HOKAIDO SUSHI
LAS VEGAS, NVAtmosphere: 4.5
Service: 5.0
Nigiri: 4.5
Rolls: 4.5
Master White Tiger called me a few days back and told me that a fellow Nomad had specifically requested I try Hokaido Sushi in Las
Vegas, NV. We both love it when a new Play Time location is recommended
to us by a fellow Nomad. Trying a new sushi spot can be a little nerve
racking, that's why we created SushiNomads .com and that's why we love
it when fellow Nomads recommend a spot. I invited my brother Master
Raging Compass to join me on this new adventure.
When I entered Hokaido Sushi the first thing I noticed was how they did so much with such a small space. The place had Polaroid pictures everywhere of patrons that had eaten there and even had a graffiti wall to write messages to future patrons. There were about 5 tables and 6 booths with the sushi bar at the far end. We were greeted by the owner, who also doubled as the server and the cashier, and was led to the sushi bar where we met sushi chef Eric. It was about 1pm on a Saturday afternoon and we were the only two people in there. I grew alittle nervous.
Master Raging Compass and I directed our attention to the menu. I knew this was an a la carte Play Time spot so I was prepared to drop a pretty penny. Although they didn't have Toro this day, I ordered Hamachi and chef Eric gave me Hamachi Belly.
It was delicious, the cut was thick, and the rice was of perfect proportion. Then came my Salmon order. My excitement began to swell as I peered deep into that Nigiri dish wondering if I could see any rice. Nope! Like a child who plays hind-n-go seek and pulls all his bed covers over him to hide, so was the rice being hid by these thick and glistening Salmon cuts.
The salmon was so good, I ordered another round. This time he put a slice of avocado on one cut and a slice of mango on the other.
Every bite of Nigiri I took I gave that,"Mmm, damn this is good," burst. I also ordered a Cajun Albacore Nigiri, and although this one lacked the flavor I usually find good in Cajun Albacore Nigiri, this was the one that made me start noticing his attention to presentation.
Master Raging Compass ordered Unagi , Salmon Roe, Tuna, and Garlic Tuna. I'm not a fan of Salmon Roe, but the presentation looked so good I almost ordered some.
Master Raging Compass mentioned that the avocado Chef Eric put in the Salmon Roe was something new, and it added nicely to it's flavor. Also, the Garlic Tuna presentation he said matched it's flavor burst.
The Unagi cuts were also very long and well proportioned with a good presentation.
I have never seen Nigiri served with presentation like this before. I thought to myself, "If chef Eric puts as much attention to the rolls as he has the Nigiri, I may make this my only meal of the day and go full steam ahead on some Play Time."
A few of the rolls names are very similar to names at Kobe Sushi and I LOVE SUSHI, but that's where the comparison stops. The roll quality is much better than Kobe Sushi, and in a close race with I LOVE SUSHI. We ordered the I Love My Ass Roll, Marilyn Monroe, and 2 No Money No Honey Rolls. First one to come out was the recommendation from Chef Eric, the No Money No Honey Roll. He said this was his favorite roll so both Master Raging Compass and I ordered one. It was made of Shrimp Tempura, Spicy Crab, Cucumber, Topped with hardy cuts of Tuna and Red Onion.
As I watched him make this roll I grew more and more excited as he put more and more stuff into it. The ingredients combined with the sauce he generously applied made this roll my favorite of the bunch. The next roll, or should I say, the next thing to drop, was the Marilyn Monroe. It was made with Tuna, Green Onion, Cucumber, and wrapped in Soy Paper with Scallops and Masago mix smothering the top.
First off, it's in a huge MARTINI glass: massive Dragon points for presentation; second: it has two of my favorite things, sauce and scallops. This roll was much different in more than just the martini glass presentation; the masago dressing was made with a honey base, so it had a sweet flavor. I didn't care for it too much and neither did Master Raging Compass, but it was still very flavorful. The last roll was the I Love My Ass Roll. I've ordered this roll with the same name two other occasions at two other restaurants, and although I LOVE SUSHI's version is still the best. Chef Erics comes in a close second to flavor, but definitely first with presentation. It's made with Spicy Softshell Crab and Cucumber with Super White Tuna on top, drenched in a special sauce with another special sauce swirling around the plate for you to dip into.
This roll was delicious and piled high with little flavor add-ons throughout like chopped onion, masago, and dabs of some mystery sauce. I looked over at Master Raging Compass and he had thrown in the white flag. I could have gone a bit further, but I would have put myself into a fast downward spiral of sushi drunkenness of which hasn't been experienced since playing at I LOVE SUSHI months back.
Chef Eric was awesome and the owner was very pleasant also. I was happy we didn't come when it was busy because we had some fun interacting with them both. When I return the Salmon Nigiri will be the first thing I order, but I also will definitely be delving into the other rolls that Chef Eric had recommended. Thank you fellow Nomad for recommending such a top notch Play Time experience, keep them coming!
Hokaido Sushi All Rolled Up
It's not everyday you walk into a possible 5 Dragon Play Time establishment. We don't give 5 Dragons out easily and, although they are well on their way to one, I need to come back and taste more of Chef Eric's magic. In the mean time, if you're in the Las Vegas area, stop by Hokaido Sushi and enjoy.
