When a prawn hit the side of my face I knew it was time to employ duck and weave tactics.
No, this wasn't a food fight, but part of the entertainment at Benihana Japanese Steakhouse on the third floor of the Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort and Spa. And while it was a bit messy, the night was heaps of fun.
For the uninitiated, the proper technique is to catch the prawn in your mouth. Marriott Executive Chef Andrew Fraser showed his style with a napkin turned into a prawn catcher funnel - very effective!
With Teppanyaki your meal is cooked by the chefs on a hot plate built into each table right in front of you. Watching the chef's antics is great entertainment and a good family event. There's plenty of tossing, juggling and chopping and an omelette made after three eggs are balanced on top of each other. It's a great show!
The great thing about this food is that the ingredients are all super fresh and there's not too much in the way of additives apart from a bit of soy and oil. The wagu steak was the stuff of which dreams are made. I was still thinking about it two days later, as were some of the other foodies at the dinner. The prawns and scallops also were exquisitely fresh.
Benihana also offers cooking classes and there's one as part of the Tastes of Gold Coast Festival. You'll learn some of the chef's tricks (maybe not how to catch a salt shaker on your head) and devour a three course lunch. Yum.
Tickets for the class on 22 August cost $95 each. Call 5592 9800
Tastes of the Gold Coast is a fabulous way to explore the diverse range of local food available on the Goldie. It's not all sun, surf and sand now days!
Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort & Spa
158 Ferny Avenue, Surfers Paradise
p 5592 9800
