October 6, 2012 - Tokyo Japanese Steakhouse, Federal Way, WA

We were invited to dinner to celebrate a relatives birthday at the Tokyo Japanese Steakhouse in Federal Way. The reservations were at 6pm and we showed up right on the dot. The restaurant was very busy as it was home coming week. We had to wait while the rest of the party showed up.

We were finally seated at a table where 8 seats surrounded a grill and placed our drink orders. They have a large menu with a great variety of items to choose from, I chose the Teppan Yaki Filet Mignon and Lobster and the wife chose Chicken and Scallops.

We were first served a green salad followed by Miso Soup, with no spoon, so you had to pick up the bowl and sip the soup. Next came a bowl of steamed rice. Our chef arrived, he was an older gentleman, who did not seem to speak much English. He did not have many presentation skills or charm, but did great job.

He cooked the vegetables first, which consisted of zucchini, onions and mushrooms, followed by chicken and seafood. Next came the beef followed by bean sprouts. Dessert was a scoop of sherbert.

The vegetables were excellent as were the different types meats. The only thing I would change is that I prefer fried rice to steamed rice.

I would rate the food a 9, service a 9, cleanliness a 9, price a 5, atmosphere an 8 and overall a 9. The loud drumming that occurred every time they celebrated someones birthday could have been toned down.

October 5, 2012 - Mi Tres Amigos, Puyallup, WA

It was getting late and we had just finished our grocery shopping and we were both hungry. The options were, go home and make a late meal or find a restaurant and try to have a reasonably priced meal. A list of restaurants at 176th and Meridian went through our mind and we decided on Mexican food at Mi Tres Amigos.

The restaurant was busy, but we were seated right away. They brought us chips, Salsa and Salsa Verde and asked if we wanted beans or guacamole, which we declined. To stay within the budget we opted to split the combination fajitas which included two choices of meat. we chose beef and chicken.

The first basket of chips were on the stale side, but the second basket was OK. The salsa was good, but it lacked texture and substance. I expected that of the Salsa Verde.

Our meal arrived quickly and the Fajitas plate was steaming hot as was the plate with rice and beans, which had a separate plate on it with sour cream, guacamole, cheese and pico de gallo. We also had a tortilla warmer with four flour tortilla's.

The fajita's were good. Maybe a little over cooked and slightly burnt. The amount of food was also good. I would rate the food as an 8, service a 9, cleanliness an 8, pricing a 7 and overall a 8. Much better than Los Pinos in Orting.