Rochesterians who enjoy turning dining out into an event will revel in knowing that two new restaurants have opened that combine food with entertainment. Shogun Palace, which opened Saturday, December 19, in Irondequoit, is a hibachi restaurant where chefs cook directly at diners' tables, providing both sustenance and a show. And Sunrise Steakhouse, which celebrated its grand opening Monday, December 28, in Henrietta, features shabu-shabu cuisine where diners cook meats and vegetables at their tables in boiling broth (it's not unlike how a fondue restaurant operates).

Both of the new establishments come with a serious pedigree: they are sister restaurants to the widely popular Japanese restaurant Sakura Home in Pittsford, co-owned by Peter Sun and Mark Teng. Teng now owns Sunrise, while Shogun is owned by Kevin Sun, Peter Sun's son-in-law. Both restaurants have also undergone extensive renovations, as each took over pre-existing establishments with very different styles: Shogun Palace is in a former Ponderosa and Sunrise Steakhouse is in the former Cheerleaders USA/Hooters space.

In addition to the shabu-shabu, Sunrise Steakhouse also offers yakitori, chicken which is skewered and then barbequed. And Shogun Palace isn't relying on its hibachi alone to entertain guests: "Our sushi chef is very creative. When customers get their food they will sometimes just stare at it or take pictures," says owner Kevin Sun. "One couple sat there for almost 10 to 15 minutes, and I thought something was wrong with the food. But they said, ‘No, it's just too pretty. We don't know where to start.'"

Shogun Palace is located at 850 East Ridge Rd in Irondequoit. It is open Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday noon-10 p.m. Lunch prices start at $7, dinner at $13. For more information, visit theshogunpalace.com or call 342-2077.

Sunrise Steakhouse is located at 945 Jefferson Rd in Henrietta. It is open Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sunday noon-10 p.m. Prices average about $13 per person. For more information on Sunrise Steakhouse, visit sunrisesteakhouse.com or call 272-9595.

All-you-can-eat tacos

Fairport's Blue Cactus Mexican Grille will offer all-you-can-eat tacos every Tuesday night through the end of February. Patrons can choose from one of eight fillings, including carnitas (pork), shredded beef, chicken, mahi mahi, and chorizo, and five toppings including onion escabeche, crema agria (Mexican sour cream), salsa, cilantro, and more. Diners will receive tacos four at a time. All tacos are served in 100 percent corn tortillas.

Blue Cactus Mexican Grille is located at 5 Liftbridge Lane in Fairport. The all-you-can-eat tacos are available 5-9 p.m. every Tuesday, and the deal costs $12 for adults and $6 for children under 12. For more information, visit bluecactusmexicangrille.com or call 377-9590.

Changes at Waterfront Grille

The Waterfront Grille in Canandaigua re-opened under new management on November 19. The restaurant also has a new executive chef, Duane "Gilligan" Dickinson, who is a fixture in the Canandaigua culinary scene. He helped open Doc's Lakeside Seafood Restaurant in Canandaigua and was the chef at the Canandaigua Yacht Club for nine years. New manager Scott Horrocks says that the restaurant's new menu represents a shift from Italian-American cuisine to more traditional Italian food; it also features more seafood dishes. The chef's specialties include pork hocks slow-roasted in red sauce and fra diavolo with lobster and shrimp.

The Waterfront Grille is located at 130 Lakeshore Drive in Canandaigua. It is open for business Wednesday-Thursday 11a.m.-9 p.m., Friday-Saturday 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Sunday noon-9 p.m. Prices range from $10 to $20. For more information call 394-3909.

LongHorn Steakhouse opens

LongHorn Steakhouse has opened in Henrietta. The restaurant is an East Coast chain but is new to the area; the only other one in the state is in Newburgh. The steakhouse offers lunch, dinner, and a kids menu. It is known, obviously, for its steaks, with more than 10 on the menu, including the Portabella Peppercorn Filet, Outlaw Ribeye, and the LongHorn Porterhouse. It also offers a wide range of appetizers, salads, chicken, ribs, seafood, and desserts. Prices range from $8 to $22.

LongHorn Steakhouse is located at 680 Jefferson Rd. It is open Monday-Thursday 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Fridays-Saturdays 11 a.m.-11 p.m. For more information, visit longhornsteakhouse.com or call 272-9695.

Great Lakes Beer Dinner

Southwedge pub and restaurant Tap & Mallet is holding a Great Lakes Beer dinner on Tuesday, January 12, at 7 p.m. Each of the five courses will be paired with one of Great Lakes Brewing Company's offerings. Some of the pairings will include: pan-seared sea bass with wasabi slaw paired with the Burning River Pale Ale; braised beef topped with a cherry reduction paired with the Eliot Ness Amber Lager; and a banana custard and Nilla Wafer crème puff paired with the Glockenspiel Weizenbock. Great Lakes representative Ryan Greenway will also be present to explain why each of the beers was chosen for the pairing. The dinner costs $35 per person, which includes tax and gratuity.

Tap & Mallet is located at 381 Gregory St. For more information, visit tapandmallet.com or call 473-0503.

Panera Bread relocates

The newest Panera Bread in Rochester opened earlier this month in Perinton, across from Wegmans on Pittsford-Palmyra Road. The new restaurant is actually a relocation of the Panera Bread in Hopewell on routes 5 and 20 (near Canandaigua), which abruptly closed its doors in October. The chain bakery/café is known for its fresh-baked breads, salads, and soups. The Perinton location is one of seven in the Rochester area, but is the first in Monroe County to feature a drive-through window. Like most Panera Bread cafes, the Perinton location also offers free wi-fi service.

The Perinton Panera Bread is located at 18 Courtney Dr. For more information, visit panerabread.com or call 425-0534‎.

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