Kawa Ni Japanese Izakaya in Westport Expands to Double Its Size

Szechuan pork dumplings are a spicy Kawa Ni staple.

Photography by Andrew Dominick

If you appreciate good food, and you live in the state of Connecticut, you’ve likely spent some time at Chef Bill Taibe’s Japanese izakaya spot in Westport, Kawa Ni. This small cozy culinary gem, bathed in warm woods, vintage Japanese posters and that perfect restaurant buzz, has hosted many a night for sake bombs (gong ringing included), tofu pockets, chicken karaage, Szechuan pork dumplings and a bowl of spicy miso ramen just for good measure.

As a frequent Kawa Ni diner, the only downside of being a guest at this popular Japanese style pub is scoring a reservation. Sure, they welcome walk-ins, and their very friendly staff always does their best to find a way to seat you a seat at the bar, or up on the rooftop patio if the season is right. However, historically, if you had an urgent last minute crazing for their pork rib confit, landing a table without some advanced planning, wasn’t the easiest task.

The bar is bigger and “over here” now

Kawa Ni is pleased to announce that all of this has changed. Bill Taibe, and his team including Massimo Tulio and Andrea Dinan, recently purchased the smoothie bar next to the current location, and Kawa Ni has undergone a sizeable expansion of their footprint. It’s double the size to be exact. If you listen carefully, you can hear the jubilant sounds of diners rejoicing.

The restaurant has been closed for the past two weeks to quickly build out and integrate the new space, but Kawa Ni re-opens Thursday April 21. Here’s what to expect:

A bone marrow washed bourbon old fashioned? Don’t mind if I do.

The biggest change to the interior is the bar, which has been moved to the new space, and has gone from five to 12 seats. Along with the larger bar, comes the addition of a new bar snacks menu (more on that later), a TV (new for the space), and an expanded whiskey and Japanese spirits selection. This will give bartender, Owen Wiseman, plenty of space to invent some new cocktails.

Another nice feature of the expansion is their new policy for reservations. One side of the restaurant will accept reservations, while the other side is reserved for walk-ins only, thus making that coveted seat procurement more feasible for poor planners like myself.

This gourmet version of shrimp toast on milk bread with sesame seeds and xo chili sauce is not to be missed.

Forget those old school deviled eggs, try these jammy yolk Japanese pub version.

Kawa Ni’s menu, other than the above mentioned bar snacks, will remain the same. Why change a good thing, but of course, Tainbe says “we have seasonal updates to the menu coming soon.”

The interior is a perfect extension of the existing spot with light wood, earth tone tiles and beautiful creative wallpaper. Don’t miss the Japanese toilets. (I had to say it.)

Carbonara? It’s a thing. Miso noodles, parmesan, bacon, a soft egg, and kimchi come together for a riff on a classic Italian dish.

Creamy, spicy tuna nigiri

P.S. Kawa Ni will continue to do take-out but is really trying to make the customer experience and in-house dining the priority, so starting this month, they will require takeout orders to be placed by 4 p.m. on the weekends for pickup between the hours of 4-6 p.m.

Additionally, the patio will reopen after Memorial Day.

See ya at the new Kawa Ni!

Kawa Ni 19A Bridge Square; Westport
Wednesday 12–9PM; Thursday 12–9 p.m.; Friday 12–10 p.m.; Saturday 12–9 p.m.; Sunday 4–9 p.m.
@kawaniwestport