Are all Hibachi Restaurants the same?

If you’ve never been, here’s the definition of hibachi, or as some call it, “Japanese fire bowl”: 

Hibachi: a portable barbecue of Japanese design, with a base for the fire with vents under it and one or more adjustable cooking racks

We visited two hibachi restaurants and then had to question if all the employees, of all these separately owned establishments, learn their technique at the same school…?  There is one recognizable difference about these two restaurants, but we’ll get to that in a minute.  
 
The first restaurant we visited was Ichiban Japanese Steakhouse in Liverpool, New York.  

Here’s the skinny:
 
Favorite drink:  Fujiyama – peach brandy & rum mix $7.50
Favorite appetizer:  Eda Mame – boiled soybean pods, lightly salted $4.95
Favorite hibachi dinner: Chicken Teriyaki $18.50
Add: fried rice $1.95 extra
Add: fried noodles $1.95 extra

Dinner comes with soup AND salad 
Total meal for one:  $34.85, plus tax & tip
 
Great entertainment by the hibachi trained chef, who wore a spongebob chef’s hat.
 
The second restaurant we enjoyed was the Teppan Bar & Grill in Jersey City, New Jersey.

Here’s the scoop: 
 
Favorite drink:  Hello Kitty - TY KU liqueur (Sake Liqueur), vodka and lemonade $6.00
Favorite appetizer: Grilled Chicken Satay – chicken on skewers with spicy peanut sauce $6.95
Favorite hibachi dinner: Chicken dinner $18.00
Add: fried rice $2.00 extra

Dinner comes with hibachi noodles and soup OR salad 
Total meal for one: $32.95 plus tax & tip
 
Also great entertainment by the hibachi trained chef, including egg tosses and fire shows on the grill.
 
Both restaurants had engaging chef’s that offered a flamboyant show, which included flipping shrimp into their chefs’ hats and pockets, tossing and cracking eggs with a knife, and lighting volcano-shaped stacks of raw onion hoops on fire.   The atmosphere of dining hibachi style is fun and always filled with energy.  So, with the cost of dinner and entertainment at each of the two
restaurants being almost identical, the only major difference was that at Teppan Bar & Grill in Jersey City, the chef’s carry a water bottle on their prep cart.  This ‘special’water bottle contains sake liqueur, which they squeeze from a distance, creating a sake
stream, landing into participating guests mouths.   This turns up the excitement level a bit, and from my experience, creates a rolling laughter throughout the restaurant!

Warm Up at THE OUT NYC this Winter with Hot Deals! 

Urban Resort steps from Times Square offering up to a 25% discount for January and February

To kick-off 2013, THE OUT NYC is offering guests discounts of 15%, 20%, or 25% through February 2013. Now is the perfect time to visit THE OUT NYC and Manhattan to get the New York experience without the crowds of the holiday season.  




Valid through February, THE OUT NYC’s discount includes:

·15% discount off a one and two nights stay

·20% discount off a three and four nights stay

·25% discount off a five (or more) night stay  

*Pre-discount rates for THE OUT NYC start at $179 per nightand are based on availability, exclusive of taxes. Blackout dates apply. This offer is not combinable with other promotions or packages.

Guests can experience some of the THE OUT NYC’s key amenities that helped distinguish it has a2012 Fodor’s 100 Hotel Award winner. Some highlights include the just-opened Spa at THE OUT NYC that features a 5,000-square foot wellness center with luxury treatment rooms, hot tubs, cabanas and a private gym; a Winter Wonderland alpine snow lodge complete with ice skating rink, seasonal cocktails and fondue; KTCHN Restaurant where Executive Chef Dale Schnell serves modern American cuisine, fixed in tradition and inspired by the seasons; and XL Nightclub which has featured performances by the likes of Cher Lloyd and Carmen Electra. 

Conveniently located within walking distance of “must-see” NYC landmarks including Times Square, the Empire State Building and Central Park, THE OUT NYC also serves as a great home base for sightseeing in Manhattan.

For further information or to make a reservation, contact the hotel at (212) 947-2999 or visitwww.theoutnyc.com.    

ABOUT THE OUT NYC
THE OUT NYC, located on 42nd Street between 10th and 11th Avenues, encompasses a 105-room hotel, the 14,000 square foot XL Nightclub, Cabaret & Lounge by John Blair, Beto Sutter, and FV Events, a late-night restaurant called KTCHN, three courtyards, a business/conference center, function space, and a wellness center. Rates start at approximately $250.

There's chocolate for every taste at Max Brenner's Restaurant in New York City.

