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| - I am pissed for two reasons. #1 - This was our last night in Vegas and if I had known how amazing this place would be earlier I would have came here at least three times during the week we stayed. #2 - This place is not in New York.
This was the Japanese experience I have been waiting for my whole life. Food makes us humans feel good, no doubt. But then there is food that makes you feel like you are sedated. This is also has to do with the type of food you like but anyway here goes...
Let's start with the sake sampler they serve. Three different cups filled with sake. One sweet, one smooth and one strong. All high quality tasting sakes. After that came Sapporo fresh from the tap. Oh Baby.
I thoroughly read through all of the yelp reviews for this restaurant before I went to make SURE I tried the best things on the menu. I brought a list with me of items that were raved about. Thank the Lord for Yelp. I would recommend ordering a bunch of things if it is your first time but if you want to know the dishes that stood out to me the most................
Blue Fin Sashimi - There is really not much to say other than this is the best tuna hands down. The texture, clean taste, just beautiful. I do like how the waitress instructed us how to flavor certain dishes and when not to do it all.
Raku's Tofu and Agedashi Tofu - They allow you to order half of each which I strongly recommend. Raku's tofu was like a slab of cream pie with the most delicate flavor. I liked the Agedashi a bit more because it came in a bowl of broth and was more soaked with flavors. Both are home made and unlike any other tofu I have ever tried. My dad hates tofu and he really enjoyed both tofu dishes.
**Poached Egg with Sea Urchin and Salmon Roe - This was by far ranked the most unique/delicious dish I have ever eaten. They serve in a bowl where each item is placed in its own group. You are then instructed to stir it all together - like a soup. If you have issues with slimy food texture this may not be for you. The flavors were so pure and were put together by an angel of light. The saltiness of the roe, the odd sweet flavor of the sea urchin, the egginess of the egg, the crunchy earthiness of the vegetables. So many emotions during the eating of this dish. I will never forget this one.
Pork Cheek - Remember Gushers? This is like a bacon gusher. Heavens to betsy was this amazing. If you are not a fan of fatty things this may not be for you however for $3 a peice it is worth trying. Salty sweet flavor burst. Mm..
Kobe Beef Tendon - I am a tendon person to begin with - if you are not, still give it a try but get ready because it is very uniquely textured. For me, this was the ultimate tendon - crispy outside - congealed gelly like inside. The waitress was sure to tell us how good tendon is for your skin.
Salmon Belly - Think about the most tender butter like salmon you have ever had. Well that sucks compared to this dish. I don't know how else to describe it. The outside was grilled crispiness with salty flavor - the flesh was so naturally oil laden that it tasted like Salmon Butter if there ever was such a thing. *Sigh*..
Enoki Mushroom wrapped with Bacon - This dish was very simple but what a combination of flavors!! You simply must try this. The first thing that hits your tongue is the wonderful grilled bacon salty/sweet flavor and then CRUNCH you bite into the cluster of mushrooms and your mouth is filled with soft earthy flavors.
Ikura Don - I eat Ikura at least two times a week because I love it and it is super good for you. This dish was a bowl of the freshest Ikura (seriously they gave you a LOT of Ikura) served on white rice. They were adament on telling me that it does not need any seasoning. That is how beautiful and simple the flavors were here.
Grilled Baby Corn with Spicy Mayo - dayyum this was the way grilled corn should taste. They serve the corn still wrapped in it's greens so you have to peel it to open fresh smokey grilled baby corn. Dip it in the spicy mayo and then you have got a crunchy delcious treat.
Some other things I tried was the Kobe Beef Filet with Wasabi, Kobe Liver, Soy Glazed Foie Gras, Green Tea Creme Brulee, Lamb Chops, Chicken Thigh, Japanese Shishito Pepper.. I think that's it? The only thing I know I would not order again is the Pork Ear. The hard cartiledge inside kind of threw me off even though it all tasted good.
All of this food for a little over $200 really is not that bad when you take into consideration the quality and specialty you are getting.
The inside is small and cozy, the service is great, make sure you make reservations and it would be smart to order mostly everything at once if you can. THE BATHROOM IS AMAZING. IT IS THE MOST HIGH TECH TOILET EVER.
I have never written this long of a review on Yelp or was as excited about reviewing a place as I was with Raku. If you really want to experience some of the best food there is, GO HERE.
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