DINING
SLS Las Vegas, 702-761-7610; slslasvegas.com
ANDIAMO ITALIAN STEAKHOUSE
Joseph Vicari’s acclaimed Detroit-area Andiamo Steakhouse, based on buying meats from the nation’s top providers— think Pat Lafrieda and Strauss—is an old-school steakhouse treasure hidden on the second floor of downtown’s D Hotel. The tableside Caesar salad is worth the trip alone, as are handmade pastas, though carnivores shouldn’t miss the 32-ounce ribeye. The D Las Vegas, 702-388-2460; thed.com
ANDIRON STEAK & SEA
High, whitewashed ceilings and a relaxed atmosphere recall Hamptons dining at Elizabeth Blau and chef Kim Canteenwalla’s relaxed, modern Summerlin steakhouse. It’s all about elevated simplicity, with steaks charred over an apricot wood-burning grill, whole branzino, and seasonal specials. Don’t miss witty starters like Nueske bacon-wrapped matzo balls or the crispy/gooey mac and cheese waffle. INSIDER TIP: “Local Love Tuesdays” mean $1 oysters, plus $5 martinis all night in the bar and on the patio. 1720 Festival Plaza Dr., Summerlin, 702-6858002; andironsteak.com
BARDOT BRASSERIE
Gold lettering stenciled on the windows, Laguiole cutlery, and a central zinc bar emphasizes the standalone quality of Michael Mina’s elevated French classic in Aria, where classics like onion soup are elevated with aged Gruyere and Perigord truffles in one of the most romantic and transporting dining rooms in town. INSIDER TIP: Simple roasted chicken? Mina treats his all-natural Hudson Valley heirloom birds like Peking duck—brined, blanched, and hung to dry before being roasted with artisanal soy and Vin Jaune from France’s Jura region. Aria, 877-2302742; aria.com
BAZAAR MEAT
José Andrés’s elegant nod to carnivores is, as you might expect, all about the meat, with dishes like wild boar sausage and even an entire 10-pound suckling pig on the menu. INSIDER TIP: Though diners can be daunted by the carnivorous menu, the restaurant’s new Bar Centro menu, offered nightly beginning at 5 pm, provides an intro via smaller bites like gazpacho shots, beef tartare sliders, and a smaller bite of that suckling pig (in a sandwich).
BOTTIGLIA ENOTECA
Rustic Tuscan flavors combine with fresh California produce in an airy dining room in Green Valley Ranch, with highlights like Mediterranean branzino and wild mushroom risotto, and modern sides like roasted spaghetti squash. INSIDER TIP: Sunday brunch debuted this past fall: Look for prosciutto and eggs Benedict, bourbon maple syrup-drenched French toast, and sangrias, mimosas, and bellinis. Green Valley Ranch, 702-617-7075; bottiglialv.com
BOUCHON BISTRO
This airy Thomas Keller bistro is hidden away on the 10th floor of the Venezia Tower of Venetian, looking out onto fountains and gardens. In good weather, take breakfast on the patio; it starts with a basket of faultlessly flaky French pastries. (Don’t miss the giant, gooey pecan sticky bun.) Venetian, 702-414-6200; venetian.com
BUDDY V’S
Lines for “Cake Boss” Buddy Valastro’s Carlo’s Bakery wound through the Venetian when it opened, and his family-style Italian place across the corridor gets the same kind of attention. Don’t miss favorites include Jersey City- style fried mozzarella named for his Aunt Nina, his grandmother’s meatballs, and “My Wife’s Eggplant Parm.” Head to Carlo’s Bakery for an after-dinner cannoli. Grand Canal Shoppes at Venetian and Palazzo, 702-607-2355; buddyvlasvegas.com
CARBONE
When Major Food Group launched Carbone in New York’s Greenwich Village, they envisioned a high-end red sauce restaurant that celebrates the distinct interpretations of Italian food from the boroughs. It was only natural to bring the concept to Vegas—and, of course, quadruple the space. Don’t miss the tableside Caesar salad and the immense veal parmigiana, divided into four sections by your Zac Posen tuxedo-clad waiter in the stylish, theater-inspired room in Aria. Aria, 702-590-2663; aria.com
CARNEVINO ITALIAN STEAKHOUSE
