Las Vegas Weekly

July 25, 2008 · 12:15 PM

Stars roll in for new sushi sensation

By Robin Leach

Photo: Courtesy

The Light Group CEO Andy Masi, Bellagio President and COO Randy Morton, executive chef Akira Back and Oliver Wharton and Shane Monaco from Light's restaurant team.

It's called Kagami-Baraki, and it's not Obama’s new Japanese nickname! It’s the traditional Japanese Sake Barrel ceremony where the wooden lid is broken open by a wooden mallet and the sake is served to everyone in attendance.

The "good-luck" blessing was performed as the Light Group’s newest venture, Yellowtail Sushi Restaurant & Bar, opened its doors at the Bellagio. Company CEO Andy Masi, Bellagio President Randy Morton and Yellowtail Sushi Restaurant & Bar executive chef Akira Back, along with restaurant management Oliver Wharton and Shane Monaco, donned traditional Japanese garb, handled the "break-in" duties and quickly passed the sake to everybody there toasting for harmony and good fortune. Among the first diners were NBA legend Patrick Ewing, along with his wife and son, enjoying Chef Back’s delectable cuisine, including the rock shrimp, jidori chicken, spicy crab and vegetable tempura while sipping on Pellegrino water. Another basketball legend “Dr. J” Julius Erving treated his family to Chef Akira’s innovative sushi, including the strawberry and banana unagi rolls, and the popping spicy crab rolls.

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