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Santa Monica - Kanpai restaurant
5.3

Kanpai

  • Santa Monica
  • $$
  • Sushi
  • Casual
  • Food
    great
  • Vibe
    bad
  • Perks
    great

Food: Flavorful yet frustratingly sparse

Kanpai's Spicy Tuna Tacos, Grilled Miso Cod, and Shrimp Dumplings stand out with a mix of pleasing taste and freshness. However, the delightful impression is marred by the lack of creativity, disappointing proportions, and stratospheric pricing. The expansive menu selection is the only saving grace.

  • Great Variety

    Extensive and diverse menu consistently pleases a wide range of palates.

  • Okay Quality

    Mostly fresh sushi, yet occasionally the seafood's quality is questioned.

  • Not Creative

    Massive diner-like menu lacks creativity and innovation for customers.

Top 3 dishes at Kanpai

  1. 1

    Spicy Yuzushio Ramen 🏆

    Perfectly tangy, with right spice level, enhancing the ramen experience.

    Spicy Yuzushio Ramen dish
  2. 2

    Spicy Tuna Tacos

    Great flavor with well-presented and proportioned spicy tuna.

    Spicy Tuna Tacos dish
  3. 3

    Miso Cod

    Grilled to perfection with a sweet miso sauce.

    Miso Cod dish

Vibe: Unsatisfactory ambiance, convoluted image

The poorly executed ambiance at Kanpai ruins the potential for an enjoyable dining experience. The overly bright lighting and disjointed restaurant image kill any chance of creating a memorable evening. The possibility of it making for a decent date night hangout gets smothered under glaring spotlights.

  • Great Drinks

    Extensive sake and wine lists praised, enhancing the dining experience.

  • Okay For Dates

    High prices can be justified, making it suitable for a date night.

  • Negative Buzz

    Identity crisis suggests lack of trendy, cohesive restaurant image.

Perks: Aggravating parking, inhospitable service

The facility already lacks the appeal with the shortage of dedicated parking spaces, causing customer irritation. On top of this, customers found the staff discourteous, and service slow, leading to a decline in the overall quality of the dining experience at Kanpai.

  • Easy To Reserve

    Easy to use Yelp for immediate seating and efficient staff cleanliness.

  • Bad Service

    Rude and unprofessional staff, slow service, and cold food greatly disappoint.