What appears to be theater at Benihana was really a very clever solution to scarcity. The chef’s production involves people sitting at communal tables. And communal tables of eight mean a much more efficient packing of customers. No more waiting for two tables of two to open up side by side so you can seat a party of four. At communal tables you simply fill up the tables as people come in. A table of four merely means four chairs at the table. But even better, the tables turn over much faster. The chef cooks theatrically—and quickly—in front of you. You sit, the chef is there, the menu is
...more
