—satisfying but not gluttonous. That meant saving room for dessert.
The good light dessert was ice cream. Kanpai has green tea and red bean ice cream. The green tea ice cream was a bit bitter for first-timers. Unless you are a serious consumer of green tea or are a fan of this ice cream already, it might be better to go for the red bean.
Red bean ice cream is light purple in color and sweet to the taste. Pockets of extra sweetness are found within, as whole red bean chunks are mixed in making this delight the perfect end to a long-sustaining meal. Both ice creams are only $1.75.
If you do not get a dessert, at least grab a spoonful of colorful mints from the counter on your way out (if you did not already get hooked on the way in) to refresh yourself. It is hard to leave Kanpai without total satisfaction.
