Haute Top 5: Best Sushi in Las Vegas in 2017

When foodies round the world heard that Masa Takayama was opening not one but two outpost in Las Vegas, the first thought was whether it could match his New York restaurants. They do. Then they wondered if it would be affordable. You decide. This is one of the best Japanese restaurants in the city with extraordinarily fresh seafood presented in a painstakingly precise manner all housed in a cavernous room that seats more than 400. This place is pricey and you will leave hungry. My tab for two people was $388.08 with an $80 tip. Try the Akami and Kanpachi sashimi for to prep your palate for the fine fish served here. For an even more exclusive experience, try Tetsu within Bar Masa, Takayama's restaurant within a restaurant where you can experience teppanaki-style cooking in cocoon-style lighting. 

Drop on over to Mandarin Oriental’s all-day bistro MOzen for tastes from the Orient, including a sushi bar with delightful treats such as tempura shrimp spicy tuna roll, a crunchy alternative to the usual spicy tuna roll. Look for Mandarin octopus roll with olive aioli and scallions, eel banana roll with deep fried shallots and cream cheese and tuna carpaccio in the modern and sophisticated restaurant. For a bonus, try the Sunday brunch where the sushi bar is open for fresh treats.

Chef Nobu Matsuhisa always seems to find his eponymous restaurant at the tops of best dining lists (and no, not just Japanese food, all food). Maybe it’s his authentic flair. Maybe it’s the quality of the fish he uses. Maybe it’s the consistency from outpost to outpost. Whatever catches your fancy, be sure to the the lobster ceviche with its dose of citrus flavors, the shrimp and Maine lobster with a toe-curling tangy lemon sauce or the three-day marinated cod with a sweet miso sauce. You can’t go wrong.

The menu at Mizumi at Wynn Las Vegas uses the influences of chef Devin Hashimoto’s training in both Japanese and Loreann cuisines. You can find classics alongside sushi and sashimi selections, and sit at the sushi bar to watch your favorites prepared. Or choose to sit in the private Japanese garden, at the Robatayaki or Teppanyaki grills, at a floating pagoda table or with a view of the Tryst lagoon. It just makes the experience that much better.

When you can’t jet off to Tokyo to authentic Japanese cuisine, head over to Morimoto at MGM Grand where you can find an outstanding selection of sushi and one of the largest collections of sake in the United States.