Akira, The Art of Sushi & Teppanyaki: Masters of the Flame

Great food, cool interiors, an engaging and entertaining show...all the elements for a classic teppanyaki lunch.

Akira, The Art of Sushi & Teppanyaki, introduces the Teppanyaki Group Specials for the month of August, with five options to choose from, each set good for five, to fit your appetite and budget. That's five for five...

Named after the legendary teppanyaki chef who challenged the fire gods in popular Japanese fiction, Akira combines the elements of great food, cool interiors and specially trained chefs with their "mastery of the flame" for a unique dining experience. 

Akira's bright and dramatic interiors reflect a post-modern classic design, conceptualized by the renowned Cebu-based furniture designer Kenneth Cobonpue. Like stepping into an abstract forest, the raw polished concrete walls contrast with stylized wooden trees highlighted by the "floating" leaves and the distinct Cobonpue chairs. 

The stark, minimalist interiors are the perfect setting for some great food and Akira's "masters of the flame." Akira brings back the art of teppanyaki, starting from fresh and premium ingredients, the skillful and engaging performance in the preparation of your teppan meal, and authentic flavors. Start with Akira's refreshing fruit shakes, like the Watermelon Shake (P 138)...

...or the equally refreshing Apple Cucumber Shake (P 138)...

...or go for the rich and creamy Red Velvet (P 188), an indulgent blend of fresh strawberries with cream cheese. Sweet and tart, almost like sipping strawberry cheesecake. Another sip, and it's time to choose your Teppanyaki Group Special. Akira offers five options to choose from:

Group Set A: US Wagyu Ribeye (P 4,799)
Group Set B: US Ribeye Prime (P 3,799)
Group Set C: Japanese Wagyu A3 (P 5,299)
Group Set D: Japanese Wagyu A4 (P 6,499)
Group Set E: US Tenderloin (P 2,999)

All group specials are inclusive of miso soup, shrimp, chicken, vegetables, and Japanese fried rice, all prepared on Akira's teppan grill. Plus dessert, including a fresh fruit platter and coffee jelly with ice cream. Each set is good for five, or three really hungry dudes.

Our teppan experience at Akira begins with a Pink Salmon appetizer (L), lightly breaded and deep-fried topped with Japanese mayo and sesame seeds, and a steaming hot bowl of Miso Soup with tofu and seaweed (R). 

Akira also serves a wide selection of sushi with creative combinations, like the Akira Roll (P 348), elegant rolls with kani, crisp soft shell crab topped with tempura flakes, grated cheese, spicy mayo and tobiko. A rich blend of flavors and textures, the Akira Roll is a great side dish to your teppanyaki feast.

The ingredients for our Teppanyaki Group Special are then prepared and laid out. A trio of dipping sauces are then individually served, with a dip for steak, chicken, and shrimps. The US Ribeye Prime is brought out, along with the chicken and shrimps. And you just know this is going to be special.

The teppan grill is quickly oiled and prepared for the feast. Akira's resident masters of the flame then begin the show with a blazing performance, displaying precision and skill with every slice as the fresh and premium ingredients sizzle on the grill. 

And the show starts, with some nifty moves...

...followed by even more dazzling moves.

Even breaking an egg becomes a skillful display of balance, as more ingredients are laid on the hot teppan grill.

The first course, chicken, is then grilled. A series of quick motions and the chicken is seasoned with salt and pepper, a dab of butter, and in just a few minutes, the chicken is flipped, then sliced.

Sliced eggplant, onions, peppers, and squash are then added on the teppan, and the different components of your teppan feast are grilled right before you.

The fresh shrimps come next, and in just minutes, the dull, grey colors of the raw shrimps are transformed to bright red and orange. A dab of butter sizzles on the hot teppan grill, adding a rich aroma to the shrimps.

And finally, the US Ribeye is presented, then grilled and sliced. Perfectly grilled with a juicy pink center, you resist the urge to grab a piece. And that can be difficult as the beefy, buttery aroma surround you, as the chef adds the finishing touches. The slices of beef, chicken, and shrimp are then equally divided and served on your plate, along with a serving of mixed vegetables.

A bowl of Japanese fried rice is also served, prepared just minutes ago on the teppan grill, mixed with egg, seafood, vegetables, and soy sauce.

My teppan platter, with freshly grilled vegetables, chicken, shrimps, and US Ribeye paired with a bowl of Japanese fried rice. The delicate flavors of the perfectly seasoned shrimps and chicken pair well with the freshly grilled vegetables, and the tender premium ribeye, with its speckled marbling, almost melts in your mouth. The combination of flavors, the premium ingredients, and the preparation of the meal make this teppan lunch a unique dining experience. And great value for money too.

For dessert, the set includes a huge bowl of Coffee Jelly, soft coffee flavored jelly with ice cream drizzled with chocolate syrup and topped with whipped cream and a cherry served family style...

...and a Fresh Fruit Platter to cap your Teppanyaki Group Special at Akira.

End your teppan feast with a cup of Akira's rich brewed coffee, served with warm milk and a thin Belgian chocolate cookie crisp with mint. At Akira, each and every component adds layers to your dining experience, from the minute you enter the dramatic, postmodern interiors, to the use of fresh and premium  ingredients, to the engaging preparation and presentation of your meal, and finally, each flavorful bite with every dish. Like the legendary character of Akira in Japanese fiction, the resident masters of the flame ensure a blazing performance with your teppan experience. Catch Akira's Teppanyaki Group Specials, only until August 31, 2014.

Akira, The Art of Sushi & Teppanyaki is located at the Ground Floor, Alphaland Makati Place, Malugay Street corner Ayala Avenue Extension, Makati or call 808-6224, 0917-706-7328 and 0927-220-4103 for inquiries and reservations.

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