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Friday, May 21, 2010

Food Review: Tepanyaki Japanese Steakhouse

We decided that we should try a place we had never been for Vin's special day. Tepanyaki Japanese Steakhouse was the one place in Jordan Landing that we haven't been to a bazillion times. I had heard good things about Tepanyaki, but I had no idea what we were really get ourselves in to. I called ahead, and when we arrived our table/grill was ready...which was nice, because there was a wait on Saturday night.
We were a party of 6 plus baby Vin on this occasion, and the seating around the grill is for 8 people. I thought that it would just be us at our grill, but we ended up having two other people sitting with us...not gonna lie...kinda awkward.
Our waitress was unimpressive, but where she was lacking our cook was beyond amazing!!! I could see being a little disappointed if you didn't get a really great cook that knows how to entertain...because let's be honest that is most of what you are paying for. He had tricks that not only Paul and I found hilarious, but Van did too!
Our food was fantastic, and I love that not only do you get to see everything being cooked...it was hot when served. I'm a temperature girl. I would much rather have to wait for something to cool down.
Noodles and rice do not come with the meals, but veggies do. Paul said that the mushrooms were unbelieveable, but I could have had nothin' but onions...those things were addictive!! We were able to share one side of noodles and one side of rice between the three of us. The portions are good size.
Of course Van and Paul got shrimp. The cook makes enough extra shrimp that when he is done cooking he asks everyone around the grill if they want to try to catch a flying shrimp. VERY funny stuff happened when he did this. I passed, because it wasn't steak. ;) Paul was spot on, and caught his "flying shrimp" the first try. I was proud of Van for wanting to do it, but when it landed on her face instead of in her mouth she started crying out of embarrassment!I thought that it was definitely worth the $20+ a person. Would we work it into our eating schedule every week...probably not...I do try to not blow all my money on food! LOL. Next time we have a special event or company come in town this will definitely be a place we take them.

Have you been here before? What do you order? Tell me what you love or hate?

11 comments:

Aubrey said...

Poor Van! I LOVE Tep. I'd never eaten there until Kevin took me on our first date. I was scared that I wouldn't like it - I'm extremely picky. But he got the steak and I got the teriyaki chicken, and we split his order of noodles. I was impressed. The chicken is so yum!

Brenda said...

Nathan and I went to a simular place here in Mesa. We somewhat had the same experience, with our waiter. Good food, lots of fun, but has it happened again since 2005? nope! But I'm sure will go again for some special reason, the food was to good.

Emily said...

Love Tepanyaki, though it definitely brings back college dating memories. So fun! My fave is the flaming-hot shrimp the cook throws at someone to catch in his or her mouth. Always a good time! Bonsai here in Sandy is supposed to be super good as well!

Jobi Niu said...

I love it there as well. I love the rice and chicken.. Mmmm! I hate catching the shrimp, cause I hate shrimp! It's a fun place to eat, even though ya can't really understand what the cooks are saying half the time ;)

Rebecca said...

You make me laugh. "not gonna lie...kinda awkward."

Poor Van, but she was so brave to try!

Jerilee E. said...

Just another place I've never been, but been meaning to :). It's a long list. My bro-in-law loves it and stops there- ALONE- everytime he comes up here. He likes the sushi.

-nick and whitley- said...

bah hahahahah... i have a great story from a date night at Tempanyaki. but because of the cooks accent, I can't type it because it won't sound as great.. ya know? lol... dang, i'm one of those people "I have a secret, but I can't tell you....." ;)

the nayz said...

We love it here too! I caught a flying shrimp last time we were there. And, he flicked a shrimp tail in my water and the waitress got confused when I asked for a new one-she thought I put it in there :)

Sam Jo said...

I am a Bonsai fan personally but thats because its only five minutes from my house! I could live on their rice. I always get the salmon and chicken combo. Divine! What a shocker that little miss Van got Shrimp, What a funny little girl! Loves you!

jayni & ben said...

yummm. Looks so good. My husband loves that place. Pretty cool to watch them make it as well.

Steph said...

I double love it there. One of our faves. And of course the shrimp antics are one of my kids' favorite parts of the experience.