Mori Japanese Steakhouse

On Friday night both of my sisters came into town. We decided to try Mori Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar, located at 1818 W 23rd Street, Panama City, FL. The phone number is (850) 215-7300. Let me try to describe this place to you. When you walk in there is a bar on the left hand side and the cash counter when a some what hostess on the right. When you come on in there is a fake rain wall, complete with a bubbly koi pond, which was in need of cleaning. There was 2 large rooms divided into sections, each around a flat grill. Looking around you did not see but one waiter in a tie, he happened to be ours. The hostess told us it would take a minute or two to get the table prepared. This was acceptable as it was a Friday night. However, what was not acceptable was she asked us if we wanted to wait at the bar. I know she saw the baby and the 3 year old. What did she want them to do have a glass of wine? 

As a general rule I try to avoid restaurants that bill themselves as entertainment, as I have found this to be an excuse to have bad food.

 

There were 7 in our party the total bill came to $122.00, that breaks down to like $20 a person (divided by 6, one was a year old). By the time you read to the end of this I hope you will understand why I would have just rather given this money away. All of us had steak except for the babies. One had chicken and the other ate off our plates. The food was just simply not what I was lead to believe it to be. It was mediocre at best. I expected better. Why ask me how I want my steak if you only know how to cook it one way? Is this so I think I have choices?

 

The hibachi cook that prepared our dinner simply lacked imagination. He was American and not even Japanese. I watched the other cooks and they entertained their guests. As I said before we had a year old and a 3 year old at our table. The cook did not entertain them. Of course we were not looking for a show with our meal. We were looking for a decent meal. When I asked our “chef” how long he had to study to do this job he stated it only took him 3 months. Now I don’t know if that is because he was such a good student or because it doesn’t take much in preparation to become a hibachi chef. 

 

For our appetizer we had two kinds of sushi. We had the California Rolls and the Crunchy Shrimp Rolls. I would rate these a C+. The only saving factor on the sushi was the wasabi was fresh. My husband who does not normally eat sushi said the shrimp rolls were good to him. Now I will tell you I have had sushi from almost every place in town that serves it and I found it seriously lacking. 

Added: Sat Feb 14, 2009 3:00 pm
Reviewer: Michael
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