Benihana

5 of us arrived and sat in the cafeteria looking louge for 30 minutes even though we had a reservation. No one offered us anything. We were apparently waiting to be seated until they had enough people to fill one of their hibachi tables. When they finally walked us to our table they took us through this dark, dank room with low ceilings and filled with greasey smoke. The noise level was really high and the chefs knifes were clamoring at each table. There were tons of kids. I felt like I was in a McDonalds with hatchets. They turned on the light to sit us down at our dank table in the back corner. The room was freezing. Every ounce of me wanted to bolt out of the restuarant as soon as I saw the dining area and by the time we reached our table all of my dining companions agreed. We left quickly before we saw what other horrors were in store for us and went to Osaka on lower Westheimer. Which was Great!!

Pros: NOTHING.

Cons: EVERYTHING.

Posted 07/15/08

This was the worst dining experience I ever encountered. The night was to begin at 7:00p with reservations; however we were not seated until well after 8p after customers who came in without reservations. This was supposed to be a birthday dinner for a dear friend and after watching the chef wipe sweat from his forehead and continue to cook our food, several of us were cautious about the hygiene standards of the restaurant. We were never offered the sherbet that was to be a final cap to our overpriced meal even when mentioned to the waitress, who was delighted to assist another table other than ours for some reason. To cap off our experience several of our party including the pregnant birthday girl endured 3 days of extreme abdominal discomfort. When I contacted management several days later to alert them of the food illness suffered they could care less and offered no apology. I highly recommend that you choose another one of Houston?s fine downtown restaurant other than this one.

Cons: Parking, Service, Cleanliness

Posted 03/06/08

Benihana's Downtown serves a nice assortment of Hibachi dinners cooked tableside, while offering a nice escape from the Downtown hustle and bustle outside the doors. The decor has become a little too dated, and it would be nice if they could raise the ceiling height; feels a little claustrophobic inside. However the tableside cooking was superb, and the selection of wine and beer is extensive. Service could be a little faster.

Pros: Freshly Prepared Hibachi Cooking

Cons: Parking

Posted 11/25/06

Host was rude rolled her eyes as she couldn't understand English every well. Took 10 mins to get served after being seated. Took 40 mins after this to get a less than average meal which we had to leave most of due to length of time everything took. Also I ended up smelling of fat all day at work.

Pros: near the office

Cons: loud, rude staff, poor food

Posted 10/30/06

After waiting 15 minutes for a table to fill up to dine with complete strangers. The food itself was bland and unoriginal (something almost anyone could cook in their own house) and as far as the "show" was concerned, let's just say that our particular sous chef was washed up (it was actually kind of embarassing). The people we dined with were nice but quite frankly I hate eating with strangers. One would think that with a restaurant employee standing right in front of you that it would be easy to get drink refills but, as I found out, it was quite presumptuous for me to think that. Perhaps this is all excusable, but once you receive the bill it all becomes quite clear, YOU'VE BEEN HAD. Don't buy the hype, this restaurant is a waste of money and time.

Cons: Leaving Hungry, Service, Eating w/Strangers

Posted 02/28/06

The food is excellent, I am still craving it. I went there during lunch and we had to wait for our table to fill up with people bevore we were served. I think it would be more fun to go with a large group of friends, our meal took about an hour and thirty minutes, this isn't a good place if you're on a hurry.

Pros: great food

Cons: long wait for food, sitting w/ strangers

Posted 09/30/03

Excellent food. I've always loved their teppan-style steak and seafood. I found out recently that they have expanded their sushi menu. Their spider handroll was excellent and it's probably the biggest in town. Service was great and the price was reasonable.

Pros: excellent food, reasonalbe price, good portion

Posted 03/13/03

I eat here atleast once per week. The staff is great, as well as the food. They have the BEST sushi in Houston!

Posted 11/20/02