New Osaka location dishing out Asian cuisine

Osaka owner Joy Nakanishi-Faas is helping to keep a Las Vegas tradition alive -- with a twist.

For 30 years, Osaka Japanese Restaurant has been a mainstay in the competitive Las Vegas restaurant venue. Now, with its additional location in Summerlin, Osaka will continue its version of diverse Asian cuisine with a casual, eclectic flair.

Set on what was recently hailed as one of the city's busiest intersections, Lake Mead Boulevard at Tenaya Way, Osaka's versatile table service and multinational menu has Summerlin residents returning for seconds, thirds and drinks for later.

Nakanishi-Faas bought the original West Sahara location from her father, who was born in Las Vegas, after learning the business was failing.

"My father told me he was going to sell the restaurant and I told him I wanted to buy it," Nakanishi-Faas said.

In the four years since then, after building it back up and tripling the business, she sold that location to her brother and opened the new restaurant in Summerlin, which she could customize to her liking by adding three-point dining. As an alternative to the fun and mesmerizing hibachi table dining available, Osaka caters to the quiet casual diner with a separate dining room as well as a sushi bar.

One of the more interesting aspects of Osaka is the staff.

"I like to refer to this type of food as Pan-Asian," said Nakanishi-Faas. "We have chefs here from all over; Thai, Filipino, Chinese and Japanese chefs add to the diversity of the restaurant."

The extremely diverse group of chefs includes her fiance, well-known star chef Terrence Fong, formerly of Gatsby's. Each chef prepares a colorful variety of dishes that residents consider pleasing to the eye as well as the palate.

Nakanishi-Faas was careful to choose chefs with not only significant culinary experience, but also good personalties.

"I want everyone here to have a good time, so it's important for my chefs to be personable," Nakanishi-Faas said.

Contrary to those restaurants in which the owners rarely make an appearance, Nakanishi-Faas can be seen interacting with customers and participating in the service along with her employees.

"I want to know each customer," Nakanishi-Faas said. "Our mission statement here is that we want everyone to leave happy."

As if the food selection and customer service weren't enough, Nakanishi-Faas has also added late night sushi deals and leaves the bar open until 1 a.m. weekdays, 2 a.m. on weekends.

"There really were not very many places in Summerlin to go for a drink after work," Nakanishi-Faas said. "Every time I got off work I had no place to relax, especially a quality atmosphere."

So, Nakanishi-Faas created one. With specialty drinks like the watermelon martini and the mango breeze, residents who don't want to brave the casino or bar scene can stop in for a quiet nightcap. In addition to providing the drinks, Osaka also will call Designated Driver so residents can return home safely after many tasty libations.

With the friendly service, and varied dining and drinking options, Nakanishi-Faas likes to spend time at her own restaurant in order to enjoy the atmosphere. The amount of business the multicultural Osaka location is drawing has Summerlin residents sharing her enthusiasm.

Said Nakanishi-Faas, "I like to come late and stay late."

Osaka is located at 7511 W. Lake Mead Blvd. and can be reached at 869-9494.


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