Luke D.
Google
Fun Hibachi on the Water but Go Somewhere Else for Sushi
Yamato at Broadway at the Beach immediately drew us in with its lively entrance, fun décor, and great location on the water. From the moment we walked in, the hostesses were helpful in explaining the dining options and quickly sat us without a reservation. The views overlooking the boats and shops added a nice touch, and I appreciated how spacious and well laid out the dining room felt. Even the baby high chair was impressively clean, something I rarely ever see.
The atmosphere was the highlight, but the food left me a little underwhelmed aside from the delicious starting soup, heavy on the onion but possibly my favorite dish. Surprisingly, I had to add salt to my hibachi, which is not what I expected. The fried rice and vegetables were cooked so quickly they lost their depth of flavor.. soggy veggies and bland rice meant I was relying on yum yum sauce to save the dish. On the bright side, the spicy salad dressing was excellent. The server also forgot my wife’s shrimp so he had to cook more. It looked a little on the light side as well.
The biggest disappointment was the sushi. It lacked flavor and fell apart as soon as I picked it up with chopsticks, as if it had been rushed together. That took away from the experience more than anything else. At least the meal ended on a refreshing note with a scoop of sherbet, and the staff throughout were friendly, attentive, and truly made an effort to give great service.
Overall, Yamato is worth it if you’re after the hibachi experience and a fun setting on the water. Just skip the sushi. I won’t be back but give it a try!