Restaurant review: Benihana, best Japanese food along The Walk, Jumeirah Beach
Posted on 07 April 2011 with no comments from readers
Hotels along the Jumeriah Beach Residence beachfront have to be highly competitive because there are many outlets along The Walk that are reasonably priced albeit without alcohol. Benihana at the Rotana Hotel is very inexpensive for Japanese food of this quality and well worth seeking out.
This classic hibachi steakhouse restaurant is located next to the large swimming pool terrace that gives guests direct access down to the beach, and has an outside area on this terrace which is great for balmy summer evenings, if a little hot for lunches now.
Global chain
If the name seems familiar that is because this is a global chain. It was founded in 1964 by Japanese-born entrepreneur Rocky H. Aokiin the United States and spread quickly throughout the world to eighty locations.
All the food is freshly cooked in a glass-screened kitchen so that you can watch what is going on, or in-front of you in classic Japanese style. There is a considerable choice of typical Japanese favorites to suit all tastes from sushi, sashimi and speciality rolls for starters to teriyaki steak or hibachi chicken for mains.
Seafood is also a strong point with tiger prawns, salmon and scallops much in evidence, complemented with sauteed noodles, fried or plain rice, or perhaps an Emperor’s salad.
Real thing
ArabianMoney can confirm that this is not just a poor imitation of the original Benihana formula but a full-on version of the real thing without any compromise, and regular diners from around the world will not be disappointed.
We found the teriyaki fillet steak mouthwateringly good, and for desert a very naughty fried ice-cream was a real treat. It was just a shame to be only aiming for a light lunch rather than a more challenging meal. You can eat as much as you can on Saturday and Monday nights for AED189 .
You will also be able to choose from a long list of Japanese saki rice wines or something from the international wine list. That is the other benefit of leaving The Walk and dining in one of the hotels. But if you’re living in, or visiting New Dubai this is a great place to dine out.
