Review: Daruma Japanese Steakhouse

I had grand aspirations to get out and about this past holiday weekend, but alas, was not meant to be. However, I did have the good fortune to patron a new restaurant last week.

Daruma Japanese Steakhouse
12640 Bartram Park Blvd, Jacksonville, Fl
904-370-1077

I'm a sucker when it comes to Japanese cuisine. If it was socially acceptable, I would eat Japanese 5 days a week. Thus far, I have negotiated a "Japanese Thursday" with my work buddies which seems to keep everyone happy. Last week was the exception to the rule.

Daruma Japanese Steakhouse opened for lunch at the Bartram Park Blvd. location for the first time last week. I've anxiously awaited this day as I have monitored the construction for this site from the beginning. I work in an area of town where good food is hard to come by. With the new development in this area though, new gems are popping up left and right. Japanese Thursday was now Japanese Wednesday.

First Impressions
9.5
I must admit, I was not expecting anything special. I have eaten at two other Daruma's in town and was not impressed by either. As we pulled into the parking lot, I was a little concerned as the lot looked a little rough around the edges (lack of landscaping). I also took note that the parking lot was virtually empty. I ventured forth with the assurance from several posted signs stating "Now Open".

As I walked into the front door I was immediately greeted by an extremely friendly host who sat us right away at a cooking table. The decor was phenomenal. Not that I'm a Japanese historian by any means, but I really felt like the restaurant's design was a cross between old world culture and new world technology. The layout was very well thought out and open. Flat panel LCD's lined several walls as we walked to the dining area. Daruma offers a full service bar as well with enough space to provide comfort for any after work type of gatherings.

When we walked into the dining area I was overwhelmed by the sheer number of cooking tables. I've been to my share of Japanese Steak Houses here in Jacksonville and abroad and have never seen as many tables in one restaurant. There must have been 30+ tables. And again, very well spaced out. The tables were top notch.

Thus far, I was very impressed.

Service
10
Daruma's again scores high in the service category. Our server was very prompt and attentive. We were greeted within 30 seconds of our arrival at the table. Our drink orders were immediately taken. No less than a minute had passed before our drinks were delivered. Our orders for lunch were then recorded.

With our lunch orders we also received a soup and salad; each delivered promptly.

Our chef arrived soon after with a very animated disposition. He truly appeared to be excited at the prospect of cooking for us. If you've ever been to a Japanese Steak House, you know that the chefs at the cooking tables greatly vary in talent and showmanship. This chef was talented. He had the traditional moves down along with a decent sense of humor and a mix of moves I've not seen before at a cooking table. Again, I was impressed.

Food
10
Eat at one Japanese Steak House, you've eaten at all Japanese Steak Houses? Wrong. I have a favorite Japanese restaurant out at Jax beach I've never been able to compare to. However, the food at Daruma's was superb. I was truly impressed. I'm debating now if I have a new favorite Japanese restaurant.

Soup and salad were fairly standard. For once, when I asked for shrimp sauce as my salad dressing, I wasn't made to feel like an idiot. It's the little things.

I ordered sushi as well and was blown away at just how fresh and delicious it was. I guess I've become accustom to the standard sushi you receive in your average Japanese restaurant. Daruma's sushi was eye opening to say the least.

With my entree, I kept things simple choosing chicken. I'm sure many think how hard is it to screw up chicken. Let me just say it is entirely possible and probable depending on the establishment. Cook it too long, you end up with a dry and chewy experience. Under cook it, and you surely know the risk. When I say our chef cooked my chicken perfectly, I kid you not. It was tender with all the right seasoning. Throw in the veggies, fried rice, lo mein, and a dousing of shrimp sauce and you have a tongue that has died and gone to heaven.

Pricing
10
Thus far I have only experienced lunch pricing and can not speak toward dinner. However, the pricing for lunch is down right cheap comparatively speaking. For my chicken dish, $7.99.

Other prices that stand out: Steak and Chicken, $8.99. Steak and Shrimp, $8.99.

I would not be surprised if in the near future they adjusted their lunch pricing. The portions provided just far surpass the money paid. The amount of food received for lunch put other restaurants to shame.

Summary
Overall Score: 9.9 out of 10
In summary, I highly recommend Daruma's. Great service, comfortable atmosphere, and outstanding food. I enjoyed it so much, I returned Friday and had virtually the same experience. Check it out next time you're in the area. You'll be glad you did.