Benihana Chelsea: fun for all the family

I first went to Benihana on my first date with the man I now call DH. We in fact met at Benihana Piccadilly for the first time after speaking online for a couple of weeks. It was an experience I will never forget. I introduced my mother to my intended in Benihana Chelsea on the King’s Road. I hadn’t thought about taking my children to Benihana’s until last week when the Tour de Force that is London Baby put together a fabulous event at the very same location.

See what I mean? The Benihana experience- borne in New York in the 60’s- is more than just food: it is a show. The top-notch chefs cook your food in front of you on a Teppanyaki grill, so you can see how fresh it is. Not only that, they do it with flair- they craft steam trains from onion rings, juggle pepper pots and bowls of rice, crack jokes and not eggs and generally make you forget all about the eating. It’s a really sociable way of eating and whilst not cheap, it certainly is memorable and a perfect way to mark a special occasion.

Of course the last time I went to Benihana’s I didn’t have children. Do I had the chance on Tuesday night to consider the restaurant from a parent’s perspective. The restaurant is tucked down the stairs from a door on the King’s Road, which makes it secret, which is exciting. The cooking and showmanship of the chefs remove the need for you to worry about the noise your children are making. There are easy-access loos nearby for a quick change, and the show that comes with the meal is guaranteed to keep any child amused whilst they wait. There’s a kid’s menu, hats to wear and if it’s a birthday? Well, birthdays are a huge specialty of Benihana: the staff goes out of their way to make the event special with cakes, songs and a huge display on the wall of the fabulous foyer and cocktail area.

Who could ask for more? I look forward to introducing the next generation of our family to the Benihana experience very soon indeed.

With special thanks to Dieter and the Benihana Chelsea team, along with London Baby, for making the Blogger Massif so very welcome and giving us the full experience so that we could share it with our readers!