This is what makes off-Strip Vegas dining unique and great. Admittedly, I've been out of the dining scene in Chinatown for a couple years. Driving down to GYU+ Dinner club on a Saturday night was memorable. The streets were alive, the lights were bright, and the parking was horrible. This part of Vegas has come a long way in five years. Now you have top level and world class chefs that cut their teeth in mega resorts all over town, plying their trade amongst the very knowledgeable local foodies.
We were lucky because the owner and his partners are considered friends and they remembered us. They greeted us outside the restaurant with a welcoming smile. The GYU+ Sando restaurant I knew from many years ago still exist in the front of the shop, now completely refurbished, elegant, and tasteful. We were led to the back past the open kitchen where there was a rather small room that maybe accommodated 40 to 45 people, set up in "a dinner club" style. A long table dominated the center, but there were very comfortable booths all along the side, where we took our seats. My wife and I enjoyed an incredible Napa Valley Merlot to start, and the dishes started coming out. Starting out with a salmon tartare with an elegant Quail egg to mix and the usual accoutrements. We had a bit of everything, with the grand finish of an epic Wagyu Japanese sandwich, otherwise known as a Sando. The soft milk bread, combined with a soft, fatty Wagyu sliced to perfection melted on the first bite. In between, we enjoyed a memorable and well seasoned sliced scallop as well as a serviceable and very tasty Seabass with an excellent cream sauce. We finished the night with dessert, and great conversation with the staff.
Let's highlight places like this where knowledgeable and attentive staff, who are passionate about the food and passionate about their service makes the entire night worth it. I'm told that the dinner club is only three nights a week for now, but will expand to serve the oncoming demand, no doubt. The small space makes this place intimate and memorable. More importantly, the demand is only going to go up. I wish these guys the best, and am thankful for a very memorable date night with my wife. We both enjoyed the entire experience. Looking forward to spending another fantastic...
Read moreGYU Sando immerses you in the vibrant essence of Japan’s street food scene, nestled in the buzzing heart of Las Vegas. This unique concept was skillfully brought to life by Freddie Paloma and Luis De Santos during the challenging times of the pandemic. Their unwavering passion, inspired by countless conversations and adventures through Japan, led to the desire to recreate the simple yet exquisite flavors of the Japanese sando, or sandwich, for American palates. Their dream has materialized beautifully in Las Vegas' first Cloud Kitchen, a sleek and innovative space that invites culinary exploration.
During my visit, I indulged in the Steak Sando—a culinary masterpiece featuring a generous half-pound of succulent, perfectly cooked beef filet cradled between slices of incredibly soft shokupan bread. The sandwich was elevated to new heights by a luscious onion jam, which introduced a delightful sweetness, harmonizing seamlessly with a secret sauce that added a rich umami depth to each bite. The shokupan, soft and buttery, embraced the luxurious beef, creating a comforting and satisfying experience. Each element of the sandwich was executed with remarkable artistry, resulting in a harmonious blend of textures and flavors that lingered on the palate.
Accompanying the sando were the Togarashi Potato Chips, homemade kettle chips sprinkled with a zesty hint of togarashi, fragrant rosemary, and a touch of salt. While they offered a crunchy, flavorful accent to the richness of the sandwich, I felt they played more of a supporting role than stealing the spotlight as a standalone dish.
Though undeniably delicious, the total cost of $36.00 for the steak sandwich, chips, and a drink felt somewhat steep. For those who genuinely appreciate the intricate flavors and culinary finesse of Japanese cuisine, this price might be justifiable as a worthy indulgence. However, for the average diner, this cost could be a barrier to frequent visits. Still, GYU Sando offers an authentic taste of Japan’s street food culture, presenting a unique dining experience that deserves to be savored—if your...
Read moreGyu! I love you! What an experience. Rolled into the building which had all kinds of different signs on it for Mollys, Italio and Gyu, it smells like ciggies from the people on the right at the darkly lit bar/casino (Mollys Tavern) mindlessly playing their games. The dichotomy on the left is a brightly lit restaurant with stark white pressed linens. When we heard about this place on TikTok it was recommended we get our food delivered and when went in, immediately the waiter asked if we were there for pickup. We were going to order to go but with the option to eat in, an empty restaurant and time on our hands, we decided to stay.
We shared a steak sando and a fried chicken sando. Both top quality. The amount of satisfied “mmmm”s coming from us with the frequent “yum” “amazing” and “delicious”was probably overwhelming our young, shy waiter. We also got the potato chips which were perfect and followed it all up with the green tea matcha bread pudding. I would have liked a little more sauce for the bread pudding but I’m really not complaining. All our dishes came out rather promptly stating with the drinks, the chips, the sando’s then bread pudding. Perfectly timed. We were originally worried it wouldn’t be enough food as we were starving, but we felt so full at the end we were tumbling out. 10 points to Griffindor!!
Food: 10/10 Ambiance/decor:...
Read more