A group of us decided to bring in the New Year with a visit to Sakura Japanese Steak and Seafood house in the Hollymead Shopping Center. It was a fun experience, but pricey. Then again, almost all restaurants have achieved the “pricey†tag since Covid and Biden-omics combined to leave their mark.
I have eaten at a number of Japanese steak houses, and they are pretty much all alike with a skilled Hibachi chef slicing and dicing and creating flaming masterpieces. The entertainment alone is usually worth the price of admission.
Sakura Japanese Steak and Seafood House happens to be a Virginia-based company, founded in 1988. Marc Ha, the president of the firm, opened the first Sakura restaurant in the Fredericksburg, Virginia. Ha’s restaurant began with only 7 Hibachi tables, but the company has since expanded all the way to the west coast and is now one of the largest Japanese franchises in the United States.
I found the service to be exceptionally good, considering the place was packed. And they got all our dishes correct, which is no easy task.
I ordered the Ribeye Steak and Shrimp. It was $38 as memory serves, but the steak was small and tough. If I go again, I will get the filet, much more tender. One thing though. You will never leave hungry. They begin with a cup of Miso soup, then the chef piles what must be a half bushel of rice on the tabletop stove. Along with the entrée, you get a side, such as Chicken Livers or Mushrooms (both very good), with vegetables and mounds of fried rice. Then they bring noodles with your entree, as if you might still be hungry. Most everyone leaves with a Styrofoam box of leftovers.
Sakura is located in the Hollymead Town Center at 237 Connor Dr, Charlottesville, VA.
They open at 4pm. For reservations (recommended) contact them at 434-872-0099.
The menu is available at sakurasteakhouse.com
It was a fun way to spend New Year’s Eve and we all had a good time. As far as entertainment is concerned, it was a most enjoyable experience.