Went to Yamato's last night - a great, great dining EXPERIENCE!
We have passed by the place many times on our past trips to MB and BATB. Just thought a couple of weeks ago that the boys (ages 7 and 9) might be old enough now to enjoy the whole "show" and the menu as well.
If you are afraid of "different" food - you really don't need to be afraid of this. You essentially choose from some traditional fine dining items like steak - chicken - shrimp - scallops - and lobster. It's "how" it is prepared, and served, that is the whole "Japanese" experience.
Now, it's a tad expensive, but not unlike a fancy restaraunt, but it's not a fancy restaraunt dress up event either. They will take you as you are - a tourist (or local) BATB shopper.
We showed up at 3:30 - not having had lunch and hoping to avoid the Easter Saturday dinner crowd. We then saw a sign on the door that read "CLOSED". We were very dissapointed - until I read the small print that said they don't open until 4:30. I did see they were taking reservations though, so I popped my head in the door and asked. They replied that "they were all booked for the evening." And then she didn't say anything. So I replied with, "so that means we can't eat here tonight?" To which she replied, "oh no, you can", and then stared at me. To which I replied, "um, ok, how do we do that? To which she replied "Just come back later, we're not open now."
I finally got it out of her that we needed to come back as walk-ins. I left.
Did a bit of shopping and about 4:15 I had my wife check in to see if maybe they were taking names for a seating list. They were. We went in and sat in the "lobby" and listened to the two hostesses complain about their fellow workers and blah blah blah. Don't hire idiot teen girls to be the face of your establishment.
EVERTHING ELSE WAS WONDERFUL THOUGH!!!!!!!
We ended up getting sat right away. If you haven't ever been to something like this - it's a VERY different experience! Even how they sit you. We sat at a grill table, us in a "U" shape - our family on the right, another family of 4 on the left, and a family of 3 in the middle. Our "server" came and took drink orders, brought them, I had a Sapporo beer - Amy had a glass of Cabernet, and then she took all of our dinner oders - the boys had "Kids" NY Strip - Amy Filet and Chicken, I had Filet,Shrimp, and Scallops. We also ordered a Sushi appetizer.
The cook/comedian/martial artist arrived and began the show, and what a show it was! He was one of the few cooks that really did the big flame thing - in fact our server said he's kind of crazy with the flame - our boys loved it to say the least. Very fun to watch his planing for everyone's meals - because he cooks everyone's at the same time! Then he portions them out and plates them - a free, shrinp taster for everyone first, then veggies, then rice - then meats according to what you have and what gets done first.
Everything tasted so good. Great dippng sauces too.
Bottom line: A great EXPERIENCE - especially for kids! If they will eat somewhat different things than McNuggets - give this a try. It IS expensive - a $100 evening for us 4 - but that included an appetizer and large beer and glass of wine and tip. But you pay for the show, and a neat one at that!
I meantioned to Amy that, in the travel mags at the hotels, they should put Yamoto's under "Attractions" - not "Dinning".
Highly recommend it - we will be back next time for sure. And with a reservation!
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. A shame because I ate very little rice since it's not on my diet menu. One note though, you can ask for mustard sauce and hot sauce for dipping, especially if you have beef. I found the mustard ok, but the hot sauce was yummy! Again, great place to take kids!!
