2345 Foothill Blvd.
La Verne, CA 91750
(909) 392 6808
www.MiyabiRestaurant.com
Chef: Paul of La Verne, CA
Score: 79/100
as usual, miaybi did not disappoint. for a thursday night, this local hotspot was crowded as ever. the wait staff is friendly and caring, and their food is always spot on, despite the portions being a bit small. still, the price can't be beat, and for overall value in the inland empire we are yet to find a better location.
salad - 8/10
the miyabi salad is excellent: great dressing to greens ratio (non-mayo based dressing, to boot), fresh tomatoes in every bowl, and high quality ice berg lettuce. you can't ask for too much more without going above and beyond.
soup - 8/10
again, a very strong showing here. quite flavorful with just the right amount of fried onion at the bottom. hard to beat.
sauces - 9/10
there are three to choose from, which is more than the standard two, and their ginger is one of the best i have ever had. still--they try to push the yum-yum on you sometimes, and this frustrates me. while i'm not doing this evaluation on past trips, one time (of the upwards of 20 i've been here) a chef put a shrimp of mine in the yum-yum sauce in an attempt to convert me. i was insulted to say the least.
fried rice - 9/10
a generous portion, perfectly sauced and textured, with egg to boot. a smidgen too much salt prevented the 10/10.
vegetables - 7/10
again, all you could expect. good onion-to-total ratio, a good amount of mushrooms and zucchini, and a light sauce.
appetizer shrimp - 6/10
two whole shrimp per person, and cooked to perfection. the lack of the shrimp toss bumped this category down a notch, though.
main course (shrimp, but tried fillet, chicken, and steak) - 8/10
a large portion done well. not much more to say here.
dessert noodles - 9/10
again, almost perfect. mixed perfectly with the bamboo and flash cooked in oil, these noodles are as good as you will find anywhere. it just needed the extra something for the 10/10.
show - 8/10
i think the chef could tell we weren't there for the show, but he nonetheless gave it his all. he (and i observed the chefs around us doing this as well) was a bit overzealous with the use of fire, but you do need something to draw the crowd i guess on a thursday night. the hourglass (up-side-down volcano on volcano) is always a huge plus, but the lack of jokes is what threw me off (what ever happened to "rice rice baby"?).
potpourri - 7/10
we had a slight problem with working out the bill which delayed us, but the water service as always is phenomenal at miyabi, as is the optional and offered but not forced fork selection (we are--after all--americans). we did not have to wait for a table, but the place was quite crowded for a thursday. if it had been more so, they always have the second room to accommodate for crowded nights. the prices are lower than most, but so is the portion size. the non-hibachi menu is prolific, and their sushi is fresh and tasty.
when it is all said and done, miyabi is one of the best values AND one of the best meals you will have at any hibachitorium in the southern california area. if you already live out east, it's hard to justify going anywhere else.
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