Feel the heat

Kyoto Japanese Restaurant, at 2021 N. Boomer Road , offers one of Stillwater's most unique, high-quality dining experiences.

Owner Lee Stice has done wonders with the restaurant since its opening in November 1996. He said the most important thing to him is ensuring high-quality meats and other food items are being served in his restaurant, which was evident in the extremely tender and savory hibachi filet mignon.

The edamame, or boiled soy beans, was unexpectedly tasty, with a flavor like salty peanuts.
Kyoto also offers a variety of sushi. It was my first time trying sushi and I enjoyed many of the kinds I tried, like the shrimp tempura, the crispy coconut roll and the Oklahoma roll. They tasted fresh and healthy.

Kyoto also has some great drinks, including the Fuji Sunrise, which is beautiful and looks like an actual sunrise, and the Kyoto Punch, which is served in a Buddha figurine with a straw in the belly.

Besides the food, my favorite part was the experience and atmosphere of the restaurant. Kyoto is decorated with traditional Japanese art, featured a delightful and attentive staff and offered a great hibachi show to make everything worthwhile. The hibachi chef showed off his knife skills and provided great energy for all the patrons, even allowing them to be involved in the fun.

The restaurant offers a variety of seating options, including traditional seating, hibachi seating and a tatami room — perfect for a unique dining experience and privacy for groups.

Kyoto would be a great place to go on a date or with friends and I suggest that everyone does.