Sakulra Suishi Teppan Steak

09/14/2018
Since it's Friday, my wife and I thought of having a nice dinner so we tried out Sakura in Surprise AZ for the first time. The establishment looked clean, neat with a nice ambience. As we sat down, I noticed the square place on which the chopsticks were placed looked a bit dingy, with a spot of oil on it, but it wasn't a big concern. My wife ordered the steak&calamari and I ordered the steak&shrimp, both of which came with soup and salad.
When the soup and salad came, the soup broth was lukewarm with exactly two paper thin slices of mushroom. The soup itself tasted like bouillon cube broth heated in the microwave of which I am not impressed. The salad consisted of chunks of lettuce with a few slivers of carrots drizzled with light sesame dressing. We were not impressed but we were still holding out hope for the main course.
Then came the dinner. Since the steaks were cut up into 1-inch cubes, it was difficult to size them up, but having worked in the food industry, I would estimate that my steak was about 8oz and my wife's 6oz.
My steak, though cooked to specification, tasted a hint of liver which is definitely not a quality cut of beef, considering we were told it was New York strip. The shrimps had a mealy consistency which meant that they weren't fresh or perhaps had freezer burn. The fried rice did not taste fluffy and soft like fresh cooked rice, and by the way it was served as a clump, I suspect it wasn't fresh fried. It also tasted too greasy.
My wife's steak tasted fine and her calamari was cooked correctly. She did mention that the ginger sauce and the other mystery sauce were bland so they did not contribute to the overall blandless of the main course.
When you pay $30+ a plate you expect a bit more than fast food. I have seen Oriental restaurants come and go, and I predict this one will go because it isn't up to par.

Contemplating this restaurant? Save your money and go to Panda Express for a tastier meal.

Was a little hesitant when I saw the one star review, but then I read the review said food and service were good and it was only that happy hour had to be in the bar. In my experience happy hours are usually only offered if in the bar area and that doesn't affect my going to a restaurant, good food and service are the most vital. I think it's kind of rotten to give 1 star for that, at the very least I would say 3 stars. I'm glad I read the review fully and didn't just see the 1 star and pass on it, because we went there today and food and service were great!