Sit at the bar at Other Mama and you’ll understand how passionate the folks are who run this newly opened restaurant in Spring Valley. You won’t meet a friendlier group willing to tell their story. Led by Dan Krohmer, a chef who trained under Morimoto, worked for Michelin-starred chef Omae, and celebrities such as Taylor Swift and Metallica, their team is producing Strip-quality food and cocktails for off-Strip prices without cutting corners.
Advertised as a raw bar, you’ll find, among other things, oysters with impeccable scratch-made sauces and an amberjack crudo topped with a ponzu salsa. Bright, silky, and moderately spiced tuna make up a wonderful tartare that’s accompanied by some of the lightest and crispiest waffle fries around. For a lighter take on tuna, the big eye poke with roasted beets and avocados provides a sweeter, soy-based profile. Those wanting to challenge their taste buds will appreciate the two types of ceviches on the menu. The lighter one using white fish and habaneros provides a spicy finish, while the mixed seafood ceviche with octopus and shrimp will punish your palate from the first bite.
If you’re a fan of chicken wings, their spicy yuzu wings will blow you away. A light, crispy southern fried exterior is a great contrast to the succulent meat underneath and each bite finishes with a restrained amount of heat. Always a sucker for pork, the pork belly kimchi fried rice was calling my name. Arriving piping hot, the bowl is full of large chunks of savory meat, spicy kimchi, rice and a fried egg topping it all. The priciest dish on the menu, at $23, is tender, grilled prime ribeye, sliced and topped with a rich, buttery miso Hollandaise with a side of waffle fries.
Even sorbets are made in house, with flavors changing regularly. Their strawberry red wine sorbet was a silky, sweet way to end a great meal. For a more substantial sweet dish, their chocolate pot de creme proved to be a smooth, light and airy dessert sweet enough to satisfy chocolate lovers without weighing you down too much. The addition of orange zest on top was a nice contrast.
Other Mama’s cocktails are equally as good. Their mixologist, David English, a Florida transplant, is doing some cool stuff with house-made ingredients such as bacon infused whiskey. The rest of their cocktail menu will have you racing to Google ingredients before ordering. If you’re like me you’ll have no idea what elderflower, pyrat, or all spice dram is. Good luck finding a better mixology program off the Strip.
Calling restaurants “chef-driven” has become a cliche, but here it’s the real deal. Other Mama is doing things the right way. Located in the same plaza as Zaytoon (a place I frequent regularly), this strip mall might turn into my home away from home.
5 Stars
3655 S Durango
Las Vegas, NV 89147
(702) 463-8382
