Review of 'Teppanyaki Stockton Heath'
For several years now it seems like our local “Groupon” has always included a “Three-Course Teppanyaki” dinner. Now, given that where I live has no Japanese restaurants this was quite appealing and appears to be the closest Japanese (style) restaurant to our house. So the day I relented and bought one at £29.99 for three courses for two people. Seemed like a good deal. Was it worth it? If we are talking about the food, I don't think so, if you are talking about food AND the show, perhaps it was?
“Teppanyaki” is a modern looking restaurant located on London Road in the lovely small town of Stockton Heath just outside of Warrington (itself midway between Manchester and Liverpool). The interior has a set of tables on the left with a bar area and “sushi bar” towards the back while the right is dominated by two sets of two huge stainless steel griddles around which diners sit to watch the show which plays out in front of them. We were seated by ourselves at one of the griddles but they each seat about 10 people and the three other griddles had groups surrounding them at various places in their meal.
While waiting for our turn, we were first given a couple of the simple menu to review which is split into “Starters”, “Ramen” (£13.50 each), “Japanese Curry”, “A La Carte Teppanyaki”, “Sides”, “Set Menus” (£30 to £40 each, featuring four courses), then “Sushi” divided into “Nigiri”, “Sashimi”, “Norkimaki Rolls”, “Temaki”, “Urmaki Rolls” and “Sushi Chef Specials” (with “Sharing Platters” also available).
Drinks are limited to “Soft Drinks”, “Beers”, “Wines & Fizz” along with “Cocktails and Mocktails” (2 for £10, but you have to can for a list). Japanese tea is not mentioned but was provided when asked (£3.50 each, bottomless).
A short time later the first of our starters arrived, a bowl of miso soup that was quite good if slightly bland, tasting a bit like instant but perhaps not.
15 minutes later a small plate of our remaining starters arrived: A gyoza, three small spring rolls (“vegetable harumaki”) and two “octopus balls” (supposedly takoyaki) along with a small bowl of a rather nice spicy red dipping sauce. My companion suggested the octopus balls were like something you get out of the frozen food department in a grocery store but I think this was slightly cruel, I think they were OK with a good sized piece of octopus inside though, yes, the texture was quite firm and generally the whole thing was tasteless. The spring rolls we both enjoyed - Hot and full of flavour with lots of vegetables and, thankfully, no bean sprouts. The gyoza was quite nice with a good amount of flavour from the chicken filling but very small.
20 minutes later our chef for the evening arrived who briefly introduced himself before getting to work on our meal, starting with a show of his skills throwing around two metal spatulas that he used throughout - Around his hands, arms and, for the finale, around the back of his neck. He quickly got to work cooking by putting a heap of garlic onto the griddle and then some eggs.
A short time later he added some cooked rice for our first main dish: Egg fried rice. Next up was a vegetable stir-fry containing a lot of cabbage and a few pieces of carrot.
We had the choice between chicken and steak, I chose the steak (medium rare) and my companion chose the chicken. These were then cooked on the griddle again with a large amount of garlic.
Before our chef left the last part of the show, which we had seen demonstrated earlier on a neighbouring table, was for the chef to fling pieces of egg into our mouths with obvious results (to be fair, we each caught it on the second try). He then left to allow us to eat.
The rice was quite bland despite all of the garlic and copious amounts of soy sauce added near the end.
The vegetables were also not exactly brimming with flavour though they were not overcooked and not at all greasy. The beef was sensational, cooked perfectly (still tender and very juicy though slightly chewy) with a nice amount of soy sauce that did not over-season the meat. My companion's chicken was moist and tender but overpowering flavour of the sauce was very thin which could have done with, perhaps, being cooked down a bit more.
So, that was our three course meal. Yes, quite small (though perhaps fair for about £15 each) and not exactly winning us over with flavour. We noticed on other tables where they had purchased the full “teppanyaki” (not special) menu they were given their desserts which seemed to be a small panna cotta in the middle of a plate. Not sure it had any flavour either.
The service was very pleasant if not overly attentive and I liked that there was lots of time between courses, it allowed us to talk and take in the atmosphere a bit – generally watching the same show we had seen played out at each of the grills with very little variation. Our end bill was quite small, as it was just the drinks, with a 10% service charge added.
Disappointing food but a bit of fun seeing the rather staged “cooking show” though if in the area we might want to try their sushi but we will not go our of our way…I am not so much a fan of the show, but interested more in good food.
Rating: “A bit better than average”
Review Date: 2024-12-12
Cuisine: Japanese
Address: 19-25 London Rd, Stockton Heath, Warrington, Cheshire WA4 6SG ENGLAND
Location: Cheshire (England) - Stockton Heath
Map:
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Telephone: +44 (0) 1925 211222
URL: https://www.teppanyakistocktonheath.co.uk/