Benihana (Swiss Cottage)

We visited Benihana last Sarurday night, we were a group of 14 adults. Our chef Bonjo was very entertaining, however the opposite table of our friends were disappointed as apparently their chef was new and was being judged, so he didn't try many tricks and didn't interact much with them.

The restaurant was incredibly hot, due to the heat from the hot plates - they may need to look into air conditioning.

The food itself was cooked beautifully, we were all full when we left.

The wine was £16.50 with 12.5% service added = £18.56. The barman took my money, dumped the un-opened bottle of wine in front of me, walked off and didn't return for five minutes with my change. This was rude as there were no other patrons in the bar and I felt as though he was trying to not return my change.

So overall a mixed experience and worth a visit.
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Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 4
Monday, January 29, 2007

A bit disappointing, really. The service was pretty poor: our starters turned up after we'd been served our main course (after I had to ask the maitre d' where our food was) and it took half an hour to be brought a bottle of wine, after I'd asked three different members of staff. Benihana takes the liberty of adding a 12.5% service charge to the bill, which I certainly did not feel was deserved.

The food was reasonable, although nothing special. It is cooked in front of you by entertaining and skilled chefs, which is probably the best thing about the Benihana experience.

On balance, it's a pricey night out and not worth it.
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dawnage - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 2
Sunday, October 01, 2006

A bit disappointing, really. The service was pretty poor: our starters turned up after we'd been served our main course (after I had to ask the maitre d' where our food was) and it took half an hour to be brought a bottle of wine, after I'd asked three different members of staff. Benihana takes the liberty of adding a 12.5% service charge to the bill, which I certainly did not feel was deserved.

The food was reasonable, although nothing special. It is cooked in front of you by entertaining and skilled chefs, which is probably the best thing about the Benihana experience.

On balance, though, it's a pricey night out and not worth it.
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dawnage - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 2
Sunday, October 01, 2006

Went here on Saurday night & had a booking for 8pm. There were two of us & we were sat with table of four adultd & two very naughty kids. I believe that any Maitrede of a resturant that knew what they were doing would have moved us. The chef we had wasn't nearly as good as the other ones on entertainment standards which the other people at our table complained about as the kids were dissapointed. This was really a bit of bad luck & in no way the resturants fault. However it isn't a childrens resturant.

The sevive was good. .
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Lara Hovey
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 5
Wednesday, September 27, 2006

Went to Benihana for the "5 course" lunch.

I will have to say I was quite dissappointed by the experience.

Personally, I thought London-eating's own review was a bit over the top especially with the description in terms of decor

e.g. how it is "cosy" downstairs... in my opinion, the lower floor needs a bit of refurbishment, the equipment and furnitures look a bit dated.

Let's talk about the food side of things which is by far the most important thing. I feel this restaurant is just one of those chains who serve mediocre food. The onion soup was pretty much a MSG-loaded stock. The sushi is as good as the ones you could get in supermarkets. Then there's the grill... I seriously doubt whether the food they serve are of high quality as the tuna, sirloin and salmon tasted a little stale and also, they just left the food unrefrigerated thus oxidating and ultimately ruining the produce.

Again, I have to disagree with London-eating where it says that the chefs are talented. They are quick for sure but definitely not accurate at all (the fact that the guy managed to flip some shells onto his hat. The chefs need more training, preferably in Japan to really get the essence of teppanyaki.

There are far better offerings in the city for authentic Japanese fare, but if you want to see some clowns cooking your "japanese" food then Benihana's definitely for you!
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MY - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 6
Friday, August 04, 2006

I took my boyfriend here for a surprise birthday meal, taking a risk as he'd lived in Japan for two years and is therefore fairly fussy! A great gamble as it turned out - it was fantastic! I couldn't quite find the restaurant at first as its pretty unassuming from the outside but once you go in and are taken downstairs by very friendly staff, its really quite a treat. The menu is reasonably priced with loads to choose from and the chefs are great fun as they chuck random bits of fish on the hotplate in front of you and make a bit of a show - as I did as I proceeded to drop sushi on the floor! They didn't seem to mind though and we left feeling fabulously chuffed with the whole experience. Have recommended Benihana to many since then.
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Suzy - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Sunday, July 16, 2006

I was recommended this restaurant by a friend and i'm now a huge fan. The food cooked fresh before your eyes by the talented and entertaining chefs, the cocktails mixed to perfection and the attentive service by the all who work there was fantastic. I shall definitely be passing on this recommendation to everyone i know and i can't wait to return. This has definitely become my new fave restaurant!
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Jenny
Sunday, September 18, 2005

We have been to this one a few times and always found the quality of the food to be excellent,the atmosphere is very dependent on the individual chef and the patrons on the night.

We enjoyed it and spent a fortune! in the cocktail bar
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Bigmax
Friday, August 12, 2005