NOW OPEN: CASA DE RAKU BRINGS TRADITIONAL EUROPEAN TAPAS & WINE TO LAS VEGAS
Latest Venture from Restaurateur Mitsuo Endo, Creator of Raku and Sweets Raku,
Debuts in Chinatown
Casa de Raku, a traditional European tapas and wine bar, is now open in Chinatown, Las Vegas. Created by Restaurateur Mistuo Endo, culinary mind behind Raku and Sweets Raku, Casa de Raku is inspired by the extraordinary flavors and variety Spanish cuisine offers.
Open for dinner and late-night, Casa de Raku showcases characteristically bold flavors, premium ingredients, and lively aesthetics punctuated by curated pieces directly from Spain. Completely renovating the space that was previously Sweets Raku, the team has created a dining experience designed to transport guests to an intimate tapas bar.
“We’re excited to welcome guests into Casa de Raku so they can immerse themselves in the tastes, smells, and sights you normally have to travel halfway around the globe to experience,” said Cameron Mackintosh-Stewart, General Manager of Casa de Raku. “We’ve worked tirelessly to execute a sophisticated tapas bar while also wanting guests to have fun and feel at home.”
A GLIMPSE INTO CASA DE RAKU’S MENU:
The menu was curated by Chef Mistuo Endo and his culinary team with recipes inspired by the group’s extensive travels throughout Madrid, San Sebastian, León, and Segovia, amongst others. From seafood, meats, pastries, and drinks, Casa de Raku is dedicated to bringing the heart and taste of European cooking to Las Vegas.
Drinks: Casa de Raku offers a curated wine program, three beer options on tap, and traditional wine cocktails. Whether guests are in search of a refreshing spritz or glass of wine to accompany a tapas dish, Casa de Raku’s selection of drinks are sure to please a range of palates and preferences.
Drink highlights include:
- Tinto de Verano: A refreshing, wine-based drink popular in Spain. Comprised of Spanish red wine, Spanish sweet vermouth, and sweet soda, Tinto de Verano is served with lots of ice cubes and orange slice.
- Black & Tan: Beer cocktail made by layering lager and Guinness.
- Cava: Delicious Spanish sparkling wine made in Catalonia, located in Northeastern Spain. Casa de Raku offers two cava options by the glass or bottle.
- Vino Blanco: Casa de Raku showcases a wide selection of European white wines available by the glass or bottle. A notable white wine variety available at Casa de Raku is Txakoli, a slightly sparkling, very dry white wine produced in the Spanish Basque County.
- Vino Tinto: Casa de Raku offers a variety of red wines including Riojas, indigenous Spanish wine varietal, as well as limited edition Cabernets from Napa Valley.
Tapas: Casa de Raku offers a selection of pintxos, charcuteries, salads, seafood, and meat dishes.
Menu highlights include:
- Jamón Iberico: One of the most celebrated Spanish food products, Casa de Raku serves 5-Year-Aged, 100% Bellota Jamon Iberico, sliced from the bone per-order.
- Iberico Katsu: A unique twist on a classic Spanish ingredient, this dish showcases premium Iberico ham with a classic Japanese preparation.
- Croquetas: A quintessential Spanish dish, Casa de Raku’s take on croquetas are made by combining potato puree, French cream, and premium imported sliced meats, all breaded in panko breadcrumbs and fried.
- Pulpos: Flambeed octopus prepared with a white wine garlic sauce and fried brussel sprouts.
Desserts: Sweets are an important part of Spanish culture and cuisine. Paying homage to classic Spanish desserts, Casa de Raku’s desserts are the perfect end of meal treat, crafted to satisfy any sweet tooth.
Dessert highlights include:
- Basque-Style Cheesecake: Inspired by San Sebastian’s burnt Basque cheesecake, this dessert is light and creamy with a strong cheese flavor paired with an almond and walnut crust and served with grated Manchego cheese and raspberry jam.
- Churros: One of the most beloved Spanish pastries, Casa de Raku’s baked churros are dusted with sugar and served with freshly melted chocolate sauce.
Casa de Raku is open Tuesday – Saturday from 6 p.m. – 2 a.m., with last call at 1:30 a.m. Casa de Raku is located in Chinatown at 5040 W Spring Mountain Rd Suite #3, Las Vegas, NV 89146. For more information, view Casa de Raku on Instagram.
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About Chef Mitsuo Endo:
Chef Mitsuo Endo, owner and founder of the Raku restaurant group, has garnered critical and popular acclaim for his commitment to traditional Kaiseki cuisine and integration of top-quality Japanese and Western ingredients. Born and raised in Tokyo, Endo became an apprentice chef at 18, working at prestigious Kaiseki restaurants across the city. After 12 years working as a chef in Japan, Endo decided to move to the United States to chase his dream of becoming a restaurateur in America. Moving to Seattle in 2001, Endo became head chef and opened his first restaurant. Desiring to be continually challenged, Endo moved to New York the following year and met his mentor Koji Imani. The pair joined forces for the opening of MEGU Tribeca and Midtown, where Endo was the executive chef for five years. With nearly 20 years of experience in the restaurant industry, Endo moved to Las Vegas where he opened his own restaurant, Aburiya Raku. Since opening in 2008, Aburiya Raku has been nominated for awards such as James Beard Award Best New Restaurant (2009), James Beard Award Best Chef Southwest (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015), and more. For additional information, visit raku-grill.com or follow Aburiya Raku on Instagram.