120 W Stocker St
Glendale, CA 91202
(818) 548-4227
Chef: Unnamed
Score: 58/100
don't let the logo fool you: mori isn't an italian pasta patriarch (although he did invent hibachi pasta); he's a hibachi legend. one of the original chefs at benihana, and the man featured in their first american advertising campaign, mori is no teppan n00b. he personally took care of us from the moment we entered, seating us at a bar table, cleaning it for us, and offering us drinks while we waited for our fourth (one member of our party got a free shot of single malt scotch). rarely do you get that kind of modest treatment from a genuine legend.
salad - 6/10
definitely no points for creativity: this "salad" is more accurately called "lettuce with dressing." still, despite the unassuming bland color, the dressing was quite flavorful, and one of the better gingers i've had in a while. but would a tomato or two have killed you?
soup - 2/10
nothing more than a chicken-less chicken noodle, and absolutely nothing asian about it, americanized or otherwise.
sauces - 8/10
no yum-yum/mayo sauce (personal bias, sure, but still worthy of points); a tasty mustard sauce, and a very strong, very deep ginger sauce. great combo.
fried rice - 7/10
amazing consistency, amazing texture, not too much flavor, and only an egg or two for protein.
vegetables - 4/10
zucchini and onions only, and they weren't even cooked that well...
appetizer shrimp - 7/10
not too large, and no toss, but very tasty.
main course (shrimp) - 7/10
the shrimp were tasty and plentiful, albeit small. i didn't try the chicken or vegetarian, which is what others at the table got, but reports weren't great ("chicken is chicken" is never a good review, especially when i know from experience that it's not a particularly true statement for hibachi; the veggie says there was a weird, bread-like, non-tofu protein added [and this is a guy who knows his veggie proteins, so it's odd he couldn't name it. ...doesn't bode well.]).
dessert noodles - 9/10
very solid, although they could have used a touch more sauce.
show - 1/10
i'm not sure if he just didn't care about a table of only four, if he didn't care because he thought we didn't care, or if it was just too late in the night, but there was barely any effort put forth here. the volcano was the only thing i'd even consider a "show," and that was obviously just choreographed and forced. why even bother? is it just to distinguish yourself from the 'han? i saw the same chef put on a show for another table. i'm insulted on a level that has nothing to do with my hibachi fandom.
potpourri - 7/10
mori's personal service was much appreciated, as were their 'han-like wall of celebrities featuring zachery ty bryan, and their phallic budweiser american flag inflatable rocket hanging from the ceiling. the waitstaff was nice, and split our checks without much protest, and the hostess was particularly kind and understanding. we did feel as though we overstayed our welcome, though, which is never something you want the second-to-last people to feel at your restaurant, especially at 10pm on a friday. and the water refill was good, but not great.
in a los angeles that is seemingly devoid of good hibachi joints, mori is a good alternative to the 'han, despite the chain's obvious influences. despite being fairly good, i just didn't feel there was much of an effort put forth. still, a nice place to go if you're looking for something in the valley, and a worthwhile trip just to be able to shake the hand of the legend mori himself.
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