Ai Grill

For those in California with a keen appreciation for the sizzling perfection of Japanese grilled skewers and an interactive dining experience, Ai Grill in Millbrae stands out as a unique and exciting destination. This Japanese restaurant offers a distinct approach to traditional grilling, allowing patrons to participate in the cooking process right at their table, ensuring every bite is fresh and precisely to their liking. It's a place where the art of the skewer truly shines, delivering a memorable culinary adventure right in the heart of the Bay Area.

Ai Grill has quickly established itself as a go-to spot for quality grilled items. Patrons consistently award "5/5 for the skewers," praising their "very tasty" flavor and the way "the meats melt in your mouth." This strong emphasis on high-quality ingredients and expert grilling sets Ai Grill apart, making it a must-visit for anyone craving authentic Japanese grilled delights. From tender New Zealand lamb to delicate pork jowl and succulent Japanese scallops, the variety and execution of their skewers are frequently highlighted as reasons for repeat visits.

Beyond the exceptional skewers, Ai Grill offers a fun and engaging dining atmosphere. The experience of "cooking the skewers at your table and watching the grill automatically rotating your skewers" adds an element of entertainment and freshness that diners truly appreciate. While there have been some minor hiccups in service as noted by a reviewer, the overwhelming sentiment leans towards a positive overall experience, with customers eager to return for the delicious food and unique interactive grilling. Ai Grill is indeed a quality BBQ place that has opened nearby, bringing a delightful taste of Japan to Millbrae.

Ai Grill is conveniently located at 1621 El Camino Real, Millbrae, CA 94030, USA. This address places it directly on El Camino Real, a prominent and easily navigable thoroughfare that connects numerous cities across the Peninsula. Its position makes it highly accessible for residents of Millbrae and the surrounding communities, as well as for visitors utilizing the nearby San Francisco International Airport (SFO).

For those traveling by car, ample street parking is often available in the vicinity of El Camino Real, though as with any busy commercial strip, it's wise to consider peak hours. The restaurant's location on this major road means it's straightforward to reach from various directions, making it a convenient stop for a meal. Additionally, being in Millbrae, Ai Grill benefits from its proximity to major transit options. The Millbrae BART and Caltrain station, a central hub for regional public transportation, is just a short distance away, allowing for easy access via local bus routes or a brief walk. This robust connectivity ensures that Ai Grill is a practical and hassle-free dining choice for a wide array of individuals across the Bay Area seeking an authentic Japanese grilled experience.

The neighborhood around Ai Grill is a bustling commercial area, providing a lively backdrop for a meal. Its easy accessibility and prominent location on El Camino Real contribute significantly to its appeal as a convenient and appealing destination for delicious Japanese cuisine in Millbrae.

Ai Grill offers a specialized and interactive Japanese dining experience primarily focused on grilled skewers, alongside other Japanese dishes. Here's a breakdown of their services:

• Dine-In with Tabletop Grilling: The signature service at Ai Grill is the interactive dine-in experience where customers cook their own skewers at their table. The grills are equipped with an "automatically rotating" mechanism, making the cooking process both fun and convenient. This service ensures skewers are served hot and fresh, cooked to personal preference.

• Specialized Grilled Skewers (Yakitori/Kushiyaki): The highlight of the menu, Ai Grill excels in providing "very tasty" and high-quality grilled skewers. Popular options include "New Zealand lamb," "pork jowl," and "Japanese Scallop," indicating a diverse selection of meats and seafood. Other praised items include "grilled oysters" which are "fresh and juicy," "sausages," and "bean curd wrapped veggies," showcasing a wide variety of chargrilled items.

• Appetizers: Ai Grill offers a range of appetizers to complement the main grilled items. While there was a specific issue with a server suggesting and charging for an unwanted appetizer (abalone sauce with veggies instead of takoyaki), other appetizers generally seem to be a good offering, and customers recommend them.

• Limited Ramen Offerings: While their strength is clearly the skewers, they do offer ramen, such as the "Wagyu Beef ramen." However, this particular dish was noted as "NOT worth it" by a reviewer, suggesting it might not be their specialty.

• Beverage Selection: While not extensively detailed, as a Japanese grill, they likely offer a selection of beverages to pair with their food, including non-alcoholic options, and potentially sake or beer, though no specific drinks were highlighted in the positive reviews.

• Friendly Service (with some noted inconsistencies): Reviewers generally found the "server was very friendly," indicating a welcoming atmosphere. However, some inconsistencies were noted, such as incorrect orders, unreceived items, and unapplied discounts, suggesting potential areas for service refinement.

