It's so hard to say a restraurant is amazing when the hype has been built up so much. It dares you to be disappointed. I am still not sure (a month later) which camp I fall into. I've heard such amazing things about Kai from so many people in the Valley - friends, husband, co-workers, clients. All of those amazing things people have told me are true. The service, drinks, dinner, dessert - they were all amazing. I guess I'm disappointed because they didn't stand out in their amazingness. Does that even make sense? I'll try to explain. For example, the ambience & decor are top notch. Soft music, luxurious & spacious dining room, hip bar - but the place just feels like, I don't know, like it's missing its soul. Kai just feels & looks like another great Arizona restraurant. It's subtly southwest, but you could be at the Camelback Inn or the Pointe. You don't get the feeling you're at a Casino (although that's actually down the street, huh?) or on an Indian reservation - you could be in North Scottsdale or Downtown Phoenix. I don't know, something was just missing. It's hard for me to describe or even put my finger on. Look at their virtual tour & see if you agee. Kai does better in the actual food & menu - it's pretty clear that organic farming & using good quality ingredients from the Gila River Indian Community are a cornerstone of the menu - it's written in every description. Our party enjoyed both surf & turf - so we had a good representation off the menu with appetizers & desserts. Every entree was wonderful & there were no leftovers! But, again, I was left feeling......something, what? The dishes were inspired by Native American culture, but in the end - I couldn't really tell the difference between the "inspired" tenderloin & one from Durant's or Mastro's. The difference between the local micro green salad & one grown in California. Maybe I would have enjoyed it more if the dishes were more authentic to Arizona's various Native American tribes. Taking a real tribal staple or favorite dish & then giving it an amazing executive chef's touch or re-inventing it - that to me would truely make Kai unique. Serving lobster, dry aged rib eye, truffles, & scallops just sounds like every other expensive, five star restraurant in the Valley & probably in any large US city. What's uniquely Native American or Arizonan about that? Some ideas - maybe if they changed the decor, hired an Arizonan Native American chef, created an avant garde signature dish from a tribal staple, or gave your party a handmade arts & craft talisman made by the local tribes instead of a hand written Thank you on stationary?? I don't know. I think Kai just needs to be more innovative & create a dining experience that a local or visitor can't get at any other restaurant in the Valley of the Sun. Take themselves out of the five star restaurant competition by giving the guest something completely different & cutting edge. In short, I think Kai is just missing that 'je ne sais quoi'. After all the great reviews & hype, I felt Kai fell short. I was expecting an authentic, uniquely Arizonan Native American dining experience & got an amazing, delicious dinner at a five star restraurant. Great dinner, but not really unique or innovative. read more

We've come here several times in the last 5-6 years, but our recent visit early this month was a disappointment. The food has always been amazing, service impeccable, and we keep recommending this place to everyone who may enjoy food. However, it looks like they are making some transitions and it's not too smooth yet. New chairs- so heavy they will cause injury. Boots are recommended. The food was fine, just not memorable. Tastings were few and we had to ask for bread, which is usually served automatically. We got one tasting between courses and we did get a complimentary dessert since we were there for my birthday. Typically there are at least 3 tastings and so that was definitely a loss. We do have some dietary restrictions but it's never been a problem since the chef always has made adjustments. There is a new chef and they are making changes and a new menu. I hope that it's a good change- I am sadly more likely to try a different place rather than try here again. This was a place I would say WAS a bucket list highlight, and I hope that they manage to revive it. read more

The food was so enticing that we stuffed ourselves over capacity. The specialty martinis were also fantastic. Both drinks and food used interesting flavor combinations that I hadn't had before. While not strictly native american (e.g. had lobster and caviar as ingredients), all the dishes and drinks had elements or ingredients that were locally based. The decor is based on traditional native american design and all the menus have hand painted pictures depicting some element of native american life. Our servers were excellent. They were knowledgeable about the different dishes and gave us cultural background throughout the night. We were also blown away to find a box of chocolates, fancy water, and a hand written card from our server in our car when we picked it up from valet. read more

One of the best dining experiences ever! The service is top-notch. The food is amazing. Each dish has a subtle mixture of flavors that is complex and oh so delicious. I loved the buffalo. I was surprised by how large the portions are. I could barely eat dessert, and on top of that, they brought out some delectable truffles compliments of the chef to end the meal. Try to get a seat where you can see the sun set behind the mountains and lake--absolutely gorgeous--what a serene setting. Oh, and I love the attention to details, such as the artwork on the walls and on the menus, the silverware cooled or heated to the proper temperature depending on the dish it comes with. read more