Review by MASTER DRAGON
Suggest a Restaurant
Want to see more pictures of Play Time at Hokaido Sushi, Click HereTHEIR WEBSITE >>
When I entered Hokaido Sushi the first thing I noticed was how they did so much with such a small space. The place had Polaroid pictures everywhere of patrons that had eaten there and even had a graffiti wall to write messages to future patrons. There were about 5 tables and 6 booths with the sushi bar at the far end. We were greeted by the owner, who also doubled as the server and the cashier, and was led to the sushi bar where we met sushi chef Eric. It was about 1pm on a Saturday afternoon and we were the only two people in there. I grew alittle nervous.
Master Raging Compass and I directed our attention to the menu. I knew this was an a la carte Play Time spot so I was prepared to drop a pretty penny. Although they didn't have Toro this day, I ordered Hamachi and chef Eric gave me Hamachi Belly.
It was delicious, the cut was thick, and the rice was of perfect proportion. Then came my Salmon order. My excitement began to swell as I peered deep into that Nigiri dish wondering if I could see any rice. Nope! Like a child who plays hind-n-go seek and pulls all his bed covers over him to hide, so was the rice being hid by these thick and glistening Salmon cuts.
The salmon was so good, I ordered another round. This time he put a slice of avocado on one cut and a slice of mango on the other.
Every bite of Nigiri I took I gave that,"Mmm, damn this is good," burst. I also ordered a Cajun Albacore Nigiri, and although this one lacked the flavor I usually find good in Cajun Albacore Nigiri, this was the one that made me start noticing his attention to presentation.
Master Raging Compass ordered Unagi , Salmon Roe, Tuna, and Garlic Tuna. I'm not a fan of Salmon Roe, but the presentation looked so good I almost ordered some.
Master Raging Compass mentioned that the avocado Chef Eric put in the Salmon Roe was something new, and it added nicely to it's flavor. Also, the Garlic Tuna presentation he said matched it's flavor burst.
The Unagi cuts were also very long and well proportioned with a good presentation.
I have never seen Nigiri served with presentation like this before. I thought to myself, "If chef Eric puts as much attention to the rolls as he has the Nigiri, I may make this my only meal of the day and go full steam ahead on some Play Time."
A few of the rolls names are very similar to names at Kobe Sushi and I LOVE SUSHI, but that's where the comparison stops. The roll quality is much better than Kobe Sushi, and in a close race with I LOVE SUSHI. We ordered the I Love My Ass Roll, Marilyn Monroe, and 2 No Money No Honey Rolls. First one to come out was the recommendation from Chef Eric, the No Money No Honey Roll. He said this was his favorite roll so both Master Raging Compass and I ordered one. It was made of Shrimp Tempura, Spicy Crab, Cucumber, Topped with hardy cuts of Tuna and Red Onion.
As I watched him make this roll I grew more and more excited as he put more and more stuff into it. The ingredients combined with the sauce he generously applied made this roll my favorite of the bunch. The next roll, or should I say, the next thing to drop, was the Marilyn Monroe. It was made with Tuna, Green Onion, Cucumber, and wrapped in Soy Paper with Scallops and Masago mix smothering the top.
First off, it's in a huge MARTINI glass: massive Dragon points for presentation; second: it has two of my favorite things, sauce and scallops. This roll was much different in more than just the martini glass presentation; the masago dressing was made with a honey base, so it had a sweet flavor. I didn't care for it too much and neither did Master Raging Compass, but it was still very flavorful. The last roll was the I Love My Ass Roll. I've ordered this roll with the same name two other occasions at two other restaurants, and although I LOVE SUSHI's version is still the best. Chef Erics comes in a close second to flavor, but definitely first with presentation. It's made with Spicy Softshell Crab and Cucumber with Super White Tuna on top, drenched in a special sauce with another special sauce swirling around the plate for you to dip into.
This roll was delicious and piled high with little flavor add-ons throughout like chopped onion, masago, and dabs of some mystery sauce. I looked over at Master Raging Compass and he had thrown in the white flag. I could have gone a bit further, but I would have put myself into a fast downward spiral of sushi drunkenness of which hasn't been experienced since playing at I LOVE SUSHI months back.
Chef Eric was awesome and the owner was very pleasant also. I was happy we didn't come when it was busy because we had some fun interacting with them both. When I return the Salmon Nigiri will be the first thing I order, but I also will definitely be delving into the other rolls that Chef Eric had recommended. Thank you fellow Nomad for recommending such a top notch Play Time experience, keep them coming!
Hokaido Sushi All Rolled Up
It's not everyday you walk into a possible 5 Dragon Play Time establishment. We don't give 5 Dragons out easily and, although they are well on their way to one, I need to come back and taste more of Chef Eric's magic. In the mean time, if you're in the Las Vegas area, stop by Hokaido Sushi and enjoy.
Review by MASTER DRAGON
Suggest a Restaurant
Want to see more pictures of Play Time at Hokaido Sushi, Click HereTHEIR WEBSITE >>
6015 South Fort Apache Road
Las Vegas, NV 89148
Las Vegas, NV 89148
- Hours: (702) 262-2213
- Phone Number: (702) 262-2213
- All You Can Eat? No
- Reservations Needed? No
- Website: SUN-THURS 11AM-11PM, FRI.-SAT. 11AM-MIDNIGHT
- Pricing: pricey
by MASTER SENDER OF GREAT EATS on February 14, 2010