After reading Tony T's review, I had to venture this strange westward direction, manifest destiny for good Japanese food. I entered Sato-ya and sat at the sushi bar. Chef Sato greeted me and explained that "ya" means house so essentially I was eating in his "home." That sounded nice already! The window of the restaurant has a flat screen showcasing their food (pretty cool).
Inside there were specials listed. I immediately noticed the Aji (Spanish Mackerel) and ordered it first. Chef Sato did something Teri C. would appreciate - he carefully placed ginger and scallion on the fish with a long chopstick. The Aji was awesome, so I next ordered shimesaba (Japanese mackerel). The chef was surprised - an American likes mackerel this much??? ahh yes I am weird. The saba was delicately cured, moist, and perfect, topped with a piece of kelp.
I also enjoyed agedashi tofu (good broth, crisp on outside, soft on inside, daikon and scallion) and endless hot tea as my comfort on the cool night. Green hot tea is FREE and unlimited! (free edamame too) Next I ordered yellowtail, and immediately noticed Chef Sato gave me belly cuts. I thanked him and he smiled, noting that I liked fatty and oily fish so he gave me the best cut. A regular joined me at the bar and talked about the great food.
Then I had a salmon skin handroll (on special as well) complete with gobo root, bonito flake, and kaiware sprouts. It was a bit small but less than $3. Chef Sato blowtorched whole scallop sushi for me. He left the abductor muscle on, so I removed it (that only seems to happen at Japanese establishments and not Korean-owned). He topped it with yuzu pepper - a zingy heat for sure! I finished the meal with uni, and it was succulent and fresh.
They had the Wednesday night college football game on, Chef Sato taught me some Japanese, and a couple at a nearby table just moved back to LV from Okinawa and were telling me about Japan. Before I left, four Japanese friends sat at the bar. The lady gave me suggestions for my honeymoon in Japan and told me Sato-ya is her favorite authentic place in town. I can't wait to return! *Happy hour starts at 8PM*