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Las Vegas is one of America's hottest restaurant markets. Nearly every big Strip property has at least one and often two or more celebrity-chef restaurants. Away from the Strip, the unprecedented population growth in the city's suburbs has brought with it a separate and continuous wave of new eateries, both familiar chains and increasing numbers of legitimate destination restaurants.
Casino-resort dining basically falls into one of three categories. In the top echelon are the properties that have a half dozen or more bona fide star-status restaurants: Aria, Bellagio, Caesars, The Cosmopolitan, Mandalay Bay, MGM Grand, Venetian/Palazzo, and Wynn/Encore. At the next level are those resorts with one or two stellar restaurants and a smaller range of worthwhile but not quite top-of-the-line options. On the Strip, these include The Cromwell, Mandarin Oriental, Mirage, Monte Carlo, New York–New York, Paris, Planet Hollywood, SLS Las Vegas, and Treasure Island. Off the Strip, you can add the Lucky Dragon, Palms, the Hard Rock, M Resort, The Rio All-Suite Hotel, Green Valley Ranch, the JW Marriott, and Red Rock Resort. Then there's everybody else: casino-resorts with maybe a decent eatery or two but that simply aren't known for great food.
Downtown Las Vegas has seen a big revitalization in the past several years, and that extends to restaurants. Although Downtown still lacks a destination restaurant, notable spots are Carson Kitchen, Therapy, Turmeric, Le Thai, and La Comida in Fremont East; and Pizza Rock and the older Triple George Grill in the Downtown 3rd District. There also are a number of good restaurants in the Downtown Container Park.
Outside the tourism corridor, Las Vegas has a number of marquee restaurants with increasing cachet among foodies from out of town—places such as Todd’s Unique Dining, Marché Bacchus, Nora's Italian Cuisine, and Lotus of Siam. There's great food to be had off the beaten path in Las Vegas, and you'll pay a lot less in these areas, too.
If you haven't been to Vegas in a few years, you'll notice some major changes. Names like Wolfgang Puck, Michael Mina, and Emeril Lagasse still have plenty of pull in this town, but the Vegas chefs commanding the most attention are French imports such as Pierre Gagnaire, Joël Robuchon, and Guy Savoy, along with vaunted U.S. chefs like Giada De Laurentiis, Charlie Palmer, and Mario Batali.
There's also a trend toward high-minded restaurants with exclusive-nightclub vibes. Note the success of see-and-be-seen Pan-Asian hot spot Hakkasan and Tao Asian Bistro & Nightclub, the youthful late-night haunts LAVO and FIX, and bordello-chic establishments such as Strip House—to name just a few. Elsewhere in town, Las Vegas's growing international—and especially Asian—population has created a market for some of the best Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, and Pan-Asian restaurants in the country.
The soul in the belly here comes courtesy of James Beard–nominated chef Bruce Kalman, who might be recognizable on sight to viewers of foodie faves Top Chef, Chopped, and Beat Bobby Flay. Bringing the barbecue flavors of central Texas to Vegas, this atmospheric venue adds cocktails, local beers, and live entertainment to the mix to turn what might have been just a barbecue dinner into a barbecue experience and a night on the (Down)town.
After more than 25 years at The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace—where it launched Las Vegas's enduring romance with celebrity chefs—Spago moved to Bellagio, in a spot overlooking the famous Fountains of Bellagio. The menu's still vintage Wolfgang Puck, of course, which means his signature pizzas, house-made pastas, and entrées with produce fresh from the market. Brunch is served on Friday and Saturday.
Isolated from the busier parts of Wynn, this bright, airy breakfast-and-brunch restaurant overlooks a serene pool and well-manicured garden off the gleaming Tower Suites lobby. For something lighter, try the steel-cut Irish oatmeal with golden raisins and almond milk, or sliced fruit with Greek yogurt. Or indulge in the short rib Benedict, French toast with apples and cream cheese mousse, or caramelized gnocchi with butternut squash. And be a sport: order the warm beignets with creme Anglaise for the table.
If the weather's fine, decamp to the Veranda's poolside terrace for breakfast, lunch, or weekend brunch, or stay indoors, where the feeling is airy and light. The Four Seasons is probably the only place you'll find eggs cocotte on the breakfast menu, or you can go luxe with eggs and caviar or more plebian with good ol' bacon and eggs. There's a brunch buffet from 8 to 1 on weekends. For lunch, consider a bluefin tuna Nicoise salad, or mushroom ravioli with cheese fondue.
This popular Southern California restaurant, wine bar, and retail store has a sprawling two-story presence in The District at Resorts World. At dinner, expect dishes finished with truffles from wherever in the world they’re in season, such as truffle Bolognese; baked brie with truffle honey, truffle butter, and shaved truffles; truffle gnocchi; or truffle pizza. Alternatively, choose from among the steaks or be tempted by grilled halibut or pork belly. From the all-day menu, choose a cheese or charcuterie plate from nearly two dozen selections. Try the wood-oven-roasted French toast with lemon whipped ricotta and caramelized peaches at brunch from 8 am to 3 pm daily. The shop carries 8,000 wine labels, plus spirits, beer, and food items from all over the world for taking along or consuming on-site.
Unlike other buffets, which serve all of their items in large buffet pans, many of the foods here are presented as individual portions—an improvement on a number of levels. Wicked Spoon quickly became a cult favorite for desserts including gelato and homemade macarons, and dishes such as "angry mac 'n' cheese" (traditional mac and cheese with a touch of spice). There's continuous service from breakfast to lunch daily. There's also a bottomless-beverage option. The decor and music selection are modern and fun.
While the specialty here is fried chicken, if you are going here expecting a down-and-diner experience, you'll be disappointed; this is Southern, high-cotton style, though with a healthy sense of humor. The atmosphere is country-esque—rustic wood and brick with chicken-wire windows. At lunch you'll find choices such as the "YB Nashville Hot Sandwich," with Carolina reaper rub and spicy slaw, while the dinner menu tempts with "Baker's Bacon Bouquet" (chicken with spiced watermelon and a sharp cheddar waffle), or a bourbon-glazed short rib. Finish with a fried Oreo sundae or Key lime pie. At brunch from 9 am to 4 pm on weekends, try braised short rib huevos rancheros, or a fried green tomato BLT stack.
Frequented by local professionals and ladies-who-lunch, this spacious suburban spot serves farm-to-table–inspired dishes. Expect to see a lot of free-range poultry, whole grains, and seasonal produce on your plate. Chic, rustic decor—soft hues, reclaimed wood, and antique mirrors—lends a casual airiness to the dining room and conveys sophistication, despite its gingham-clad waitstaff. Appetizers, sides, and salads are stars here: "My Wife's Favorite Salad" combines locally sourced greens with duck confit, pine nuts, and pomegranate, crowned with a sunny-side-up egg, if you wish. In addition to caramelized sea scallops, charred filet mignon, and Nana's Chicken Curry, there are several offerings for the lighter appetite (and budget). Indulge in the Brown Bag Baked Apple Pie for dessert. A happy hour menu available from 3 to 6 pm bridges the gap between lunch and dinner.
