DFW - Yutaka, Tei Tei, or Teppo

[J.R.]

Little help here, please folks. Looking for the best spot between the 3 for a date with 10 year old daughter who is extremely "chowish". We like to sit at the bar. Oddly enough, I never been to any of these but have a good deal of Japanese food experience. Please weigh in on things such as straight up sushi, Omakese, robata items.... I noticed that Yatuka now has Shabu-Shabu (has anyone experienced it there?) Thanks in advance.

[air]

Any reason why Tei An isn't in the running? Out of the 3 you listed, I have not been to Yutaka. Besides the food, I've generally felt less rushed throughout meals at Tei An, which contributes to an overall better dining experience since you're able to kick back, mellow out and enjoy the food.

[J.R.]

You know, I kinda put Tei An out of my mind as I think a saw a not so great review when it first opened... No, it should definately be in the running.

[gavlist]

It depends on what you're looking for. If straight-up sushi quality is the goal, then I'd go with Yutaka. In my experience, they have the best (or close to the best) sushi in Dallas.

If sushi isn't your focus, then I'd take air's suggestion and to go Tei An - while their sushi is good, it's not the main focus so you won't get a wide variety of sushi options there. But you will see a lot of interesting and delicious japanese stuff that I haven't seen elsewhere. Besides making their own delicious soba, they use a lot of really cool toppings - small dried fish, cured fish roe, seaweeds that I've never seen before, etc. They also do simple but delicious things like a poached egg floating in dashi (delicious and only a few bucks) or a brochette of grilled kurobuta pork chunks that are outstanding. They also do a chef's choice dinner that I haven't tried but would love to. I have no experience sitting at the "bar" though - I'm not entirely sure when/if they have someone working behind it. But the servers are all japanese women who are friendly and helpful, and not at all shy about telling you the right way to eat things (which is good because it's not always obvious).

Tei Tei also has very good sushi and the robata items are good, but I'd put it behind the Yutaka and Tei An for overall quality. And I've eaten at Teppo three times and have never been impressed with the quality of the sushi or the atmosphere. I'd totally skip it.

[sl1]

Yutaka would be my first choice. Tei An would be my second choice. Yutaka is my favorite because he does focus more on sushi. I really like the sushi bar at Yutaka.
I wouldnt judge Tei An or any restaurant by a bad reveiw by someone. If you do some research you would find a lot positive words about Tei An. Its a great restaurant.

[J.R.]

ok, i've done a little research on Tei An via TheBrads blog and Scott's and I'm intruiged. Since I haven't been able to find their website, I have a couple of question for those who have been there. I'm leaning to an Amakese feast, so do they do it at table, bars or both? Have the fabulous fifty found it, left it, or neither? Do that take bookings for 2? thanks in advace.

[luniz]

They take reservations for 2 although you'd only need it on a prime weekend seating probably. They don't have a sushi bar, the "bar" is around a big rock, it's pretty zen :). There's an occasional loud douchebag who stands out all the much more for the quiet and peaceful atmosphere. But on a good night (most are) it's possibly my favorite place to dine in the world.

For a date with 3 tbh Yutaka or some place a bit louder might be better. If you want to know what Tei An is like just swing by for dinner by yourself this week, you can get a quick soba dinner for $10 and just check out the atmosphere, no big deal.

[mahalan]

I've tried to like Tei An. I love the founder's other two restaurants (Teppo and Tei Tei). Consequently, I've been there four times and have left unimpressed all four times. Maybe I don't appreciate soba. Maybe I had bad luck with their other menu items. Then again, the raves may also just be due to hype.

My personal favorite of the three sushi places you list is Teppo. If I were going with an adventurous 10 year old, I'd probably opt for Tei Tei to be able to include the robata options - the fish collar is excellent. Both of these restaurants also have decent sake selections (something rare in Dallas).

[J.R.]

Tei Tei it is. I appreciate everyone's take. Headed out tonight. I'll report back. I figured she might dig the Robata. I'll save Tei An for the Mrs. as she's not a big raw fish fan and Soba would work for that.

[J.R.]

Well, here is the review as promised. The kid and I set at the bar at Tei Tei. The experience was good, service was fine, food was hit and miss. We shared Tempura Veg. which was a little greasy but good with green beans, sweet potato,purple potato. Grilled baby octopus was good. Fried Monkfish was rather bland covered in a rice flour coating. The Spider Roll was the most dissapointing of the night. The tempura that coated the crad had that tasty of old fry oil. Now the Yellowtail collar was absolutely fantastic. It was grilled to perfection with the right amount of salt. Cold eat that all day long. The Sake recommendation was great at $19 per box was a little pricey, No complaints.

On to the Sushi portion. The "special roll" for the day was tuna, yellowtail and smoked salmon which was good, but the smoked salmon was definately a unique taste for me in a roll or sushi. The unagi was dry and lacked the preferred amount of sauce. The Yellowtail and Toro was fairly standard sushi fare.

While searching the board for this outing, I saw several posts about Maysami in Richardson. My office is in Richardson, but I live in town, so my go to Sushi is usually Sushi Sake. So, I thought since I was on this Japanese/Sushi mission, I dined at Maysami for lunch and I must say, it was terrific. The gentleman in charge, it seemed,was really helpful in directed to the Spanish Mackerel, Japanes Yellowtail-mackerel, and a house special roll which was great. To end, I asked him to supprise me and he brought out the Giant Oyster which in all my oyster eating days, I'd never seen. The shell was a good 8"x4". The oyster itself was so large, he sliced it into 8 separate bite which were large. He served it in its shell with Ponzu, roe, and green onions and a side of lemons. Each bite was very firm, and had a gread briny oyster flavor. I was amazed that it was not flabby or floppy. I asked him what kind it was and said it was a Maine Oyster. Thanks to everyone for their suggestions. Teppo and and Tei An next.

[jindomommy]

Unfortunately, Tei Tei has not been good for quite some time. I live in town too. Hopefully, I can get out to Sushi Sake soon.

[pgwiz1]

Def. recommend sushi saki....we used to live in Richardson and went there all the time. Now we're down the street from Tei Tei, and can say we've been disappointed, mostly with the service.