Former Mirage Sushi Chef Takashi Nakamura Debuts a Japanese Izakaya in Southwest Las Vegas

A turnover on Rainbow Boulevard brings a third Asian-inspired menu to a small space in the southwest, now helmed by a former chief sushi chef at the Mirage and the Venetian.

Takashi Nakamura launched Takumi Izakaya close to the intersection of Rainbow Boulevard and Robindale Road. Ramen Show, run by local restaurateur Go Hoashi, operated in the 916-square-foot former home of Ted’s Sushi Burritos for the last two years.

The new restaurants encourage diners to share izakaya-style tapas dishes and also sample a sushi, nigiri, and sashimi menu similar to one found at Takashi’s now-shuttered Hidaka Sushi on the eastside.

Customers can sit facing the sushi chefs or at individual tables and order appetizers of octopus and wasabi, kakuni black pork, and shark bone with plum sauce.

Among the small plates, cold tofu, egg omelet, baked yellowtail cheek, grilled mackerel, and butter mushrooms. The long menu also features chirashi bowls, plenty of rolls, and bento boxes for lunch.

Chef Takashi’s resume includes Mikado at the Mirage, Tsunami Asian Grill & Sushi Bar at the Venetian, local chain Xtreme Sushi, and Sushi Takashi on Spring Mountain Road.

Takumi Izakaya, 7835 S. Rainbow Boulevard, #7, 702-462-6723. Open Tuesday to Saturday from 5 to 10 p.m.

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