Sakura Japanese Steakhouse

Sakura Japanese Steakhouse: the only place in St. Joe with a sushi bar and hibachi grill!!!

If that sounds like a dubious endorsement, it's because the food's only eh. We went for lunch yesterday and had an OK time. This restaurant is located in the building on the Belt where Fuji's Steakhouse used to be. I couldn't quite tell if it's the same restaurant with a different name, or if it's a totally new place. I'd guess that if you liked Fuji's, you'll like Sakura (and vice re-veresa).

It's definitely clean inside and the service was very good. Plus it's always a fun guilty pleasure to watch the hibachi guys do their thing at the grill while you sit in a booth at safe giggling distance. The ice water was plenty cold...and, well...OK, the food...

The food just does not have a very high quality of flavor, freshness, or preparation. (We had chicken teriyaki, miso soup, California rolls, and rice—didn't brave the any actual raw fish on first visit.) Unlike, say, barbecue, or burgers and fries, or even tacos, sushi and Japanese food—for me—has to be sterling quality or there's no point. And that's my own bias—there's definitely nothing wrong with the restaurant. Like I said: only place in St. Joe...