Kanpai grows bar, specials

New daily drink specials introduced

Kanpai of Tokyo features a full bar that offers guests a quiet and peaceful atmosphere for dining as well as many food and drink specials, including new cocktails.

"The bar dining area is more private for couples, with a little more intimacy," says assistant manager Tommy Sines. "At dinner, it's people who want the intimacy of being able to sit down and talk with one another and who don't want the show at the hibachi tables."

Guests sitting in the bar area can still enjoy their favorite hibachi meals prepared from scratch by a chef, whether they want hibachi chicken or some scallops and New York strip steak. The restaurant's $49.95 dinner for two special is a popular choice for couples enjoying each other's company in the dining area. The special includes soup, salad, an appetizer of flaming shrimp, steamed or fried rice, hibachi vegetables and a serving of one of the entrée meats such as scallops, sirloin, yakiniku, chicken or hibachi shrimp.

"Guests who sit at the bar often order our sushi because they can watch it being made at the sushi station," Sines says. "One thing we try to do with our sushi chefs is to give them creative license with chef's specials and new rolls. They make some delicious platters, and guests really enjoy the selection."

Whether they are enjoying a traditional hibachi meal or a serving of sushi, the bar offers many options for washing everything down. Happy hour is available every day from 5-7 p.m. and includes options like $1.50 domestic bottles and halfprice sake.

Kanpai has created a new daily specials menu as well, featuring $4 bombs and a selection of $2.75 sushi rolls on Mondays. Guests can enjoy $5 top-shelf drinks made with all premium and call liquors and $2.75 select sushi rolls every Tuesday. On Wednesdays, the bar area features $1.75 domestic draft pints and 10 percent off bottled wines.

Every Thursday, guests can choose $5 top-shelf drinks made with all premium and call liquors. Fridays bring $3.50 shots prepared with Jagermeister, Goldschlager, Rumple Minz and Fireball. On Saturdays, Kanpai features $2 brews with domestic bottles, including all American craft beers. The Sake to Me Sunday special features 50- cent hot sake shots and $1.50 coldsake shots. The cold sake selection is comprised of the brands Tokyo Rose, Hana Awaka, Snow Beauty, Karatamba, Yamadanishiki and Osakaya Chobei.

The bar also features a creative variety of fresh cocktails.

"What I've tried to do with our new drinks is take a classic drink and give it a Japanese flair with sake or plum wine, making sure the drinks are refreshing," Sines says. "I'd say the majority have a citrus note to them."

Guests can try creative concoctions like the Royal Geisha, Smurf in Japan or Sun Dragon. A popular choice is the Samurai Showdown, made with sake, sour apple, Southern Comfort, peach schnapps, a splash of sour mix and Sierra Mist. ?

KANPAI OF TOKYO

LOCATION: 2200 Hamilton Place Blvd.PHONE: 855-8204.HOURS: Lunch is served Monday- Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 2 p.m. Dinner is served Monday-Saturday from 5-9 p.m. and Sunday from 5-8 p.m.

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