I’ve been patiently waiting for the opportunity to try this restaurant in the MGM for some time now. Being from Hawaii, LOVING Japanese food, having been to Japan and tried REAL Japanese food and finding horrible Japanese food in Vegas – well, its been a while…
The ambiance is interesting here. There are no long hallways to be seated, you go straight from a hostess right to a table; which are fairly close together. Behind the massive sushi bar is an elaborate light-box display / some sort of LCD unit. It’s beautiful and hard not to be entranced. There is mood music, sort of trip-hop / acid-jazz blends – nothing too ostentatious.
Our party included my wife, Lara and my mom, Tallie. On to the food…
Our first dish was the Kobe beef tataki (Red Onions, Lemon Tamari Soy and Tarragon Oil):
A seaweed tasting came next – something clean for the palate – great flavors, nice to taste the fresh ocean flavors again (Seasoned Chuka, Mixed Tosaka, Sweet Hijiki, Red Shibazuke):
Being a huge fan of oysters, these were a definite must for anyone who enjoys them (Kushi Shogazu Jelly, Kumamoto Orange Ponzu, Kushi Tobiko Yuzu, Sake and Quail Egg Shooter):
A selection of sushi was placed – great quality oh-toro (very fatty tuna) and extremely fresh ikura (my favorite!) complemented the mirugai (giant clam) and tamago (egg omelet). Lara ordered the Mifune roll which comprised of deep fried soft shell crab, daikon katsura, scallions and a spicy aioli. We got started on the platter as sson as it arrived that I barely remembered to take a picture until it was half gone:
By this time we were all getting pretty full. Japanese food is always strangely filling. Because of this, we forged ahead and ignoring all instinct had our last two dishes – both very rich and totally indulgent
First we had the Kurobuta Pork Crisp (Braised Black Pork in Brick Leaf Seared Tofu and Nihon Glaze):
Lastly we barely made it through the braisied Kobe beef short rib with seared Foie Gras in a spicy citrus soy base:
Two gentlemen had desert next to us when we were just finishing our last courses. As good as it looked, there was no way any of us had room for anything else. Excellent service and a huge sake selection complemented the great meal; I’m already looking forward to trying their seven course “Land and Sea” menu with sake for each course next time!
