Sakura, the "Guys Night" Selection
Waitress: Sarah
Hibachi Chef: Ron
TL;DR: Try the hibachi filet, cooked medium rare with some "yum-yum" sauce. For those of you who are turned off by the pink or red in beef, the steak WILL APPEAR TO BE OVER COOKED EVEN AT MEDIUM-RARE. Trust me, it's cooked and if you eat it as soon as they put it on your plate, it melts in your mouth!
It was a Friday night and somehow my 10-year-old son and I found ourselves on our own for the evening. Oh, man this does not happen often! I decided to leave it up to my son and he selected a gem. We arrived at Sakura around 6:30 PM and we were immediately greeted by a smiling face. We advised the hostess that we would like to eat at a hibachi grill and we sat at a grill with an older gentleman and his college-aged daughter. I know what you're thinking and yes, I also get a little uncomfortable sitting at a table, family style, with complete strangers. Fortunately, the mood is so relaxed that you don't really have to talk to anyone else at the table unless you really just want to say "hi" and strike up small talk. I interjected in our neighbor's conversation once, but only to agree with the good advice the Dad was giving his daughter. So, if you're one that is either extremely or slightly introverted, it is fine to sit with strangers. They will not bite! Once we were shown our seats, I strolled up to the bar. Now, if I have a complaint, it would be the lack of a bourbon selection but since I was driving it wasn't a big deal. I decided to have a single cocktail (Jack and Coke) while I waited for the show at the grill to begin.
I ordered the Filet Mignon Hibachi and my son ordered King Salmon and Steak combo (yes, that's right, he's 10). After we ordered I really had a chance to take the place. They were busy with most tables filled with patrons. The staff was culturally diverse. Sarah was very pleasant and just a sweetheart. We had another couple and their 4-year-old daughter (cute as could be and stole the show at the table) that joined us after we ordered. The lady ordered soup for the daughter before they ever got sat down and that request was followed with the words "immediately." Now, having waited tables before, I got that familiar vibe from them and sure enough, I was right. They turned out to be pretty needy but Sarah took it all in stride, meeting every request expediently and she never even showed the slightest bit of frustration (that is unless smiling is how she shows frustration). Bravo, Sarah! The couple's little girl was very intelligent. At 4 years old, she truly spoke like a 9-year-old. She was very engaging, kept everyone's attention, and made everyone at the table smile as she praised our chef's efforts and cheered him on.
Chef Ron is pretty easy to spot. He is the only one that wears a mask. Regardless of your thoughts and beliefs, I find it refreshing that a food service worker is wearing a mask while preparing food before a large gathering of people. Chef Ron put on a show that left the 4-year-old cheering and made my son laugh and grin and ask me "how did he do that?". Now be warned, when they first light the grill ablaze, sit back in your seat or you may lose your eyebrows! Also, there is another chef, who is the tallest of the three, who is pretty loud but in a very entertaining and exciting way. He may scare you a little (from the other side of the restaurant, he made me jump twice) but it is all in good fun. Chef Ron did some pretty cool tricks of his own using his utensils and a few of the ingredients that were pretty cool. The first thing he prepared was fried rice. I personally like to pour my yum yum sauce on my rice (and anything else for that matter) and it definitely takes. Next came the veggies next came my filet (medium-rare, please) and my son's steak (medium-rare too), and King Salmon. My steak was phenomenal! Cooked perfectly! And my son made his King Salmon and Steak vanish in minutes. Chef Ron even slid us a couple of shrimps on the side.
Once we signaled, we were tapping out, we got the "sneak-away boxes" (to-go boxes) we bid farewell to our table and we thanked everyone who took care of us. Overall, it was a great experience in a little bit of a smaller Hibachi restaurant. Never judge a book by its cover, whether it is food or people. I happily recommend Sakura Sushi & Steak House. read more