Seriously who made the rule that on my mother's birthday we must go to a Michelin star rated restaurant.

OK... pretty much my mother and I have followed that rule since my birth. BUT... this year, I have taken it upon myself to shake things up a bit. I managed to convince my mother that this year her birthday should be spent at Benihana.

For reals.

Now before comment on how selfish I am ... I ask you.. where else would you see such cute pictures?

<img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-1302" title="luke-at-benihanas" src="http://www.veepveep.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/luke-at-benihanas-225x300.jpg" alt="luke-at-benihanas" width="225" height="300" /><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-1303" title="harrison at benihana" src="http://www.veepveep.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/hp-benihana-225x300.jpg" alt="harrison at benihana" width="225" height="300" />

So in a way, I'm providing my mother with an exceptional experience with her cute grandchildren.  (Miss Nat isn't pictured above because she was busy working on the Sudoku puzzles inside the Benihana hat and wouldn't look up for the camera.)

And one thing you don't get at a Michelin star restaurant is entertainment for three children seven and under.

The kids were entertained by Hibachi Chef KAM who not only played with the food before the kids ate it -

<img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-1304" title="benihana fried rice" src="http://www.veepveep.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/benihanafriedrice-300x225.jpg" alt="benihana fried rice" width="300" height="225" />

But apparently entertained my grandmother with how much he resembled my great grandmother. Seriously. According to my grandmother.  Who was seated next to me and couldn't get over the resemblance.

<img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-1305" title="benihana-chef-kam" src="http://www.veepveep.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/benihana-chef-kam-300x225.jpg" alt="benihana-chef-kam" width="300" height="225" />

But wait... I asked my grandmother to clarify her statement. You mean "the hostess looks like your mother right grandma?" No this man right here cooking for us. And my mother confirmed.

So through going to Benihana yesterday, we may not have dined on <a href="http://www.danielnyc.com" target="_blank">slow baked nova scotia halibut with chanterelles</a> but we did learn my great grandmother looked like a man, baby.