Match features menu mix of East and West
International appetites have met their match in Silverado Ranch. Match Cosmopolitan Tapas, which opened in March at 1263 E. Silverado Ranch Blvd., Suite 106, cherry-picks dishes from Spain, Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Singapore, China, Thailand, Mongolia, Belgium, Russia and the United States.
The idea began as a playful argument between co-owners Gregory Arianoff (former managing partner of the Palazzo's Morels French Steakhouse) and chef Chen-yu "Randy" Liu (Dragon Noodle) about their native fares. (Arianoff grew up in Spain, Liu in Korea and Taiwan.)
"He was always teasing me: 'We eat this over there,' " Arianoff says. "And I would answer, 'So what, we do the same in Spain.' "
Quickly, the similarities revealed themselves.
"A lot of the items are the same," Arianoff says. "The sauces are what make it different."
Indeed, Match dresses many of the same basics -- shrimp and pork, for example -- in Spanish and Asian sauces.
East also matches West when it comes to portion size.
"In Asia, they also eat a lot of small plates," Arianoff notes, "and that's what tapas are."
The idea to open a restaurant was sparked by their late hours.
"On this side of town, there was nowhere to stop," Arianoff says. "And a lot of us who work on the Strip, in the industry, are foodies who like to eat many different things when we get off work." (Match is open 5 p.m.-2 a.m. Mondays-Saturdays.)
Unlike some other fusion restaurants, no fusing occurs on the plate level.
"On our menu, each item states the country it's from," Arianoff says. "We like to keep things separate."
The restaurant, which features dark wood decor, seats 108 in the shadows of a 22-foot-long Korean boat, a remnant of a previous tenant that hides the ventilation system. A communal grill occupies the center of every table, for those who want to play Korean barbecue chef.
No reservations are needed.
Starters: Dragon balls, $4.50; vivaneau red snapper sashimi, $6; sea rib-eye, $5
Soups: Shabu shabu, $12-$22; sukiyaki, $13
Entrees: Steak frites, $18; pineapple fried rice, $13; kimchi fried rice, $9
Desserts: Malasadas, $3; frozen coconut, $5.50; chocolate fondue, $11
Information: 629-4444
By COREY LEVITAN
