Whats to be said about the infamous Iron Chef that opens a restaurant in Las Vegas? Welcome to the club! Set in a former tepanyaki location in the fabulous MGM Grand. Neighbor to that one chef that slaps a dash of seasoning on a dish and yells BAM! You wouldn't be surprised to notice that there are still some tepanyaki grills in the back.
Although you could not go wrong with the standard tables. We opted to be entertained while we eat. Best part of Morimotos tepanyak grills are, the women at the table are actually respected during this meal, rather than getting confronted with the usual harrasment at other Japanese grill spots in this town. However hilarious they may be.
The menu is surprisingly standard for semi Japanese fusion. The sushi chefs all look legit. There are traditional rolls and sashimi. There are the obligatory poke "tacos" in fried eggroll shells. There are the tuna tartare "pizzas" of course too. Being completely honest, the first time we came those dishes were the bee's knees. The second time they were a bit off.
We slapped 2 (48oz?) tomahawk ribeyes on the grills both times we went. Both times they were the highlights of the dinners. The steaks come with 3 sauces. Bernaise, chimichurri and Morimotos steak sauce. We all know the first 2, but I'm pretty sure some of you have had the sweet and salty asian sauce at Korean bbg before. Thats what Morimotos steak sauce tasted most similar to.
Getting down to desserts. They get down on tha flo' wit those. Deserts are not to be skipped at this spot. The flaming rum chocolate smore ball plate! The mango custardy bowl thingy! The sorbet type whatever it was dish, and lest not forget, the super duper chocolate cakey cheesecake-ish desert were all Raku Sweets rivals in and of themselves. Diabeetus.
We had our very own Morimoto impersonator with us. My little brother. It was fun seeing the servers double take as we were being seated, lol. My 3 year old cried until he got the foot long bone of the tomahawk to knaw on. We kept chewing on it until we got to the car. My toddlers couldn't stop eating steak and the chef prepared some bits and pieces to well-done for them. Very nice service all around.
It is nice to see a staff that takes pride in their establishment and quality of ingredients well worth the dollar value on the strip. Sometimes the chef actually comes in to check on the progress too. All aces. I know I have given out too many 5 star reviews already, but Morimotos really does deserve it. If not quite extraordinary in menu innovation, but in service and quality of dishes in general.