A table seats 8 people, so I wasn't too thrilled to learn we had to share our table with another family. Thankfully the people we got stuck with were pretty cool, and it turned out their daughter goes to the same gymnastics facility that Allison does, so conversation was pretty easy.
Our chef was fantastic! He was doing Elvis impersonations all evening, and throwing food at the kids for heightened entertainment. We were very amused by the large flames from the fried foods!
Since it was a special occasion, we ordered a "Happy Dessert" for $5, which was just a small pineapple cut in the shape of a swan. They had two ladies come out and sing Happy Birthday to Allison in Japanese, which was beautifully done.
Dinner is right around $17 per person, but the food was fabulous! While we won't go there for dining often, we will definitely be going back for special occasions.
Do you enjoy Japanese foods? Ever been to a restaurant where they cook your food right there at the table?
We've gone to one a few times. There you had to share a table to. Travis loves those kinds of places! I think you pay for the entertainment along with the food. We had take home food as well. Sometimes I don't mind spending extra when I know it will last for another meal.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to her. That's both good and bad having a birthday around Christmas. My oldest niece and nephew have birthdays around this time. It's tight money wise. Fun because it's around a magical time in my mind.
Definitely a wonderful dinner, I love to visit that place!
ReplyDeleteBelieve it or not, I don't ever really go to any Asian restaurant unless Daisy really wants to go. I do like seeing if I can translate the names of Japanese restaurants. Hana means flowers, but Yori is tougher to figure out. The best translation I can figure is that Hana Yori means "over flowers".
ReplyDelete$17 isn't all that bad for that, though. Because it's almost like a dinner show, so when you think about it that way. We go to the Japanese restaurant in Disney and it's almost double per person and I think it's so worth it. The food is amazing and the experience is so unique.
ReplyDeleteReally looks very cool. Happy birthday to her!
ReplyDeleteI have never tried Japanese cuisine(I dislike sea-food and it is not good lol)
I would love to visit a restaurant that will cook on your table!
Never tried Japanese food, but it seems like you had a delightful event there
ReplyDeleteNever tried it either, and doubt I ever will with my issues lol but sounds like a fun tie and not a bad price
ReplyDeleteWe've had people come sit at our table while traveling abroad before. If there's a seat, they come and sit, lol. Hubby likes that, I'm not really a fan (is that prudy???). I do think the concept of cooking at the table is fun!! And that pineapple is fab.! I'm glad you had a great birthday dinner.
ReplyDeleteI do like Japanese food and I have to say it looks delish.
ReplyDeleteWow! What fun! I am a vegetarian, but would definitely would love to see my food cook in front of me especially outside!
ReplyDeleteI wish we had a place like that in Chico. It looks really fun and yummy.
ReplyDeleteHappy (belated) Birthday, Allison.
Be well, and stay warm, Theresa.
xoRobyn
Sounds like a fun family night out for a birthday celebration! Great experience for kids to learn about different foods, tastes and textures. I don't eat Japanese now however I have enjoyed it in the past. Really like Tempura. Best Regards, Wendy
ReplyDeleteI've never ventured to try Japanese food. My husband did on his last deployment and he said it's not that bad. I don't have a very adventurous pallet though. I think the experience of a place like this would be cool though.
ReplyDeleteIm gad Allison enjoyed herself, tell her I said Happy Birthday
ReplyDeleteFrom BabsProjects: I have never had hibachi before or for that matter dined in a Japanese restaurant, but I have always wanted to do that.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a huge fan of Japanese food, but I have been to these types of restaurants, and they're always fun. I'm so in the mood for some pineapple now!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great place! Love the dessert they brought out for her...how fancy!! Hope she enjoyed her Birthday :) :) That's great that you had another awesome family at your table...I can imagine it would be awkward if they weren't all that wonderful lol.
ReplyDeleteOh Theresa! This sort of thing is a bit difficult for me. I am NOT a cook nor do I enjoy watching others cook. {but get this; when SLC hosted the 2002 Olympics, I worked for the catering company that fed NBC, as a prep cook - that was great fun! I saw many NBC sports people and Conan O'Brien (recall he was on the late-late show then?) } But, I had a co-worker once that was like me and she went to a Benihana's (know that place?) and she about barfed as they prepped and cooked the food. So I decided then and there to never go to such a place. BUT But but, ...If you guys were thrilled and Allison had a grand time then I am sooooooooooo glad for you. {I can't even watch the Food Network, either} lol no, serious, I can't.
