Looking for a really fun family place for lunch or dinner? Look no further than Aoyama Japanese Steakhouse in Marshfield. It's the latest place that We Love!

We went on a recent Friday night to meet some friends. They were at the bar, we were at the sushi bar and what a treat we had because we got to chat with Leo, the owner and sushi chef.

First, we ordered some drinks. Pinot grigio for me, cosmopolitan for Tracy, and for our daredevil friend, Michelle (a.k.a "Budha"), the Singapore Sling-all we know is that there is gin in it, but could be more (she described it as "a sweet tart with a kick"). 

Budha, our sushi expert, ordered 'the caterpillar' (eel, cucumber, topped with avocado and a sweet sauce) and 'the volcano' (crabmeat and something else that I can't remember, but this maki roll was topped with scallops-which is very unusual, Budha says). More importantly, we had the pleasure of watching Leo scorch the top of the volcano with his culinary torch. The presentation was absolutely gorgeous!

But that's not all! Leo surprised us with the 'Marshfield Special', a roll of salmon, tuna, and asparagus with a special sauce that makes it both crunchy and a bit sweet. It was busting with flavor, and "One of the best rolls I've ever had!" said Budha, who's had sushi in many places including San Francisco, San Diego, Washington D.C., and Portland, Maine (but not Tokyo-yet).

Rachel, our server, couldn't have been sweeter. And, the restaurant itself-though rather plain in décor-is abundant in energy and personality. In the main dining room hibachi-style tables are set up for ten-or-so people to sit around and watch the chef in the center cook, toss food, and entertain diners with tricks. There's lots of laughter! If there's a birthday in the house a group of servers will come out, ring the gong, offer up ice cream and a candle, and sing to the recipient. There were at least four birthdays the night we went (including Budha and myself!).

But it doesn't have to be your birthday to have fun at Aoyama. "It's a party here everyday," says Leo, who came to the United States from Beijing, China (no, he's not Japanese!) over a decade ago.

Leo was trained in restaurants in Boston's Chinatown for many years. When he was ready to open a place two and a half years ago, he found the perfect spot in Marshfield's Webster Square. He wanted to be on the south shore, he said, because sushi restaurants were a novelty in this area at the time. Now, of course, you can find a Japanese steakhouse in almost any town-but none of them will match Aoyama-we promise!

Aoyama Japanese Steakhouse is at 17 Snow Rd (Webster Square). Open weekdays (closed Tuesday) from 11:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., and Friday and Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Prices range from $6.00-to-$17.00. For more information or reservations call: (781) 837-6688.

By Stephanie Neil

Stephanie Neil is a journalist. Her business, technology, and human interest stories have appeared in a variety of print and online newspapers and magazines including eWeek, Managing Automation, The Harvard Alumni Bulletin, Huggies Baby Network, South Shore Woman, and The Boston Globe.  She lives on the South Shore with her two kids, two cats, and a dog. Contact info: stephanieneil@comcast.net  or 781-378-1652. Follow her on Twitter @StephanieNeil

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