Spectacular . . . wherever you look!

Kashi Sushi Lounge

222 Sunrise Highway

Rockville Centre

(516) 442-7600

www.KashiJapanese.com

Sister to its counterpart in Huntington Village, the newly opened Kashi in Rockville Centre is a place you simply must see. Taking over the site of the former Tandori Grill and a dance studio, the space is enormous, and exquisitely designed. Owners Tony and Sky, who also owned Hotoke in Smithtown, are well-seasoned restaurateurs, and it shows in every aspect.

Blue back-lighting pops up frequently, from within the steps, accenting the cocktail lounge, bar area, sushi bar and dining rooms. Décor is sophisticated and ultra-modern, with plush whites and sleek furnishings. Hibachi tables with Japanese chefs who cook while entertaining fill one area, while another space has tables and cozy booths. The lounge with couches offers late night music and dancing on Saturdays.

Cuisine matches the stunning venue, with eye-popping presentations. Tony and Sky have kept and polished the most popular dishes at their Huntington Kashi, adding new ones as well. Also unique is that any food — from the sushi bar, cooked in the kitchen, or grilled at the hibachi tables — can be ordered from anywhere in the restaurant.

Expect surprises. Unlikely combinations, particularly in appetizers, will amaze the palate in a good way. “Chu Chu Lobster” was peppered sushi-grade raw tuna wrapped around Maine lobster salad on a bed of coconut guacamole, sprinkled with Japanese crunch and mango sauce. Lump crabmeat salad came in half an avocado, drizzled with spicy mayo and soy yuzu sauce. “Sex on the Beach,” one of the signature sushi rolls, offered crunchy shrimp tempura and spicy tuna wrapped in paper-thin soy nori, capped with tuna, salmon, avocado and spicy aka sauce.

We were equally wowed by seafood risotto. Lobster in its shell joined jumbo shrimp, asparagus, brussel sprouts, blue potatoes and carrots, with brown and black risotto rice and luscious butter-lime sauce.

Cheesecake Factory’s “original” needs no introduction, as creamy as could be. Desserts available are variations of ice cream, cakes and fried bananas.