#2: Experience Teppanyaki

When was the last time you went to a nice restaurant? Not bow-tie-and-gown fancy, but... a really nice restaurant?

When was the last time you let your taste buds try something new? And I'm not talking about a new skittles flavor... I'm referring to a full fledged meal.

Ok, so when was the last time you tried Teppanyaki? (Got you there, didn't I?)

Teppanyaki is a style of Japanese cuisine using a hibachi grill. For those of you who have never experienced Hibachi cooking, grab some of your closest friends and head on over to the nearest one--immediately! Not only is the food delicious, but the atmosphere (especially if you are from an entirely different culture) is amazing.

Our meal being prepared at Sakura

My first experience was with several friends for a birthday celebration. When I first saw the food being prepared by the chefs on an iron hot plate, right in front of me, I thought it was the most phenomenal thing ever. We all sat in our seats in anticipation as we felt the heat from the tall flames that the chef intentionally created. He performed little tricks like flipping his spatulas around and catching them with ease and then tossing pieces of chicken or shrimp in our direction so that we could attempt to catch them in our mouths.

As much respect as I have for places like Red Lobster, Applebees and T.G.I. Fridays, I must say that it felt really great stepping out of the usual comfort zone and trying a new restaurant for once. Sakura, in Westport, CT, is the Japanese restaurant I went to, for my first Hibachi experience. The latest that this place is open, is 11 p.m., but that's only on Fridays and Saturdays. It may not be open the entire night, but after your delicious meal, you and your buddies can find something else to do if you please.

Have no way of getting to a Hibachi Restaurant? How about preparing your own teppanyaki meal? Portable teppanyaki grills are available for purchase and you can cook a creative meal right in your own kitchen! With Valentine's Day around the corner, this certainly makes for a perfect meal with your significant other! It beats all the other cliche dinners and allows you to be innovative together.

Check out http://www.cook-n-dine-usa.com/ for more info.

WHY experience Teppanyaki?
Because it's an opportunity to take part in a different culture by accepting its cuisine as part of your appetite! This certainly does not exclude those of Japanese backgrounds, because often times we get so attached to our own style of cooking that we don't think about trying out a restaurant (from our own culture) that everyone else is going to! Give your taste buds a party and try teppanyaki!