The meaty menu brings Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich’s signature Italian style to a well-edited pre-theater menu. Don’t miss the simply grilled tagliata di manzo with arugula, meaty homemade tagliatelle Bolognese, and pear budino with whiskey butterscotch (or in warmer weather, the semifreddo). If you’re in for regular dinner service, the reserva steak, aged locally for six to eight months—and with sauces such as truffle vinaigrette and Barolo ristretto—is the must-order. Grand Canal Shoppes at Venetian and Palazzo, 702-789-4141; carnevino.com
CHART HOUSE
The many locations of Chart House across the country celebrate exceptional seafood and steaks, but the newest location—in Golden Nugget—dazzles with a 75,000-gallon tropical fish aquarium. INSIDER TIP: Go for lunch and ask for a seat behind the aquarium for one of Las Vegas’s best, and most discreet, power lunches. Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino, 702-3868364; chart-house.com
COSTA DI MARE
Chef Mark Lorusso flies in exquisite seafood and exotic shellfish from Italy daily at this Wynn favorite whose
emphasis is on seasonal and rare catches. INSIDER TIP: Look for rarities like moleche (Venetian soft shell crab) in fall and spring; centrolofo (imperial blackfish) in summer; and its legendary live langoustines, whose source only ships to a dozen restaurants in the world. Wynn Las Vegas, 702-770-3305; wynnlasvegas.com
DELMONICO STEAKHOUSE
Star chef Emeril Lagasse puts a Creole spin on the steakhouse, a modernized take on his own Delmonico in New Orleans, a century-old restaurant that Lagasse purchased and renovated 20 years ago. Cuts like the bone-in rib eye, Japanese Wagyu and even a Chateaubriand carved tableside for two are superlative, but don’t miss Lagasse’s classic barbecue shrimp. The wine selection tops 2,300 bottles. Grand Canal Shoppes at Venetian and Palazzo, 702-414-3737; venetian.com
EIFFEL TOWER RESTAURANT
Directly facing Bellagio’s fountains, the intimate Eiffel Tower offers one of the most romantic views in Vegas and traditional French fine dining. INSIDER TIP: Call far in advance and ask for table 56 (aka “the proposal table”), the corner table whose two seats both face the fountains, and order the famous soufflé right when you arrive so it will be ready by dessert. Paris Las Vegas, 702-9486937; parislasvegas.com
ESTIATORIO MILOS
The sunlit fine-dining Greek restaurant in Cosmopolitan (an offshoot of its original New York City location) allows diners to pick from piles of fish and live lobsters hauled in from Mediterranean waters. Simply grilled or baked in salt crusts, the seafood is the star, and don’t miss the Milos Special: paper-thin fried chips of zucchini and eggplant in a mound of thick tzatziki. INSIDER TIP: The three-course lunch menu for $29, not at all downsized, is the best lunch deal in town. Cosmopolitan, 702-6987930; cosmopolitanlasvegas.com
GORDON RAMSAY FISH & CHIPS
Batter up! Fried Brit fare never tasted so good, from the fresh cod filets to sausage and “dirty” chips, to bangers and mash at Ramsay’s traditional takeaway-style “chippy.” The Linq, 702-322-0529; thelinq.com
HERRINGBONE
Star chef Brian Malarkey’s beach-chic fish restaurant with La Jolla roots takes the relaxed ocean-to-table concept to a new level with beachy décor and live music on a patio overlooking Aria’s pool. Big group? Order a “yacht” of a dozen oysters, Alaskan king crab, Maine lobsters, and jumbo shrimp. Aria, 702-590-9898; aria.com
JOËL ROBUCHON
At this mecca of haute cuisine, gourmands start with Dungeness crab, lobster gelee, and fennel cream topped with osetra caviar—which reveals why this is the sole Michelin three-star in Vegas. Enjoy the 16-course tasting that follows from a private booth or the Garden Terrace. MGM Grand, 702-891-7925; mgmgrand.com
LAGO BY JULIAN SERRANO
This contemporary Italian restaurant features a crisp white design by Munge Leung that celebrates early 20th-century Italian Futurism. Tables on the patio sit nearly right atop Bellagio’s fountains for Michelin-starred chef Julian Serrano’s tapas-style, Mediterranean-inflected dishes such as an exceptional red wine risotto, simply grilled langoustines, and crudo with blood orange. INSIDER TIP: Call ahead and ask for table 80, closest to the fountains. Bellagio, 702-6938865; bellagio.com
LAKESIDE
