Tokyo Steakhouse - Round Rock

Tokyo Steakhouse - Round Rock

Written by Jim Dawson Thursday, 07 September 2006

Japanese steakhouse performs show with dinner

In the Gatsby era it was popular to go to dinner and a show for a special night out. Later eras made dinner and a movie popular, but at Tokyo Steakhouse one can enjoy a show with dinner.

Phoenix Pai, successful owner of traditional Chinese restaurants such as China Cafe and Dragon Gate by Phoenix in Austin, brought authentic Japanese teppanyaki cuisine to Round Rock in 2004. The restaurant delivers the excitement of teppan cooking, a technique that uses a thick steel plate to grill food at the table by skilled chefs.

It’s a tradition in our family for the kids to pick their favorite restaurant for their birthday dinner, and this style, with its flaming grills and high-flying utensils, has always been a top attraction. On a recent busy Monday evening about half the stations were occupied by families.

Upon entering the dining area, designed around 12 grilling stations, your senses are immediately bombarded with the sight of flames shooting into the air; the sounds of chefs chopping and dicing and diners laughing and clapping; the aromas of grilled beef, chicken, seafood and vegetables all preparing the taste buds for the feast in store.

All teppanyaki dinners are complete and prices range from $15.95 for chicken to $ 36.95 for Filet Mignon and Lobster. The children’s menu is priced from $9.95 to $11.95.

After ordering, we were served a delicate onion soup followed by a refreshing green salad with a ginger dressing. Then the showman arrived. Our chef for the night was Tati who began with a deep traditional bow and then began to wow everyone with his culinary and Samurai skills.

First he juggled fresh eggs on his spatula and cooked these on the grill to bind the fried rice. Then he arranged onion rings on the grill in a cone shape and squirted oil into the center creating a volcano that erupted flames several feet high.

Next Tati grilled fresh shrimp, cut them into pieces and challenged diners to catch them in their mouths as he arched them with his spatula. Of course, this was accompanied by applause or jeers from members of our party.

Our group ordered a variety of entrees, so Tati went back to work, grilling each filet to the specified cooking temperature producing steaks, which were moist and tasty. The scallops were cooked to perfection with a little bit of caramelization to enhance their natural sweetness. The chicken and the shrimp were equally juicy and delicious.

The meal ended with a dish of vanilla ice cream with a raspberry ripple and the traditional fortune cookie.

Alternate dining Favorites

• Sushi bar
  • California Rolls
  • Sashimi
  • Cucumber Rolls
• Traditional Asian Cuisine
  • Tempura
  • General Tso’s chicken
  • Szechan Shrimp

Serving:

• Sun – Th 11am – 10pm
• Fri – Sat 11am – 11pm
• Happy Hour Mon – Fri 4 – 7pm
• Live Music Fri – Sat nights

Tokyo Steakhouse

201-D Sundance Parkway at La Frontera, Round Rock, TX, 78681

512-388-9862, tokyo-steakhouse.com