Dining Out: Sasaki Japanese Steak House, Lake Wylie- March 3, 2009

This column offers a sampling of dining experiences in the area. It is not intended as a review of the restaurant other than to provide the reader with one diner's experience. It also appears in The Herald's Friday entertainment section, "Ticket."

SASAKI JAPANESE STEAK HOUSE

LOCATION: 4547 Charlotte Hwy., Lake Wylie

HOURS: 5-9:30 p.m. seven days a week; lunch served noon to 2 p.m. Sundays

PHONE: 803-631-2111

AMBIANCE: Casual, table-side Japanese cuisine

Maybe their parents never told them: "Don't play with your food." At Sasaki Japanese Steak House in Lake Wylie, the masterful table-side cooking is both entertaining and great tasting.

And, it's not just the hibachi chefs who have all the fun creating onion volcanoes, tossing eggs (not boiled) off the spatula into their hats and calling the shrimp sauce "Lake Wylie ketchup" and while spinning an egg on the grill, calling it "A Japanese egg roll." Even our waiter said of our Yakitori appetizer (of skewered teriyaki chicken on a bed a lettuce for $4.95), "Here's your chicken nuggets on a stick." While some diners may not like the idea of being seated at a table with strangers or having the chef pretending to (or not) throw shrimp into your mouth, it's all in good fun.

Although it's great for group dinners and special occasions like a birthday party (in fact, a group with balloons and all came in this Tuesday evening), it's just as fun for a couple, a family, or by yourself -- and you won't need to bring a book.

My companion had never sat tableside at a Japanese steakhouse before. The first time he ate here, we grabbed one of the many tables available in the back with a view of the three tableside dining areas. There's also a small bar.

This time, we requested the grill seating, and as our waiter brought our drinks, and took our order, four more people were seated with us. We were just as quickly served our salads and soup before the chef came out with his cart of "tricks," including a little plastic guy I noticed who eventually was used to help douse some fires. (Yes, these cooks know how to heat things up.)

As the chef fried the rice, warmed up the noodles and even sliced up a couple pieces of shrimp for everyone, he tossed some of each on our plates. Between the wonderful Yakitori appetizer, which would be perfect for a lunch, and this, I was beginning to feel full already.

The laughter, and even some oohs and ahhs, are continuous until the chef has completed each order. Another bonus about having the chef cook it right there in front of you is that you can request and be sure your order is made to your liking, like one woman at our table who wanted her side of carrots burnt.

Once my combination dinner of filet (considered the "house specialty") and lobster ($29.95) was on my plate, I knew there'd be know way to finish. This would definitely have been a meal to share, although I don't mind taking home leftovers for dinner tomorrow, too. I tried my companion's steak from his combo dinner, and although he thought it tasted great -- "Like steak, not all spiced up," he said -- I was spoiled by the tenderness of my excellent filet chunks.

As for the lobster, seeing the large tail the chef cooked up, I knew I'd be happily having lobster again the next day. Although it wasn't the most succulent lobster I've had, it tasted the way lobster should, and it wasn't rubbery. Plus, around every fork turn, I seemed to find another piece.

Needless to say, I enjoyed Sasaki's casual, welcoming environment. Although the decor isn't much to write home about, it's the food that's most important. The menu is three-pages long, plus a page of adult beverages, with prices for entrees starting at $10.95 to $39.95 for a Love Boat of tempura, California roll, steak, shrimp and scallops -- yes, of course, there's sushi, too. (The salmon rolls I've had have been of good size and fresh every time.) There's a children's menu for those aged 10 and younger of chicken, steak or shrimp meals ($7.95-$8.95). Or, if you can't eat in, Sasaki offers a take-out menu of entrees and combination dinners only.

My dinner at Sasaki was great all around, especially thanks to their fun style -- but please, don't try their silly food tricks at home ... "try them at a friend's house."

FOR RESTAURANT INSPECTION RATINGS: Visit mecklenburg.digitalhealthdepartment.com to find out about Mecklenburg County restaurants. In York County, visit scdhec.net/health/envhlth/food_protection/scores.htm.

This story was originally published March 2, 2009 at 10:40 AM with the headline "Dining Out: Sasaki Japanese Steak House, Lake Wylie- March 3, 2009."