Last night was another grand opening celebration for Kado, a new sushi-teppan restaurant located in The Farmers Market near Beverly and 3rd. 944 Magazine hosted the event, and it was definitely a grand affair. Sitting just above Bath & Body Works, there lies a sprawling sushi bar/restaurant/lounge connected by a bridge of sorts in the middle. The name Kado means “corner” in Japanese which is fitting seeing as how it sits right at the corner of the intersection between the Farmers Market and the main area of The Grove. One part houses the revolving sushi bar called a kai-ten; the other part includes the bar and large dining area with the teppan tables. Read a little bit more about the night after the jump…

We could tell there would be a lot going on when there was a line to get inside three minutes after the event officially began. After waiting several minutes, we were given bright pink arm bands and directed up a long set of stairs. From outside, we could see the low lying tables with red and yellow paper lanterns hanging from above surrounded by floor to ceiling windows overlooking shoppers and passersby. Walking through the doors, Kado immediately presented itself as a sushi bar to rival all others on this evening. Cocktail waitresses strolled through the crowd with specialty drinks, like the ever popular lychee martini, on trays. Men and women strutted through dressed as Geishas—some on stilts so high that they just barely were able to walk through without ducking to avoid hitting the ceiling. All of this was going on in a space that was getting more and more crowded by the second with people looking for somewhere to nest.

The main attraction in this smaller part of the restaurant was the sushi of course. We sat at the sushi bar—a revolving band layered with plate after plate (and even more plates!) of various sushi dishes: edamame, eel rolls, California rolls, wontons, seaweed, tempura shrimp rolls and more. A small bar with various sakes sat to the side for anyone ready to try something new. Sitting at the sushi bar, we made sure to try everything, pulling plate after plate off the revolving band. The sushi chefs at the back bar attempted to slice and dice as fast as people were eating. The food literally kept coming and coming. Everything was very fresh and varied–something for the sushi novice and the sushi aficionado alike.

In order to avoid the growing crowd and also see what was going on in the second part of the restaurant, I walked through a door of the sushi bar that led to the teppan restaurant. Kado is basically two eateries in one—the front reserved for sushi and the rear for standard hibachi-style dining. (Think Benihana without the over the top antics.) In the middle, both parts are connected by covered walkway. There are even two outdoor dining areas suited for much warmer nights. Past the bar, at two large teppan tables, chefs served up grilled spicy shrimp, fried rice, grilled beef and noodles. Waitresses skirted through the hoards of hungry people with plates of salmon crostini with caviar and chicken karagi. If the large amount of people covering each table was not an indication of the quality of food, then surely I was convinced by the constant ‘Mmms’ and ‘Ahhs’ that I heard as people scurried by chewing their mini meals.

Although we were all given a small taste of what the restaurant offers, I did take a look at the nightly menu. There sushi menu ranged from teriyaki and tempura bowls to specialty rolls, seared fish and salads. The teppan menu included grilled chicken, filet mignon, shrimp, tuna, various salads with grilled meats and seafood and different combinations of all of the above. All teppan dinners come with soup, salad, grilled vegetables and steamed rice (with the option to add fried rice for an additional price). The sake menu lists drinks of the dai ginjo, ginjo, nigori and junmai variety, an impressive list of Japanese beers and several signature cocktails (such as the Berry O and the Speed Racer) that will leave you floating high. No real meal is ever complete without dessert, and there are light fares to choose–seasonal fruit salads, mochi ice cream, coconut tapioca, panna cotta, and marscapone cheesecake to name a few.

Besides the great food, there were other memorable characteristics of the dining area. It was very spacious, and it would be great for larger parties. The bar was separated from the tables by a slitted wall. The tables were large and roomy, most of them equipped with an iron plate top. The grilled topped tables had room enough to sit up to eight people around, but there were also smaller seating areas for parties of two and fur. Tables lined the lower seating area, and just up a short set of stairs were even more tables for those who wanted their meal prepared in the kitchen and not in front of their very eyes. Reservations are recommended because the place could fill up quickly!

This restaurant is more than recommended for anyone strolling through The Grove. Forget The Cheesecake Factory when you can have fresh, fun, festive food just a few stores down! Give Kado a try once, even if it’s only for novelty’s sake. Even if the food isn’t for you, it’s a delightful space in which to take a break and step into another world.