Hibachi Challenge 2011

Hibachi Hibachi Hibachi

Summer is here (or almost over depending how you look at it) and that means it is time for Hibachi. Not just amateur hibachi though: Brian and Andrea are embarking on a journey to taste, enjoy, and compare every hibachi restaurant in Westchester County until the title of "BEST HIBACHI EVER 2011" is conveyed. Each restaurant will be rated on the specific criteria that makes Hibachi such a one-of-a-kind, once-a- year-on-your-birthday-if -you-are -lucky, culinary treat. Before we get to the exact science that goes into choosing "BEST HIBACHI EVER 2011" let us introduce ourselves:

Brian "Edo" McGunagle

Brian is a well known hibachi connoisseur who has been eating hibachi for as long as he can remember - or at least whenever a coupon for Gasho came in the mail. He is a talented singer, furniture designer, and counts driving a stick shift car and being a legalized notary among his many talents.

Andrea "I went to Japan Once" Mignone
Andrea is new to the hibachi scene and attends every hibachi dinner with the naivete and fresh eyes of a hibachi beginner. She laughs at the corny jokes, is wowed by the volcano, and rarely participates in the vegetable toss. Andrea prides herself on being an extraordinarily bad runner who is currently training for a half marathon and a recently minted MBA who fears math and numbers.

Let the Hibachi Challenge Begin! All restaurants are rated on Ambience, Wait Time, Knife Skills, Corny Jokes, Price, Taste, Food Quality,Volcano Skills, Shrimp Toss, Entry Smell, Residual Smell, Authenticity, Ginger Dressing Flavor, Miso Soup Flavor, Vegetable Throw, and Birthday Treatment. Restaurants will be rated on a scale of hibachi knives from One - five (5 knives being the best and 1 knife being the worst). Restaurants will be rated individually not comparatively.

Our first stop was the newly opened Impulse Hibachi located on Mamaroneck Avenue in White Plains. The restaurant scored well in ambience, corny jokes, and both entry and residual smell (nearly imperceptable that we had been to hibachi) but the overall rating was dragged down by non-traditional dipping sauces (possibly ranch dressing) and small portions, receiving an overall rating of 3 hibachi knives (disappointing). Point Break Down is Below.

Ambience: 4.5

Waitime: 5

Knife Skills: 3

Bad Jokes: 5

Price: 3

Taste:2

Food Quality: 4

Volcano Skills: 4

Shrimp Toss: 2

Entry Smell: 5

Residual Smell: 5

Authenticity: 1

Ginger Dressing Flavor: 3

Soup: 1

Birthday Treatment: N/A

Vegetable Throw: 2

Stay tuned. More Hibachi To come...