Kanpai Kicks It Up A Notch In Service, Food & Atmosphere

Kanpai is the latest Japanese steakhouse to open its doors in Short Pump. Located in the Towne Center West shopping center, its traditional pagoda-style roof welcomes passersby on West Broad Street. Once inside, though, you’ll notice that the interior is anything but traditional. An eclectic mix of contemporary light fixtures and trendy wood-accented wall features […]

July 6, 2009; 6:12 PM • by Trevor Dickerson

Kanpai is the latest Japanese steakhouse to open its doors in Short Pump. Located in the Towne Center West shopping center, its traditional pagoda-style roof welcomes passersby on West Broad Street. Once inside, though, you’ll notice that the interior is anything but traditional.

An eclectic mix of contemporary light fixtures and trendy wood-accented wall features greet you as you walk through the spacious entryway. To the right, a large bar and lounge area welcome in those who’d like a few drinks or to order some sushi rolls. The bar features both American spirits and a nice selection of Japanese imports.

My party and I opted for the hibachi grill. The friendly hostess seated us in the dining room, which features more than a dozen hibachi tables that seat up to twenty people each (with two grills at each table).

Craving sushi, I started with a Philadelphia roll. It came out very quickly and was made with high grade, fresh tuna.

As we placed our entree orders, our chef came out and began the dinner show. The display was everything you’d expect from this type of restaurant. Nothing more, nothing less. Still, our chef was talented at his trade.

I ordered the filet mignon and scallops dinner. The scallops were seasoned in a light glaze and absolutely delectable. The filet, while flavorful, could have been better seasoned. The mustard and ginger sauces prepared by our chef, though, definitely made up for it. The accompanying rice was dashed with herbs and spices and had a slight kick to it unlike some other restaurants where this is usually a bland experience. Kanpai’s was very tasty.

I also tried the tuna filet, chicken and shrimp off of others’ plates and found all to be exceptional. My bill was around $36.00 for the filet and scallops combo plus sushi.

Overall, Kanpai can be likened to similar, established places like Osaka and Kabuto, but with that hip, upscale, and contemporary twist Short Pump has become known for. It could prove to be an expensive evening if you aren’t careful, especially in these challenging times, but the food is definitely a treat and worth the price in my opinion.

Either way, if you’re looking for an entertaining evening and some good Japanese food, I’d definitely recommend giving Kanpai a shot. It’s definitely one of the Far West End’s best Japanese steakhouses.

July 6, 2009 6:12 PM 0