Yusho, Monte Carlo, Las Vegas

We were just over the half way mark on the US Road Trip tour and I was full. Full from all the eating and the larger than I'd eat at home meals. We had been walking past Yusho on the strip fairly regularly and having finally taken a look at the menu, decided that this japanese street food restaurant would be just the antidote to the large meals we had been feasting on so far.


We booked a table and arrived to find that just in front of the restaurant we would be serenaded by live singing. We had a table outside as it was hot and we could observe the entertainment and people watch over the strip.

 

Whilst the lounge classics flowed, we perused the menu and noted the very comprehensive sake menu. So we thought 'when in Rome...' or rather, a Japanese restaurant in Las Vegas... We asked the waiter, who knowledgably advised us of the sake that would work best with our meal. This was the Kikushi Funaguchi. It was a very easy to drink and delicate sake and I enjoyed it over ice very much. 

 

 

Japanese street food is a bit like tapas, you can order as many or as few dishes as you wish. With the whole purpose of the meal being to eat a little less and more healthily, Gipsy Spread and I opted for three dishes. One each and one to share. The first was the Shishito peppers with ponzu shallot and lemon. A simple looking dish which packed plenty of flavour.

I then followed this with the tofu steak with shiso, pinapple and praline, whilst Gipsy Spread had the grilled duck breast with shitake marmelade and scallion. It all came out exquisitely presented.

 

 

Everything tasted very fresh and again was a combination of flavours that I had not experienced before, but truly loved.  I wish I had come here when I was hungrier to partake in more of the dishes. Not being able to help ourselves and with the temptation of another unusual flavour combo, we decided to share a dessert of pannacota, curry, honey and citrus. Clearly, this is a rare find of a dish.

 The panacotta was as good as any, creamy and rich with vanilla. It had sweetness from the honey and a wonderful earthiness from the curry, possibly overtones of tumeric. I have no idea how they did it, but this was a beautiful dish, garnished with lemon, pistachios and shards of sugar.

 

 

Of the whole US road trip, this remains one of my favourite meals, not least because I'm a huge fan of small plates, providing variety. I tried some new flavours and flavour combinations and the service was efficient and friendly. The view on to the strip is also fabulous and reminds you that you are most definitely in Las Vegas.

 

 

When you are bored of the burgers, fries and pizza, head to Yusho for a fabulous Yakitori-inspired culinary escape to the streets of Japan.