Sakura may be a bit more spacious and affordable than Benihana, but in all other respects -- including the teppanyaki grills and a crowd full of non-Asian groups celebrating birthdays and other joyous moments -- the two are one in the same. (I guess one other difference is that Sakura serves shabu-shabu whereas Benihana does not).
Overall, the food is good. But if it weren't for a friend's birthday dinner, I probably would not have chosen to dine here. I will admit that this type of dining is indeed good for larger groups, particularly those who enjoy being entertained by grillmasters (aka - pyromaniacs).
Amongst 6 people, we ordered/ shared 3 teppan combos: (1) Filet Mignon and Shrimp; (2) Teppanyaki Steak and Shrimp; (3) Filet Mignon and Scallops. In addition, we ordered shrimp flame, sauteed mushrooms, fried rice and noodles. Most notable items were the filet mignon and the fried rice - yum!
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| Onion Soup (part of combo) |
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| Side Salad |
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| Lo mein noodles with sauteed vegetables |
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| Tasty fried rice |
And we must not forget the sake - the sweet and ultra smooth sake that puts most everyone in happy moods.
If you're in the area, give it a try. I also hear the lunch specials are better!
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cuisine: Japanese
location: La Canada (yes, kind of a random location)
location: La Canada (yes, kind of a random location)
attire: Casual
parking: free lot parking
notes: It's located in the new plaza at the corner of Angeles Crest and Foothill Blvd.
