Best Japanese Steak House in the CSRA (Washington: houses, restaurants)

[michelinn]

I'm looking to try something new.

[tckr83]

Try fujiyama... it's beside rhinehart's on Washington Road. Early bird specials if you get there early make it even better on the wallet. They cook it in front of you like the other traditional japanese restaurants or you can sit in another section and have it brought to you from the kitchen.

It's good food, trust me. Without having to wait or pay a little extra like you would at Fujiyama.

[SeaSpur]

Okay, this is one of my specialties. Japanese food is probably my favorite of all and I've ate at tons of them. Here is how I would rate the ones in the CSRA.

1. Sakura (Aiken on Whiskey) - definitely the best in the CSRA. they have the best white sauce, food always seems to be of better quality, rice has "extras" in it like onions, egg, carrot, etc., and you get 2 butterfly shrimp before the meal (along with expected soup/salad).

2. Omakase (Augusta on Washington) - best in Augusta to me. The owner is the former chef at Kobe Japanese in Aiken (see below), Chef David David. Food is really good and you get complimentary spring rolls here. Tied with Miyabi's in terms of atmosphere- very nice. Home of the "Monster Sushi Roll" food challenge. Good white sauce.

3. Kobe (Aiken on Pine Log) - really good but I always find the servings to be a great deal smaller than other Japanese steakhouses. Also a good deal smaller in size than most.

4. Kurama (Augusta next to Country Club on Washington) - not one of my favorites at all. The location, first of all, is really odd to me...no one is gonna fill up on *** food then drink beers and dance at the CC. One odd thing they serve with their food is grilled cabbage (or is it bean sprouts? I can't remember)- it isn't really good. Food quality has been off each time I have been and the place is always HOT inside- seems like poor ventilation. Nasty white sauce.

5. Miyabi (Augusta off Wrightsboro) - probably the nicest building and nicest interiors of all...but definitely the worst food. Food is always tough and of poor quality. Prices are much higher without any added quality to the meal...no extras like shrimp, spring rolls, etc are provided. The rice is really bad and is just plain rice fried up on the hibachi...no flavor at all.

I haven't tried Fujiyama because a) I have heard 3 bad reviews and b) Omakase is in throwing distance from it. However, this won't stop me from trying it soon.

[EastsideDave]

I was just going to recommend Sakura but SeaSpur beat me to it, it's definitely one of the best (if not THE best) in the CSRA.

[footdock]

has anyone tried the one in kroger shopping center where 5 guys is located? used to be kobe, then changed in only a few months to miyaki or something like that?

[SeaSpur]

Originally Posted by footdock

has anyone tried the one in kroger shopping center where 5 guys is located? used to be kobe, then changed in only a few months to miyaki or something like that?

Haven't tried it yet but hope too soon. I've also never tried the one next to Firehouse Subs off Washington Rd near Bobby Jones.

[tckr83]

Originally Posted by SeaSpur

Haven't tried it yet but hope too soon. I've also never tried the one next to Firehouse Subs off Washington Rd near Bobby Jones.

That's Mitsu or Matsu Sige... completely forgot about that one.

It's pretty good but a little smaller and different than the others mentioned in that everything is cooked and brought out to you... not in front of you.

But the food every time i've been there is great, sushi too.

[footdock]

Originally Posted by tckr83

That's Mitsu or Matsu Sige... completely forgot about that one.

It's pretty good but a little smaller and different than the others mentioned in that everything is cooked and brought out to you... not in front of you.

But the food every time i've been there is great, sushi too.

Yeah, I like Matsu Sige too. If I feel like traditional sushi, this is where I go in Augusta, if you like "westernized" sushi, then everyone goes bonkers for taco sushi which feels like you are dining in a closet.

[SeaSpur]

Originally Posted by footdock

Yeah, I like Matsu Sige too. If I feel like traditional sushi, this is where I go in Augusta, if you like "westernized" sushi, then everyone goes bonkers for taco sushi which feels like you are dining in a closet.

maybe so, but that Crazy Roll is VERY hard to resist!