Funny you should mention Makino.
My pal Rick and his wife just met wife & myself at the Woodfield Todai in prep for our Vegas trip next weekend. Had a fine lunch, which at $16 is a slam dunk for value. We've always enjoyed Todai and make it a point to time-wise do lunch as soon as they open, most likely ensuring the freshest they have to offer. They even had a few hand rolls available.
But we were discussing Vegas restaurants to return to, or to try, and the Decatur Ave. Makino was definitely on the list, because we decided it's a lot more inventive, and quite a bit fresher than Todai.
In memoriam of the rapidly-disappearing Old Vegas, we're dining one night at Battista's Hole-In-The-Wall. Probably a gem back in the 1960's, it's a little tired now and so is Gordy the accordion player, but rumor has it that Harrah's has bought the whole works back there behind the Barbary Coast, so this might be our last visit there. C'est la vie.
Vital Info gave such a great description of Olives at The Bellagio that we're doing lunch on Friday, and we'll be doing a birthday dinner for the wife downtown at Hugo's Cellar at the 4 Queens, just a fine establishment that hasn't lost its sheen even though it's a bit forgotten.
Hopefully pics and reviews to follow.