I hear that there are even shops in the US, some under the name Ikinari Steak, some under Pepper Lunch...
Our experience was meh!
First off, I don't care for wait staff that assume you are a returning customer and have their drill and menu memorized...
As soon as we were seated the waiter asked us what we were ordering...(um, we haven't even looked at the menu!)
When we finally figured out what we wanted to order, the same waiter says, "I only take orders for sides and drinks"..."since it is Sunday, you need to go up to the grill area to order your steak"...(WT?!) sigh
We went to the grill area, ordering one 200 gram filet and one 300 gram filet...
Since it is by weight, you would think they have everything pretty much weighed out already...nope.
They "eyeball" the weight, cut the piece and then try to sell you the amount that they are over.
Each piece was 20 grams over the amount we ordered, adding almost 200 yen more per order.
I was also disappointed with the way the steak was cooked.
They recommend you order the steak cooked "rare" but we both ordered "medium rare"...needless to say that the cooking was uneven (some areas rare, some medium, some medium rare) especially since they serve it on that hot plate.
Satoshi's piece had very little suji (gristle) while my piece had quite a bit and was also hard to cut with their junk steak knives.
Another peeve was that we had to sit side by side...the tables seat 6 and are made for individual eaters.
There was zero elbow room for cutting your food.
Anyway, we tried it, we won't be back...
If you decide to give this place a try, let us know what you think...
Ikinari Steak
5-25-2 Kamata
Ota, Tokyo
Phone: 03.6715.9829
Hours: 11:00-23:00
disappointing! I wouldn't go back either!
ReplyDeletev
V, it was so bad...
ReplyDeleteTake care.
Kat
hmpffff! don't they know that when you assume anything, that makes an ass out of you and me?!
ReplyDeleteI'm behind the times on everything! So I googled it and this came up on 2/19: New York City will soon lose most of its Ikinari Steak locations. Just two years after launching an ambitious Manhattan expansion plan, the Japanese chain best known for being a standing-only, quick-service steakhouse will close nine of its 11 outposts this year. https://ny.eater.com/2019/2/15/18226734/ikinari-closing-pepper-lunch-opening-nyc
ReplyDeleteIt looks like folks eat standing up there.....so uncomfortable. At least I learned some place new! -N
Apparently New Yorkers weren't impressed either.
ReplyDeletehttps://ny.eater.com/2019/2/15/18226734/ikinari-closing-pepper-lunch-opening-nyc
so true Rowena!
ReplyDeleteN, thank goodness we didn't have to stand and eat!
Thanks Junichi, appreciate you adding that link!
Take care everyone.
Kat
We just got one in my city too and I wasn't impressed either. Like you, I had a lot of gristle in the steak I got. Yuck. The steak itself was fine, but we didn't like having to get up to order our steaks. The sides they offered were okay but nothing special.
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I went at lunchtime so it was fairly busy. We didn't like sitting side by side, nor the fact that they put two strangers across from us while we were eating. It didn't make for a pleasant lunch at all.
We haven't been back, and have no plans to return. I can get better steak at other restaurants and enjoy the experience a whole lot more too!
I guess we should be glad that we didn't have to stand and eat, Helen :)
ReplyDeleteTake care!
Kat
That just sounds like a terrible concept and even worse execution Kat!
ReplyDeleteKirk, I guess if you are into "fast food" style steak, then this place would be great...
ReplyDeleteTake care.
Kat