Sazanka

During my trip to Amsterdam I encountered a list of michelin star restaurants worth trying, one of which was a hibachi restaurant. Naturally that sparked my curiosity as I wasn’t expecting any hibachi style restaurant to be of the fine dining caliber required for a michelin star. That could be ignorance as I have not memorized the lists of michelin restaurants across the globe, and in particular Japan. But given that I’ve eaten at Benihana probably 500 times over the course of my life, I like to think Im somewhat of an expert in the matter. Ultimately I simply wanted to know what made this hibachi restaurant better than any traditional one.
I have to say I am torn. On the one hand the food was very good, not better than other michelin restaurants I’ve been to but definitely better than other hibachi restaurants I’ve been to. Im not gonna get venison and foie gras at Benihana we know that. And the food was cooked very well so for hibachi standards the food is a ⁵⁄₅ and shockingly priced about the same as a traditional hibachi restaurant.
But there’s a significant problem with the restaurant– it simply lacks any heart or soul. When you think tepanyaki you think fun and excitement and there is none to be found here. The mood is more serious than a funeral. Now before you think well its a michelin restaurant its serious and upscale and you’re not sophisticated enough to appreciate it. I will say though that I am about as snobbish as you can get especially for someone in my tax bracket so if it was pretentious that would not be the problem. It’s just an awkward experience because the shared table dining does not work when there’s no fun to be had. First of all, you don’t order at the same time as everyone at the table so they cook for whoever orders first and the others have to wait which is just an awkward experience watching the dude cook someone else’s food for 20 minutes. Second, there’s virtually no showmanship by the chef to make things fun so everything is just unnecessarily awkward. Now obviously if Im at a table for two I don’t need entertainment because Im on a date trying to seal the deal thats entertainment enough. But, none of that is gonna happen when Im at a table with 6 other people– there needs to be fun and laughs and a shared experience.
Instead from the moment you walk in it feels awkward and lifeless and the bibs they place on you are just a lazy attempt to seem sophisticated. They don’t even bring you a check since everyone is eating at different times at the table so let’s just add to the awkwardness with that. It’s just too uncomfortable to be a hibachi restaurant and as good as the food is if you put the grill in the back this restaurant becomes DOPE, instead it’s just an unfortunate experience given how good the food can be.

I have been there frequently and i must say it was alway as expected. Highest standard you can get. Good food, nice show from the chef and alway’s very professional. A visit to the even more «pricey» skybar is a must!

Best Teppanyaki place!
The Chefs are so skilled and what they do with their food is amazing.
From smoked duck breast to delicious beef and the greatest fried rice this restaurant is great! If you would like to have a vegetarian dinner you will be pleased as well.
A reservation is recommended.

The food at this restaurant was very good, and the server was OK, but I felt that the whole point of tepanyaki was sort of lost at Sazanka. When I think of tepanyaki I think of «dinner and a show», as the Chef cooks the food right in front of you. I expected a bit of conversation and interaction with the Chef and maybe a couple of moves by the chef to show of his chopping skills or something to make the dinner a bit more interesting. the food was very tasty and good, but I was just a bit disappointed by the way the chef ignored us throughout the whole meal… Not what I expected… Also I was not very impressed by the sommelier, who took way too long to come and take our wine order, and then didn’t really seem to know all that much about the wines… Anyway, good food, but disappointing tepanyaki experience.

Do the chef’s tasting menu. Just do it. You won’t regret it, promise. I’m sure everything else is amazing, too. Everyone at our table seemed to enjoy their meals, at least ;)
One of my favorite things was the kobe beef wrapped around a grilled oyster. It seems so simple, but I’ve never had that combination before. It was just amazing. Truly amazing.
The Hotel itself is very nice, too; and there is another restaurant up top that turns into a lounge later in the evening… beautiful views of the city :)
Chefs menu 5+
Sake selection 5
Staff 5+
I can’t wait to go back!