Benihana

Sometime this pass year, Odie and I were talking about Benihana Restaurant, and Hunter wanted to know what Benihana was. I explained that it was a restaurant where they cooked at your table. He couldn't quite understand the concept but became obsessed with how they could cook at your table. He did not forget. Every time he came to stay, he wanted to know if we could go to where they cooked at your table. Finally two or three months ago, we took him and Carissa to a Benihana in Stafford. He was fascinated with the fire and the tricks the chef did. Carissa liked her fried rice, had a good time, but she was not as impressed as Hunter.

Every time we have had Hunter since then, he wants to know if we can eat at Benihana. This is a kid that can't remember his brother's guinea pig's name, but can remember Benihana. They opened a new restaurant in Lake Jackson within the past couple of years called Tokyo. We have heard good things about it, but had not had a chance to try it out. We took my parents and Hunter last night. This is one of the most awesome restaurants I have been in in a long time.

Besides the fact that the food was great, the look on Hunter's face was priceless. I enjoyed the chef, and enjoyed watching Hunter interact with the chef so much that I neglected to capture any pictures. Our chef was actually a Japanese/Mexican, but he was talented and funny. He went around the table and tried to let you catch rice in your mouth. Odie was the only that could catch it. Leave it to Odie to not waste any food. The chef let Hunter try three different times to catch it and two of the girls at the other end of the table caught it with their hands.

The chef showed us the definition of Japanese egg rolls. He took his large spatula and rolled the eggs down it. There was one fake egg that he acted like he accidentally threw at the birthday girl at the other end. He balanced and tossed an egg and then a shaker into his hat. He made a volcano with onions and then turned it into a locomotive with smoke coming out of it. The entire time, Hunter would go from laughing, wowing, and participating. My parents enjoyed watching him as he was mesmerized by the fire and imagination of our chef.

We all ate until we could hardly waddle out of the place. I would give this place five stars. The prices are not too bad, the atmosphere is wonderful, and the food is delicious! Hunter is already asking when can we go again.

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