Kanpai

I think the flavor vs price doesn't match well. Not impressed by the sashimi or the udon.

Good for sushi staples plus options for non-sushi eaters. Fish specials, including a delicious Blue Fin Toro, were a plus.

Good lunch special. However, the regular menu for sushi at $3+ for one nigiri or slice of sashimi seems way over priced based on the sushi I've experienced across the US and Japan. High quality food though.

I've eaten at Kanpai a number of times: the food is pretty tasty and prices are decent for downtown Palo Alto. On a recent visit, my friends and I had to leave early, though, because the staff cleaned the back hall with a cleaner so potent that the smell was making it hard for me to breathe. Not an appetizing experience while dining and I wish they'd waited to clean until after closing time.

It's apparently not the best sushi in town, but we didn't have to wait too long for a table, so it worked for us. The host was actually very good at estimating wait-times and dealing with the crowd without making anyone uncomfortable, so i thought i should mention that, as it's a small place where patrons can all see who's waiting. Everything was good, neither the best nor the worst sushi we've had, and in the top half.