About this place

We discovered upon visiting promising, pleasant Samurai Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar - Little Rock's newest Japanese restaurant (unless another pops up by press time, and it's certainly possible) - that we're not really as weary of the showy steakhouse shenanigans as we suspected we were. At spacious, attractive Samurai, the latest eatery to join Copeland's and Panda Garden in the Shackleford Crossing shopping center, guests are greeted by the burble of a fountain, the sparkle of an ornate entry and the smiles of cheerful staff members. They are then led to the seating area of their choice, be it a room with teppanyaki tables, the sushi bar or at "tatami" tables positioned behind sliding rice paper doors for groups preferring privacy. Once seated, the hospitality continues with guests receiving hot hand towels. On the dinner menu are starters like soup, salads and appetizers as well as noodles, tempura, and rice bowls. The main attractions, however, are the hibachi offerings and sushi. Hibachi dinners start at $12.95 for a Vegetable Feast and stop at $36.95 for Samurai Special D, hibachi shrimp, filet mignon, chicken and lobster. Entrees are served with soup, salad, a shrimp appetizer, vegetables, steamed rice and fruit. There is a $2.50 charge for fried rice and a $3 plate charge for sharing dinner. Hibachi lunch entrees, served with soup, salad, vegetables and fried rice, cost $6.95 to $12.50.