So long Shaboo, make way for Tetsu

Chef Masa Takayama at last year’s Uncork’d Grand Tasting.

By Brock Radke (contact)

Thursday, April 26, 2012 | 3:54 p.m.

Shaboo—the ultra-fancy, ultra-expensive Japanese omakase restaurant-within-a-restaurant experience in Bar Masa at CityCenter’s Aria—will be closing on April 28. Opening in its place in August will be Tetsu, the first teppan dining concept by acclaimed chef Masa Takayama.

Takayama, “arguably the world’s most celebrated Japanese chef” as described in a quote from CityCenter President Bill McBeath in today’s press release, made his Vegas debut with Bar Masa and Shaboo in late 2009, with the opening of CityCenter. The intimate Shaboo experience was defined by a tranquil environment and highly refined version of a hotpot, or shabu-shabu meal, in which small pieces of raw meat and vegetables are cooked at the table by swishing them through hot broth.

Tetsu will be decidedly different, offering Takayama’s take on traditional teppan grilling of vegetables, meat and seafood. The new dining room will feature four blackjack-style tables and two larger communal tables, where guests will be able to sample smaller portions at much lower prices than Shaboo. Highlighting the Tetsu menu will be prime cuts of beef and seafood like Scottish langoustine and fatty tuna for the grill, as well as offerings such as lobster ceviche, Wagyu beef tartare, yakisoba noodles and garlic fried rice.

Tetsu joins another planned summer opening at Aria: Javier’s, a Southern California-based Mexican restaurant, is slated for the space formerly known as Union.