Kai should have been incredible - we had the seven journey tasting menu plus some extra appetizers which were fabulous. The presentation was incredible and the attention to detail was extraordinary . I really wanted to give them a five star but sadly I could not because two of the seven courses were way too salty and they continually rushed us. They would bring one course on top of the next as if they were trying to push us out. When you have an extravagant meal like this you expect to take your time and savor each bite with breaks in between - not have the plates all land simultaneously. The wait staff could not have repeatedly asked us if we needed anything yet be unable to see that they were rushing us - finally we just left with take out containers because we felt so rushed. read more

We went to Kai to celebrate our anniversary this past Saturday and I am SO happy we got a reservation on their last night before they close for several weeks. First, I have to say that the staff is amazing. We elected to use the car service and our driver was fantastic. Once we arrived at the restaurant the hostesses greeted us by name and wished us a happy anniversary. The sommelier, Thomas, was personable and recommended great bottles of wine, both of which we thoroughly enjoyed. We had Quentin as our server and he was knowledgeable about the menu, the restaurant and its history. The food was 5 star! Although the menu changes, we enjoyed every course we were served. We started with the 4 cheese plate that was excellently accompanied by our wine selection. We then shared the lobster degustation and it was outstanding. We were then presented with an amuse bouche, bison tartar for my husband and a vegetarian choice for me that was delicious. Our entrees were the stars of the evening. I chose the Grouper with quinoa & the Mr. had the scallops. Both dishes were finished with amazing sauces done table side. Dessert was a piping out soufflé with vanilla bean cream and a complimentary chocolate mousse for our anniversary. I can't wait to go back once they reopen and introduce their new menu. read more

Best Restaurant in AZ, so far. I laughed, I cried. The food was to die! I was so impressed, it doesn't matter what you order, this food is made with love and respect. read more

Celebrated my 50th birthday here and am still reeling over the experience! The service and ambience were fantastic but the food was the star! We each did the short story tasting menu and LOVED everything that was placed before us! Pricey yes, but well worth the experience and isn't that what life is all about! read more

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Kai Restaurant Top-Voted Scottsdale Restaurants... top notch in every way! unbelievable views at sunset. Kai, meaning 'seed' in the Pima language, features a menu rich in creativity, history and Native American culture. Kai Restaurant is the recent recipient of AAA's highly distinguished Five Diamond Award. Executive Chef Michael O'Dowd and Native American Chef de Cuisine Jack Strong incorporate the essence of the Pima and Maricopa tribes and locally farmed ingredients from the Gila River Indian Community to create unforgettable masterpieces. James Beard Award-winning Chef Janos Wilder is consulting chef for Kai and is renowned for creating unique and indigenous menu experiences. Open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday, reservations are recommended. Kai maintains a smart business casual dress code. No denim preferred. Shorts, and hats not allowed Kai, a restaurant at Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa on the Gila River Reservation, joined the prestigious list of top-rated restaurants in Arizona four years after opening its doors. It's the first tribe-owned and Sheraton-operated restaurant to make the national list. At Kai, waiters serve and take away every plate at the same time for every diner at a table. They call every diner by name and place mints and personal thank-you notes inside guests' cars or hotel rooms. read more

DO NOT BELIEVE THE HYPE. Our server kept pronouncing our names wrong over and over and over, it was so annoying. The food is ok, not magical or 5 diamond worth. You will pay so much for nothing. The decor is slightly better than an old western themed diner. Every course was tiny and not filling, go to any mastro's restaurant for a true dining experience. read more

We were pleased and disappointed at the same time. The service was good: people knew their stuff, and if you asked further questions they had answers. But, our table was full of crumbs that didn't get swept up - what's up with that?! Every course we had was delicious. Beautiful foie gras, heirloom tomato salad with a black ice dressing that was a great treat, BUT, my rib-eye was tough!! Gristly and hard to cut and chew. Incredibly disappointing for the quality we were expecting. That's why this 5-star restaurant only rates 4 stars from us. read more

KAI is well, KAI for a reason. Food was amazing! Service is over the top. Pricey...YES, worth it, absolutely! Save up and make this a stop. Well worth it. Take a tour...best way to try alot! read more

