Eat Well and Help Others at Nick Haque's Koi

If you're visiting Las Vegas and in the mood for sushi, why not eat at a restaurant where you will not only be able to enjoy delicious food, but donate to a great cause while doing so! Koi is a gorgeous restaurant located above the Planet Hollywood. After an exhausting day of site seeing and gambling, Koi is the perfect place to relax and decompress. Its zen atmosphere will be a welcome retreat from the wild and crazy Vegas surroundings. Koi's food is fabulous, which is why Koi is a hot spot in Las Vegas, New York, Los Angeles, and Bangkok.

One of the amazing things about Koi is its attitude towards helping those in need. After the tsunami in Japan, Koi raised over $22,000 for the victims. Now Koi is helping another great cause, the victims of the famine in Africa due to the recent drought. Half of the money from two menu items will go to the cause. These items are the Edamame Dumplings and Just a Little Shot. The money raised from these items will go towards the U.N. World Food Program’s relief efforts through the ‘Just A Little’ foundation. While you are enjoying the excess of Vegas, you don't have to feel guilty because you will know that you are also helping out those in need!

Black Book Nick Haque

Recently, Black Book featured an article on Nick Haque as an industry insider in the restaurant business. Nick Haque is a good choice for featuring an article on about the restaurant business because he is a successful restaurateur who has opened several extremely popular restaurants. These restaurants are the Koi restaurants which serve Japanese Fusion food. Nick Haque focused on several specific areas when opening these restaurants. By creating an enjoyable design concept, inviting atmosphere, and of course delicious food Nick Haque was able to build successful restaurants. These restaurants are loved by many from everyday people to well known celebrities. The original Koi restaurant was opened in Los Angeles on La Cienega in 2002. Since then Nick Haque has opened more locations in Bangkok, Las Vegas and New York. He also plans on expanding the Koi empire by opening even more locations. Some of the areas he hopes to open more restaurants in are Dubai, Miami and Washington DC.

Faith Hill and Tim McGraw Dined at Nick Haque Koi

Country stars Tim McGraw and wife Faith Hill were recently spotted dining at Nick Haque Koi with their family. These two singers are not the only celebrities to be spotted at Koi. Stars are constantly being spotted at the West Hollywood location of this delicious restaurant. For anyone hoping to see a celebrity in Los Angeles, once again this proves that Koi is a hot spot for siting the rich and famous. This is why you will often see a row of paparazzi camped out outside Koi restaurant ready to flash their cameras away at celebrities leaving the restaurant. Koi became extremely popular with celebrities due to its unique and creative Japanese fusion menu, its calm and inviting zen inspired decor, and its welcoming and outstanding staff. Koi makes all of its customers feel like celebrities. The restaurant is extremely popular and trendy and a place to be seen. The crave worthy items on the menu are what keep people coming back again and again. It is no surprise that customers crave the spicy tuna with crispy rice, and albacore with crispy onions, and the baked crab handroll among other dishes. Koi is a complete experience from the food to the ambiance.

Flower Inspired Drinks at Nick Haque Koi

There are many delicious ingredients that go into various drinks at Nick Haque Koi. From chocolate to fruit to wasabi, Koi's bartenders are very creative in the combination and presentation with their drinks. There is a new trend in New York when it comes to drinks. Not only are flowers popping up outside, but they are also showing up in the cocktails of New York bars. Did you know some flowers are edible? If you are wondering which flowers fall into this category check out the following choices: Elderflower and Violet, Lavender, and Hibiscus. These are just some of the popular choices for flower inspired beverages. Of course, for those who prefer a more traditional alcoholic beverage those options are available at Koi too. Just tell the bartender what you like and he will probably be able to make it for you. One of the bartenders at Koi, Ben Waclaw spoke to the New York Post about the recent flower craze. He said that it is common to have different types of herbs on the menus at restaurants. However, he elaborated that it is the floral additions that get people talking.

Esquire Hostess of the Week is Koi's Carolina Kreckler

We knew that staff at Koi was excellent, but now Esquire Magazine has named Koi's Carolina Kreckler as the hostess of the week. The lovely hostess has a killer smile and knows it. She admits, "I kill people with my smile." If you are wondering where her accent is from she tells Esquire an easy way to remember both her name and where she is from (since it kind of rhymes). "Carolina from Argentina" Carolina wanted to work in the restaurant business and after moving back to Argentina for a year to study and discover herself, she came back to Los Angeles. Nick Haque Koi was a great choice for Carolina because she loved sushi, "I tried sashimi, I thought it was butter melting in my mouth. So delicious." Carolina has seen it all working at Koi and admits that she has noticed some of the popular LA stereotypes turning up at Koi. For instance she says that everyone is "superficial." She also shares some funny story about some of the customers that dine at Koi which demonstrate her theory about people in LA being superficial. One of the stories is about female customers going into the restroom and asking the bathroom attendant if they are too skinny. This validates Carolina's idea about LA customers being superficial because it shows how image obsessed some of the customers are. Good thing Koi offers the Skinny Menu!

The Citrus Slim-Tini from Nick Haque's Koi

Now you can make a delicious beverage just like one of the beverages at Nick Haque Koi. The Citrus Slim-Tini is both refreshing a low calorie. With only 144 calories there is nothing to feel guilty about. If you are throwing a summer party, this is a perfect crowd pleaser. We are happy to share a Koi recipe secret with you, thanks to Redbook who divulged this Koi recipe.


Citrus Slim-Tini:
2 oz Junmai sake
2 oz Blood Orange Hibiscus Tavlon Tea
½ oz agave nectar
1 piece fresh ginger
1 lemon wedge

Instructions: Add all ingredients to shaker with ice. Shake, then strain into martini glass. Garnish with a lemon wedge.

Craving Koi's Skinny Menu

Koi's new “Skinny Menu” is the perfect solution for anyone who is on a diet, but does not want to sacrifice the fun of dining out. Those counting calories will be very happy to learn that the items on the new Koi Skinny Menu are all under 300 calories. In addition, to entree options, this menu also offers dessert and drink items. This allows diners to experience a full meal while keeping the calories on the lighter side. Nick Haque understands his clientele and as a result he brings them the menu items that fit their lifestyle. In Los Angeles, many people's careers are focused around their image. As a result it is important to eat healthy and stay in shape. It is no surprise that celebrities would keep returning to Koi since it offers low calorie, yet delicious menu items. Some items include wonderfully prepared Chilean Seabass, Tuna and Tofu Caprese, and the Chicken Lettuce Handroll.