Strolling down Washington during my midday foraging I was startled to see that Kai's Japanese Restaurant, which had appeared to be on the verge of opening for months, had finally done so. This is the 2nd Kai's; the other is in Alameda (I have never been there). I settled on the chicken teriyaki bento as an opening foray, placed my order for takeout, and sat at the bar about 5 minutes as my order was prepared. The other bar denizens were eating sushi and seemingly enjoying it.
The grilled chicken is slightly smoky where charred, and topped with a sprinkling of sesame seeds. The slightly sweet teriyaki sauce is absorbed a bit by the bed of rice which nonetheless remained firm. The accompaniments are an iceberg lettuce salad with shredded carrot and red onion and lightly dressed in a sweet, mayo-based condiment, and a Hawaiian-esque macaroni salad (no potato) featuring carrots as well.
$5 all in- far, FAR better than the heat-lamp preserved offerings from Suruki's on the same block. The chicken teri bento was satisfying, and if it's any indication Kai's is certainly a worthwhile addition to the lunchtime rotation, particularly given the reasonable toll.
Kai's Japanese Restaurant
801 Washington
893.KAIS (893.5247)
