A long time ago (1989) in a suburb far, far away (Arlington Heights) there began a Rokbonki Japanese Steak, Seafood and Sushi House. Jim had dealings with the Hitachi Machinery Company, which was just down the street, and their sales rep schmoozed Jim by taking him out for dinner. Jim fell in love with Rokbonki, and the Dining Duo has been frequenting them ever since.
For an appetizer, Jim ordered the soft shell crab roll ($7.50). There are two reasons why he ordered this: one, he loves soft shell crab, and two, since you basically eat the whole itty-bitty crab, he enjoys grossing me out by leaving a leg or claw hanging out of his mouth.
Now for dinner, Nancy ordered the combo meal of shrimp and scallops ($31.95). The shrimp is cooked one of three ways: spicy garlic, (cayenne pepper, garlic butter and bread crumb topping) hibachi, or Tokyo style (egg yolk mixture as a topping). To my surprise, she ordered it prepared spicy garlic style, go figure….
Jim ordered the teriyaki New York steak ($20.95), with scallions and julienned strips of carrots and mushrooms.
All entrees come with white rice, a hibachi shrimp appetizer, chicken noodle soup, and a salad with ginger dressing. You get a nice portion of noodles with a sweet teriyaki sauce and a side of onions, zucchini, carrots, and broccoli grilled in front of you.
For dessert, they give you a small scoop (called a nerdle in the Eggers household) of either rainbow sherbet or chocolate ice cream.
On to the show…the chefs are hilarious. Upon their arrival they set the grill ablaze (Jim doesn’t have to trim his eyebrows this week) and these flames are quickly put out by a little plastic “P” boy statue. Their repertoire also consists of the mandatory combination onion volcano and choo-choo train, the incredible flying shrimp (in his hat and pocket and, if you’re lucky, your mouth), and the beating heart made with rice and a sesame seed arrow going through it.
Tips: This would be a great place for a family dinner out for the holidays. The chef will keep the grandkids and kids at heart entertained for the entire meal. Reservations are a must on weekends.
The price for an exceptional dinner and an entertaining show was, sound effect please, Gong! $75.03 with iced tea.
He said/she said:
Jim’s take: You must try the soft shell crab roll. It’s tasty and fun! The teriyaki steak was delicious, and I loved Nancy’s garlic shrimp. These are my two favorite dishes. Be forewarned: When they say spicy garlic shrimp, they really mean spicy and garlicky!
Nancy’s take: I love their scallops browned to perfection and the spicy garlic shrimp is “oishi” (meaning “delicious” – my Japanese word of the day). Since I hate floating fungi in my soup, and I’m not a big fan of zucchini in my veggies, they accommodate me and leave them out.
• Have comments or restaurant suggestions for the Dining Duo? Send them an email at thediningduo@gmail.com
Rokbonki Japanese Steak,
Seafood, & Sushi House
876 W. Dundee Road
Arlington Heights 60004
(847)506-1212
www.rokbonki.com
Directions: 90 East to 53 North to
Dundee Road East
Estimated Travel Time: 40 minutes
