It's not every day that you can enjoy dinner and an exciting show at the same time, but this added dividend is part and parcel of your experience at Kyoto Palace, a Japanese steakhouse in Campbell. Here, chefs slice, dice and toss dinner in front of your eyes on hibachi grills while adding their own comedic touches, making it a perfect choice for parties large and small.

Tucked away on the second floor of the Pruneyard Shopping Center, Kyoto Palace has been a favorite destination for more than 30 years—not only because of its attractive location, but also because of its unique atmosphere and delicious food.

Tables surround flat, six-foot long teppan grills, seating eight people and creating a communal feel. The lively atmosphere is immediately apparent as you enter the dining room, with patrons laughing and snapping photos, the waitstaff singing “Happy Birthday,” and the musical cling-clang of cooking tools against the iron grills.

Portions are generous, so come ready to feast. Start with a “Kyoto-tini” from the bar—the Razberi Kamikaze is a good one—and something from sushi menu. The Dragon Roll, with buttery avocado, shrimp tempura, cucumber and eel, is exceptionally good.

To get the full Kyoto treatment, try a Palace Special, which includes soup, salad, vegetables, rice and ice cream or sherbet. You can’t go wrong with the Kyoto Special, featuring a succulent lobster tail, juicy filet mignon, and tender scallops, or the Seafood Delight, with grilled shrimp, scallops and calamari. Tip: Although entrees come with white rice, spring for the fried rice—it’s one of the most popular items.

The food may be a highlight, but it’s the cooks who really steal the show. Expect your chef to show off with tricks such as drawing pictures with egg yolks, tossing bits of food into your open mouth with a spatula, juggling cooking utensils, and arranging onion rings into smoking volcanoes. The show is so entertaining that you almost don’t want him to finish cooking.

The fun need not end after dessert. On Wednesdays, karaoke adds to the entertainment. On other nights, you can enjoy an after-dinner drink in the lounge. Either way, you’ll leave Kyoto Palace with a smile on your face and fond memories in your mind.  –Stephanie Soong

          
Hours:

Mon-Fri, 11:30-2 & 5-10; Sat, 11:30-10; Sun, 11:30-9

Location:

Pruneyard Shopping Center
1875 S. Bascom Ave., Campbell

More Info:

408/377-6456
www.kyotopalace.com