Bites Nearby: Kawa Sushi in Livermore

Names can be deceptive when it comes to restaurants. Such is the case with Kawa Sushi in Livermore.

This restaurant, which opened in 1998, always has been much more than a sushi house; there are many wondrous dishes to try in various settings. It has a traditional dining area, a sushi bar and a teppan yaki room, where a chef will dazzle you as he cooks the meal right before your eyes.   

Kawa Sushi is a great place to go for lunch. The chefs prep fresh fish each morning and other choices include charbroiled teriyaki, tempura, donburi and udon dishes.

My favorite is the bento box lunch. The restaurant has a two- and three-item box, with about 18 dishes from which to choose, plus two potstickers, salad, miso soup, rice and an orange slice. Bento boxes are $11.50 for two items and $12.95 for three. 

I usually choose the tempura and sashimi or the tempura and salmon teriyaki. The tempura is lightly battered crispy goodness. Vegetables and a shrimp that are deep fried — what more can you ask for? The sashimi is fresh and not at all fishy tasting and the salmon teriyaki is always a big portion of fish that is moist and flavorful. I usually feel like I should roll out of this place after lunch because I am so stuffed. Other lunch items range in price from $9.50 to $12.95 

Sushi and sashimi lunch specials come with soup and cost $12.95 to $19.95. If you have never tried sushi, you can start with a little bit tamer version in the form of rolls. They are made fresh in the sushi bar and many are baked or deep fried. 

Who wouldn't be tempted to try the Green Dragon: shrimp tempura, crab, avocado and special house sauce for $12.95? Or the Lion King, which is a California roll wrapped in salmon and baked in a nice sauce for $10.95? Kawa Sushi also has special rolls such as the Livermore Roll, made of crab, cucumber and avocado with lobster and a special sauce. Other offerings include combination party trays and huge "cruise ships" of sushi. 

Dinner is available in the traditional dining area and at the sushi bar at a cost of $10.95 to $21.95. 

To dine in the teppan yaki room, you'll need a little more time and a little more money, although on Mondays and Tuesdays you can eat there for half price.

Choices include filet mignon, scallops, lobster, shrimp, chicken and many combinations of proteins. Teppan yaki dinners range in price from $16.95-$41.95 and include soup, salad and fried or steamed rice. And it's an entertaining evening as you watch your chef chop and cook your entree.

The restaurant is kid friendly, with dinners for ages 1o and younger $14.95 to $15.95. Friday through Sunday nights feature a kids-eat-free deal with two paying adults. Show up on your birthday with ID and the first $25 of your teppan yaki tab is on the house.

Kawa Sushi has a full bar that also serves Wente and Cupcake wines and 12-plus sakes, hot and cold.

Kawa Sushi is at 2180 3rd St., Livermore. 925-606-7222. Monday - Friday lunch 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; Sunday lunch noon-3 p.m.; Monday - Thursday dinner 5-9:30 p.m.; Friday dinner 5-10 p.m.; Saturday dinner 5-9:30 p.m.; Sunday dinner 5-9 p.m.