• Single Card Payment Policy: Customers should be aware that Ai Grill has a policy of only accepting "one card" for payment, with "no split payments." This is an important detail for groups planning to dine there.

Ai Grill stands out in the Millbrae dining scene with several distinctive features and highlights that contribute to its appeal, particularly for those seeking an interactive and flavorful Japanese grilling experience:

• Exceptional Grilled Skewers (Yakitori/Kushiyaki): This is the paramount highlight. Customers consistently give "5/5 for the skewers," praising their "very tasty" flavor and how "the meats melt in your mouth." Specific mentions of "New Zealand lamb," "pork jowl," "Japanese Scallop," "grilled oysters," "sausages," and "bean curd wrapped veggies" all indicate a high quality and variety of expertly chargrilled items. This is undoubtedly their strongest suit.

• Interactive Tabletop Grilling Experience: A unique and fun feature is the ability for diners to cook skewers at their own table. The "automatic rotating" grills add an engaging and convenient element, making the meal a "fun experience" and ensuring that items are served hot and fresh, cooked exactly to personal preference.

• Quality Meats and Fresh Seafood: The reviews emphasize the "quality bbq" with "fresh and juicy" grilled oysters, and meats that are described as "melt in your mouth." This commitment to fresh, high-quality ingredients is a major draw for patrons.

• Delicious Appetizers: Despite a specific order mix-up, the general sentiment is that the "appetizers" are worth trying, suggesting a strong supporting menu beyond the skewers.

• Friendly Staff: Although some operational issues were noted, the "server was very friendly," indicating a welcoming and pleasant demeanor from the staff, which contributes positively to the overall dining atmosphere.

• Relatively New and Local "Quality BBQ Place": For locals, the opening of Ai Grill has been a welcome addition, fulfilling a need for a "quality bbq place opened nearby," which is a significant highlight for the community.

Based on the provided customer reviews, Ai Grill appears to have offered or intended to offer specific promotions, though some execution issues were noted:

• 10% Off Offer: One customer mentioned that the server "said she'd give us 10% off," implying a potential discount or loyalty offer. However, this discount was "never received" in their particular experience. This suggests that the restaurant may have ongoing or spontaneous discount offerings, but customers should ensure they are applied.

While the reviews don't detail other recurring promotions (like happy hour, lunch specials, or combo deals beyond what might be inferred from general menu items), the main draw remains the value and quality of their grilled skewers. For the most current and accurate information on any existing promotions, special deals, or limited-time offers, it is highly recommended that potential diners directly contact Ai Grill. Checking their official website or social media channels (if available) would also be a good way to stay informed about any current or upcoming promotions.

For inquiries, to learn about their menu, or for any other information, you can reach Ai Grill using the following contact details:

Address: 1621 El Camino Real, Millbrae, CA 94030, USA

Phone: (650) 660-5606

Mobile Phone: +1 650-660-5606

It is always advisable to call ahead for current operating hours, specific menu details, and to confirm any specific policies or promotions before your visit.

For residents of California, particularly those in the Peninsula area and frequent visitors to the Millbrae region, Ai Grill offers a highly suitable and uniquely engaging dining experience. Its convenient location at 1621 El Camino Real makes it easily accessible for locals, whether they're commuting, running errands, or simply looking for a new and exciting culinary spot. This prime positioning ensures that a quality Japanese grilling experience is always within reach.

What truly sets Ai Grill apart and makes it appealing to locals is its specialization in exceptionally tasty and high-quality grilled skewers. The ability to cook your own meats at the table, complete with "automatically rotating" grills, provides a "fun experience" that is both interactive and ensures peak freshness and personalized doneness. This unique concept caters to a desire for engaging dining experiences and fresh, flavorful food that Californians often seek.

The consistent praise for items like the "New Zealand lamb, the pork jowl and Japanese Scallop" highlights Ai Grill's commitment to premium ingredients that "melt in your mouth," satisfying discerning local palates. While there have been some minor service inconsistencies, the overall sentiment points to a friendly atmosphere and a dedication to delicious food that keeps patrons coming back. For those in Millbrae and beyond who have been longing for a "quality bbq place opened nearby," Ai Grill perfectly fills that niche, offering a consistent source of authentic Japanese grilled delights.

Ai Grill is more than just a restaurant; it's an opportunity for a delicious, interactive, and memorable meal that stands out in the local dining scene, making it a compelling choice for anyone looking for a fresh take on Japanese cuisine in California.

Ai Grill

1621 El Camino Real, Millbrae, CA 94030, USA