Sakura - A Japanese Restaurant

Sakura ~ 680 Post Road East Westport, CT 06880 ~ (203) 222-0802

If you live in Westport, you have definitely heard of Sakura and probably have been there at least once. It has become the classic "night before camp" and "last meal before college" restaurant, and is most popular for the amount of birthdays it hosts. As you can see in the picture, Sakura features several dining options. You can sit in a private tatami room (no shoes allowed), at the hibachi table where the skilled chefs cook before your eyes, at the sushi bar, at/near the bar, or simply at a traditional table in the back. Today, my friends and I had a hibachi lunch. There is a great hibachi lunch special - chicken, shrimp, or steak for $9.99 - but it does not come with the praised hibachi noodles. Also, the sushi lunch special consists of a filling portion of sushi for only $9.99 as well.

As for the meal, I was first served hibachi soup, which was very good and served as a good way to start the meal. I was then served fried rice in a bowl, which, as always, is excellent. Following the fried rice, the chef performed the classic "volcano" of flaming onions and continued his show as he grilled vegetables and noodles. The vegetables are fine, but the noodles are amazing. In fact, everything on the plate combined with the white mustard sauce makes the meal even better. Finally, a good 15-20 diced pieces of medium-cooked steak were tossed on my plate. The steak was juicy and tasted great. Around the table, Julie, Carly, Gabby, Sanders, and Hayley were seen feasting on their delicious meals as well - chicken, shrimp, sushi, and vegetarian dishes.

Including tip, my portion of the bill came out to be roughly $17, which is a pretty good price for the amount of food that I ate - I couldn't finish everything on the plate. So, if you want a fun place to go with your friends that serves great food, are having a birthday, leaving for camp tomorrow, or are simply hungry, make sure to stop by Sakura - especially because it is the only Japanese restaurant in Westport.

TIP - For the best cooked meal, definitely eat at a hibachi table. It will probably require a reservation or a wait, but the food is better than what is served to customers at other tables most likely because it is cooked fresh in front of you.

Overall: 4.2

Taste: 4

Atmosphere: 4

Experience: 4.5

Menu: 4

Service: 4.5

Would I return? Yes, probably for a birthday dinner