Chefs on a roll at Sushi Bar Sage

New eatery specializes in 'edible art'

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It doesn't take long to feel comfortable while sitting at Sushi Bar Sage as customers and sushi chefs pass food around and make suggestions to one another.

Before Jason Woods took his first bite of yellowtail nigiri, he said, "This is the true test.

"Some all-you-can-eat (sushi bars) are sub-standard. This is good," Woods said.

The restaurant, which opened four months ago at 4408 N. Rancho Drive, features an all-you-can-eat sushi menu as well as specials and an a la carte selection.

Sushi Bar Sage has experienced sushi chefs, including Teddy Avena.

"There's a lot of other sushi bars in the area," said Lenny Davis. "But they don't have Teddy. Anyone can cook fish but sushi is an art."

Davis, who followed Avena to the restaurant, said "sushi is about the preparation and the artist or the chef that's doing it.

Avena has been a sushi chef in Las Vegas for seven years.

"It's all about the art," Avena said. "It's like edible art of food making."

Like many customers who are unfamiliar with sushi, Woods was a little apprehensive at first.

"Take baby steps," he said. "It's not like you walk in and eat sea urchin the first time."

A favorite around the bar is the Creamy Mermaid, shrimp and cream cheese wrapped in wonton skin and fried crisp.

"(In Japan), sushi is a special treat," said manager Aki Fujimoto. "They don't eat it every day. (They) can't afford it."

Fujimoto, who has been a sushi chef for more than 30 years, said he learned by doing.

Avena said the best way to learn the art of sushi is by having a good master.

Among many lunch specials is the lunch sushi special, which has assorted sushi, including tuna, albacore, salmon, shrimp, kanikama and California roll. The special is served with soup for $8.95.

For dinner, a seven-piece sushi platter is offered to patrons. It includes tuna, yellowtail, shrimp, salmon, albacore, octopus and white fish sushi and a spicy tuna roll or California roll for $12.95.

Sushi Bar Sage also sells sake and imported Japanese beers. The restaurant is open from 11:30 a.m. until 10 p.m. daily.