Talk about impeccable service. Each person has there own waiter, the food was very creative and the atmosphere romantic. They have your car waiting for you when you leave with little chocolates and bottled waters in your car thanking you. Awesome! read more

Hands down, the best meal I've ever had in my life. Also hands down the most expensive, but the experience, the flavors, the service, all worth every penny. Kai blends a Native American base theme with locally grown and locally sourced ingredients to create dishes that are simply out of this world. The Lobster Degustation we started with was sublime. The menu describes it as three items, "Butter Braised Tail, Avocado Mousse, Tear Drop Salsa & Lobster Coral Lobster Knuckles in Sweet Corn Panna Cotta with Sour Radishes, Lobster Cobbler with Mesquite Meal & Burnt Irish Porter Cheese". I describe it as simply ridiculous in its enjoyability. I had a Buffalo steak which was very lean yet incredibly tender. My wife had the Ribeye steak, which was borderline too fatty, but the flavor and texture were outstanding. The house-made barbecue sauce should be bottled and sold. My dessert was the "Two Sisters Squash Air Cake", with "60-Day Corn Ice Cream, Mesquite Syrup, Smoked Corn Puree, Ramona Farms Ga'Ivsa, Tarragon and Amaranth". What the menu doesn't say is the dish is delivered under a bell filled with Applewood smoke. Wow. Unexpected, and exceptionally different. Make no mistake: Dining here is an investment in time and money. It is not inexpensive in any way shape or form. But if you're willing to invest in flavors and textures and service you're not likely to experience in many places, and certainly not anywhere else here in the Valley, then make a reservation and be prepared to be awestruck. read more

We went here for our anniversary and it blew us away. The staff was beyond attentive, and the food was beyond amazing. Their butternut squash soup had so many levels of flavor that every bite just got better. We're saving our money to go back for another special occasion, and we can't wait! *B read more

We were here last night and Kai is changing along with Phoenix, I think for the better. It's always been a well run machine, but I think smoother and seasoned now. The menu featured autumnal flavors. I had soup, the lobster trio and for an entree The Three Sisters, which were scallops. I love seeing Native American culture succeed at this level, so for me it's both an artistic and culinary experience. I thought the scented fog experience at the end of the meal was a nice touch. I've learned to pace myself at this restaurant. The food is some of the richest I've ever eaten. Taking a couple acidophilus beforehand helps. I ended up bringing home two large 'doggy' bags, only partly because I couldn't eat it all. My experience is when you ask to take something home from this restaurant, you're going to get home and find LOTS of wonderful surprises! read more

wow. that pretty much sums up everything. you know everything was WOW when you can't stop thinking about the place for weeks to come! the BEST dining experience! (second best is in Beverly Hills) read more

One word - rich. Yeah, no, I don't mean what you need to be to eat here (although it would certainly help). The food is delicious but extraordinarily rich. Let me break it down for you: * They offer a choice of fruit or cucumber to put in your water - amazing * Rosemary sea salt bread, local fruit bread and garlic bread with local olive oil, nuts & seeds - very good * Mesquite bean martini - great! I always love a smoky variation of my favorite cocktail. * Escargot - OUTSTANDING! The yogurt chip with real truffle was an amazing flavor combination with the escargot and pork in the dish. It was so good but super rich. * Sorbet - could you pick all my favorite flavors and put them into one thing? I guess. Coconut cilantro sorbet with jalapeno gooseberry coulis - YUM * Squab with sweetbreads - not a fan. Something just didn't taste quite right. It's hard to explain the taste but it kind of reminded me of when I was in the elementary school cafeteria, that smell of the dishes being done. Not good. One could argue that I just don't like squab but I love sweetbreads and they tasted the same. Combined with the heavily truffle oiled potatoes it was definitely not my favorite. Enough with the truffle oil! Gah... * The sommelier recommended a great glass of zinfandel - tasty * Décor - sucks. I spend my life in banquet rooms for work. Felt like I never left. * Music - sad, then sleepy, then food coma. Ugh. I appreciate the playing of traditional Native American music, the song choices were just kind of depressing for an extended dining experience. * Service - spot on. The assistant server was especially enthusiastic. I dined alone so once the couple that was having an affair left the room, there was no more entertainment. (It's easy to notice these things when the couple in question has had a few bottles of wine) Not the restaurant's fault, but I wish the ambiance and music could have been a little more lively. A heavy meal combined with sleepy time music made it tempting to take a little nap. Dessert looked good, if only I were able to stay awake. The thank you note delivered to Mr. & Mrs. H. was a nice touch but I didn't realize that I'd dined with my imaginary husband, or father as the case may be. He must have been a horrible conversationalist! If I'd have known, we could have at least shared the buffalo entree and maybe some cheesecake for dessert! read more

