When the moon is full, the stars aligned, the economy's not in the pooper and we're able to lock down a babysitter, there's no place my wife and I would rather go than Benihana.
I've got a stove at home. I can go buy shrimp and water chestnuts, but there's no way on God's green earth that I can duplicate the palate sensations that you'll find at good ol' hana. I'll continue to try until I'm in the grave, please believe. I've NEVER had something there I didn't like. I love the fact that you sit with a bunch of other strangers at your table and end up laughing and talking with them all by the end of your visit.
You almost always need a reservation, but that's a good thing, right? It lets you know that there are a lot of folks on the same page with you. The fun starts in the bar while you wait for your table. I don't think I've ever run into an unhappy patron at the hana. We usually end up sitting with the same group of folks that we're in the bar with, so it's like a little party every visit. If you've never been, go tonight. If you have been, go back tonight. Just writing this here WOMF has made kiqman one hell of a salivating mo-fo. Get 'em Benihana!