ReplyDeleteI have been to a Japanese restaurant once or twice where they cook at the table--never had an Elvis impersonator as chef nor did the chef throw food at us! That pineapple is definitely a work of art.
ReplyDeleteWow what a lovely sounding place and not a bad price at all per person!x
ReplyDeleteIsn't it crazy how you can live in one place for so long and still find new restaurants to try out? I love restaurants like this where you and your friends or family are a part of the cooking process. That dessert looks incredible, and I'm so glad you guys had a great time!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE places like this! It's always fun t go there once or twice a year with a big group of friends.
ReplyDeleteWe had a place like that near us when we lived in Erie, Pa. The kids loved it... so did I. Great place to celebrate Allisons birthday.
ReplyDeleteI've been to a couple Japanese Steak Houses and LOVE the experience every time! They are just so much fun! They also have the best fried rice I have ever had.. no matter which House... its just delicious!
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't be too fond of having to share a table with another family BUT I think the environment would definitely make up for it. The fact that they make your food at your table and everything is so unique definitely makes it worth it.
ReplyDeleteI love places like that. When my daughter was 13, her and I took a trip to San Francisco, just the two of us. They have a big Japanese area there and we ate in a place where each table had a firepit in the middle of the table. At first I thought I had to cook my own food, but after we ordered we had a chef come to our table and cook it all to perfection. It was amazing.
ReplyDeleteSuch a fabulous way to celebrate the birthday of a special girl. Happy birthday to you young lady!@. I bet the food is good!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a really fun restaurant for special occasions!
ReplyDeleteI have never been but have always wanted to go. I bet your daughter really enjoyed this experience.
ReplyDeletewhat a fun place to eat i have always wanted to go where they cook in front of you it is amazing
ReplyDeleteI love taking my kids to have hibachi. It isn't cheap so it's definitely a splurge when we do enjoy it together.
ReplyDeleteMy kids would love a restaurant like this! I love watching my food prepared in front of me.
ReplyDeleteHow fun! I want to take my kiddos to a hibachi restaurant, too. I know they'll love it.
ReplyDeleteOh wow. That looks like such a fun idea. I am sure this was the best party yet.
ReplyDeleteI have never been to a restaurant where they serve and cook the food right at your table. There is a Japanese restaurant that does this about 30 minutes away and I want to go so bad but I have heard it's really expensive. Hopefully one day soon. :)
ReplyDeleteThat seems like a great price. one time we went to a taponyanki restaraunt for lunch because we heard they had an awesome lunch deal. turns out it wasn't on weekends and we walked out with a $60 lunch for two of us :)
ReplyDeleteNever really had Japanese food but i admit your pictures look great,though i would not be happy having to share the table with others that are not in my family.
ReplyDeleteI've always wanted to eat at a restaurant like this! It's cool when the chef cooks at your table
ReplyDeleteHow nice your daughter got to celebrate her birthday with friends and good food. That restaurant seems pretty cool
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Allison!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Allison! I'm glad she enjoyed her birthday. That resturant seems pretty cool. Reminds me of a resturant I've been to... I'm going blank on the name right now. But they do really cool tricks with the fire.
ReplyDeletehttp://fabulousperks.blogspot.com
http://Blessedbowtie.blogspot.com
I love hibachi!!!!! I'm really happy you guys had a fabulous time and got good table-mates. This is not always the case and I've horror stories for days. LOL
ReplyDeleteI've always wanted to go to one of those restaurants. I know we have one similar up here in Montreal. You daughter is too precious =)) big smile and everything!!! lol
ReplyDeleteI love Japanese food and so does the kids. Looks and sound like a delightful place to eat at. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYes, the trouble with the Japanese grill on the spot restaurants is that it is so expensive! It shouldn't be, because I think they just grill them all the same way...I think we pay for the experience. :-)
ReplyDeleteLooks like a wonderful dining experience. We have a similar restaurant in my town but I haven't been yet.
ReplyDelete