This restaurant is by the far the most unique restaurant I have ever eaten at. I love the concept...taking the vernacular of southwest, native american flavors and incorporating it into fine cuisine. The heart of this restuarant is the fact that they use local seeds, local flowers, local everything to make the food so extraordinary. I always request the corner table at teh junction of the 2 windows at aorund 5:30 pm to get the best sunset views possible. Then the experience begins...every waiter knows your name, everything is not overlooked, food is beyond exceptional, and the location is classic AZ. If I could, I would add another diamond on top of the 5 it's already received. Thank you Kai and Sheraton WHP for putting together an unforgettable restaurant. read more

Went here for our anniversary. As expected the service was outstanding. We had "The Journey". An eleven course spectacular that kept us at the table for 4 hours. You might think that eleven courses and four hours is overkill. But you would be wrong. The service is paced and never rushed. Each serving is small but enough to throughly enjoy each delectable item. If you want an outstanding dining experience, this is your place. The staff went well beyond what you might expect with even high standards. We even got a nice surprise at the valet when we got our car. It was expensive, but worth it. read more

Let me start by saying that if you are looking for a memorable way to celebrate a birthday, anniversary or any other special event and are willing to spend a couple hundred dollars per person, stop looking for a restaurant and book your reservation here! This restaurant is absolutely spectacular! A fine dining experience unlike anything else I have ever experienced! The entire staff ensures that ever detail of your entire dining experience is flawless. My wife and I celebrated her birthday here and I can't think of any restaurant we have been to in the world that I would rather return to for future special events. Aside from the service, the food is also a revelation with every bite of every dish being one of the best things I have ever put in my mouth! I won't list everything we ordered, but whatever you do, don't miss the Potato soup (forgive me for not remembering the fancy name) or the escargot! I really love that each dish is described for you as it is being placed in front of you, so you are never left wondering, "what was that small thing on the side I just ate?" After an amazing meal, I love that our server chose our deserts for us based on what we had ordered for our other courses! Through conversation and our discussions about the other dishes, they made perfect selections for my wife (the chocolate mousse) and for me, an incredible smoked pecan pie that they serve under a dome, releasing a huge puff of hickory smoke right at your table to inhale and start the dish! I won't share all the small details of how they turn a fine dining experience into a memorable evening as I think that for those not accustomed to truly fine dining, the small details they pay attention to are more enjoyable if they come as a surprise. Enjoy! read more

I don't want to give away too much. All you really need to know is that every single bite was delicious. The entire staff was thoughtful and kind. I plan on eating here every time I'm in the area. read more

My wife and I dined here for our 10th anniversary. I was impressed from the moment we arrived at the door. The staff asked our names, and nobody forgot them the rest of the evening. We were addressed by our first names, and the service was impeccable, attentive, yet not intrusive. The food, though, stole the show. It's everything you've seen on all of the Food Network shows, and then some. The complexity of the tastes and textures was so varied, and perfect. The progression of the courses and the pairings with wine were amazing. I'd go every weekend, but it is quite expensive. read more

If you want a true fine dining experience this is it. It is well worth the money. Right from the start to the way you are treated by the valet to the incredible service and food experience. There are two waiters per person...they don't hover but are right there if you want something. The Native American Influence and foods are a delightful experience and the food was without fault . I had a lobster dish that was sweet and tasty The bottles of water and chocolates in the car at the end of the meal are a nice treat and ending to an exceptional evening. read more

