Restaurant Review - Benihana

My sweetheart took me to Benihana in Beverly Hills last night. We were there a little early so we went down to Rodeo Drive and walked around so I could look at all the pretty things I can't afford to buy. Stores with security guards in black and an earwire.

When we got back to the restaurant, we had the most amazing meal. You're seated with other customers, 8 to a teppan grill. A waitress gets your drink order and gives you an oshibori towel to clean your hands with. Then the food never stops coming.

First, you're given a bowl of clear onion soup. It's salty, and delicious. They use those fabulous "french fried" onions as a garnish, and it's a perfect sweet complement to the salty onion broth.

Next, you're given a fairly standard salad with whatever magic Benihana dressing they use. It's gingery and garlicky. Whatever it is it's delicious.

Around the time you've finished your salad the chef comes in with a cart. He sets up the grill, and starts to grill onions, mushrooms, and a squash kind of like zucchini (maybe it IS zucchini!). He also starts to grill some shrimp, which will be your appetizer. When the shrimp are close to being cooked, he'll pull out a knife, cut the tails off, and then cut the shrimps into several pieces. Then he serves a portion of the shrimps to everyone at the table.

While everything that is cooked is seasoned with at least salt and pepper (sometimes soy sauce, sesame seeds, etc. are used) , you are provided with dipping sauces. I'm not sure what exactly is in the dipping sauces, but they aren't bad and they don't cover up the flavor of the meat.

After serving the shrimp appetizer, the chef will cut the cooked vegetables into bitesized portions and serve them.

Then comes the fun part. Whatever protein you ordered (chicken, steak, seafood) is put on the grill and cooked to perfection. It must take some practice for those chefs to remember exactly what everyone ordered! I had filet mignon and scallops, both delicious.

Good luck finishing all that food!

The staff at Benihana in Beverly Hills is very gracious. I would say they know exactly how to serve people food - always present but never in-the-way. No guest had to ask for a refill, and serving dishes were always promptly removed.

Last night I saw Victoria Beckham at Benihana. I had no idea who she was at the time. Afterwards I thought she was more petite than photos make her out to be, and that she wasn't nearly as anorexic-looking either.

Benihana Beverly Hills
38 N. La Cienega Blvd.
Beverly Hills, CA 90211
Phone: (323) 655-7311

Mgr: Bal Tejada