It's 10:30pm on Saturday, December 8, 2012 and some friends and I are headed back to Jersey City after attending a business networking event in Times Square.  As we head downtown toward the tunnel, I'm noticing an extremely unusual amount of heavy traffic.  Well, if you don’t reside in or around the City, you may not realize that clean-up efforts from Superstorm Sandy are still in full effect.  The subway system shuts down at 10:00 pm, which creates serious havoc in New York.   I shared a car with 5 others and enjoyed listening to their crazy (and sometimes scary) stories of running to the catch the last train.
 
Knowing that the traffic will die down after around midnight when all the show-goers have made it through the City, we all decide to stop for a tasty treat.

In Union Square, between 13th and 14th Streets on Broadway, sits Max Brenner’s Chocolate bar and restaurant.  Although it is best
to make reservations, we were able to secure a table for 6 right away.   
 
Max Brenner’s offered quick and friendly service, a clean and unique atmosphere, hearty meals that satisfied all 6 of us, along with milkshakes that are a must!

Here are just a few recommendations: the Grilled Chicken Panini filled with goat cheese, spinach, tomato, and black olive pesto;
Chocolate Cheesecake Crèpes filled with toffee bananas and dark caramel drizzle; and don’t forget the many milkshake choices,
but be careful… drink it too fast like I did and suffer the brain freeze.

Similar to the Wonka chocolate factory, Max Brenner’s showcases tubes flowing with chocolate throughout the restaurant, and a gift shop filled with chocolate treats. 
 
Wow, what a treat! 

http://maxbrenner.com

In Connextions Magazine, Issue 6, we brought you a feature on Destiny USA, a new shopping and entertainment destination, unlike any other in America. Construction of Destiny USA, located in Upstate New York, is nearly complete, with two of the three floors open to the public. Within this 2.4 million square foot building, is a huge, 3-story skylit area, known as 'the canyon.' The canyon is now home to the gourmet mexican restaurant, Cantina Laredo, which opened in Aug 2012.



We visited Cantina Laredo on a Sunday afternoon, during their featured brunch, which offers a free Mimosa or Bloody Maria with any brunch meal.   (I went for the Mimosa!)

Chimichanga de pollo Poblano
 
Stuffed with chicken, poblano pepper, cheese and topped with ranchera sauce
$11.45

The rice is pleasantly flavored, the zucchini was cooked to perfection, and the chimichanga with melted cheese throughout, had a great balance of sauce, chicken, and spices.

Tacos de Pollo 

Fajita chicken with avocado, pico de gallo, queso fresco and poblano drizzle    $9.25

This fajita was a delightful explosion of flavor with every bite.  I could instantly taste the flavor of each ingredient, without the spicy blend of an overpowering sauce.  A fresh alternative!

Mexican Brownie 
 
With pecans and walnuts on a sizzling skillet with Mexican Brandy Butter and vanilla or cinnamon ice cream
$6.75

Do NOT leave without trying this!  Each bite melts in your mouth!

Memorably fresh guacamole, made right at your table; friendly & knowledgable service; and a pleasant & welcoming atmosphere, made for an excellent lunch before our matinee movie. 

We highly recommend a visit to this modern mexican restaurant, located within Destiny USA in Upstate New York, but if you have no plans for travel soon and don't live in the area, click here to find a Cantina Laredo near you!

Lesbian Owned
Restaurant/bar
Syracuse, NY (Upstate)

Amidst the lighting and the ambiance, knowing anyone in the establishment is not necessary.  The tone is that of friends and family together, are welcome!  Laughter and outstanding company mingled with fantastic food made for an evening to be remembered.

Brought to us in 2010 by owners Laura and Cindy, Laci’s grand opening this year was a hit among the community and already has regular patrons whom enjoy the social gratis this haven has to offer.

Tapas is the name for a wide variety of appetizers or snacks that can be ordered individually, or many to make a whole meal if desired, while still allowing the patron to meet and mingle freely. Set up in a quaint yet spacious atmosphere, elaborate detail and nothing overlooked, including the quality of the superb food, this establishment leaves only great tastes with everyone! 

With such a fabulous concept, Syracuse has proudly embraced Laci’s Tapas Bar. Whether you come alone or with friends, business or pleasure, disappointment is not on the menu.

FIND LACI'S TAPAS BAR ON THE WEB:
http://lacistapasbar.com/home

Reviewed at Grand Opening in August 2010. 
Laci's was also featured in Connextions Magazine:  http://www.scribd.com/doc/99844977/Connextions-Magazine-Issue-1-NY