Benihana-style Restaurant Moves in to Old Bob’s Courthouse Coffeeshop Spot

This summer, walk through downtown Redwood City and you may catch a glimpse of  three-foot high flames leaping from table grills while chefs simultaneously flip shrimp in the air. No need to call the fire department, it’s just the new Sakura Teppanyaki and Sushi restaurant.

After years in the medical profession, husband and wife team Thanh Vu and Rose Tran are branching off onto a completely different career path: restaurant owners.

Tran retired just last month and has jumped into her role with great enthusiasm, she said.

“It’s always been our dream to own a restaurant,” Tran said. “We wanted to try something new and we’re enjoying every minute of it.”

The Santa Cruz-based couple had hired a realtor to look for locations along the Peninsula and stumbled upon the former Bob’s Courthouse Coffeeshop location. The owner of the space , but Bob Bryant said he was okay with the agreement.

“We’re definitely not looking to replace Bob’s,” Tran said, aware of the long-standing tradition of the city’s oldest restaurant. “But we’re providing something different.

Vu’s brother, Tim Vu, has worked at Benihana and is familiar with cooking the fancy cuisine while providing the signature entertainment that includes audience participation.

“We hope to provide good food plus quality entertainment,” Tim Vu said.

Tran added that teppanyaki style cooking is more than just delicious, high-quality food. It’s about entertainment. With a prime location right across from the Century movie theatres, the Fox Theatre and the San Mateo County History Museum, Tran said there couldn’t be a better place for a restaurant that wanted to add to Redwood City’s entertainment scene.

“We want to cater to families and large groups who are attending events in the evenings,” Tran said. She said they plan to offer early bird specials and private events so people can incorporate a fun dinner into their evening plans. 

If the permiting process goes smoothly with the city, Tran anticipates a summer grand opening. Just in time for the summer concert series.

In the meantime, Tran has been whisked into the crazy world of owning a business, which includes everything from managing the installation of hoods and grills to marketing the new restaurant.

“Everyone’s been super helpful though,” she said. “The city has been great working with us and the other businesses have given advice on how to advertise.”  

Though it’ll be difficult to earn the recognition and reputation of Bob’s Courthouse Coffeeshop, the new restaurant will certainly add some flare to the downtown landscape.