Okawa Steak House and Sushi- Santee

mmm-yoso!!! is the name of the food blog you are reading. A few friends contribute and write about what we eat.   Cathy is writing today.  The others (Kirk, ed (from Yuma), Vicky and a few others)  are apparently eating.

Hi.  It was lunchtime, The Mister and I were hungry, Okawa has opened. In Santee.

 
It is located in the same mall as Best Buy, behind the Burger King and technically is on the same (large) block where Costco and Home Depot are located, but on Mission Gorge Road...the South side of the block.

We were greeted promptly and a friendly Young Man asked if we wanted to sit at the Sushi Bar, a regular table or the Teppanyaki Table for Hibachi.
The sushi bar did look inviting, but I was not in a mood for that today.  So we sat at the teppanyaki table, with a group of four others, ordered hot tea and checked out the menu. 

 
We ordered, and soon salad and mushroom topped miso soup were brought out.  The miso was definitely not made from that miso paste or powder and had a light, crisp flavor.  The mushroom flavor was only in the mushroom, not the broth.  The salad dressing was the fresh tasting almost pureed ginger dressing which is served at most Japanese places.  This one seemed to have a touch of soy/saltiness to it.  (In a good way saltiness).  Soon our chef came out with a cart of enough rice for frying, vegetables for all six of us, and the proteins ordered as well as the sauces and other condiments necessary for each protein.

He proceeded to pour two sauces for each of us- a ginger based one and a mayonnaise based one.  Those who had ordered steamed rice had that served to us. 

Then the show began.

 
Rice, for those who had ordered fried rice, and already chopped vegetables for everyone were placed onto the oiled grill. (When The Mister and I got married, XXX number of years ago, our reception was at Kyoto, a teppanyaki restaurant in Dearborn, Michigan and everything was the same, except the veggies there came whole and the "show" took a lot longer to chop up everything...and the prices at lunch were a less...probably because it was XXX years ago). 

 The onion rings were taken apart, stacked, a bit of oil inserted and small volcano-like effects happened.

The rice was fried, with an egg, (which disappeared, whole, into the hat of the chef for a while) and then the crispier rice and veggies formed to spell out "I (heart) U"...upside down and backwards... and then those were served. 

The proteins were placed onto the grill (two orders of Banzai chicken, a split order of Samurai steak and Hibachi shrimp-you can combine on the lunch specials), Samurai steak, and Chilean sea bass.

The Mister's order of Samurai steak (medium rare), fried rice ($1.95 extra, but *so* crisp and tasty-a nutty flavor, probably because of the sesame oil...and butter) and some of his vegetables ($10.95).  

My Hibachi Chilean sea bass (with a teriyaki sauce, some vegetables )(I got the extra onions from The Mister, and from Our Chef) and steamed rice ($11.95). The sea bass was tender, moist, flaky and had just enough flavor (not overpowered by the house made teriyaki). 
...Our talented and amusing Chef.

An excellent meal that was a lot of fun to watch being prepared.  Total bill was $29.20-the hot green tea was $1 each and kept refilled, as were the other beverages at the table. Not an inexpensive lunch, but an excellent, fun lunch.

OKAWA Steak House and Sushi 9720 Mission Gorge Road, Suite A, Santee 92071 (619)258-9988 Lunch Mon-Sat 11:30-3:00 then dinner menu until 10:00  Sunday, no lunch menu, open 12:30-10:00

Comments

[Faye]

The food looks so good! I use to love Benihana's garlic fried rice - my goodness - I'd lose my freakin mind eating that stuff. Did they add garlic to their fried rice here?

I've never had Chilean sea bass hibachi style so that looks great as well!

Nice post!

[Dennis]

What a fun lunch! The bill doesn't seem so bad for two..

[Carol]

Heehee, I like the onion volcano. Oh dang, my stomach is really grumbling now. I better go eat some lunch looking at the pictures.

[Cathy]

Hi Faye- yes there was garlic, as well as a good amount of butter, very much in the Benihana style and recipe...without the lines, alcohol or prices.
Dennis! It was a very nice relaxing meal, which we needed. Not a bad price, but The Mister and I aren't dating anymore...he doesn't have to impress me...
There was a flame coming out the the volcano, Carol. Lots of fun and great food. I am going to try the sushi for lunch next time.

[Mark]

Great post. thank you I have been to your site several times now, and this time I am adding it to my bookmarks. Keep it up with the great work.

[Drew]

Love there food.. Had dinner there Saturday night with the family. I always there too full.