Kyoto Sushi & Steak House

Reviews 3

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Thayer Ward

The service was excellent, well done! I had miso soup and gyoza for appetizers. The gyoza serving was the perfect portion and perfectly cooked, with the right sauce (traditional Japanese). A 4.5. The miso soup was also good, great flavor. The tofu was a small portion in the soup, and it came out warm instead of hot. 3.5, .5 off for the small tofu and 1 off for the temperature. I had the Chicken Katsu with curry for my main dish, and my children had Yakisoba (one steak and one chicken). The noodles did not look like any Japanese noodles I had ever eaten in Yakisoba. The flavor was good, but off (possibly due to noodles used). The meats (chicken and steak) in the yakisoba tasted like they had been cooked separately and were thrown in after the noodles had been cooked in the yakisoba sauce instead of being cooked/marinated in the yakisoba sauce. A 3 for appeal (5 if cooked with traditional Japanese noodles) and a 4 for taste (5 if the meats were cooked/marinated in the sauce). The chicken katsu part was good, but warm when it came out, not hot. That brings it to a 4. The curry was nothing like traditional Japanese curry. It tasted much like a Thai yellow curry. It wasnt a deep rich brown, but yellow. It wasnt thick like a sauce, but thin like a soup. It tasted watered down to be honest, and curry should NEVER taste like it has water in it. That brought it to a 1. The curry also had little items in it, almost looked like egg. I have never had a chicken katsu curry plate with anything chopped up in the sauce. The amount of chicken received was excellent. That brought the plate back up to a 2. The amount of rice (which was made well, and yes, rice can be made poorly) was less than expected, especially in a Japanese restaurant. It also came separate which, on a curry plate, is unusual. The amount of curry was VERY small. There wasnt enough to cover my chicken in a thin layer of curry, and it came separate (first time I have ever seen that, eaten this dish over 1000 times). The chicken is supposed to be covered in curry, so that there is enough left to dip every bite of rice in it. That brought it back down to a 1. The plate was served with lettuce, with the Chicken covering it. I have never been served lettuce, always cabbage, and it has always been on the side of the rice in such a manner that it isnt touching the curry (the rice acts as a barrier between the cabbage and curry). I had a side of katsu sauce, and it was like nothing I have ever had. I was expecting sweet vegetable sauce and got another sauce. The flavor was decent, but did not compliment the katsu. It is also usually used for the cabbage side, but did not work with the lettuce. The food was warm, and within a couple minutes it was cold. Overal, the plate was a 1. My friend ordered a Katsu Don bowl, and it was excellent. The flavor was perfect, the temperature was perfect, but the portion was small. Ive had bigger portions in Japan, and to give you an idea of their portions, their medium fry at McDonalds in Japan is the same as our kids size here. It was presented very well. I would give it a 4 just because of portion size. Overall, the atmosphere is excellent, the service is awesome, the selection is big. I was expecting Japanese food. One thing about Japanese food is that if it is changed, or items are switched out, it really looses its authenticity. I was disappointed with the curry, which would have been what I ate there every time. I was planning on going there at least once a month, if not more, when I saw the menu earlier today. However, after having eaten the curry, that has changed. When my wife returns from Japan, I hope to try it again, but if the curry isnt fixed, I wont be returning. Curry is a main Japanese item. There are plenty of places to get Sushi, and even Japanese steak, but this is the only place this side of the Cascade mountains that has a shot at being a true Japanese restaurant. I hope things change, because I REALLY want this place to succeed. Hopefully my next review will be better and wont end up being my last.

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Mike U

I think this sort of place is great for Yakima! We need more cool restaurant to choose from and Kyoto definitely fits the bill. To start with, you have the option of sitting in the standard restaurant or at the teppanyaki grils. The teppanyaki grills are where you are seated around a large grill and they make everything in front of you. If you have the time and money, consider sitting at the teppanyaki grills (make a reservation). My wife and I made a reservations for 5:45pm and showed up a few minutes early. We were seated at an empty teppanyaki grill and were told that wed have a waiter by in a few minutes. After about 10 minutes, someone showed up and took our drink and appetizer orders. We both both pop ($2.50) and also an order of the Gyoza ($6). The Gyoza (potstickers to some) were really good, but were on the smaller side - still not a bad deal for 6 potstickers for $6. They also brought out some salad (which was DRENCHED in dressing) - I was a fan, my wife was not. They also have some soup which is basically a tasty broth. At about 6:05, another 8 people showed up on a reservation and were seated next to us around the grill. They were very nice, but basically they got the same service that we did....and we ended up waiting for about 35 minutes between getting out appetizer and when the chef came out to start our meal (over an hour since we arrived). The chef, Nyonyo, was great. He had lots of fun tricks and the fancy tricks with his utensils that you like to see at this type of thing. He made us fried rice, grilled veggies, and then our entrees. Keep in mind, your food is going to have a teriyaki flavor to it, which is well done. I went with the chicken and shrimp ($22) while my better half wen with the samurai steak ($22). The other folks at our table went with the fillet mignon and shrimp, which was around $30. Our food was great, but I think Id go with something different than the chicken. It was good, but nothing special. The shrimp were great! It came with 6 or 7 large shrimp. The samurai steak was really good. Next time, I would probably get this. Its steak with onions, peppers, and some other veggies. Portions are PLENTY and youll probably have leftovers! Id give this place 3.5 stars based on the wait, but since thats not an option, Ill bump it up to 4. They really out to have standard times for grill reservations in order to avoid these painfully long waits! We could have just as easily showed up 25 minutes later and avoided wasting that time! If you make a reservation, it might be worthwhile to ask about the timing. Either way, its a fun place to go!

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Josh S

When Kyaoto finally opened, I was really happy to have a place close so me and my wife can visit more often. Here is my first experience. Waiter: I saw him 2xs (just for our drinks and initial order). Our table was full of empty dishes and my water was empty for the whole meal. Server that brought my food (I didnt get Habachi) didnt even blink at the stack dishes from our appetizers and my empty glass. Definitely need to work on their wait staff. Appetizers: We ordered 2 rolls. Dragon and spicy tuna. Flavors where bland and I couldnt even taste rice or the ingredient inside the roll. Nori was all I tasted. The roll is about the rice and then the ingredients. Habachi: The cook was okay, definitely cookie cutter entertainer with no uniqueness. He did the same act at the next grill.. and then next grill and .. yup, you guessed it .. the next grill. At least they are consistent in that department. Go to Youtube and look up Benny Hanas crazy chef. You will understand. FOOD: The proteins are extremely over sauced. My wifes Stir fry was drowning in sauce. Almost over whelming. My meal: Had the Shrimp Tempura Soba with buckwheat noodles. Flavor was weak, hardly any vegetables. Normally this would be served with clear broth. Mine was very cloudy and flavors where just not there. Okay .. well Lets talk noodles: This should be the highlight of your/my meal when you order soba. I got buckwheat noodles. The buckwheat noodles where good. My noodles sat too long in the broth and where mushy (never had mushy buckwheat noodles before). Im sorry, but this is the wrong way to serve these noodles. Suggestion: Serve broth on the side and noodles on the side. Then allow person to dip there noodles in the broth and do the famous slurp. :) I think this restaurant has potential and needs to work out its kinks. I hope to visit again later with a better experience and will ask more questions before I order any other dishes.