[Chi-Town]

VKI Japanese Steakhouse for a traditional Japanese meal and Sakura Spanish Springs for hibachi.

[Pdesensi]

Vki

[Baitoro@hotmail.com]

Vki

[Ele201]

That’s a great question! I enjoy both of them. Here are my experiences: For a special occasion like a birthday, VKI has a better atmosphere. It is also more expensive. And frankly, the last two recent times I’ve been there, service was not friendly. Our waitress did not crack a smile the entire time. Cocktails are great there though!

Sakura is a special place because the food is quite good, and offers good value. The Bento Box I had there recently (Colony location) for $20 was so fresh and delicious! My beef negamaki was better than VKI’s, and the beef teriyaki was made to order, that’s unusual. Soup and salad came with it as well. Sakura has beer, wine and sake while VKI has a full bar. You can get a bottle of house wine (red and white varietals) for just $20. Colony Sakura is in a strip mall, for me that’s a plus because I can shop at Publix (outlet Bealls also there) as well while I’m there. Hopes this helps!

Originally Posted by Kenswing

The wife's birthday is coming up and she's been wanting to go to a Japanese restaurant. Which do you prefer, VKI, Sakura or somewhere else?

[zendog3]

Sukura Colony has the best seafood I have eaten in TV.

[Villages Kahuna]

Took our entire family there during their recent visit. Great food and service. We opted for the Japanese-style Teppanyaki.

One side of the restaurant is traditional tables and dining. The other side has maybe ten hibachis for the Teppanyaki preparation.

[Samfl]

Originally Posted by Kenswing

The wife's birthday is coming up and she's been wanting to go to a Japanese restaurant. Which do you prefer, VKI, Sakura or somewhere else?

They are both good. VKI has Hibachi, Sakura doesn’t. Sakura very consistent as is VKI. If you like the Hibachi show try VKI

[PJMuzz29]

Arigato on 27/441 going towards Leesburg is amazing for hibachi tables

[Aloha1]

Originally Posted by Samfl

They are both good. VKI has Hibachi, Sakura doesn’t. Sakura very consistent as is VKI. If you like the Hibachi show try VKI

Sakura in Spanish Springs does have teppanyaki tables. The one in Colony does not.

Also, the restaurant in Disney Springs is Morimoto. Iron Chef Morimoto of both Japan and US fame. Very very good, but mucho dinero.

[duhbear]

Both are good. VKI is more consistently good.

[grumpy@turton.us]

If you are going to the Disney area then Kobe is the place to go.

[tophcfa]

Originally Posted by l2ridehd

It really depends on what you order. For sushi I prefer Sakura at colony. For Habachi VKI. For Asian fusion I prefer Bamboo Bistro.

Totally agree, I am a sushi lover and prefer Sakura. In the past, both were so close it was a toss up. However, the last couple of times getting Sushi from Viki it was noticeably inferior to Sakura. The crab fried rice from Bambo Bistro is excellent.

[coffeebean]

I was very disappointed with the hibachi meal I ordered in VKI. I ordered the same meal I always order at Sakura in Colony........

Hibachi Filet Mignon - cooked medium.

The presentation does not compare at VKI to Sakura starting with the dinner ware. Sakura has rectangular plates and dipping sauce plates which are also rectangular and line up with the main entrée plate. It is the Sakura dipping sauce (the pink one) that I absolutely LOVE to dip the filet and the veggies in. The other dipping sauce is great too but that Sakura sauce is by far, the reason I go to Sakura. The Filet Mignon is always cooked to perfection, never over or under done.....just the perfect amount of pink in the middle of the meat and very juicy.

Now for VKI......my meal was served on a round plate, NO DIPPING SAUCES and the filet was barely pink inside with no visible juices. Just a pure disappointment considering this restaurant charges more than Sakura. And I must have had that same waitress that does not crack a smile......EVER.

[Skip]

PLEASE!
It's not Hibachi...
It's Teppanyaki... (Grilled on a hot plate.)
Hibachi is a charcoal burning bowl.

Oh, my vote is any fancy light-up meal from either Sakura locations.
Kevin will make it wonderful.

Skip

[coffeebean]

Originally Posted by Skip

PLEASE!
It's not Hibachi...
It's Teppanyaki... (Grilled on a hot plate.)
Hibachi is a charcoal burning bowl.

Oh, my vote is any fancy light-up meal from either Sakura locations.
Kevin will make it wonderful.

Skip

The Sakura menu lists "Hibachi Entrée". For example........
Hibachi Filet Mignon
Hibachi Salmon
Hibachi Chicken
Hibachi Twin Lobster Tail
etc. etc.