Teppanyaki (Benihana)

[El Diablo]

I've never been to a Benihana. Contemplating going. What do you guys think about Teppanyaki style restaurants? For those of you who aren't familiar, this is the Japanese restaurant style that involves a dude chopping and cooking crap on an iron griddle right in front of your table.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teppanyaki

[gumpzilla]

I've never been to a Benihana, but I've been to this style of restaurant before. Cheesy, but enjoyable.

[RayPowers]

I go often actually. At this point, I don't care much about the show, just how the food tastes. Ninja, a local place in Chandler, AZ, is the best Teppan Yaki I have ever had, which is good for them considering a) they're kind of a hole in the wall and b) they obviously have the worst name ever.

Ray

[By-Tor]

I have always found the food to be rather bland.

[El Diablo]

All,

http://www.bellagio.com/pages/din_shintaro.asp

Shintaro in Vegas is a place I'm considering for teppanyaki.

"At the teppan yaki tables, diners can experience a live theatre of cooking, with master chefs preparing multi-course dinners right before their eyes."

[maryfield48]

When I lived in Toronto (20 yrs ago) I went a couple of times to one on Bay Street - Tanaka of Tokyo I think it was called. Last year we took the kids to one at Epcot. It's fun - the chefs are very entertaining.

[amead]

Food is good. Don't know if it will be too low brow for El D, but for us regular folks I think it's tasty.

[El Diablo]

amead,

Nothing is too low brow for me if food is good. I am a huge fan of dive bars and cheap eats.

[oddjob]

Bennihanas, where dinner is the show!

[Mike Gallo]

El D,

You should have a lot of fun.
Order a drink in a fancy glass with an umbrella.
Make sure to drink a few things of sake.
Catch the food that the chef flips to you from his utensils.
Don't let the onion volcano set you on fire.
Post a trip report.
Tell them your server that its someones birthday.

In case you did not know I enjoy hibatchi style Japanese food.