I was hospitalized for food poising the day after dining here. I became violently ill that might and knew I could not afford a hospital bill so I tried to wait as long as I could to get better. I had sepsis and infectious colitis and could have died. I recommend not eating here. I’ve been in contact with the location manager who was very friendly but unfortunately corporate is ignoring my attempts to get into contact. I have a huge hospital bill all from one dinner. Again, do not go here.
Sgirl7218
We have been coming to Benihana for 30 years. Still one of my favorites .Our server Jacob was amazing. He really took care of us and had the best attitude. Our cook Antonio was also Amazing. The show he put on was better than the normal show. Thanks guys for everything.
Elupa
We have been to lots of Benihana restaurants in the UK, Canada and the USA. Santa Monica was the worst Benihana’s we have ever been to. The restaurant felt grubby and there was a total lack of interest from waiting staff. Our chef was totally going through the motions and not very entertaining. We took friends as they had never been before and we were left totally embarrassed. Overpriced and average food. Put us off Benihana completely.
qmaureen
The staff are lovely but by their own admission they were 50% understaffed. After an hour of virtually no food and no drinks order - I had to complain before we were eventually served. We were out for a family meal and next to a double table stocked with roaring revellers for someone’s birthday - it felt like we were in the middle of a fraternity party. They made so much noise we couldn’t hear our chef and the three hour meal became an endurance test as we couldn’t talk to each other and needed ear defenders. The staff were encouraging the noisy birthday crew with sake shots and they were all shouting so much that my brain hurt after 3 mins. After 3 hours my ears were bleeding. Nice enough food but impossible to talk to each other, we couldn’t hear ourselves think and quite simply the worst Benihana’s I’ve been to in the USA or UK. I’d avoid this location and head for anywhere else in Santa Monica.
Tomáš K
We walked in at 2:50 pm, they told us that they do not have any free tables at the moment and we have to wait 30 minutes. At 3:20pm they told us that the table will be ready within a few minutes. We were leaving at 4pm wihout being seated. Fun fact is that if you want to make a reservation online and will not show up on time, they will charge you 20$/person. The restaurant was almost empty :)
jetsettndoula
came to Benihana for my birthday as I usually have a great time when I go to the Beverly Hills location. The hostess was very rude ( Emani) and the manager was even worse ( Brian). I was seated at a table with two parties one or the parties didn’t like the seating chart so he sat in the other parties chair and the hostess made me get up then told me if I didn’t like the seating arrangements i could wait for another table and when I asked how long the wait would be she rudely responded that she didn’t know. Instead of saying she would check, instead of apologizing for the inconvenience, instead of doing her job as the hostess she shouldve did what was right and informed the party that there was a seating arrangement and I shouldn’t move as he was in the larger party’s seats and they have to sit together. I sat down and then asked her if she could get the manager for me then she said she’s going to help the people who walked in after me FIRST and she yelled the word FIRST. All she had to say is she’ll get the manager for me I was ok waiting, i didn’t ask in an aggressive way or anything and it was clear she was seating people so i clearly had to wait i was just asking her so she could do it when she was done with them and not start a new task before i could ask .then i asked someome else to get the manager for me and she stopped helping the already seated guest to speed walk and stop the guy from getting the manager for me. She rudely said “ I’ll do it” i told her it was ok he would and she rudely said she would get the manager and sped up to out walk the guy. she had went back there and lied so Brian came out already biased and not even trying to hear me out (the paying customer) Brian was even more rude than Emani, i told him i wanted to tell him my experience and perspective as the customer and he just stood there looking at me like I Wasn’t speaking English then he bugged his eyes out at me to let me know he didn’t care. Because he didn’t want to let me speak about my experience as Emani had already told him her perspective of the situation so he already had a bias, didn’t care how i felt, didn’t care how his hostess made me feel terrible because she was having a bad day ( she had been complaining about how bad it is working there while i was originally waiting to be seated) and they clearly thought i was poor because i wasn’t fancy and my braids were a little old. As a paying customer my experience matters. When I continued to explain to Brian what happened Emani started to argue with me about what happened and Brian didn’t help and allowed her to do it. She even accused me of lying about her rudeness by interrupting me and saying “lies” I pointed