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| - Yelp sent me... and I took the husband thinking that it would be new for us both -- he'd already been -- Bartolotta took him dammit but didn't tell me because he didn't remember the name -- but recognized it immediately when we walked in.
Since we get to go out together so rarely -- and on a Saturday night -- this was fun -- like a mini vacation (ok, we really really really need a real vacation....).
I loved that he knew four people as we walked in -- one was the GM from Sen of Japan (he used to be GM at Okada) -- he said hellos and we were seated at the counter -- little double benches (which later began to bother his back, but I loved 'em). This way we could see the action in the kitchen -- it's a busy place.
We ordered tons -- taking turns from the menu and the specials on the wall (I really love that if only I wasn't so damned nearsighted!)
We ordered the tempura stringbeans, the custard, I wanted uni (he was speculative about it), we looked for everything spring-y...so that meant bacon-wrapped asparagus, 4 kinds of mushrooms, softshell crab, and a few other things recommended by our server since we love spicy, too. (and of course, after looking at all the pictures on yelp -- honeytoast!)
He's not a big sake fan -- me, a student happily in training! My first glass was expensive, but I couldn't resist -- and ended up getting a less expensive glass 2nd (3rd & 4th...hic) because they ran out of the first -- and loved the 2nd one better -- appropriately Happy Bride -- while he drank his beers.
Food came out fast and furious -- the fun thing was watching others see what you ordered to see if they should, too, as well as chatting up neighbors at the counter (the unadventurous seem very 'fishoutofwater' here -- fortunately the ones we met took the husband's unsolicited advice and were nice and friendly.)
We had a great time -- just filled up fast -- and hated it, since we ended up seeing all sorts of dishes fly out of the kitchen that we wish we'd ordered... like the yellowtail -- almost napoleonlike in presentation.
The best things that night were the simplest (custard, stringbeans, asparagus) -- but they do make serious effort at presentation on some dishes -- it's like a rollercoaster ride of yumminess -- even though some of the specials and dishes on menu have pics next to them, for the most part you really can't tell by the description what it's going to look like. (love that, too) -- and sometimes, they just change the dish based on what they have in.
We watched a woman in the back working diligently the entire time we were there, carefully prepping something very tiny -- too far away to really tell -- but we loved her attention to detail.
We did notice that the big stock pots needed some serious cleaning -- they're blackened -- and honestly not appetizing to look at -- the chef needs to crack a serious whip there, but other than that, everybody worked clean.
Service was friendly, helpful and efficient -- no complaints at all here.
I was a little suprised how brightly lit the room was - the back sunken tables were the coziest spots and good for groups of 8 -- but make note, this place is tiny -- so when it's busy, a line forms quickly, although tables do turn pretty fast. I noticed that they do take reservations -- their website offers the service, too -- but I don't think anyone's watching, so don't assume you're in...also, what's up with the random porn (Craig's List like) on their site ...?
Thanks Yelp -- not sure why there are recent cranky reviewers -- Ichiza is a very welcome addition to Vegas on so many levels, I can't imagine giving it anything but a glowing review -- and I'm seriously looking forward to going back!
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