I wish I could give more than five stars. This place is transcendentally good. It is the complete package: food that defies description, service that is on the money and impeccable, and an experience that reminds you what food can mean to your mind and spirit. My wife and I dined here tonight for our anniversary, and I saved up my Christmas money just to be able to go here. We have never spent this much money on one meal before, but we are both very into food exploration and wanted to do something really special since it has been awhile. We could not have been more correct in choosing this place. While we waited for our table (we arrived a little early for our reservation), we were provided with a prickly pear fruit drink to start. It was amazing. We got our table exactly when we made our reservation, and we immediately noticed how intently the staff provided their service. Every course delivered to the surrounding tables was delivered individually by one server each in a line of four servers. It was almost like out of a movie. Our server greeted us by name (and continued to use our names throughout the meal), and greeted us in the local native language and welcomed us to Kai. I'll try to just hit the high points now so I don't end up writing more of a novel than I'm already onto. One of the sommeliers (yes, ONE of) offered us the wine selections. We went for the cheapest half-bottle they had, but it was still amazing. The menus are bedecked with individually custom-painted watercolors from a local artist. We made our selections, and all were brought to us perfectly timed, and they scraped the tablecloth clean between courses, which I've only seen once before and just feels super classy for some reason. Between courses, there were small complimentary bites offered. First, before everything, was a single bite of oxtail with a corn salsa and a puree I don't recall with a microgreen sprig. Perfectly seasoned and a wonderful warmup. Then we had our first course. The waiters actually bring out a copper sauce pan to put the finishing sauce on the place right in front of you. I had a Hawai'ian Pomfret with a wild boar bacon sauce and some other things. Appallingly delicious. My wife had the barbacoa sheep with some incredible sauces and a fried egg. I don't remember the exact dish and the menu online isn't exactly the same one they had tonight in the restaurant. Next we got some bread, three different kinds, with a local olive oil and a mixture of crushed nuts. Again, all was preposterously good. The second course we split, which was the lobster three ways: butter braised with grilled avocado guacamole, heirloom cherry tomatoes, and osetra caviar, a lobster knuckle and endive salad with shaved fennel in a vanilla truffle vinaigrette, and a lobster bisque made with ancho and corn and topped with brown butter brioche crumbs. In the words of so many teenage girls: I literally can't even. Next came a palette cleanser sorbet: raspberry and allspice with a cranberry drizzle. Finally came the main course. I hesitate to even try to explain this because I know language falls short of expressing the abject joy felt by your entire body while consuming perfection, but I will try. I ordered the elk loin wrapped in iberico ham and covered in a jus and truffle emulsion (which they drizzle on the meat before you) along with shaved black truffle (which they shave onto the place in front of you) along with a truffle and wild mushroom risotto. My wife ordered the seared duck breast. She also got a jus drizzle, but the duck was presented three ways: a whole piece, a piece sliced up, and a shredded piece with some other seasonings. She says the shredded duck was possibly the best thing she has ever eaten. The elk loin was gamey, as is to be expected, but the jus and truffle really cut through that and made a complete and rich taste of it all. The beets in the risotto were a bit vegetal for me, but that's just preference. I could try to put the experience into words, but everything I've typed so far just scratches the surface and is far too many words as it is. Quite simply, if you have the money for a special occasion meal and you love food that is life-long memory making, go here. This is the best meal I have ever had in my life. I embarrassed my wife by doing so, but I asked to see the chef (the chef was actually gone, but the sous chef came out) so I could shake his hand and thank him in person for the incredible experience he provided for me and my wife. I have been to a number of amazing restaurants, but few restaurants you will be able to find anywhere in this country will be able to offer such a unique and complete experience. The incorporation of local and native ingredients and styles connects you to the land and history while the creative and beautiful techniques and presentations makes for more than just a delicious meal. It truly is an experience you cannot get anywhere else and that you should not miss. read more

It's our favorite place in earth! We have been there 3 times and it just gets better. It's a bit far and of course, expensive but you get more than you expect for your money. I have dinned in Vegas for 850 bucks, did not get the same experience I have had at Kai, neither the great food. read more

Attentive waiters. Also very knowledgeable about the menu. Intriguing adaptations using desert ingredients.

first to start, I would like to say, WOW to kevin. he is one of our head service person and his service is off the chart. here what we order Cherry Sweet Grass Smoked Quail Breast w/ Slow Braised Mole Adobo Rabbit Escargot, Wild Mushrooms & Caramel Goat Cheese Bellota Iberico Llomo Wrapped High Country Elk Loin Grilled Tenderloin of Tribal Buffalo Mexican Chocolate Soufflé the food was top chart. fresh, presentation was excellent. definitely a place to come back and try different items. the service it self worth for you to come back. Kevin, I'm calling before coming. to make sure you are around. read more

