We got there early, since I had to be home early, and we ended up getting a table all to ourselves.
I ended up ordering-what else--Chicken Teriyaki, and nanigurl ordered the Steak and Teriyaki Chicken.
When our chef arrived, he said he was new. I thought he was only joking, but as the evening progressed I thought maybe it was true...
While the chef prepared the shrimp appetizer (which I didn't eat because I don't eat shrimp), we had some miso soup and salad.
The dressing was really, really good. We also got some pickled vegetables (which I also didn't eat) and dipping sauces for our food.
While we were eating, and our chef was cooking, shrimp tails started flying all over the place. One flew onto my plate and I think one flew by nanigurl too.
I wondered...was it common for food to fly all over the place at teppanyaki restaurants?"
As the evening progressed I realized it probably wasn't.
Then our chef stacked some onion rings and created a "volcano."
It was quite a sight, but it just looked like the onions were on fire. nanigurl confirmed that the fire is supposed to come through the onion rings, like an actual volcano.
Despite this onion fire, our chef was entertaining--juggling utensils and catching things in his hat.
He also tried throwing around a bowl of fried rice without any of it falling out.
Unfortunately he wasn't too successful with this trick either, but the fried rice did look really good!
Next the chef started to prepare our chicken and steak.
The teriyaki chicken was delicious.
The teriyaki chicken was delicious.
Here's nanigurl's plate, with the teriyaki chicken and steak.
Here's a closer look at her steak.
And we finished the meal off with ice cream!
nanigurl chose pineapple ice cream and I chose vanilla.
Although our chef wasn't the most skilled and talented, he was funny and entertaining, and the delicious food and great company made my first time at a teppanyaki restaurant an enjoyable one!
Tanaka of Tokyo: 1450 Ala Moana Blvd, Honolulu, HI 96814, (808) 945-3443
Island Savings: 2009 Hawaii Entertainment Book contains a coupon for 2-for-1 dinner.
I have been to Benihana's at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. It was fun and I loved the food and the entertainment. They only thing, and I think you were lucky here, that I don't care for is having to sit with other people. How great it was you had a table all to yourself :)
ReplyDeleteLOL He sounds like the kind of cook I am, and I know I have no business being in a restaurant! LOL!! The food looks good though - especially that pineapple ice cream! Yummy!
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