Tags: Japanese
Japanese style cooking at your table.

Where to get Teppanyaki
Comments



2

2009 Feb 10
Reasonable portions, chefs a little heavy on the cooking oils and sauces. Nice open décor, airy feel, chefs are polite and smiling.

I went twice for dinner, by myself, with no reservation. Both times were off-peak and there was clearly room at a grill for me. The second time I went, the hostess directed me to one of the sit-down tables past the grills, after I confirmed I was here for teppanyaki. She informed me it was their policy that grills are for groups only, and single people sit over here. I had to politely inform her that I was sat without problem at the grill by myself at a previous visit, and only then did she ask the group of three people perusing the menu if it was okay for me to sit there.

Umm, isn't it one of the charms of teppan eating that unless you occupy the whole grill (8 or so people), that you'll be sitting with strangers for your meal?

I was fairly ambivalent after my first visit, and this did not help any desire to come back.

I also had a fairly new cooking chef; I was told afterwards that he was a sushi chef being trained for teppan tables. No problem there; I've had newly-trained chefs at both other teppans in town as well (Edoko and Japanese Village). He did passably well, though he poured much too much oil in his onion volcano and it threatened to rise a little too high before the experienced chef on the table behind him deftly extinguished the flames. No fire safety training? Another bad mark. This should be done before the chef gets to actual people.

The food was well-cooked, though a little heavy on sauces and the stomach as commented. Meal included dessert; I didn't ask for the special fried rice, and good thing I did considering the newbie chef I had.

I had the New York steak and shrimp combination. Price was reasonable and in line with other teppans. But the meal was missing that little extra, and the food quality was okay but not superior - to me, anyway. When I can have better for the same price (and admittedly much closer to where I live), it's no question. I may give it a final try with friends at some point, and go on a busier night to get a better chef.




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