After buying a ton of kimchi from Kim's and eating plenty of it at Kobe, I was still craving something Korean. I've passed by Kabuki a couple of times, but never got around to actually eating there, until tonight. The Korean I've had so far in the CR has been alright, but I was still hoping there would be one place that would just wow me.
After some googling, I discovered that Kabuki used to be out in Clifton Park, and recently moved to the Peter Harris Plaza. As you're turning into the plaza, it's on the far left side. I never see cars on this side of the Plaza, and when M and I went in for dinner it was empty (but then again, it was a little after 8 on a Sunday night).
As you can see, the restaurant is one open space with tables on both sides of the room. The sushi bar is one of the first things you see when you walk in, along with the specials written on a dry erase board hanging behind the bar. Seating seems sparse, but understandable if they're waiting for the approval of hibachi tables.
We were served hot tea immediately after being seated and after a quick glance at the menu, I decided on the Dolsot Bibimbap and a salmon skin roll. M, as usual, ordered the Tofu teriyaki. Both meals came with miso soup and salad, and were pretty average. At least the iceberg lettuce wasn't wet before they plopped the dressing on.
My salmon skin roll came out next. This was fantastic, one of the best I've had up here. I also like how they don't serve a huge mound of pickled ginger and wasabi. It's so wasteful.
The difference between regular bibimbap and the dolsot is the bowl it is served in. The dolsot came in an extremely hot stone pot. I let my food sizzle before I broke into it, allowing the rice to crisp on the bottom and turn into happy yummy crunchiness.
One thing I completely forgot about was the egg. I am not a fan of eggs for the most part, and really not a fan if the eggs are runny. But my fault, right? So I just mixed it as fast as possible so that the egg could cook more. It was good, but left much to be desired. Maybe bibimbap just isn't the dish for me. And once again, the pepper sauce wasn't hot enough for me.
According to M, his dinner was passable. Unlike Okinawa, which gives their tofu a coating before stir frying (a method which M thinks is perfect), it seems as if Kabuki half assed the tofu teriyaki. In M's words "they cup up some firm tofu, warmed it up, and doused it in hot teriyaki sauce." He thought the noodles (you're supposed to get the option between rice or noodles, the server didn't even ask) were alright, but the tofu was bad.
Our dinner came out to $39.00, including tax and tip.
I think from now on, I'll leave the bimbahp for cooking at home. There were other items on the menu that I would like to try again, but I'll have to go with someone else other than M.
Kabuaki Sushi & Teriyaki
952 Troy-Schenectady Road (Peter Harris Plaza)
Latham, NY 12110
(518) 782-6909 fax
Click on images below.
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