ottawa foodies

tired of the usual restaurant? tired of the delicious but cheap empty carbs, fat and sugar that plage most of the food offerings in north america? be grateful for what you're about to receive... just treat yourself to teppanyaki japanese cuisine. very entertaining for your party, a great night out and high quality meal that won't ride your blood sugar into a diabetic coma zone. seriously, your tastes in cuisine and restaurant selection will change as you discover new territories such as SHOGUN. maybe you'll walk out of the restaurant like some ninjak warrior ready to kick some mofo ass with super excitations batman LOL!

what is great about japanese cuisine is that its LOW CARBS! none of that empty cheap garbage you find at many other places. heavy on fresh veg, meats and seafood. the flavors come into play from the grilling and lean natural sauces. guaranteed you won't get a GUT or GUNT from teppanyaki japanese!

the obligatory volcanic tower of onion rings. hilarious i say!!! and delish!

it's pretty cool when your teppanyaki japanese experience is just like a KISS concert. do you wanna rock n' roll all night and partay everyday?

chefs' ultra fast performance preparation and theatrical cooking LIVE in front of your naked streaming eyes makes for a wonderful show with your guests!

key components to the distinctly flavors of japanese teppanyaki cuisine are the sauce combinations made with peanut, soy, ginger, sate and garlic. OUTSTANDING party in your mouth. your tastebuds dancing like all night raves you know you love with exstacy, speed and viagra.

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.