Waikiki Beach Walk's New Restaurant Kaiwa Offers Innovative Japanese Cuisine
Tuesday September 18, 2007
The exciting Waikiki Beach Walk has welcomed another unique restaurant to its line-up of quality eating establishments along Lewers Street. Kaiwa, a stylish and modern Japanese restaurant that features teppan and sushi creations, is now open on the second level of the Waikiki Beach Walk's retail promenade.
Kaiwa is the latest endeavor out of Tokyo, based in the teppan style and offering the new addition of a premium sushi counter, resulting in an all encompassing menu that can be enjoyed in four distinct atmospheres: a sophisticated teppan counter, the lush zashiki room, an intimate sushi counter and the pleasant ambiance of the open floor.
With an interior designed by Tokyo's Ken Numatani, Kaiwa's décor is inspired by the energy of Waikiki, the cool beauty of Hawaii's ocean, and the urban sophistication of Tokyo. While there are many spectacular elements, including fiber-optic curtains and a wall length waterfall, as well as contrasts of color and texture, they all blend in a feng shui-type synergy. Perhaps the most unforgettable aspect of all, the previously mentioned zashiki room, is available for an intimate table for two or a private party for up to 20 guests, which takes the traditional Japanese tatami, or floor style seating, and brings it to a whole new level of comfort.
Kaiwa's menu is full of modern Japanese dishes that use locally grown ingredients and authentic Japanese cooking techniques. Some of Kaiwa's menu items include artistic presentations such as Maguro Blossom Carpaccio, thin petals of fresh ahi arranged as a delectable flower, encasing a kabocha-tomato ratatouille with shiso balsamic vinaigrette.
Another dish is the Artist's Palette, which includes Kona kampachi, maguro, salmon, kazunoko, tamago, cucumber, myoga and takuan assembled in a spiral shape to show off the ingredients' vibrant colors. Kaiwa's menu is simple but distinctive and includes a wide variety of exclusive dishes including sushi and teppan-grilled creations which are available nightly.
Kaiwa's name is derived from the word kai, which by itself means ocean, and wa, which can be translated to Japan. The name Kaiwa translates to conversation, as in the communication across the ocean between the United States and Japan and the culinary connection between east and west.
Kaiwa is open daily for lunch from 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and dinner from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Guests can also enjoy the lounge and cocktail bar with live music from 10:00 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. daily. For reservations, call (808) 924-1555.
For more information on restaurants, accommodation choices, events and activities happening at Waikiki Beach Walk, visit www.WaikikiBeachWalk.com.
We thank Kathy Hansberry of Outrigger Enterprises Group for sending us this information. I look forward to trying Kaiwa personally on a future visit to Oahu.
Kaiwa is the latest endeavor out of Tokyo, based in the teppan style and offering the new addition of a premium sushi counter, resulting in an all encompassing menu that can be enjoyed in four distinct atmospheres: a sophisticated teppan counter, the lush zashiki room, an intimate sushi counter and the pleasant ambiance of the open floor.
With an interior designed by Tokyo's Ken Numatani, Kaiwa's décor is inspired by the energy of Waikiki, the cool beauty of Hawaii's ocean, and the urban sophistication of Tokyo. While there are many spectacular elements, including fiber-optic curtains and a wall length waterfall, as well as contrasts of color and texture, they all blend in a feng shui-type synergy. Perhaps the most unforgettable aspect of all, the previously mentioned zashiki room, is available for an intimate table for two or a private party for up to 20 guests, which takes the traditional Japanese tatami, or floor style seating, and brings it to a whole new level of comfort.
Kaiwa's menu is full of modern Japanese dishes that use locally grown ingredients and authentic Japanese cooking techniques. Some of Kaiwa's menu items include artistic presentations such as Maguro Blossom Carpaccio, thin petals of fresh ahi arranged as a delectable flower, encasing a kabocha-tomato ratatouille with shiso balsamic vinaigrette.
Another dish is the Artist's Palette, which includes Kona kampachi, maguro, salmon, kazunoko, tamago, cucumber, myoga and takuan assembled in a spiral shape to show off the ingredients' vibrant colors. Kaiwa's menu is simple but distinctive and includes a wide variety of exclusive dishes including sushi and teppan-grilled creations which are available nightly.
Kaiwa's name is derived from the word kai, which by itself means ocean, and wa, which can be translated to Japan. The name Kaiwa translates to conversation, as in the communication across the ocean between the United States and Japan and the culinary connection between east and west.
Kaiwa is open daily for lunch from 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and dinner from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Guests can also enjoy the lounge and cocktail bar with live music from 10:00 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. daily. For reservations, call (808) 924-1555.
For more information on restaurants, accommodation choices, events and activities happening at Waikiki Beach Walk, visit www.WaikikiBeachWalk.com.
We thank Kathy Hansberry of Outrigger Enterprises Group for sending us this information. I look forward to trying Kaiwa personally on a future visit to Oahu.
If you can wait 90 minutes to get an appetitizer and a cucumber role, then you might consider this restaurant. Otherwise, stay out of this place especially if you are thinking about taking a family. It is NOT a kid friendly place at all!
If you wanna experience “modern Japanese”, go to KAIWA in Waikiki Beach Walk. They offer finest ingredients from local with high integrity from real Japan.
Try Kampachi from Kona. Sushi or Sashimi, it melts on your tan.
Rotus root with cheeze is also my favorite.
If you are planning to spend your night at fancy Japanese cuisine like a Nobx or any big name restaurant, you’d better to try KAIWA. You can get better taste and less expenses.
Great sushi! Everything was extremely fresh. If you don’t like seafood you can eat everything because nothing tastes “fishy”.