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RA Sushi Executive Chef Rolls Out New Menu

RA Sushi Bar Restaurant, located inside the Fashion Show Mall on the Las Vegas Strip, recently debuted new food and beverage menus, adding a variety of dishes and cocktails to the current selection.

“We are always experimenting with different flavor combinations and rare ingredients, and enjoy offering RA customers the opportunity to try something new,” said RA Sushi Executive Chef Tai Obata. “While we are careful to keep some favorites on the menu, we regularly refresh our selection and make room for new ideas.”

Chef Obata earned his culinary arts degree in Japan at age 18 and has perfected his skills during his 26 years at the finest restaurants in Chicago, New York, Phoenix, San Francisco and Tokyo.

He added one salad and one appetizer to the RA dinner menu. Spicy Octopus and Cucumber Salad combines octopus, cucumber and Asian green vegetables tossed with an Asian chili sauce ($6.75). Shrimp Shumai is an appetizer comprising of lightly fried shrimp dumplings, skewered and served with a sesame-mustard sauce ($7.25).

Obata also added “Kona Kampachi” nigiri and sashimi to the sushi menu. “Kona Kampachi,” also known as Hawaiian Yellowtail, is native to Hawaii and is a cousin to Japanese Hamachi. It has a buttery, mild flavor, and is one of the healthiest fish on the market with high levels of Omega 3 ($5.50 for nigiri, $10.75 for sashimi).

Three new rolls on the sushi menu include Beef Tataki Roll: artichoke, asparagus, roasted red peppers and avocado, rolled and topped with seared flat iron steak and soy chili sauce, served with a creamy wasabi sauce ($9.75); King Crab Roll: crab mix, cucumber and avocado rolled and topped with King Crab, served with an Asian pesto sauce ($11.50); and Mango Lobster Roll: lobster mix, avocado and cucumber rolled and topped with thinly-sliced mango, served with mango-tobiko and kiwi-wasabi sauce ($9.50).

One special was added to the lunch menu. The Bara Chirashi Bowl includes spicy tuna, salmon, yellowtail, shrimp, cucumber, avocado and Asian green vegetables with poki sauce, served over rice ($10.00).

RA added a variety of new cocktails to the drink menu, including three martinis: Bruce Lee-Chee, Mount Saint Melons and Chai One On; as well as two new signature spirits: Moshi Moshi Mojito and Mango Libido Mojito. Other cocktail selections include Crouching Chaiger, Okinawa Iced Tea, Kampai Mai Tai, and a smaller version of an old favorite, the Baby Tsunami Punch (sold by the pint).

The cocktails are joined by a number of new red and white wines, as well as a new sparkling sake imported from Japan. Kizakura “Pure” STARS is chilled, effervescent sake similar to champagne. Enjoyable before or after a meal, Kizakura “Pure” STARS is a sweet, crisp and dry, and pairs exceptionally well with spicy foods.

RA Sushi Bar Restaurant, an upbeat, unconventional sushi bar, opened its first location in Old Town Scottsdale in October 1997. RA is best known for successfully combining distinctive sushi with a trendy, hip atmosphere. Fresh sushi is sliced to order along with outstanding Japanese-fusion cuisine in a fun, energetic atmosphere. The result is a place that is both unpretentious and fashionable. Lunch and dinner are served 11 a.m. to midnight and the bar is open until 1 a.m. Happy Hour food and beverage specials are offered Monday through Saturday, 3 to 7 p.m.

RA has 21 locations across the country, with several more slated to open in 2008 and 2009. Enjoy RA Sushi in Arizona (Ahwatukee, Mesa, North Scottsdale, South Scottsdale, Tempe and Tucson); California (Chino Hills, Corona, San Diego, Torrance and Tustin); Florida (Palm Beach Gardens, Pembroke Pines and Miami); Illinois (Chicago, Glenview and Lombard); Maryland (Baltimore); Nevada (Las Vegas); and Texas (Houston and Plano).

For more information visit RA online at www.RAsushi.com.