Take someone that matters here and you won't be sorry. The service is some of the best in the world, and the food is stunning. The menu changes once or twice a year, and if you can't wrangle this place on an expense account, it is THE place to impress a client. Destined for a Michelin star.... read more

I stayed in the hotel for three days and had dinner once in this restaurant. The service is really good. I had the seven course tasting menu but didn't like the cheese very much. The rest of the courses were great but I would recommend trying the individual dish instead of the tasting menu. read more

Kai provided a true dining experience for our Anniversary. The food was amazing, really enjoyed all the interesting flavors and combinations of food. The service was outstanding. So nice to have the staff tending to our every need. This was a true event, not just a quick meal. Will return for another awesome experience! read more

I'm not a big fan of handing out the 5s, but this is worth it. Was there for a business meeting, and thus wasn't worried about the tab. The hosts provided a fixed menu, which included a choice of NY strip steak/fish...I had the steak...not sure I'll ever want to have another one. The food was perfect, the appetizers/salads/desserts just as good. The service for our group was impeccable and they added some nice touches with fresh bread (right out of the oven) and a few tasters, courtesy of the chef. Would highly recommend if you're willing to go into a hotel to eat. If you are on site anyways it's a must visit. I believe it's the only 5 star restaurant as of now in AZ. read more

It would be impossible to add to the superlatives already given here, so I will simply summarize our experience: My wife and I have been to Kai three times now for special occasions, and each time was an incredible and unforgettable evening. Over time, we have tried almost everything on the menu, and found every dish to be unique and creative, with the greatest, most complex but enjoyable flavors imaginable. The incorporation of Native ingredients and flavors is something you will never taste anywhere else. I never truly understood the phrase "food is art" until I ate at Kai. And Kai carries that theme of "food is art" to all aspects of dining, down to the custom hand drawn art on each menu. The wine pairings are always surprising but perfect. The dining room faces the mountains to the west, and if you can get a reservation at sundown you will treated to an incredible show of art from Nature. Even the service is art, highly attentive but never overbearing. It's expensive compared to other restaurants, but the experience for us has always been worth far more the price, and we are eagerly anticipating our next visit. read more

Service, food, setting: Unbelievable. Spectacular. Interesting. Incredibly inventive. Foodie heaven. I could go on...... and on......

My husband and I came to celebrate an early valentines dinner. We had the 12 course tasting menu. 'Outstanding' does not describe the experience. Everyone went out of their way to give us an absolutely amazing evening. Best gastronomical experience in the valley by far. Highly recommend this place to anyone looking for over the top fine dining experience... read more

I selected Kai when having a special dinner with my son who lives in Phoenix. Binkley's is closed for the entire month of July, but Kai serves very nicely in its stead. While a few dishes were not outstanding (the melon soup and the roast buffalo were only good), other dishes represented the highest level of modernist cuisine (and the cocktails are great). For the main course, the squab is distinguished and as an appetizer the seared Wahoo is enlightened (I wish that I had ordered it other than my son), and it is impressive that the chef brings in Southwestern, Mexican, and Indian flavors. Kai's is first rate. read more

My boyfriend took me here for an amazing birthday dinner. First off, the service was the best I've ever received. When we approached the hostess station, we were greeted by name before we even had a chance to say anything. Throughout the evening, we were addressed by name. You even get a fresh napkin when you return to your seat. Although the service was incredible, it was a bit over the top for me. I got the Short Story tasting menu. My bf wanted the Journey, but the waiter said it wasn't available at that time. Instead, he asked what my bf wanted in particular from that menu, and we got those courses! The food was good(I'm a picky eater and working on that). My favorites were the Squash Puree, and the buffalo tenderloin was the best meat I've ever had. My bf loved all his courses. He was also satisfied w/his wine pairings. He thought some were ok, some were interesting, and others were outstanding. The portions were generous, especially when compared to Binkley's. I was on the verge of bursting by the end. Another thing I liked about this place was that they tried to use local foods. For example, the olive oil was grown on the reservation and pressed at Queen Creek Olive Mill. I hope to return one day for the buffalo. I prefer Binkley's since you can choose anything you want for the tasting menu and it's a bit more casual. read more

