We chose Oshiki as a birthday celebration for our two grandsons (ages 12 & 13), who specifically…read moreasked for a hibachi lunch--and from their perspective, the day was a success. They had fun, enjoyed the show, and left happy... and honestly, that's what mattered most.
That said, as someone who has been to many hibachi restaurants over the years, this experience was a bit of a mixed grill.
We made reservations (which ended up not being necessary since lunch was not busy--definitely a plus) and were seated quickly at the grill. Our waiter was attentive throughout the meal, keeping drinks refilled and checking in regularly.
Appetizers ordered: Edamame, Calamari, Takoyaki, and Tobiko sushi.
* The edamame was spot on.
* The takoyaki (fried octopus balls with sauce, mayo, and bonito flakes) was a pleasant surprise and very good.
* The calamari came out greasy and overcooked, though the flavor itself was decent.
* The Tobiko sushi? Let's just say the crunchy, salty pop of flying fish roe wasn't a hit with anyone except me.
Everything arrived piping hot, which is good--but definitely required caution when eating.
For soup and salad, everyone chose the soup while I went with the salad. The salad was underwhelming--just iceberg lettuce and dressing. I sampled the soup and found it hot, but the flavor seemed off and not to my liking.
The biggest issue was timing. Despite being the only hibachi group seated, there was a long delay--well over 15 minutes--between appetizers and the chef arriving at the grill. Thankfully, we had plenty of appetizers to bridge the gap.
When the chef did arrive, the presentation was fun and energetic. Our grandsons loved it, and that's the key takeaway. While the performance didn't wow me personally, the kids were fully entertained, and all entrées were cooked to everyone's liking.
One small disappointment: most hibachi places do something special for birthday guests, but there was no acknowledgment here. Not a deal-breaker--especially with Pie Junkie just up the street--but worth mentioning.
A few final notes:
* Salt & pepper shakers and soy sauce bottles appeared sticky, as if not wiped down between seatings.
* My wife mentioned the restroom was not clean--the floor felt sticky, and it was a shared restroom for men and women, which could use more attention.
Bottom line:
This was a mixed experience--some good, some not so good. Personally, I wouldn't return, having experienced stronger hibachi restaurants elsewhere. However, our grandson left smiling, and we were able to give them the birthday experience they wanted--and that made it worthwhile.
Three stars feels fair.