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| - Firstly, although I read a lot of restaurant reviews, I have never felt the urge to write one... until now.
My bride and I happened to be staying overnight in the hotel adjacent to the Osaka Japanese Steakhouse, Sushi, & Bar. Coincidentally, it happened to be our 29th wedding anniversary. (My wife had to fly out of Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport early the following morning; we occasionally drive to Mesa from Tucson to take advantage of Allegiant flights.) We observed this restaurant's sign as we drove into the hotel parking lot. My wife, who wouldn't eat sushi if her life depended on it - although she does enjoy Teppanyaki cooking, remarked that it might be a good place to enjoy an anniversary dinner. (We've had many a Teppanyaki "show & dinner" over the years - in California, Arizona, & Montana, to name a few... and I've recently become a real sushi aficionado.) Upon asking our hotel desk clerk for a dining recommendation for a special dinner at a good restaurant within a 5-mile radius of the hotel, we were given the names of a half-dozen or so restaurants. We then specifically asked about the Japanese restaurant next door. The clerk said she didn't know from personal experience because the restaurant had only been open since July 5th, but that she'd heard good things from a few hotel guests. So... we took a chance, and ended up enjoying one of the best dinners of our lives!
We walked across the hotel parking lot, and upon entering Osaka; we were greeted by a smiling, affable hostess who seated us, by request, at a Teppan table. We told her we were celebrating our anniversary. She told us that she would also be our waitress, and said that because they were still celebrating their "grand opening," we could take advantage of a complimentary 12-ounce beer of our choice with the order of any entree. In addition, she said that all appetizers on the menu were half-price. My wife, who totally abstains from all alcoholic beverages, but thankfully doesn't mind at all that her hubby imbibes on a very regular basis, promptly asked, "What kind of beer would you like, Sweetie?" I said I'd have a Sapporo, and she said, "I think I'll order one, too, that way YOU can enjoy a couple of 'em!" (Now you know why I've been married to this angel for 29 years!) Our personable waitress, named Elaina, gave us both a wink and a smile!
For appetizers, I ordered Edamame (sea-salted, steamed soybeans served in the pod); my better half ordered Gyoza (Japanese potstickers/dumplings filled with pork & vegetables). They were served promptly, along with "our" beers in frosted mugs. I also ordered a Traditional Yellowtail Roll (Negihama) as a prelude to dinner, because I wanted to compare with the various sushi joints I've been frequenting in Tucson. Both appetizers, along with the sushi roll, were outstanding treats. Oh, and each of us consumed a bowl of Mushroom Soup (clear chicken broth with mushrooms & fried onion) and House Salad (lettuce, cucumber, & tomato served with a homemade ginger dressing - which tasted a lot like regular Thousand Island dressing to me.) The soup and salad, of course, are served as a part of a Teppanyaki entree order.
Then, even though we were already pretty full of food, the highlight of our meal really began. Our chef, named Darryl, cooked our Teppanyaki entrees. My wife had the Filet Mignon (ordered medium-well) & Chicken combo; I had the Filet Mignon (ordered very rare) & Shrimp combo. Darryl not only cooked our entrees to perfection, but he was quite entertaining. He provided a truly delightful show. Methinks he would delight children of all ages! My wife and I commented how much our sons (one college aged, one high-school aged) would have enjoyed the dinner and "show." Our entrees were absolutely scrumptious, but we could only eat about half of them, since we were so full. (I brought the leftovers back home to my boys the following day - they just loved & destroyed 'em!)
To conclude our meal, Elaina simply wouldn't let us leave without serving us a complimentary order of tempura-battered ice cream (which I don't believe is even on the menu) to share in celebration of our anniversary. It, too, was luscious. And before we left, Darryl came from the kitchen area to the dining room again - just to wish us a happy anniversary. When we told him how much we had enjoyed dinner, he asked us our names, saying that he likes to learn the names of his special customers. Talk about making a pair feel good about their dining experience!
All in all, my wife and I agree that this was one of the most "special" dinners we've ever had. Before tax and gratuities, our bill was $60.50 - not inexpensive, but relatively nothin' when compared to other "special" dinners. Would we go back? Oh yes - again and again! The next time we're in the Phoenix metro area, whether it is for the next D-backs series we attend or the next Allegiant flight we schedule, you can bet that we will be back
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