3 Best Restaurants in Summerlin and Red Rock Canyon, Las Vegas

Anima means “soul,” and the unique fusion of Italian and Spanish cuisine found at this upscale eatery certainly has it. The boldness of the menu is mirrored by the eye-popping octopus mural that adorns a dining room wall and a charcuterie bar positioned in the front of the house. In the The Gramercy apartment complex, Anima is the latest creation from the team behind the acclaimed EDO Gastro Tapas & Wine in Chinatown, and some favorites originating there can be found at Anima, including the "Bikini" (a pressed ham and cheese sandwich). Entrees include vegan mushroom risotto as well as the the must-try braised short ribs, served with semolina gnocchi, maitake mushrooms, and black pepper sauce. There’s also a spirited selection of spirits, from a deep wine list with an emphasis on Italian and Spanish offerings to an extensive array of amaro varieties to try.

Every day is Día de los Muertos at this chic, skull-festooned cantina in Tivoli Village, where a pair of brightly colored calacas guard the entryway. Once inside, prepare to encounter a different kind of spirit: namely, a vast selection of tequila, with more than 100 varieties available in this eye-popping, high-end Mexican eatery. The menu is as inviting as the rose-covered walls, ranging from gourmet filet mignon tacos to lobster fajitas to signatures like their cedar chipotle salmon. Brunch is served all day, with bottomless bloody Marys and mimosas available to properly lubricate the festivities. The focus here is on using organic and non-GMO ingredients made fresh daily, meaning there's not a microwave in the house.

Once you get past the bland office-park setting, you'll find that this sumptuously decorated spot near Red Rock Resort has plenty to recommend in the way of contemporary Mediterranean fare. A Spanish- and Italian-influenced menu is enhanced by a large selection of wines by the glass. Start with one of the wood-fired flatbreads, or an item such as pan-seared crab cakes with tarragon cream and roasted peppers. From here the menu branches out to sandwiches, pastas, meat, and seafood. A highlight is the bouillabaisse with mussels, clams, red snapper, shrimp, scallops, and calamari. As the restaurant's name suggests, there's an impressive wine list here—and wonderful cheeses and charcuterie. At midday, look for the power-lunchers who escape the beaten path. On nice evenings, ask for a table on the outdoor patio, where the view is better than you might expect.