The sushi bar at the back of the restaurant specializes in a typical assortment of nigiri and sashimi favorites.
At a time when most Far Eastern restaurants are taking a menu-expansion approach to the choices they offer, Kobe Hibachi Sushi and Bar in Greenfield is pursuing a more focused strategy.
Housed in a repurposed coffee shop chain location at the foot of the Mohawk Trail, Kobe is a specialist, limiting its offerings to sushi and teppanyaki cookery.
The restaurant itself is spacious; a large rectangular bar greets patrons as they enter. Off to one side are a half dozen grill-equipped tables; a separate dining room for those not interested in hibachi is also available. The decor is nondescript, with a few examples of East Asian artwork setting the mood.
Nearly a dozen hibachi possibilities are described on the menu. These range from a teppanyaki preparation of assorted veggie ($14.55) to a top-of-the-line “Land & Sea” ($27.55) that features shrimp, scallops, steak, and chicken. Other grilled-to-order selections feature Calamari ($16.55), Red Snapper ($17.55), and Steak ($19.55).
The sushi bar at the back of the restaurant specializes in a typical assortment of nigiri and sashimi favorites – Ebi (shrimp — $4.25), Saba (mackerel — $4.75), and Maguro (tuna– $5.25), to name a few.
Maki choices include the commonplace (California Roll –$5.25) as well as a few more creative options, such as the Fashion Roll ($6.25) that brings together grilled eel, avocado, cream cheese, and flying fish roe.
Rounding out the restaurant’s offerings are several Udon (wheat noodle selections) as well as a customizable “Chef’s Special” in which diners specify meat, tofu, or seafood in one of four sauces.
Among the “Kitchen Appetizers” at Kobe can be found everything from a Spring Roll ($3) and Seasoned French Fries ($3.50) to a Pu Pu Platter ($16.95). 
To begin we chose an order of steamed Gyoza ($5.25). Simply but dramatically arranged around a small black bowl of sauce, the eight half-moon-shaped dumplings had a pleasing chewy exterior and a pork-based filling flavored with ginger and garlic.
Our second starter selection, Crab Rangoon ($5.95) were similarly presented, the eight crunchy packets surrounding a dish of duck sauce. Biting into the deep-fried wonton crust released a burst of seasoned cream cheese filling.
A bit more decorative effort was put into the maki we ordered. Our Crazy Roll ($9.95) arrived with greenery tucked under it, while the roll itself feature tempura shrimp wrapped up with avocado, “crab” stick, and julienned cucumber. A generous drizzle of spiced-up mayonnaise did, indeed, lend a measure of “crazy” to the proceedings.
“Sizzling plates” are the restaurant’s entree surrogate for those not inclined to indulge in a hibachi chef’s tableside tomfoolery.
The Scallop Sizzling Plate ($14.95) we decided on was a tasty-looking piece of work. Served on a cast-iron sizzle platter, the dish came to the table sputtering and hissing, a teriyaki glaze lending it flavor and shine.
Carrots, broccoli, zucchini, and summer squash dominated, while scallops sliced in half crosswise served as focal point. Likeable enough, we decided, but not particularly memorable.
The visual artistry that’s characteristic of traditional Japanese cuisine was a big part of the Chirashi Dinner ($16.95) that we enjoyed. An assortment of a half-dozen varieties of sashimi (raw fish) arranged into a colorful abstract, the plate also include a scoop of sushi rice.
Portioned out into the traditional lacquered tray, our Shrimp Tempura Bento Box ($11.95) incorporated five different elements. In addition to the namesake panko-crusted shrimp, the box included fried rice, four pieces of California roll, and some shrimp shumai. All were competently prepared and attractively presented.
Sushi bar entrees at Kobe come with a simple green salad and miso soup. The salad, we observed, had a particularly tasty version of pickled ginger dressing, while the miso soup soothed with its understated miso flavor.
As is customary for restaurants serving East Asian fare, Kobe offers an array of budget-friendly luncheon specials with prices starting at $6.99.
Name: Kobe Hibachi Sushi and Bar
Address: 254 Mohawk Trail, Greenfield
Telephone: (413) 772-8888
Website: kobemass.com
Hours: Monday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday noon to 9:30 p.m.
Entree prices: $ 7.95 – $27.95
Credit cards: American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Handicapped access: Accessible, with rest rooms equipped for wheelchairs
Reservations: Accepted