Japanese eatery joins the neighborhood

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Sapporo, a popular restaurant and night spot in Scottsdale, Ariz., will open its doors in Las Vegas on Friday.

The new restaurant, 9719 W. Flamingo Road, is "an experience, not just a restaurant," according to Kep Sweeney, chief executive officer of the Sapporo Restaurant Group.

"The restaurant has great food, great design, great service, great atmosphere and great music. It really is just a great experience," Sweeney said. "It's not a traditional dining experience."

The original Sapporo, named for a city in Japan, opened in Scottsdale in 2001.

The local restaurant features an indoor/outdoor bar, teppan grills, sushi, a private teppan grill and general dining areas. The menu offers everything from a chicken sandwich to teppanyaki dishes.

Teppanyaki dishes usually consist of beef, shrimp, scallops, lobster, chicken and vegetables made on teppan grills, an iron griddle. Teppanyaki was originated in Japan in 1945 and the style of cooking was popularized in the United States by restaurants such as the Benihana chain.

Mike Russello, founder of the original Sapporo, said it is no surprise that his restaurant had elements that would remind a patron of a Benihana restaurant.

"I was always a fan of Benihana and sushi and Pacific Rim dishes, and what I wanted to do was a Benihana 2000, and in a way that's what it is," Russello said.

Even though the Scottsdale and Las Vegas Sapporos share the same menu, Russello noted that there are differences, but mainly in style and environment.

"It's a more open atmosphere in Las Vegas," Russello said. "But in a way it's more enclosed. Here in Scottsdale we can have the doors open more often. You don't want to do that at certain times of the year in Las Vegas."

The front doors of the Las Vegas establishment are situated between two massive torches. Upon entering, blue, silver and wood dominate the conservative decor. The entrance is accented with royal blue mosaics.

"I just have to say it's awesome," Sweeney said like a proud parent. "There are a lot of places you can go for good food, but not every place that has good food has good service, and the service is going to be great here."

Sweeney said one of the more popular dishes at the restaurant is the macadamia nut-crusted Chilean sea bass, and one of the more popular drinks is the Mango Passion martini.

Reservations are accepted at Sapporo, but Sweeney said the restaurant won't take more than 70 percent reservations on any given night, in order to welcome and keep walk-in customers. The average price per person is approximately $30, Sweeney said.

"It's a more sophisticated atmosphere," he said. "But we draw a very diverse group of people. Since the music gets a little loud in the evenings, our older crowd comes in a little earlier. It's a good atmosphere for all ages."

Sweeney noted that the music Sapporo plays isn't too brash or abrasive.

"It's rock 'n' roll and '80s, it's not the hard stuff," he said.