The Japan Samurai Restaurant of Newport News, Virginia Doesn't Make Me Yen for More

I don't often get angry about bad restaurants. I'm pretty easy going and, having worked in the food industry myself, I understand that things don't always go the way you want them to. So the first time I visited the Newport News (Virginia) restaurant, Japan Samurai, I chose not to write about it. I figured the experience was the result of an off night and nothing more. I was wrong!

This week when I picked my grandson up for our "date," he wasn't too keen on going to a movie. He wanted to go out to eat instead. When I asked him where he wanted to go, he said "the fire." That is his three-year-old way of saying he wants to go to one of his favorite hibachi restaurants. That didn't surprise me because he loves watching the chef cook at the table.

After checking with my daughter, she recommended the Japan Samurai because its evening menu is less expensive than most of the others of the same type. I wasn't keen on the idea of going there since is was the very restaurant I avoided reviewing before. However, as you who are grandparents out there know, there isn't much of anything we won't do for our grandchildren.

The Japan Samurai is located in a small strip center across the street from Patrick Henry Mall in Newport News, Virginia. It isn't anything special either inside or out. In fact it always gives me the feeling that it is somewhat dirty. I suspect that has more to do with its dark and dingy atmosphere than any real health violations. As far as I could determine the restaurant has never been cited for health code issues.

The one thing I do enjoy about the place is an inside waterfall in the entrance foyer. My grandson loves to throw pennies into it to make a wish. The remainder of the restaurant is very dark. In fact, you can't even see into the various rooms. You are doing well if you can see the people at other tables in the same room as you. For that reason, I can't even give you a good description of the actual décor other than to say it has a definitive Oriental vibe.