One phrase springs to mind after dining out at the Cairo Sheraton's Japanese-inspired restaurant: less is not always more. Sapporo Teppanyaki, which boasts of offering "the city's best sushi and teppanyaki, serves an array of elegantly prepared and tasty foods. It's pleasant, but it is far from amazing. My friend and I strolled into the Japanese restaurant after being told at the lobby that it didn't exist in this particular Sheraton hotel. Being persistent, and hungry, we continued up the stairs until we saw the bamboo-lined entrance. Inside, the traditional teppanyaki tables are placed around the restaurant. For those unfamiliar with Japanese dining, the trademark square tables are lined with eight chairs on three sides. On the fourth, stands the chef to cook on a sleek metal stove placed at the center of the table. It goes along with the basic idea for a restaurant of this kind: the chef cooks right there in front of you and serves the food directly onto your plate, sizzling hot and immediately ready to devour. How about that for service? But it gets better. As mentioned earlier, this restaurant is about eating and entertainment. The chef, after getting his sleek metal stove all warmed up, began slapping around his different cooking instruments around the table in preparation for the actual searing of food to begin. I waited for him to perform additional tricks with his knives, and later on with the food itself, but to no avail. I have to admit that I was expecting something a little more impressive and theatrical given the look of the place and the price of the various items on the menu. It was nice, but altogether a little too simple for my taste. The same goes for the overall appearance of Sapporo. Despite being impeccably clean with walls neatly decorated with paintings, the overall look is not memorable. The framed artwork, which includes Japanese themed floral patterns, blends together and is rather unnoticeable. It's the type of decoration that is instantly forgotten the moment you step outside. The same can't be said of the food, though. Having been told that we should sample one of their set menus, my friend and I each chose a different set meal that proved to be very filling and enjoyable. There are so many items to choose from on their menu that sticking to a set meal is truly your best bet. Besides having the opportunity to taste a little bit of everything, it is the best bet for your wallet as well. Our set meals, which included soup and salad, different kinds of seared meat, seafood, and tofu, and followed by dessert, were LE 170 and LE 180 each. I chose the Combination meal, and was delighted by the mix of shrimp, tofu, and filet mignon that the Chef prepared exactly to my liking. It was the best item on the menu: juicy, tender and tasty. Both our meals started with a simple but rather tasteless mixed salad, though the pickled vegetables that accompanied it made up for the blandness. Next came a small serving of Miso soup that was surprisingly not too salty and bursting with flavor. All of our food came with a sampler of three dipping sauces, one spicy, one sweet, and one soy sauce that perfectly complimented both the meats and seafood and allowed for a diversity of flavors to tickle our taste buds. A mix of chopped assorted fruit arrived at the end in stylish glass goblets. But after having easily finishing our feast we were unable to consume more than a piece or two of the fruit. This place is perfect for those with hefty appetites. For a little bite though, Sapporo offers a variety of sushi and sashimi options that looked equally appetizing, though I did not have the opportunity to sample them. Wine lovers in Cairo are in luck at this establishment, which offers a wide variety of local and imported red and white wines. I must say, I was a little disappointed that they didn't offer any Saki. Sapporo offers its patrons a relaxed and private atmosphere and is a perfect place to go to for large parties. Sapporo Teppanyaki: Open from 12pm to 12am. For more information or directions please call 202 33369800
