CrowdSavings

It’s been a long time coming, but finally South Tampa gets its very own teppanyaki restaurant. Has it been worth the wait? Well after an evening at the Koto Steak House and Sushi Bar the answer is most certainly yes.

Teppanyaki is very much the new wave in Japanese cuisine, coming to prominence in the 1960’s and really gaining momentum since the turn of the century. Well represented in many major cities across the US, Tampa finally got in on the act with the 2009 opening of Koto Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi.

While offering traditional sushi and tempura Asian cuisine, Koto is the only Japanese restaurant in town to offer teppanyaki – the culinary art of combining western staples (steak, chicken) and cooking them on a hibachi griddle. Coming from the Japanese words ‘Teppan’ meaning steel grill, and ‘Yaki’ meaning grilled or broiled, teppanyaki perfectly blends the western love of such delicacies as fillet mignon, with the subtlety of eastern aromas and spices.

The truly authentic way of preparing teppanyaki involves the master chef at his hibachi surrounded by the diners themselves – each sitting mesmerized by the chef’s culinary acrobatics. Koto has no fewer than 8 hibachi’s with ample seating for 20 people around each – come as a group, or sidle up with others and make new friends over a spectacular Japanese meal.

For those preferring the more traditional, Koto’s sushi and sashimi is absolutely exquisite, and you can choose to sit at the sushi bar as the sushi chefs hand craft the individual dishes. Alternatively, relax in the Japanese post-modern dining area under the paper lantern mood lighting, and enjoy mouthwatering entrees, such as Thai Crispy Red Snapper, Mango Chicken, and Miso Chilean Sea Bass.

Koto also has a well appointed bar area, at which you can try one of their signature martinis, sample any of their 7 sake’s, or chat over a glass of wine.