Helmed by the former head chef from Hard Rock's NOBU, Sen of Japan is a long-time locals favorite offering NOBU-style cuisine at considerably more-affordable prices. Omakase (which starts at just $55/person), late-night happy hour, and take-out menus are also available, in addition to an extensive à la carte menu of sushi and sashimi, plus a separate menu for appetizers and entrées, including numerous vegetarian-friendly options, like tofu eggplant agedashi, vegetable skewers, mushroom risotto, and an interesting array of tempura veggies, including asparagus, avocado, pumpkin, broccoli, bell pepper, sweet potato, and Shiitake mushroom. (Tip: For something different, ask for the off-menu specials!)
This restaurant was reviewed in the August 2010 LVA; some of the information contained in the review may no longer be accurate. When you order a California roll and the sushi chef says, “We use real crab, you understand,” you know you’re in a place where quality is paramount. Sen of Japan is an amazing restaurant that one of our Eating Las Vegas authors sums up in five words: “Nobu at half the price.” And why not? The owner is Hiro Nakano, former head chef at the Hard Rock’s Nobu who left to do his own thing in this westside restaurant at the corner of Durango and Desert Inn. The easy way out here is to put yourself in the hands of Nakano or his running mate, Shinji Shinchiri (who was the man in charge at Bellagio) with one of two omakase tasting menus. For $55 or $85 (the latter comprising more tastings), you get the chef’s choices from several areas of the menu. It’s a great way to play, but ordering freestyle can be even better, allowing you to jump through the spice-laden carpaccios, delicate tempuras, evocative skewers, fresh nigiri sushi, super-creative rolls, and down right other-worldly off-the-menu tiraditos as you desire. The best route of all may be to mix the two approaches by ordering the items you know you want to try, then asking the chef for a recommendation or two. Regardless, Sen provides Las Vegas’ best sushi experience, considering both quality and price. To give you an idea about the latter, tuna sushi is $4.85, black-snapper sushi is $5.75, the Cal roll mentioned above is $6.95, and a wild spicy spider roll that gets a lot of press is $15.