Kasai Japanese Steakhouse is bringing the warmth — actually — to Park West.
Recognized for brilliant flames exterior of its Scottsdale location, the teppanyaki restaurant will transfer into the Peoria buying heart in late summer season, early fall.
“I’m making an attempt to do the 4 corners of the Valley, with Phoenix within the center,” mentioned Mike Russello, proprietor.
“Park West is a pleasant spot, and it had good parking for us. It’s essential to have good parking as a result of the teppanyaki tables are inclined to have large events.”
Russello mentioned he can have possession of the constructing in January; nevertheless, it’s “only a grey shell.”
“We’re going to have the flames on the skin, so long as Peoria approves it,” he mentioned. “The landlords accredited it. We’re planning on the bowl with the flames in the front and back, on the two entrances.”
In Scottsdale, for teppanyaki, visitors are handled to seven-course meals of shrimp starter, mushroom soup, home salad, fried rice, seasonal greens, protein and Dole Whip Hawaiian pineapple frozen dessert.
Teppanyaki includes a slew of choices individually or in combos — filet mignon ($39), New York strip ($37), sumo filet mignon ($52), sumo New York strip ($48), hen breast ($26), soy-glazed tofu ($21), calamari steak ($22), salmon ($31), scallops ($37), shrimp ($29), sea bass ($44), lobster ($54) and wagyu filet mignon ($70).
Colourful, potent drinks are a centerpiece as effectively, just like the black cherry lemonade with vodka, cherry puree and contemporary lemon juice; the P. King cocktail (in honor of authentic proprietor Patrick King, who misplaced his battle with melanoma) made with Toki Japanese whisky, lychee liqueur, contemporary lime juice and a splash of bitters; or candy orchard mule with Akashi Ume plum whisky, pear liquor, lime juice and ginger beer. All are $14.
Russello based Kasai, below its former identify, Sapporo. After 10 years, he bought it, solely to repurchase it final 12 months.
“It was nonetheless Sapporo, however I needed to do a transform and I named it Kasai,” he mentioned. “We’ve the primary hoodless teppanyaki tables within the Valley. We made another minor modifications in Scottsdale. We’ve been killing it since. We’ve 460 reservations tonight.”
Russello discovered Peoria interesting due to its proximity to State Farm Stadium, which can host the 2023 Tremendous Bowl.
“Having one in Scottsdale and one in Peoria can be excellent,” he mentioned. “I simply love what’s happening in Peoria. In the event you ask me, Peoria is making an attempt to be like a Scottsdale. There’s a lot improvement happening.
“We’re a vacation spot restaurant. In Scottsdale, individuals drive from that a part of the Valley on a regular basis. We’re additionally going for Chandler and Gilbert. Phoenix doesn’t have a teppanyaki desk. We’re taking pictures for the Biltmore or Arcadia. We wish 4 or 5 of them.”
Russello dubs his restaurant “dinnertainment,” and his workers retains visitors engaged.
“They’re not sitting on their telephones,” he mentioned. “There’s the hearth. The cooks are having enjoyable with them. It’s a dinner present they usually have a good time. It’s excessive vitality, and we play enjoyable music. Individuals yell on the tables. They’re simply having enjoyable.”
Eating places are nothing new to Russello. He additionally owns the ice cream store The Creek Cookies and Cream at The Outlets at Dynamite Creek in Cave Creek.
“We’ve raspberry Dole Whip there,” he mentioned final 12 months. “However my focus is on Kasai, and we wish to develop the idea within the space.”
PT