A tempura and teriyaki treasure trove

Jim and Nancy do not disclose the fact that they will review a restaurant before they attend, ensuring their reviews are unbiased and uninfluenced by their position with the Sun Day.

Some people think that a restaurant critic’s life is an easy one; we beg to differ. You have to research new venues, try to find them, eat extraordinary amounts of food, write about it, and then diet the rest of the week. Then along comes the next issue, and it’s “Déjà vu all over again.” Every once in a while, however, our efforts are rewarded.

Located in the shadows of the Lake in the Hills water tower, and nestled in a picturesque location behind the Clark station, and around the corner from the Dipping’ Doggie Wash, is the Kaminari Japanese Cuisine Restaurant.

You will be pleasantly surprised when you walk in and see a modern Japanese restaurant with a huge sushi bar complete with a giant opalescent fish backdrop. Of the eleven tables in the restaurant four are located in the rear behind wooden “Torii” like gates. When you see the “gates,” you’ll know what we are talking about. The back-lit walls and track lighting compliment the modern atmosphere.

Something caught our eye on the wall by our table. It is a call button. If you push it, a number lights up in the wait staff area and signals your waitress, just like a flight attendant on an airplane. How cool is that?

We began our evening with shrimp (2) and vegetable (sweet potato, zucchini and onion) tempura for $6. We also ordered Shrimp Gyoza (6) for $5. Don’t confuse this with the giant lizard that trampled Tokyo, these are commonly called potstickers. As usual, we had our iced tea.

We broke our Cardinal Rule tonight and ordered the same entrée, and you will see why when we tell you the price. We both decided on the lobster tail tempura (4 pieces). It came with a vegetable tempura assortment (1 broccoli, 1 sweet potato slice, 1 slice of zucchini, 3 green beans, and 1 onion ring). This was served over crunchy rice noodles (they’re the ones that look like styrofoam) and with white rice. All entrees come with miso soup and salad with ginger dressing. This was one of the more expensive entrees. Hold on to your kimono; it cost $20. Now you see why we couldn’t pass this up. After dinner, the chef sent over a ball of green tea ice cream with a sweet rice coating as a sweet treat for us to share.

The tempura coating was a very light batter and not greasy like it sometimes can be. The service was excellent (darn, we never got to use the call button) because the chef and waitress couldn’t do enough for us. The sushi looked awesome and the food presentation was stunning.

Since we had a “yen” for tempura, our bill came to $59.26. Arigato (thank you)!!!

FYI: Kaminari is not open for lunch on weekends but it is handicap accessible.

Jim’s take: The Shrimp Gyoza were deep fried and different, and I actually found miso soup that I enjoyed! And a delicious lobster meal for $20, what’s not to like?

Nancy’s take: I’m going back for a Bento Box lunch, since I found tempura that I like. Every so often a girl just has to have lobster. But I still think miso is Japanese for dishwater!!!

Have comments or restaurant suggestions for the Dining Duo? Send them an email at thediningduo@gmail.com.

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