Benihana Japanese Steakhouse

Benihana is the perfect place for diners who want a strip of steak cooked exactly as desired. Because everything is prepared on an open grill at the center of each table by a hibachi chef, patrons can make specific requests in real time. Still, it's not really about the standard Japanese cuisine so much as the entertainment. Food is cooked teppanyaki-style, which is a fancy term for flying shrimp, onion volcanoes, and knives spinning through the air before groups of delighted families and friends. Each chef varies in his or her ability to captivate, but it's safe to say there's a merry vibe. With a private dining room on the top floor, this two-story location feels ready-made for sake-bomb-infused parties, though smaller groups can also partake in the entertainment at shared tables with other diners. Each entrée comes with a soup or salad, an appetizer, vegetables, steamed rice, and green tea. Popular options include the land 'n' sea ($32.10), filet mignon with lemon butter scallops; and the Benihana excellence ($26.35), teriyaki beef julienned with scallions and shrimp. There is also a sushi menu, along with a special area (with a shorter wait time) for people who want the food without the antics.