Tempanyaki!
Tepanyaki is a type of cooking dishes using a teppan which – in essence is a hot plate located in the center of the diner’s table. In Utah – there are two such types of this style of establishment – Benihana and Tepanyaki.
Often times your Tepanyaki experience is that of a show – and the chef’s are instructed to give a high degree of showmen ship. There are several ‘routines’ that they perform as the occasional diner goes just a few times a year – and thus slight changes in routine keep it fresh. If you go regularly, the little games still require practice so there is an appreciation for the work that goes in – but it can delay you getting to the goodies – aka the food. The smoking cho-cho train is a routine that all of these Chef’s do – below is a demonstration of it – so you recognize it when it happens:
First Rules:
- $$$ – these places can get expensive – so budget.
- Sushi – Some offer Sushi and it can be a great addition to your meal, however plan accordingly you can get really full and blow your budget.
- Wait staff can be irritable – they are usually accustomed to you being mesmerized by the show performed by the Chef, they tend to lack on the customer service, refilling of drinks. There have been a few stand-outs who have done great – however, more often than not they are grumpy probably for having to be poured into those kimono’s serving bratty kids I suppose.
- Order the Noodles! – They have excellent ham fried rice – however, if they know there stuff – the friend noodles are amazing! Trust me get the noodles or do what I do and get both! Every waitress gets all cockeyed when I say – Both!
Plan for a couple of hours to go to a place like this – As they won’t seat you until your entire party has arrived and since its a show – its popular as many of these folks don’t take reservations – you will have a wait on your hands on Holidays (Valentines) and Friday and Saturday’s.
