Kasai Japanese Steakhouse Park West is not your typical old-school teppanyaki restaurant. You'll discover modern cooking with exceptional flavors and ingredients combined with theatrical cooking for the ultimate Dinnertainment.
Kasai at Park West
I first experienced Kasai many years ago at the original Scottsdale location. It has always been a favorite, so I was thrilled when it opened in Park West earlier this year.
The 7,500-square-foot restaurant is beautiful. Its private dining room is a focal point, thanks to a glass wall that looks out onto the teppanyaki tables. I loved the bright orange flaming glass chandelier suspended over the restaurant's largest teppan table, which seats 25.
High-top tables on the patio are great for fall evenings and the bar seats up to 50.
Kasai Features Modern Asian Flavors
You can expect an exceptional Asian dining experience featuring teppanyaki, with the chefs cooking and entertaining guests while sitting around the modern teppan table. Kasai also serves up delightful traditional Asian dishes, rolls, and sushi. My husband and I always love to start with the Crab Rangoons or Korean Steak Tacos. But one of my favorite dishes at Kasai is the Mongolian Lamb Chops.
After nibbling our appetizers, we must decide whether to order from the sushi or traditional Asian menus or go for the Teppanyaki. My favorites from the traditional Asian menu include Kung Pao Tempura Shrimp, Mongolian BBQ ribs, and the Wagyu filet.
I enjoy the sushi menu, including the Cougar Roll with crab mix, seared yellowtail, garlic butter, sriracha, and eel sauce. My favorite is probably the Friends with Benefits Roll, featuring a spicy crab mix, tempura shrimp, cucumber, jalapeño, seared spicy salmon, eel sauce, spicy mayo, and garlic butter. For something different, you can opt for the Sugar Mamma Roll with salmon, tuna, crab mix, shrimp tempura, avocado, mango, soy paper, and a peach chili sauce that perfectly blends sweet and spicy.
Teppanyaki is the Highlight
Teppanyaki is Kasai's highlight. The sleek dining room features 12 hoodless teppanyaki tables. Every teppanyaki meal includes mushroom or miso soup, house salad, a shrimp starter, fried rice, seasonal vegetables, your protein, and frozen pineapple soft-serve for dessert.
I opted for surf and turf with Filet Mignon and Scallops that were melt-in-your-mouth delicious. My husband chose the New York Strip and Chicken Breast, which were equally good. Everything is seasoned to perfection, and it's so much fun to watch the chef artfully prepare your food while you laugh at a table filled with strangers who become friends for the evening.
You can also opt for the Wagyu Filet Mignon, soy-glazed tofu, or luscious sea bass at the teppanyaki table. If you have a big appetite, try one of the Imperials—Filet Mignon or New York Strip, lobster tail, and either chicken, scallops, or shrimp.
Kasai also has a kid's menu that features wagyu beef sliders, mac and cheese, chicken strips, teriyaki chicken, or teriyaki udon noodles. If the kids want to get in on the teppanyaki fun—of course—they can order chicken, shrimp, Filet Mignon, or Filet Mignon and Shrimp, which comes in kid-sized portions along with soup or salad, fried rice, vegetables, a drink, and pineapple soft-serve.
Happy Hour
You can stop by Kasai after work to enjoy happy hour every day until 6 p.m. Happy Hour features $2 off all beer, wine, cocktails, and appetizers. You can also order select sushi, ranging from $6 to $14.
A great deal is the Teppan Happy Hour, which runs from 3 to 4:45 p.m. every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. You get the same accompaniments as with dinner and choose from the New York Strip, Chicken, Salmon, Shrimp, or soy-glazed tofu for a reduced price.
Cocktails Are Outstanding at Kasai
I love the beer, wine, and cocktail menu at Kasai. You'll find a selection of international beers, including Sapporo and Kirin, an excellent wine selection, and a fun sake menu. The full bar, served by a welcoming staff, offers delicious cocktails. The Kasai-Tai, topped with a flaming sugar cube, carries on the flaming theme of the restaurant. I also recommend the Woodsman, featuring Japanese whisky and delicious Cherry Blossom with Soto Junmai sake.
When you visit Kasai, prepare to stay a while—dinnertainment takes time!