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| - It's not fair to Raku that I come from California. My exposure to and experience with izakaya restaurants is varied enough that I know 5 star fare when I eat it and Raku is close--so very close--but lost points on service and price.
The kobe beef tendon and grilled duck with balsamic soy sauce sold out. It was 7:30PM on a Monday night and the place is open until 3AM. Since we were severely disappointed, the waitress pushed the specials of the evening on us.
We ordered the bluefin tuna (toro), the unagi (cooked in two styles, grilled and with salt and pepper), and the grilled salmon cheek (kama). From the regular menu, we also got the homemade tofu served in two different ways: cold with green onions and ginger (hiyayakko) and sitting in hot broth after being fried (agedashi). We also had the grilled pork cheek (kurobuta), a couple of chicken wings, and chicken and egg served over a bowl of rice (oyakodon). For dessert, the green tea creme brulee.
The toro was amazing and should be the #1 reason why you come here. It was soft, smooth, and slightly sweet, as perfectly fresh toro is supposed to taste. $25 for 6 huge slabs?! Yes, please!
The homemade tofu is reason #2 why I'd come back. I prefer the agedashi style just because I prefer hot tofu over cold, but both styles were enjoyable. I particularly liked how flavorful the broth was.
The unagi was a total rip-off. $30 for 6 small, bony pieces. Grilled was better than S&P but neither were things I'd order again and I strongly suggest that you don't either.
The salmon kama was okay but not something I'd order here ever again because almost every good Japanese restaurant in California makes it better and for a cheaper price. That isn't to say it's terrible, though. If you've NEVER had salmon kama ever and you can't get it where you're from, it doesn't hurt to try it here.
The kurobuta and chicken wings were salty, greasy, and fatty, as expected. Would have been great with beer, which unfortunately we lacked. I'm sure we would have had a better experience with the meat had we ordered something like the foie gras or a kobe beef item.
The oyako (which means 'parent' and 'child', referring to the chicken and egg, respectively) is classic Japanese comfort food and I loved it. Tender chicken pieces nestled in a bowl of warm, soft rice that's gooey from egg yolk made this reason #3 why I'd come back. For some, this dish is about as special as fried rice, but if you love both as much as I do, I'd recommend getting it!
Lastly, the green tea creme brulee was mediocre but come on, you don't go to a place like this for a fabulous dessert. Try Nobu or a French or Italian restaurant if you want a dessert that will knock your socks off.
Now let me talk about the sub-par service. We ordered tea (which, surprise surprise, cost us $) but the waitresses rarely refilled our tea no matter how many times we asked. And when they did, they'd refill it 1/4th of the way. The tea, by the way, is roasted green tea and is amazing so I suggest ordering it even if you do end up getting sake or beer. But know your rights--don't be afraid to ask for more and demand that they refill it! That's what you're paying for, after all!
Another waitress also charged us an extra $50 out of sheer stupidity. When we discovered the discrepancy between the amount listed on the bill and the amount we were charged, she tried to defend herself by saying the restaurant was too dark. Try going to a lighted area, then? A bill isn't something you 'guess'...if you have a question about what is written, ask us. Sigh.
With all this said, Raku is as good as a non-sushi Japanese restaurant as you will find in Sin City and an eye-opening experience for people who think Japanese cuisine is all sushi and sashimi. Bottom line: if you're in Vegas, this is a must-try.
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