Great Restaurants in West Palm Beach Florida: Saito’s at Cityplace

Many people look all over for that ethnic restaurant with the golden touch, the restaurant that makes you go “wow” as you take that first step through the front doors and see the Egyptian and Oriental dÃ?©cor from centuries gone. The restaurant that hits you with the luscious smell of the far east corner of the world, well look no further, I’ve got your restaurant right here, Saito’s Japanese Steak House Hibachi and Sushi Bar. I ventured past this hot spot at Cityplace and my curiosity got the better of me, I’ve been to many restaurants before but none like this. I walked through the large glass doors as my eyes shot straight to the ceiling, there large red balls engraved with Japanese symbols caught my interest, I looked around and saw the prominent presence of the miniature Buddha statutes that sat on ledges jutting from the corners of the roof. I looked to my left and spotted the infamous Hibachi Grill where many a chef has dazzled wondering guests with talents only a professional could render. Such talents include the throwing of eggs into the air where they find their final destination on the blade of a hot knife to the pouring of flammable liquid into onion towers where they are lit to cause a tiny flaming “Volcano” and where fire is “thrown and caught”. To my right I saw the sushi bar, made up of multiple delicacies from around the world, Marlin, Conch, Wahoo, Octopus, Eel and even Sea Urchin rolls are available, then they have the drink bar where you can find a wide selection of eccentric drinks and liquors. The lightning was pleasing to the senses, it eased any I might have had, the place really made you feel as if you were in Japan. I went to the front desk and asked for a seat I was promptly escorted to a booth where I then revealed my ulterior motives for an interview with someone. A man named Ken Tipfun joined me and we then bantered about the history and culture of Saito’s.

He revealed to me the true nature of the name Saito’s which is the combination of the capitol of Vietnam, Saigon and the capitol of Japan, Tokyo, I learned about the scorching 500 degree tables where chefs cook the food right in front of you. The favorite dish is Fillet Minion and Lobster, surprisingly they also have Fillet Minion and Ostrich, which I learned, is the leanest red meat you can get. Saito’s has been around for twelve years, and no wonder “The atmosphere is very nice and not many restaurants you can jump, and cheer, and scream, there’s a lot of excitement in here, It’s the land of the free why not be free in a restaurant”, said Ken with a quick but melodic gesture of his right hand. He later described the Bluefin Toro which is very rare because of its high intellect and the price they pay to obtain it, he suddenly had to take care of a customer, while I awaited his return my ears tuned in to the relaxing music of the Orient. I enjoyed the talk I had with Ken he seemed like a marvelous fellow, and the rest of the employees where very nice and attentive. There aren’t many restaurants nowadays where the staff is on you hand and foot to meet your every whim.

The food looked delicious, as if to tickle my fansy, Ken asked me if I wanted a bite on which I refused, yet he insisted and told his chef to bring out some conch sushi wraps for me to feast on. When the chef returned I saw Ken smile and I knew it was going to be a great meal. I heard it cry out with mouth watery silence to be eaten, I endulged myself in the conch sushi wraps, I savored every last drop of duck sauce that I poured onto them. I looked around at what other people had ordered and I became even more famished. I did not request more however for I did not like the thought of free food and I did not have any money, even though this was a review I did not want to void my stay. So I leave you on this note, if your looking for something different or something from another region of the world other than your local Floridian cuisine go and visit Saito’s at Cityplace in West Palm Beach right across from the large fountain on the top floor, it’s open Sunday-Thursday 11:30 A.M – 11:00 P.M, and Friday – Saturday 11:30 – Midnight.