By Jamie Killin
The dream team that built the reputation of the beloved teppanyaki restaurant Sapporo has reunited to open Kasai Asian Grill in the same stunning, 11,000 square-foot North Scottsdale space. Original owners Mike Russello and Patrick King, who opened Sapporo nearly two decades ago in 2001, brought in several of their past team members to launch the brand-new concept in late 2018. The restaurant continues to impress upon arrival with fire sculpture displays, high ceilings and tropical fish tanks throughout the space, creating a one-of-a-kind, upscale atmosphere.
While Kasai is best-known for its interactive teppanyaki experience, which is as much fine dining as it is entertainment, with diners seeing their choice of menu items cooked in flames right in front of their eyes, it also provides a variety of Asian-inspired entrees and sushi comprised of top-quality meats and fresh fish. Best loved dishes include the misoyaki black cod with lobster cognac sauce, lamb chops with Thai coconut curry glaze and the Kasai sushi roll alongside entrees such as the Asian pesto Chilean sea bass and the wagyu filet mignon.
While the seven course teppanyaki experience or top-quality wagyu may be reserved for a special occasion or night out, Kasai’s daily happy hour menu makes it a great option for an afternoon snack or light dinner with half off alcoholic beverages and 25 percent off appetizers and sushi favorites, like the California and spicy tuna rolls. Plus, happy hour runs from the restaurant’s opening at 3 p.m. all the way to 7 p.m., making it easy to enjoy the great deals.
The restaurant also provides no shortage of beverage options, boasting more than half a dozen craft cocktail options such as The Kasai featuring Japanese whiskey, lychee liqueur, lime juice and bitters as well as the Lemongrass Saketini with cucumber vodka, lemongrass sake, lemongrass-infused simple syrup and fresh lemon juice. The wine list, which includes over 40 options, ranges from affordable glasses starting at $10 to bottles of Cristal at $450. Beer options vary from domestic favorites like Bud Light to Japanese options such as Sapporo and Kirin Ichiban.
At the end of their meal, diners can choose between several sweet dessert options such as the rich Kahlua toffee mousse cake served with caramel and ice cream, the lighter mango sorbet with berries or the classic vanilla bean ice cream. Post dinner drink options range from aged Japanese whiskeys such as Yamazaki and Toki, to sake, to sweet cocktails like the chocolate banana with aged dark rum, creme de cacao, banana liqueur and cream.
For more information on menu items, or to make a reservation, visit kasai
scottsdale.com.