out to Brian that the way she was blatantly being rude to me in front of him is how she was treating me when he was in the back and was proving my point with her actions and blatant disregard for me as a human and customer. When i told him i seen and heard her ask the men she was flirting with ( the ones she made me wait an extra 30 minutes to eat for because they didn’t want to sit where they were placed) to talk to the manager and say i was lying, he just walked away from me. I can understand if i was being rude and disrespectful but I honestly wasn’t and I think thats what really bothered me because no one deserves that treatment, especially for no reason.Brian incited her behavior with his actions he didn’t care about me as a paying customer. I was treated like literal trash because my braids were old and i wasn’t wearing fancy clothing. I had just left the gym and put on a dress i think is cute and went to eat before i got my hair done later in the day( it was lunch time). Although it doesn’t matter because i was clean and i wasn’t rude and i was there to spend my money for a good time and a good meal. Customers are literally the reason they have employment and in hard times like these, we don’t have to patronize this business and give them our money. So the customer’s experience matters and how the customer is treated matters. Benihama clearly hires anyone and as a man
602ericy
horrific food and service avoid at ALL costs food was cold and unkempt floors dirty restroom filthy and food prep was nasty
tommY7184KO
We enjoyed it! It took a little while to get started as it looked like they were short of chefs. Our server Rahne was great and took good care of us, and when our chef Miguel arrived, he was great! Did a couple chef tricks I hadn't seen. Both Miguel and Rahne were very nice as well as funny.
daniarwen
Food was typical hibachi and chef was fun to watch. Tried the sushi too - probably wouldn't order that the next time, but overall a fun night out.
william t
Unbelievable they told us waiting is 1 hour or MAYBE LESS, but after 80 minutes waiting they told us we should wait another 90 minutes,!?!???? If waiting is over 3 hours why reception is not clearing at first!!!! After yelling, the manager came and said sorry please wait another 15 minutes to be seated?!???? I dont know whats happing here should we pay receptionist under table money!!!!! ***** Note for Restaurant owner or corporation***** Please choose your reseptionest more wisely, try hire more polite people,sometimes they can use a magical word is called "SORRY" and tell them "DO NOT THROW THE MENU IN FRONT OF YOUR CUSTOMERS".
We went for a birthday dinner. It was 8 of us. It took us over almost 2 hours to be seated with a reservation. The manager does not know how to deal with his customers. He was too scared to come talk to us. After we were finally seated it was almost another hour before the chef came over to our table to begin cooking. We spent well over $200 dollars. The service and experience was the worst I have ever experienced in my life. The bar service was great other than that.
Itsabigworld321
We had a reservation and they still kept us waiting 45+ minutes. The food show was unimpressive after the long wait. We will try another place next time.
Ady392
My husband has been dying to try this restaurant where the Japanese cook cooks the meat and all in front of you on a grill, but honestly it did not stand up to the expectations. Maybe we were unlucky with the cook we were assigned, as we was a little old and tired and did not make as much cook stuff as other cooks we saw in the distance but mostly we were disappointed with the sloppiness of the service (long waiting times, items forgotten) and the quality of the food (drinks were terrible, quality of meat just ok, soup and salad as starters were absolutely ridiculous - the “onion soup” is basically boiled water with raw mushrooms floating) so it’s good for a once in a lifetime thing, and we are grateful there is still a teppanayaki in LA, but we won’t go again.
shawnCA
We were very disappointed with our dinner of filet and lobster. Our "chef" was messy, and I don't believe he knows how to cook. Everything on the cook top had POUNDS of butter and copious amounts of soy sauce added. We opted to take most of our dinner home after nibbling on the soup, salad, and veggies. Extremely unhappy with what we brought home...see photos of raw shrimp (appetizer) and the filet we ordered "well done." Food quality was not good - filet had tendons and fat that the chef did not trim...the lobster tails looked terrible -- tiny and off color. Portion size of all servings have been drastically reduced since our last visit. As to the cooking "show?" our guy could not catch an egg in his hat...but I don't care because it's all about the FOOD, which was a complete disappointment! Photo of Benihana - Santa Monica, CA, United States. raw shrimp and "well done"filet mignon
Mike C
We celebrated (3) birthdays last Sunday. There were (8) of us in our group, ages 5 - 63. The waitress nailed it. She was pleasant and helpful. The chef was by far the best we have ever had at any Benihana. . He was nice, funny, and skilled. He entertained us the entire time. Thank you!
