Yusho Unleashes a New Foodie Destination with Japanese Street Fare Today

Yusho
Address: Monte Carlo, 3770 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
Phone: 702-730-6888
Status: Opens at 7 p.m.

One of the most exciting and daring restaurants opening in Las Vegas this year debuts tonight. Yusho, the Japanese street food and noodle house from Chicago chef Matthias Merges, unveils its happy decor, Logan Poser Ramen, bao and a cocktail program to die for tonight. The restaurant joins co-conspirators Double Barrel Roadhouse and 800 Degrees Neapolitan Pizzeria at the front of the Monte Carlo on the new Boulevard, a redesigned front for the resort right on the Las Vegas Strip.

At the front of this 250-seat restaurant find the bar area, replete in anime artwork, happy teals, chartreuses, oranges and whites with a raw industrial feel. Here stop for one of the draught cocktails such as the Chuhai with Surachi Shochu sake, jasmine tea and citrus, a nod to the Chicago Billy Sunday cocktail program dispensed from taps behind the bar.

In the center, the exhibition kitchen where guests can chat with the chefs as they cook up grilled octopus, crispy cod steam buns or two-times fried chicken, a favorite from the menu.

At the front, massive windows offer up views of the Strip with dock lights, safety lights and anime films flashing on the walls. Merges' wife Rachel Crowl designed the industrial, exposed brick and dyed cement floor look of this space.

Outside, patio seating that will soon convert to the wire and padded chairs from inside with four tables with umbrellas and more anime on the walls. Also coming, a vine wall to cool the space off.

The most expensive item on the menu, the duck leg with plum barbecue, herbs and steam buns, rings in at $25, making Yusho an easy spot to explore for the adventurous diner, yet approachable to everyone. Merges brought in Brian Lhee, his former executive chef in Chicago, to helm the kitchen.

In Chicago, Yusho has become a weekly destination for the food and beverage and foodie crowds alike, a mainstay on the Eater 38 there. Languish over the menu by choosing many dishes to share or simply order the Logan Poser Ramen at $21, a dish named because the only thing it really has in common with ramen is noodles in the bowl. Just order it.

The restaurant opens at 7 p.m. tonight, but following, expect a limited menu daily starting at 3 p.m., the regular menu starting at 5 p.m. and a late-night menu after 11 p.m. The restaurant stays open Sundays through Wednesdays until midnight and Thursdays through Saturdays until 2 a.m.

This is a case where you should run, not walk.
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