The fun of this meal at Hirosaki Prime on Grafton street is definitely in the preparation. In classic hibachi style, the chef was entertaining although a bit less interactive than others I’ve experienced. It’s not the option for those looking for a fast meal, but for those with time to sit back and enjoy the show, the end result is a worth the wait.
The soup and salad served before the main meal were very good. I chose the onion soup and was surprised to see that the onions were battered and fried, not just cooked in the soup, which gave it a good texture. The salad was standard for hibachi and added nice freshness to the meal. The actual hibachi portion of the meal was delivered to our plates in courses based on how quickly each component cooked on the grill. The bowls of rice were delivered on the side, followed by the vegetables (a mix of zucchini, onions and mushrooms, i think) and finally followed by the meat. Everything is nicely cut up into bite size squares and covered with butter and a soy-type sauce that was tasty without being overpowering. Two sauces were served on the side: a dark, thick ginger sauce and a creamy mayonaise based sauce. I didn’t use either as I felt the meal had enough flavor. My steak (they offer a prime and a choice version of the sirloin. I wasn’t asked which I wanted, but I think I got the choice) was cooked medium as requested. It was tender and flavorful without a lot of gristle. I would have liked to have a knife to cut off a couple of larger pieces of fat, but I just avoided those pieces (it really was just a couple).
At the end of the meal, I was definitely full but not overly so as the portions were perfectly sized for dinner. Overall, the meal at Hirosaki Prime was fun and delicious. It’s not a cheap night out nor a fast one, and it probably won’t go into the regular rotation, but I wouldn’t hesitate to come back with a group. -JM
