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Dinner & a show don’t necessarily mean Broadway & Times Square- Japanese Steakhouses are famous for fun food experiences...
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Besides S.A.M.- the Japanese steakhouse needs to provide solid entertainment to make you feel like you get your money’s worth, & Otani delivered in every way. It was just me, The Boy, and The Man. The Boy wanted hibachi, and The Man and I wanted sushi. At Otani, you can order sushi at the hibachi table, so we were all happy. We joined another couple at a clean, spacious hibachi table, placed our order, and took in our surroundings.
Tasteful, vibrant murals adorn the walls, and the cultural décor consists of subtle floral accents and classic Japanese art and furnishings. The bar area is very upscale with a wide variety of special cocktails, imported beers and a diverse wine menu. They did a beautiful job decorating this corner location in the Waxpool Road Center to create a lively and welcoming Atmosphere. Our Service was efficient, friendly and truly delightful. Even when English was an occasional barrier, it added to the cultural authenticity of the experience! There were plenty of bi-lingual team members and managers to ensure that our questions were answered and our meals were delivered without a single flaw.
The other half of Otani’s Service is the Hibachi Chef’s performance. He was so much fun- great sense of humor, wonderful showmanship, and quite skilled with the tools of his trade. He seasoned the meat and vegetables to perfection- one complaint I typically have of Japanese Steakhouses is the lack of flavor in the food. While it’s very important to me to taste the actual food- it’s equally important for the seasonings complement the natural meat and veggie flavors. Our Hibachi Chef did a beautiful job for us, made us laugh (OOI-OOI! his signature sound...) & served up large, tasty portions at just the right pace.
The Man and I both ordered sushi- which was tightly rolled, perfectly balanced and wonderfully presented. The wasabi was a little mild for our taste, so we’ll have to let them know they can kick it up a notch for us- we can take it! I don’t remember exactly which rolls we ordered, but we chose three: one with tuna, one with salmon, and one with shrimp. Accents like cream cheese, roe, asparagus, scallions and avocado are our favorites, so whichever rolls on the menu include any of these ingredients were what we ordered. The flavor was excellent- fresh and robust.
As you know from my other sushi reviews, I’m pretty limited in what I like. But I’ve had enough mediocre sushi to recognize sub-standard ingredients or poorly made rolls, and enough great sushi to appreciate a high quality roll, like the ones we enjoyed at Otani.
The Boy’s kid portion of Chicken, Fried Rice and Vegetables was more than enough to feed an adult- a whole butterflied chicken breast, a mix of fresh zucchini, carrots, and sweet onions, and a side of fried rice complete with plenty of egg and diced veggies. The couple at our table ordered steak and shrimp; she was served no less than 12 large, butterflied shrimp, and his steak portion was actually 2 steaks! You definitely leave full and satisfied after your entrée. Our meal concluded with a delightful sorbet- a fruity, refreshing, palate cleansing treat.
A very nice outing for large groups, families, or even an intimate night out for two at the sushi bar or tables set apart from the hibachi area. This family owned and operated business has 2 other locations in Fairfax and Chantilly, and we are so pleased that they added Ashburn to their family, because~ Otani Passes with Flying Colors! 
http://www.myotani.com/home.htm
44630 Waxpool Rd
Ashburn , VA
703-729-8897
Other features:
- full cocktail bar with Mon. - Fri. Happy Hour specials, 4-7pm
- ALL YOU CAN EAT SUSHI BAR LUNCH BUFFET- $10.95, Mon. - Fri.
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