The menu at K's features hibachi-style dining, with food prepared at "teppans."
Visually enigmatic, K's Japanese Steak in Westfield is both high-concept and concrete-block casual.A towering water feature dominates one end of the restaurant; massive teppanyaki tables fill another part of the space. The dramatic eye candy notwithstanding, the restaurant is low key, as if a Japanese steak house should be seen as an everyday dining option.
The menu at K's features hibachi-style dining, with food prepared at "teppans" (grills) around which diners congregate to enjoy food preparation hi-jinks.
Hibachi dinners range from Hibachi Vegetables ($12.95) to Hibachi Lobster Tail ($26.95); combination pairings include the likes of Chicken & Scallops ($21.95) and Filet Mignon & Shrimp ($25.95).
A sushi bar that serves a comprehensive assortment of fish-and-rice creations is a second facet of the operation.
All the standard sushi combinations are available, including Mackerel ($1.75), Octopus ($2.00) and Sea Urchin ($3.50).
Rolls and hand rolls such as the Asparagus Roll ($3.95) and the Spicy Tuna Roll ($6) are part of the repertoire, as are "special rolls" such as the Black Angel Roll ($10.95), a creation that includes shrimp tempura, crab meat, black caviar, and strawberry sauce.
Entree selections include various noodle and rice stir-fries, tempura platters, sushi assortments, and teriyaki dinners.
"Been there, done that" tends to be our reaction to hibachi. With everything generously seasoned with onion and soy sauce and prepared on the same griddle, whether it's shrimp, chicken, steak, or noodles, it all ends up tasting pretty much the same. Having seen such performances several times before, we chose to abstain. Instead, we opted to focus on K's other efforts.
California Roll ($4.50) was a sushi-bar staple that earned K's a solid C-plus. Fashioned from avocado, surimi, and matchstick cucumber all wrapped in nori (seaweed) and a layering of sushi rice, the roll was fresh tasting and neatly put together.
We did note, however, that the roll contained a lot less sushi rice than is typical.
Treasure Island ($8.95) is a sashimi appetizer made from cubed raw fish packed lightly into a mold, topped with shingled, thin-sliced avocado, and garnished with scallion and flying fish roe.
Served in a puddle of soy-based dipping sauce, it was an easy-to-manage way to enjoy raw fish.
A Seafood Skewer ($6.95) offered two favorites -- shrimp and scallops -- grilled with bell pepper chunks and served brushed with yakitori (a sweet, soy-based sauce accented with rice wine vinegar).
Even though tradition dictates that tempura should be lightly battered, most Japanese restaurants now use panko crumbs. K's, however, adheres to the old ways; the Shrimp Tempura ($15.95) they served featured a somewhat thickly laid on batter crust. The shrimp and veggies were nonetheless fresh tasting and grease-free.
Teriyaki like the Shrimp and Chicken Teriyaki Dinner ($17.95) we ordered is another staple of Japanese restaurant menus. Arranged over a bed of sizzling onions and lightly brushed with yakitori, both the chicken breast and grilled shrimp were moist, savory and enjoyable.
A Pork Katsu Bento Box Dinner ($16.95) provided the chance to sample a number of Japanese favorites.
In addition to the pork katsu (breaded pork cutlet), the compartmented tray served us was stocked with shrimp tempura, California roll slices, shrimp shumai dumplings, and white rice.
Kitchen entrees at K's Steakhouse include white rice and come with either miso soup or a green salad dressed with sweetened ginger puree.
The restaurant is fully licensed, offering beer and a selection of exotic cocktails. Wine options are limited to a few generic varietal pours.
When it comes time for dessert, the choices are few. We enjoyed some Ginger Ice Cream ($4.25) and were suitably impressed by the Fried Ice Cream ($5.50) dessert. Battered and flash fried, the crunchy-coated frozen confection comes with a small alcohol flame as garnish.
As is customary with Oriental eateries, K's offers luncheon specials, most of which are priced between $8 and $9.