Without too much change in deécor, a former Steak & Ale restaurant has been transformed into a combo sushi bar and teppan-yaki steakhouse. Here the “Samurai” chefs look more like Elvis (thanks to those bejeweled leatherette holsters) than any warriors in The Seven Samurai. This restaurant features “smokeless Hibachi tables,” so there’s no noisy overhead hood to interfere with the, um, show of twirling knives, onion volcanoes, cracking eggs and flying shrimp. Chefs don’t hide their boredom performing the same tired culinary act over and over again, but by local Japanese steakhouse standards, this one’s cheap enough that the experience is both filling and unexpectedly hilarious. — Charles Ferruzza
Price: $-$$
Payment Type: All Major Credit Cards, cash
Parking: Lot Available
Reservations: Accepted, Recommended for Large Parties, Not Necessary
Attire: casual
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Samurai Chef did have some problems upon opening but now they've been open for 5 years and the service and food has really improved and some things have changed. For example, the paper napkins that Mr. Ferruzza seems to think he's too good to use, have been changed to the nice napkins you place on your lap.
Don't let the "Independence people" effect your dining experience. I am a woman who enjoys dining at the plaza every week but I still go to Samurai Chef because the food is excellent. Of course Mr. Ferruzza would give this restaurant a bad review because he is comparing it to all the other five star restaurants he's been to and he did call himself a "dining snob". They've also replaced the old sushi chef Mr. Ferruzza criticized with a much more experienced one who has collected many devoted regular customers in the past few years.
So if you've ever had a bad experience dining at this restaurant, give it another shot, be sure to spread the word, and don't forget to try the sushi.
Rating Detail:
Food: 4
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 5
Value: 5
Overall: 4
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