My experience here was good as I had the chance to bring my son with me, as a graduation gift, and more so for him to see why I want the best for him and that the best requires the presence of mind, for me this means college,though as a father I accept he is an individual incarnate, that has choice, and from within he will and must make his choice.....whats this got to do with the Kai? Nothing and Everything as I connected with my son and he got it, well he had the best culinary experience, means he said oh I see what you mean about microwave food, all this aside, the presentation at Kai respects the traditions of the Native Americans, whom we as Americans owe more than I can describe in words, so if you are fortunate enough to be at this place or locale stop by and experience their expression of perfection. Pay your respect to the culture that endured the worst we "americans" projected and respect the kindness and value of they that were here first. william ashton read more

After wanting to visit this restaurant for over a year, this past September I made reservations for a Saturday night. OpenTable.com made the process of reserving a table very easy. Now the part that brought this review down. Someone from the restaurant had called the day of our reservation, however no one left a voicemail with their name and/or phone number. Since I don't typically get phone calls from the Phoenix area, I called the number back and was directed to the Sheraton's front desk (not directly related to Kai) where a pleasant lady was able to confirm my reservation. My husband and I ran late on our reservation, which prompted someone from the restaurant to call us. Again, when I checked my phone, there was a one second voicemail which did not include the caller's name/phone numbers, but again, thankful for caller ID, I called the number and let a different lady know we would be up shortly. So, suggestion #1) have a directly line to your restaurant and #2) please train your staff to please leave their name and contact info when they are unable to reach guests by phone. I think this is only common curtsey for a restaurant known with the best reputation in the whole Arizona state. Once we walked up to the front desk I must say it was a little awkward meeting a group of young girls. I wasn't quite sure who was checking my party in, but I was impressed that once we were checked in, we were guided to our table and very politely we welcomed as Mr. and Mrs. Salvador. Our main servers for the night were Quenton and I believe Richard. Quenton was very knowledgable about the restaurant's traditions and community projects and gave us a quick rundown of how their establishment partners with many local farms and artists to inspire their food and overall atmosphere. He then left us to review the menu. Unfortunately this is where I must make suggestion #3) please do not let your guests wait more than 10 minutes to place their order. While we were enjoying some entertaining people watching, we were hungry and we're excited to begin eating. Having to wait such a long time to place our order was frankly annoying. For this meal we ordered the Short Story tasting menu with an additional dish of foie gras since we can no longer order foie in California. Here is a list of what we ate: -Bruleed fig: Parmesan crisp, Brie, bourbon pecan butter, candied sage -mesquite charred pumpkin & squash purée: mesquite bean glazed furor pork belly, ahi Amarillo, compressed squash, nopales, and tart apple spume -potpourri of butter braised lobster, guaymas shrimp & diver scallops: black threads of past, braised tomato, cauliflower and leek fondue, shaved aged gruyere cheese, ham hock bits, and crispy shallots -seared Hudson Valley foie gras with spiced pumpkin funnel cake: powdered foie gras sugar, caramel iced quince & Bosc pear preserve, aged port and saguaro syrup reduction -mango-guava and ancho sorbet: raspberry and ginger syrup -grilled tenderloin of tribal buffalo: smoked corn purée, cholla buds, chorizo and scarlet runner bean chili, and saguaro blossom syrup -assortment of French cheeses -two sisters squash air cake: 60-day corn ice cream, mesquite syrup, smoked corn purée, Ramona Farms ga'lvsa, tarragon and amaranth -Guatemalan coffee -assortment of chocolate bonbons Despite some of the initial flaws I experienced with the waitstaff, I must give credit to the kitchen staff, for they surely are the stars of this establishment! The food was almost flawless (the pumpkin and squash purée could have been puréed into a smoother consistency), our overall meal was quite beautiful visually and texturally. The waitstaff acted in great precision as each dish was presented to each guest at the same time, kind of like a well orchestrated dance. There were moments where my palate wasn't expecting some of the flavor combos, but they were all quite delightful. There was a definitely moments of surprise throughout this meal! I would actually rate this restaurant as a 3.5 given the reasons above (some communication misfires and overall extended wait time), but what rounded it up was the well executed food that we enjoyed. Thank you Kai for an enjoyable meal. read more

There should be a 6th star option for places like Kai. The food was absolutely phenomenal, but it's the service and attention to detail that puts them over the top. I mean really... fresh muffins, signature honey, chilled bottles of water and a personalized thank you note from your waiter waiting for you in the car on your departure? Come on! read more