Chef Joe Elevado’s Social House, originally at Treasure Island, has been re-opened inside Crystals at City Center for some months now, though it’s been somewhat under the radar since, and I’ve been tardy in having a proper meal there myself.

It was my loss: Social House is easily the strongest culinary destination in Crystals, and even though Elevado has moved on, (to LA’s L’Ermitage), it remains one of the Strip’s most creatively approachable, ingredient-driven Japanese restaurants. No, it does not necessarily compete with the most adventuresome Japanese eateries in town, such as Spring Mountain’s Iburiya Raku and Ichiza, but this is a more relaxed, lavish, internationally-appealing experience, with strong quality and technique. The kitchen understands how to balance salty, sweet, sour and bitter with crispy, crunchy and soft textures for mouth-pleasing bites. That talent is all too rare.

The Socialite: Captain Morgan and Brazilian passionfruit

The menu is broad and full of temptations, some pricier than others: Those with a sense of adventure and time to linger might best opt for the Chef’s Omakase (a $95 prix fixe) which is sure to satisfy.

I may be in the minority here, but I actually prefer this version to the original at TI. While that location (currently functioning as Khotan, but closing soon to be replaced by, um, Senor Frogs) was a string of design-forward curiosities, this is a more functionable, dramatic space with some semi-private booths and a smart bar in front. It works.

Here’s what I enjoyed:

Ebi (sweet shrimp) with micro greens, chili oil, soy salt

A sampling of (from left) raw hamachi w/crispy jalapeno, garlic dust, tiny cilantro, calamansi soy; raw salmon w/wasabi crème fraiche, lemon soy, crispy shallot; and a seared maguro special w/crispy shallots, micro celery, sweet chili sauce, negi oil

Big eye Toro tartar with micro amaranth, on an arare rice cracker in spicy miso

Buttery, crisp Fish & chips (come with a caper dynamite sauce)

Ridiculously tender and tasty BBQ pork tocino glazed ribs with pickled beets

Lemon peel miso cod in bibb lettuce wraps with filo dough nests

Decadently rich, creamy, tender, spicy lobster dynamite special

For dessert, we also enjoyed a cinnamon cake with sambal foam, and coconut donuts.

Other items on the Social House menu blend Asian inspirations more overtly: kalbi beef sushi rolls, kurobuta pork larb, chicken confit… Lunch offerings include ramen, chicken adobo and even a version of Hawaiian loco moco. In addition to a full bar, Social House also has an interesting siphon coffee program, with a  variety of single-origin beans.

Social House

Crystals, City Center
3720 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, NV
(702) 736-1122