Quality evident in Taki’s Japanese cuisine and service

Taki Japanese in Macon is best exemplified by one word: consistent. You can come any day of the week, at any time, and get the same quality of food and service. The staff is obviously trained well and knows exactly what their employer expects, and it delivers on that expectation.

The wait can be consistent, too, if you don’t plan well. We came on a Friday night without a reservation on our first official visit and decided to come back instead of waiting for 30 minutes. When we went back at 8 p.m. on a Sunday, there was no wait at all (though it was still very busy, most groups had been seated by then).

We ate at the regular table, as we’ve experienced the hibachi performance many times. If the raucous laughter we heard during our meal is any indication, the chefs’ performances still deliver an entertaining evening. Since it was Dollar Sushi Night, we sat in the sushi room where four sushi chefs were ready to please.

Dollar Sushi Night is probably best for diners who like the idea of sushi but don’t yet know what they like. Each selection comes with one or two pieces, allowing you to try several types at a time. The pieces themselves are rather small and look like miniatures compared to the regular sized sushi, but the quality ingredients still make it a good deal. Choose from shrimp, tuna, salmon, California, or — my favorite — eel.

If you order from the regular sushi menu, you will be rewarded with large, colorful, masterfully made sushi. Some of their more unusual rolls include the Sake Blueberry with Asian pear, quinoa and green tea oil, and the Hama-Chili with Hawaiian yellowtail, garlic and Thai chili. Most rolls range from $6-$13.

We also ordered the shrimp tempura, the chicken teriyaki and a child’s order of salmon hibachi. Each meal came with a clear broth and a ginger-dressing salad. The tempura was pleasingly piled vertically and had as many vegetables — broccoli, onions and sweet potatoes — as there were shrimp. The teriyaki was exactly what you would expect and had enough for leftovers. The child’s meal was more than enough for a hungry child, and the quality was the same as that of an adult’s meal.

A night at Taki is always a good time and a pleasant meal. Make reservations if you want to eat without a wait during busy dinner hours.

This story was originally published November 21, 2017 at 2:20 PM with the headline "Quality evident in Taki’s Japanese cuisine and service."