Kanpai showcases food, entertainment

There seems to be no shortage of hibachi-style restaurants in the Chattanooga area, but I wanted to try one of the classics: Kanpai of Tokyo. It boasts a national history of nearly 40 years, and I wanted to see if the restaurant did things well. I’m a big fan of hibachi-style restaurants, and Kanpai, near Hamilton Place mall, gives guests dinner and entertainment. The chefs cook your food in front of you while entertaining your table with a showcase of culinary thrills.

THE MENU

Kanpai has a traditional hibachi menu with lots of options for hungry diners such as Hibachi Chicken ($14.95), Hibachi Steak ($17.50, 8 ounces) and Filet Mignon ($25.95, 8 ounces). If you’re looking for the hibachi experience but know it’ll be too much food, the restaurant allows guests to share a meal. But they do unfortunately add a $7 charge. The “Dinner for Two” ($48.75) may be a good option for couples. It comes with soup, salad, a flaming shrimp appetizer, steamed rice, hibachi vegetables, hot tea, sherbet and your choice of sirloin steak, scallops, yakiniku, chicken or shrimp. Kanpai also offers dinner combinations such as Chicken and Shrimp ($18.50), Hibachi Seafood ($18.95) and Sirloin and Lobster ($34.95). To my surprise, the sushi chef was sick the night we ate there, so there was no sushi available. This was a big disappointment because my wife and I will generally split a roll of sushi as an appetizer.

THE MEAL