Teppanyaki vs. 'Ohana

[LimeGreenCheri]

I've got my "I get to choose dinner with my friends" narrowed down to 2 choices. The choices are Teppanyaki and 'Ohana. Which would you choose? Why? I'm looking for strong opinions here. :wink:

[AliciaG]

I'm not sure that I can give a strong opinion here, because I enjoyed them both, but for the meal you are talking about...I'd go for 'Ohana.

While Teppanyaki is entertaining and delicious...it's not really conducive to conversation due to the way you are seated. You also almost feel obligated to spend much of your dining time watching the chef. Now that is a cool thing, but I don't think what I'd choose if I wanted to sit and chat with friends.

'Ohana also offers delicious food, and at what seems to me to be a much more leisurely pace. All the food will be on the center of the table served family style, and they'll bring you more of anything you like. That's what I'd choose for a friendly get-together. You can also linger over the pineapple with caramel sauce, and maybe one or two of those tropical drinks. :wink:

I guess that was a pretty strong opinion after all. :lol:

[MargaretJ]

I love both of these but I would vote for 'Ohana simply because you probably have a restaurant like Teppanyaki at home but not 'Ohana. 'Ohana is much easier to talk to each other but on the other hand Teppanyaki is where I met the guy who upgraded my Standard View room at AKL to a Deluxe Savannah View. Either way you can't go wrong these are both wonderful restaurants.

[VillianGirl]

Okay, I can't really answer your questions because I haven't been to Ohana yet (something I plan on remedying during my next trip). But I will second what Alicia said about Teppanyaki not being conducive to dinner conversation. Don't get me wrong - we loved it when we ate there. The food is good, the chef is entertaining, and it was one of the only time my son has willingly eaten vegetables. However, it's not a place I would go to catch up with friends. The meal tends to be a little rushed because they want to get you in and out as quickly as possible. It's not a place where you could linger.

[cshore]

Definitely Ohana!!!! Although noisy, at least you can converse. No rushing dinner here. The skewers of all that wonderful flamed grilled food, all you care to eat, and the pineapple and caramel to linger over. IMHO lots of fun and lots of good food in a really upbeat, friendly environment. All the ingredients for a great time!

Now you've gone and got me all excited and craving those shrimp!

[Sheryl]

I'll agree with everyone else here. I love both places, but think Ohana's is the better choice if you are going with friends and you want to talk. And like cshore mentioned, they don't rush you.


Sheryl :minnie:

[Rosebud]

I agree with Ohana too. We went there on Val's last night of work this summer with 1 of her roommates and another friend and various parents. We had a wonderful time and hung around a long long time talking. We were not sitting near the windows, but walked over when it was time for the fireworks. It got so late that the background music stopped playing - it was much easier to talk then. We kept watching though, and there were other people at a few other tables that were still eating so we weren't the last ones left. When the background music was playing it was a little hard to hear the people across the table because it is a big round table and we had 8 people, but generally the conversations flowed pretty good.

I do like both places though, but Japan does end up being a lot about watching the chef until he is done.

[DisneyPam]

I agree with the consensus...'Ohana is much more conducive to conversation and enjoying your time with your dining partners. Plus the pineapple with warm caramel sauce is scrumptious.

[Lou-Ann]

I agree with all that was said above. You want to relax and enjoy each other's company. The food is just as good with plenty of choices and chances to taste a few new things as well without being stuck with a whole plate of it.

[SuzyQ]

Ok, LGC, I'll give you one guess as to where my "Strong Opinion" lies:

'Ohana!!!

Yup - I know it's a shocker! ;)

We haven't tries Teppanyaki (though will be going this coming trip), but you just can't beat the warm atmosphere and awesome food at 'Ohana's. I am so glad that so many people enjoy this restaurant as it is close to my heart.

When you make a reservation, have them note that you would like a table in the main dining room (they sometimes call it the firepit room or the "Kings Tables" area). That is where most of the action is and most of the windows!

Bon Appetite!

~Suzy

[Joe]

I'm not an expert about Teppanyaki, so all I can say is; every time I have eaten at 'Ohana the meal has been excellent. My one experience so far with Teppanyaki was so so at best. The food was overcooked, and the cook was not very entertaining. Now, I will be trying it again to see if we just had a bad night, but that was our experience.

I also have to agree that the atmosphere at 'Ohana is going to be much better to carry on casual conversation and just have a great time.

HTH and have a blast!

[BetsyAnn]

I've got my "I get to choose dinner with my friends" narrowed down to 2 choices.

Hey Cheri! Let's try O'hanas! :lol: