Chefs throwing knives while huge fires erupt on each stove is a normal occurrence for entertainment-based Fuji Steakhouse, located in Marlborough, Massachusetts.

In a safe environment, you can watch your food be prepared in front of you as the chefs show off their skills with fire and sharp utensils.

With little wait time, friendly staff, good lighting, and fast service, this restaurant is family-friendly and offers a multitude of foods.

Although mainly geared towards bigger groups, smaller parties can still enjoy the cozy, Japanese themed environment. The bamboo on the wall, pictures of Geishas (Japanese women in traditional clothing with white faces), and the black wooden tables all make Fuji Steakhouse feel more authentic.

While teppanyaki (cooking in front of a customer) is their main attraction, regular dining is still available. The teppanyaki is mainly for entertainment and is brief. When I went with two other people, the show only lasted around fifteen minutes. Although the performance was short, it was still enjoyable and interactive as you eat the prepared food.

Large portions will easily fill you up, yet some foods are not prepared properly, which causes them to taste bland. For example, the fried rice ($1.99) didn’t have much flavor and even though it had soy sauce, it still seemed dry. The Sirloin Steak ($19.95) was my main entree, and it was superb. It was cooked perfectly to my preference, cut up into small bites, juicy, and was not too chewy.

Many cooked vegetables were also included in the meal at no extra charge. The vegetables, including zucchini and carrots, were a little too soft, but they did not taste bad. The food was hot, but that is to be expected, as it came off the stove seconds before touching the plate.

The price was steep, at more than twenty dollars per person for the teppanyaki. But, if you enjoy fire and watching your food be prepared, you will enjoy it. Because of the price, it is not meant to be a restaurant you go to often, but rather a place for special occasions.

Overall, I rate this restaurant 4 out of 5 stars as the price was a little too high and some of the food could have been better, but I still thoroughly enjoyed my visit. Fuji Steakhouse is an exemplary restaurant to visit for a night out ,and I will surely be back.