As restaurants reopen, and we get used to the “new normal” of social distancing, facemasks, and outdoor seating, we have the opportunity to enjoy establishments like Kimono Japanese Restaurant. Located on busy Second St., Kimono has transformed a previously low key neighborhood eatery into a stylish and inviting venue. Tables sit 6 ft apart. The owners recently erected an attractive outdoor patio/party room that is apart from the main building. This addition is very private, and perfect for small family parties or holiday get-togethers.
Kimono offers a variety of delectable Japanese specialties for lunch and dinner in an elegant setting.
The owners have updated the former seating arrangement and added eight teppanyaki grills that are used to cook meat, seafood and vegetables in a manner made popular by the Benihana chain. Kimono has five, six and seven course meals, with soup, salad, appetizer, main dish, rice and dessert. Watching the chefs deftly cut the vegetables, meat and seafood into bite-size pieces is enjoyable and entertaining to all, but especially to children who get a closeup view of their food’s preparation.
But you don’t need a large appetite to enjoy Kimono.
A tantalizing variety of appetizers and soups are available to suit any appetite. On a chilly day, nothing will warm and satiate you as well as a comforting bowl of tempura udon or Kimono’s spicy seafood soup. Calamari or shrimp tempura or a zesty salmon poke bowl can cure that empty, mid-afternoon feeling. And besides grilled food and appetizers, Kimono provides tempting made-to-order sushi rolls to enjoy by themselves or as an appetizer. The sushi roll options include old favorites, like Spicy Tuna Handroll. They also have new taste treats like the Scallop Arsenal Roll with spicy crab, fried scallop and jalapeno pepper.
Kimono offers a full bar including specialty cocktails like mojitos made with Bai gingo sake or cucumber jalapeno margarita.
Both cold and hot sake are available, and the wine list includes a variety of appealing red and white selections from California wineries. They have ten types of domestic and imported beer, and four kinds of Japanese beer. Non-alcoholic beverages are available as well and include soft drinks, Japanese soft drinks, lemonade and iced tea.
Eating at Kimono recently made me glad that the COVID situation has improved enough that we can once again dine at welcoming establishments. The creative menus and comforting fare salves our souls and makes us feel able to face the world, once again. All this and safe practices too!
Use the OpenTable app to make reservations.