I was hospitalized for food poising the day after dining here. I became violently ill that might and knew I could not afford a hospital bill so I tried to wait as long as I could to get better. I had sepsis and infectious colitis and could have died. I recommend not eating here. I’ve been in contact with the location manager who was very friendly but unfortunately corporate is ignoring my attempts to get into contact. I have a huge hospital bill all from one dinner. Again, do not go here.
We have been coming to Benihana for 30 years. Still one of my favorites .Our server Jacob was amazing. He really took care of us and had the best attitude. Our cook Antonio was also Amazing. The show he put on was better than the normal show. Thanks guys for everything.
We have been to lots of Benihana restaurants in the UK, Canada and the USA. Santa Monica was the worst Benihana’s we have ever been to. The restaurant felt grubby and there was a total lack of interest from waiting staff. Our chef was totally going through the motions and not very entertaining. We took friends as they had never been before and we were left totally embarrassed. Overpriced and average food. Put us off Benihana completely.
The staff are lovely but by their own admission they were 50% understaffed. After an hour of virtually no food and no drinks order - I had to complain before we were eventually served. We were out for a family meal and next to a double table stocked with roaring revellers for someone’s birthday - it felt like we were in the middle of a fraternity party. They made so much noise we couldn’t hear our chef and the three hour meal became an endurance test as we couldn’t talk to each other and needed ear defenders. The staff were encouraging the noisy birthday crew with sake shots and they were all shouting so much that my brain hurt after 3 mins. After 3 hours my ears were bleeding. Nice enough food but impossible to talk to each other, we couldn’t hear ourselves think and quite simply the worst Benihana’s I’ve been to in the USA or UK. I’d avoid this location and head for anywhere else in Santa Monica.
We walked in at 2:50 pm, they told us that they do not have any free tables at the moment and we have to wait 30 minutes. At 3:20pm they told us that the table will be ready within a few minutes. We were leaving at 4pm wihout being seated. Fun fact is that if you want to make a reservation online and will not show up on time, they will charge you 20$/person. The restaurant was almost empty :)
came to Benihana for my birthday as I usually have a great time when I go to the Beverly Hills location. The hostess was very rude ( Emani) and the manager was even worse ( Brian). I was seated at a table with two parties one or the parties didn’t like the seating chart so he sat in the other parties chair and the hostess made me get up then told me if I didn’t like the seating arrangements i could wait for another table and when I asked how long the wait would be she rudely responded that she didn’t know. Instead of saying she would check, instead of apologizing for the inconvenience, instead of doing her job as the hostess she shouldve did what was right and informed the party that there was a seating arrangement and I shouldn’t move as he was in the larger party’s seats and they have to sit together. I sat down and then asked her if she could get the manager for me then she said she’s going to help the people who walked in after me FIRST and she yelled the word FIRST. All she had to say is she’ll get the manager for me I was ok waiting, i didn’t ask in an aggressive way or anything and it was clear she was seating people so i clearly had to wait i was just asking her so she could do it when she was done with them and not start a new task before i could ask .then i asked someome else to get the manager for me and she stopped helping the already seated guest to speed walk and stop the guy from getting the manager for me. She rudely said “ I’ll do it” i told her it was ok he would and she rudely said she would get the manager and sped up to out walk the guy. she had went back there and lied so Brian came out already biased and not even trying to hear me out (the paying customer) Brian was even more rude than Emani, i told him i wanted to tell him my experience and perspective as the customer and he just stood there looking at me like I Wasn’t speaking English then he bugged his eyes out at me to let me know he didn’t care. Because he didn’t want to let me speak about my experience as Emani had already told him her perspective of the situation so he already had a bias, didn’t care how i felt, didn’t care how his hostess made me feel terrible because she was having a bad day ( she had been complaining about how bad it is working there while i was originally waiting to be seated) and they clearly thought i was poor because i wasn’t fancy and my braids were a little old. As a paying customer my experience matters. When I continued to explain to Brian what happened Emani started to argue with me about what happened and Brian didn’t help and allowed her to do it. She even accused me of lying about her rudeness by interrupting me and saying “lies” I