We were in Las Vegas, Nevada for Valentine’s Day 2022. I wanted to do something different so I booked a reservation at Morimoto in MGM Grand. I would hear a lot about “The Iron Chef” Morimoto and his restaurant empire, but this was my first time trying his food. And let me tell you: he did not disappoint!
Service
When we arrived at Morimoto, a friendly hostess named Stephanie was waiting for us. While we were about 15 minutes early for our 7:30 reservation, Stephanie said to come back at 7:30, and they should be ready for us. We thanked her and were seated at the bar.
At 7:30, we arrived at the restaurant and were seated after 5 minutes. Our server was named Eddie, and he quickly informed us of the six-course tasting menu available for Valentine’s Day. As this was not something we wished to order, we took menus and found a few items that looked promising.
Food
If I had one word to describe the quality of food at Morimoto, it would be: eclectic. The overall concept was excellent. There were some misses as much as some hits and home runs — but that is part of its charm!
Pork Belly
After reading the menu, I decided on the Pork Belly Tasting Plate. When I got it, I was kind of disappointed. It was a lot fattier than I expected it to be. The rice pudding that came with it was a good offset, but even so — the texture of the pork belly was gelatinous and not really what I was expecting from my Midwest bacon. But! The sauce that came with it was probably the best part of my entire meal.
Pork Belly Fried Rice
If you love sizzling sounds, then the Pork Belly Fried Rice is the dish for you!
It was an interesting take on a classic. Served tableside in a 450-degree bowl, the chef sears the pork belly before mixing some flavors and sauce into the rice — this gives it a great mix of crunchy rice, pork belly, and fluffy rice. Highly recommended!
Avocado roll & California roll
I saw they had an Avocado Roll traditionally crafted without fish. It was exciting for me because I do not care for fish. I ordered the avocado while my wife got a California roll. When her order arrived, I saw the black sliver – the seaweed wrap. But that is not what I am after today. So after one piece, I was done with the sushi. Wifey said that she liked her sushi too.
Decor
The decor and ambiance were great! There is no denying that the contemporary Japanese design of Morimoto Las Vegas is one-of-a-kind. From every angle, you can feel the essence of Japanese beauty and elegance. One of the reasons for its unique design comes from the use of delicate Japanese beauty and elegance, amidst exotic, high-definition photographs by Yasumichi Morita. It was the backdrop of the sushi, and I liked it.
We had a great time, and everything was just how we imagined it would be. We knew we were in for a treat when the hostess led us to our table. The decor was modern and elegant — exactly what you hope for in a Michelin-starred restaurant. Our waiter, Eddie, was a delight. Throughout the evening he made helpful suggestions but also remained very hands-off — letting us enjoy the experience without being rushed and fussed over.
Rating 4 out of 5!
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