Hibachi Japanese Steakhouse has closed on the Plaza

• Facebook: Hibachi
• The flames have gone out at Hibachi.

When Hibachi opened in 1976, it was the Japanese steakhouse. It wasn’t just popular; it was the only Japanese steakhouse in town. The rest of the city has since caught on to the idea that watching a chef perform knife tricks around a teppan-yaki grill can save birthdays, first dates and anniversaries. But after more than three decades on the Plaza at 4745 Wyandotte (in the second-floor space above Jack Stack), Hibachi has closed. A sign on the door explained Kinji and Setsuko Kaneda’s decision:

“After more than 38 years serving customers at the Hibachi-Japanese Steakhouse, we are announcing our retirement. The Hibachi-Japanese Steakhouse will be closing January 1st, 2013. We will miss our customers and employees, but have many fond memories of our years on the Plaza. Thank you for the last 38 years, Kinji and Setsuko Kaneda.”

Will you miss Hibachi?