If you build the condos, the pan-Asian restaurants will come. This seems like a sure recipe for restaurant success—especially since it happens in every neighborhood that's being built up—and one that this place definitely capitalizes on. At this two-room restaurant complete with sushi bar, the menu is split into two sections: Japanese fusion and Thai fusion. Fussy types looking for authenticity need not venture into Kichenette's doors, but those looking to get more cultural bang for their buck should waltz on in.
Like many pan-Asian joints, the menu here runs very long. On the Japanese side, choose from appetizers (all under $6) like the soft-shell crab, deep fried in batter and served with rice vinaigrette. For your main meal, mix and match a few maki with a couple of sushi. Perhaps the salmon skin maki (fried salmon skin with cucumber), the Alaskan maki (salmon, snow crab, avocado, cucumber, tabiko) and some slices of Hirame (flounder) sushi? If you choose Thai, be sure to sample a $6.95 panang curry.
Light orange walls cover both rooms and a sushi chef chops up fresh fish in room two; handsome brown tables (lit by candles in the evening hours) cover the floors and a goldfish swims in a lit tank by the cash register. If you didn't bring along any alcohol (Kitchenette is BYO), you can start the party after dinner at Ginger's Ale House next door. For those who want pan-Asian but can't make it to the restaurant, this place delivers all day!
Average cost: <$10
Centerstage Reviewer: Alicia Eler
