bisuteki but not

[eLizard]

my very well behaved (yes, mom goggles, i know) 3 year old is a lot of fun to take to restaurants. plus he's what my sicilian grandmother would proudly call a "good eater." i think he'd love the whole benihana experience. but i'm not sure much i'd be in love with the food. is there anything like that in and around town but with a better plate of chow at the end? and if not, can anyone speak to the various bisuteki locations? i think i went to the one in revere about 10 years ago. and i think there's one in cambridge. thanks!!

[keith]

Another option would be to wait for a month or two and then take him to Gyu-Kaku when it opens (where Ginza used to be on Beacon St). Rather than the theatrics of Bisuteki (which I also used to love as a Chowlet), you can cook your own meat on tableside grill. Drama is a little decreased, but quality of food is DRAMATICALLY higher. Also, the grills are small enough and deep enough in the middle of the table, that with a little supervision there is minimal chance of your tot getting burned. He might even have some fun cooking his own meal!

[CookieLee]

Or, do both! My family has always enjoyed the chef tableside. My niece, now a young adult, learned to make the volcano, and we had fun with that experience.

[treb]

Sounds like he may be developing a palate for good food, take him for the entertainment value, he'll probably figure out the food on his own and be done after a visit.

[justbeingpolite]

Just to add one more: Ruyi in Lexington center does a reasonable teppanyaki.

[smtucker]

Asian Gourmet in Concord has a full flat top Hibachi set up. The last time we were there, there were two families enjoying the "show." I haven't eaten anything from this section of the restaurant, but certainly the quality of the ingredients in the Chinese area is good. Why would they order less stuff for the Hibachi?

[Gabatta]

Osaka in Brookline is quite good for hibachi type food and the service is great. Bonus points for sushi availability. It is on the pricey side though.

[CookieLee]

Osaka is very, very noisy. More of a young adult / college crowd. We go as an extended family to Kiku Yama in Dedham. There is a lot of space between tables. Always lots of kids. The food is very good. You can also order other items besides the teppenyaki. We're big fans of their wings. In Norwood, there is The Hibachi Steakhouse. Also lots of families, and good food. Take a designated driver with you, the drinks are awesome. Both offer sushi, but we've not had it at either place.

[Gordough]

Fuji Steakhouse in Needham is serviceable and a step up from Behihana/Bisuteki. http://www.fujisteakhouseneedham.com/...

[eLizard]

thank you! i think we will try and go saturday. silly question....do we need reservations?

[L2k]

Probably not. We never go on Friday or Saturday, and it's empty the rest of the week. I guess it couldn't hurt to call, though.

I can vouch for their sushi being very good as well.

[CookieLee]

I would make a reservation. Have fun!

[Jana]

Tokyo Steakhouse does the benihana thing. Can't speak to the quality of that aspect but I've had lunch at the Andover location and it was fine. Also have locations in Nashua and Salem, NH.