pointed out to Brian that the way she was blatantly being rude to me in front of him is how she was treating me when he was in the back and was proving my point with her actions and blatant disregard for me as a human and customer. When i told him i seen and heard her ask the men she was flirting with ( the ones she made me wait an extra 30 minutes to eat for because they didn’t want to sit where they were placed) to talk to the manager and say i was lying, he just walked away from me. I can understand if i was being rude and disrespectful but I honestly wasn’t and I think thats what really bothered me because no one deserves that treatment, especially for no reason.Brian incited her behavior with his actions he didn’t care about me as a paying customer. I was treated like literal trash because my braids were old and i wasn’t wearing fancy clothing. I had just left the gym and put on a dress i think is cute and went to eat before i got my hair done later in the day( it was lunch time). Although it doesn’t matter because i was clean and i wasn’t rude and i was there to spend my money for a good time and a good meal. Customers are literally the reason they have employment and in hard times like these, we don’t have to patronize this business and give them our money. So the customer’s experience matters and how the customer is treated matters. Benihama clearly hires anyone and as a man
horrific food and service avoid at ALL costs food was cold and unkempt floors dirty restroom filthy and food prep was nasty
We enjoyed it! It took a little while to get started as it looked like they were short of chefs. Our server Rahne was great and took good care of us, and when our chef Miguel arrived, he was great! Did a couple chef tricks I hadn't seen. Both Miguel and Rahne were very nice as well as funny.
Food was typical hibachi and chef was fun to watch. Tried the sushi too - probably wouldn't order that the next time, but overall a fun night out.
Unbelievable they told us waiting is 1 hour or MAYBE LESS, but after 80 minutes waiting they told us we should wait another 90 minutes,!?!???? If waiting is over 3 hours why reception is not clearing at first!!!! After yelling, the manager came and said sorry please wait another 15 minutes to be seated?!???? I dont know whats happing here should we pay receptionist under table money!!!!! ***** Note for Restaurant owner or corporation***** Please choose your reseptionest more wisely, try hire more polite people,sometimes they can use a magical word is called "SORRY" and tell them "DO NOT THROW THE MENU IN FRONT OF YOUR CUSTOMERS".
Restaurantji Recommends
We went for a birthday dinner. It was 8 of us. It took us over almost 2 hours to be seated with a reservation. The manager does not know how to deal with his customers. He was too scared to come talk to us. After we were finally seated it was almost another hour before the chef came over to our table to begin cooking. We spent well over $200 dollars. The service and experience was the worst I have ever experienced in my life. The bar service was great other than that.
We had a reservation and they still kept us waiting 45+ minutes. The food show was unimpressive after the long wait. We will try another place next time.
My husband has been dying to try this restaurant where the Japanese cook cooks the meat and all in front of you on a grill, but honestly it did not stand up to the expectations. Maybe we were unlucky with the cook we were assigned, as we was a little old and tired and did not make as much cook stuff as other cooks we saw in the distance but mostly we were disappointed with the sloppiness of the service (long waiting times, items forgotten) and the quality of the food (drinks were terrible, quality of meat just ok, soup and salad as starters were absolutely ridiculous - the “onion soup” is basically boiled water with raw mushrooms floating) so it’s good for a once in a lifetime thing, and we are grateful there is still a teppanayaki in LA, but we won’t go again.
We were very disappointed with our dinner of filet and lobster. Our "chef" was messy, and I don't believe he knows how to cook. Everything on the cook top had POUNDS of butter and copious amounts of soy sauce added. We opted to take most of our dinner home after nibbling on the soup, salad, and veggies. Extremely unhappy with what we brought home...see photos of raw shrimp (appetizer) and the filet we ordered "well done." Food quality was not good - filet had tendons and fat that the chef did not trim...the lobster tails looked terrible -- tiny and off color. Portion size of all servings have been drastically reduced since our last visit. As to the cooking "show?" our guy could not catch an egg in his hat...but I don't care because it's all about the FOOD, which was a complete disappointment! Photo of Benihana - Santa Monica, CA, United States. raw shrimp and "well done"filet mignon
We celebrated (3) birthdays last Sunday. There were (8) of us in our group, ages 5 - 63. The waitress nailed it. She was pleasant and helpful. The chef was by far the best we have ever had at any Benihana. . He was nice, funny, and skilled. He entertained us the entire time. Thank you!