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| - I'd been eagerly waiting for Paid in Full (PIF from here on out) to open since they popped up on IG. So much so that I may have left a face print on the storefront glass a few weeks earlier. The ambiance of the room, colorful decor and fun upbeat soundtrack definitely encourages to stay awhile, and we couldn't wait to start.
The well-presented "Asparagus" definitely kicked dinner off right, hitting taste buds from multiple directions from the cool, creamy Japanese mayo blended with blue crab to the yuzu pepper and generous topping of ikura. "Clams" were superb as well with unagi dumplings (think biscuit dough, not gyoza), mushrooms and some serious sake dashi broth that was dying for some bread or rice somewhere to soak up.
Las Vegas finally has good okonomiyaki!!!!. Having been on the bad end of more than a few attempts by businesses at this savory Japanese pancake over the years, ranging from horrendous to subpar; that wrong has finally been made right here. This version was fancy, topped with uni, crispy fried squid and bonito flakes that had my tongue saying "Fuckin finally!" The menu changes daily and I saw that they offered foie gras on okonomiyaki the following day, which I will need (Require? Demand? Wet my pants and cry until someone gives me one?) to have at some point.
No doubt there's always room for more spots to do takoyaki with few doing it and even fewer doing it well. The traditional octopus was great, but a tad steep at 4 for $10. The current LV kings of octopus balls at Monzo serve 7 of them for less than $8 total.
PIF also offers some very interesting, never before seen by my four eyes, types like escargot, rosa salami and smoked salmon with dill cream, ikura and wasabi mayo. We tried the latter, it was OK, and would rather have had another round of traditional in hindsight. But kudos to R&D for even creating them! Maybe corn dog or cheeseburger are in the future?
Consider me a fan! I'll like it even more once they get an alcohol license. This is a unique spot in town and I look forward to trying more.
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