08.13.2012 Mina's Bday Dinner @ Benihana

Celebrated Mina's 29th with super yummy food. Mina introduced me to Benihana when we were in San Fran for Yaoi Con 2010 and I've been hooked ever since. Super glad she picked there for Bday 2012. Grilled meats and veggies are definitely the way to go. The service at this Benihana is amazing and I love the staff. Everything is grilled and all their produce are fresh and you can taste it. The cooking entertainment is also fun no matter how many times I see it. Its also quite fun to meet new people. Our tablemates this time were also celebrating birthdays and were very personable. Good times. I officially love Hibachi.

* Warning: Lots of pics this go around.

My drink of choice: VOSS Sparkling Water (love the Norwegians)

Mina: A lovely glass of Reisling

French Onion Soup Starter and Shrimp Tempura Appetizer 

This is the beginning of one of my fave food entertainments: 

The Onion Volcano

Ladies and Gentlemen...The Onion Volcano!

 

Chef Carlos prepping our grilled veggies and meat appetizers

Balancing Egg Trick

Grilled Zucchini and Grilled Shrimp in Special Benihana Garlic Butter

Romantic Chicken Fried Rice

Balancing Bowl of Fried Rice Trick (Seriously awesome!)

Grilled Chicken Fried Rice w/ Grilled Zucchini & Grilled Shrimp

Chef Carlos prepping shrimp and assorted yummy

 (Yes, that is a lobster being grilled. One of our tablemates ordered it and it looked fantastic)

My Meal: Grilled Steak w/ Grilled Onions, Grilled Mushrooms & Grilled Chicken Fried Rice

Chef Carlos' final Salt & Pepper Shaker Trick

Mina's Bday Ice Cream w Pocky

Our waitresses came out and sang Happy Birthday in English & Japanese

Beautiful Decor 

This Benihana just finished recent renovations and it looks even lovelier than it did before.

Benihana 

47 W 56th St., NY, NY 10019

http://www.benihana.com/

http://www.menupages.com/restaurants/benihana/