Today, the family and I went to Benihana, and let me tell you--we were glad we came! The food was…read moreexcellent, the service was friendly, and our chef, Kevin, made the experience even better.
I ordered the Wagyu steak meal, and it was phenomenal. The steak was flavorful and cooked perfectly, and I enjoyed everything that came with it--including all my vegetables, which says something! The entire meal was well prepared and satisfying.
Our chef, Kevin, deserves special recognition. He was phenomenal. His presentation was entertaining, his cooking was on point, and he helped make the meal an experience rather than simply dinner. That is one of the things I have always appreciated about Benihana--the chef is an important part of the experience, and Kevin delivered.
Of course, my two junior food critics had to contribute to this review. One of my daughters had the steak and chicken and said she "loved it." My other daughter enjoyed her sushi, although apparently the "worst part" was when one of her pieces fell on the table! Nevertheless, they both had a great time and enjoyed their food.
My wife, a woman of considerably fewer words when it comes to my reviews, gave her official assessment: "It was very good." I'll take that as another endorsement!
Now, I have to mention the matcha tea. Oh my goodness! I probably had five or six and even took one home. Needless to say, I highly recommend it.
If I had one minor criticism, it would be the yum yum sauce. It just wasn't quite as "yum yum" as I remember it being in the past. Fortunately, that was a very small issue and did not take away from the quality of the meal.
It appeared that the restaurant may have been undergoing some renovations or HVAC work during our visit, but whatever was happening did not interfere with our experience. The staff was pleasant, the food was delicious, and we had no service issues.
Benihana remains a fun choice when you want more than just a meal. You get good food, entertainment, and an experience the entire family can enjoy together.
We had a great time, and we'll definitely be back.
Yelp Elite Reviewer--with assistance from the Lemon Family Junior Food Critics!