Haute Spot
Fish on the Move Sapporo Revolving Sushi By Aly Wagonseller
Haute Spot
IT ’ S TIME TO JUMP ON THE SUSHI TRAIN . THIS DOESN ’ T MEAN that if you haven ’ t tried it by now the time has come to get your feet wet ; I mean seriously , sushi is a mainstream eat these days . Rather , it ’ s about getting your fish fix fast , furious and fresh in a way that ’ s been successful in Japan since the 1950s . Jumping on the kaiten-zushi , a . k . a . conveyor belt sushi wagon is where it ’ s at , and Las Vegas has its first entry into the market with Sapporo Revolving Sushi , located at 4671 Spring Mountain Rd .
Watching sushi float on by your table is just plain fun , a phenom partner Freddy Hwang , a local restaurateur with ties to numerous successful restaurants , recognized after seeing the concept spread rampantly around the world over the past couple of decades . The novelty , along with the convenience of being able to chow down right when you sit , allows for more table turns and less staffing ; a business model that sold Hwang on the idea . Still , it was tough going with our local health department who didn ’ t want fish on a plate wandering around uneaten for hours at a time . Hwang and his partners came up with a way to microchip each plate to determine how long it was on the belt . After 30 minutes on the move with no takers , the fish is systematically removed by a robotic arm and disposed of , ensuring you fresh sushi with every grab and take .
The restaurant reflects a modern aesthetic without being stark . A small bar allows for cocktails while you wait , and energetic music fills the space for a lively vibe . The conveyor belt winds past each table , stocked with a variety of fish , specialty rolls , salads and desserts , all labeled for easy identification . Each dish you choose is priced at $ 2.50 per plate ; most sushi plates are stocked with two pieces , rolls with four , with a few higher end varieties available as single items . Everything we chose , from super white or yellow tail tuna , salmon belly , sea bass , popcorn lobster and rainbow rolls , to shrimp and salmon mini tacos was properly cut and prepared , fresh and super tasty . There ’ s also an option to order off-menu from a tablet located on each table , with items arriving via friendly wait staff or an automated monorail type train located above the conveyor belt . Selections are plentiful and diverse , with appetizers that included melt-in-your-mouth marinated pork belly – a bargain at $ 4.95 ; every variety of sushi and specialty roll imaginable ; main entrees and even ramen and udon , all being represented . Don ’ t miss the grilled black cod with miso sauce if you ’ re a fan ; their version is a simple , yet incredibly buttery and delish rendition .
Sapporo is open for both lunch and dinner , and as long as there ’ s no wait , your sushi cravings will be satisfied the moment you enter the restaurant . In an instant gratification society , there ’ s nothing better . For info call them at 702-915-7500 .
72 May / June 2018