Inside: Kai

Classical Japanese cuisine is called “kaiseki,” but tradition’s out the window at downtown’s Kai.

Opened in June 2007, slick-and-sexy Kai is brought to you by the nice people behind one of Springfield’s best-known Japanese restaurants, Haruno. Unlike Haruno, which is basically “Springfield does high-end Japanese,” Kai is all about the contemporary fusion of flavors. That’s a fancy term that means you should expect sweet and spicy tastes where they don’t usually “belong.”

Don’t be surprised to find jalapeños in your Springfield-ified Japanese sushi roll… or a sprinkling of juicy blueberries and the tiniest hint of searing wasabi, both served with an otherwise Western-style filet of sea bass. Kai also serves a selection of top-shelf cocktails in a snazzy bar that vibrates with organically throbbing lights, permanently active flat-screens and a bustling semi-open kitchen.

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