While the aptly named restaurant at Wynn—which sits right on the surreal Lake of Dreams—has always had a terrific seafood program, chef David Walzog’s relationship with family fishermen in Hana, Hawaii now yields tons of snapper, monchong, shutome, mahi mahi, and ono, flown straight from the Pacific and sometimes served the day after they’re caught. Try a flight of the dayboat fish simply prepared with fennel and citrus, picked vegetables, and ponzu broth. Wynn Las Vegas, 702-770-3310; wynnlasvegas.com
LAVO
Find unpretentious Italian standards at Lavo, famous for its bottomless brunch and dishes like lobster eggs Benedict. Now a hybrid private-gaming room and sexy Italian lounge with bottle service, its weekend Casino Club will serve food and beverages via a butler-steered cart right to your reserved gaming table. Grand Canal Shoppes at Venetian and Palazzo, 702-791-1800; venetian.com
LE CIRQUE
This opulent, Adam Tihany-designed French restaurant is as impeccable as when it first opened more than 15 years ago—modeled, of course, on Sirio Maccioni’s New York landmark. For the full experience, order the 10-course Prestige menu, saving room for the theatrical “boule au chocolat.” Bellagio, 702-693-8100; bellagio.com
LIBERTINE SOCIAL
This bar-meets-kitchen-meets-hangout space offers specialties from chef Shawn Mcclain like his Modern Fried Egg, cooked sous vide with sweet corn custard and topped with American sturgeon caviar, served in its own shell. Also don’t miss the barrel-aged and draft cocktails, and history-inspired punches. Mandalay Bay, 877-632-7800; mandalaybay.com
MIZUMI
In the United States, only three licenses have been granted by the Kobe Beef Federation, of which Wynn holds one. At Mizumi, the teppan and sushi restaurant with its own waterfall and private floating outdoor pagoda table, chef Devon Hashimoto does one better, serving Hokkaido Snow Beef (even rarer than Kobe), produced by just one farmer on the snowy northern Japanese island of Hokkaido. Wynn Las Vegas, 702-770-3320; wynnlasvegas.com
MORIMOTO LAS VEGAS
Masahuru Morimoto’s long-awaited Vegas outpost swankily serves up the original Iron Chef’s famous teppanyaki, wagyu beef sukiyaki, soups, pork belly, and some Vegas exclusives in a sleek, Yabu Pushelberg-designed room. MGM Grand, 702-891-3001; mgmgrand.com
NOBU
Nobu Matsuhisa’s Caesars Palace restaurant—which anchors his own hotel tower—was the first Nobu in the US to offer teppanyaki, as well as signature dishes like that famous black cod miso, and squid “pasta” in the dining room David Rockwell designed to feel as if you’re dining inside a Japanese ikebana basket. (Look for the “tea whisk” light fixtures.) Caesars Palace, 702-7856628; caesars.com
OTHER MAMA
Chef/owner Dan Krohmer, who has worked with Masaharu Morimoto and toured as a chef for rock stars (T-swift! Jayz!), combines a casual aesthetic with spot-on, pristine oysters and sashimi served with innovative cocktails. Hidden in a westside strip mall, its only marketing done through word-ofmouth, it’s become a favorite destination of gourmands and off-the-clock chefs. INSIDER TIP: Krohmer recently expanded his menu of sustainable seafood, adding grilled Spanish octopus, oyster sliders, and pan-roasted skate, among others. 3655 S. Durango Blvd., 702-463-8382; othermamalv.com
RAKU
This Japanese grill specializing in robata and oden cooking, which has also been nominated for a number of James Beard awards, is well-known to gourmands and chefs as one of the best Japanese restaurants in the country. It stays open late to accommodate chef fans such as Guy Savoy and Mario Batali, who eat here after service. INSIDER TIP: Call three days ahead to reserve chef Mitsuo Endo’s 10- or 15-course kaiseki tasting menu. 5030 W. Spring Mountain Road, 702-3673511; raku-grill.com
RESTAURANT GUY SAVOY
Chef Guy Savoy attracts serious gourmands with his traditional nine-course menu and his playful, 13-course Innovation menu of fanciful creations like spot prawns in a “sweet and sour fishnet” of mesh-cut daikon radishes. INSIDER TIP: Savoy’s new Caviar Room gives guests a taste of legendary dishes like his Colors of Caviar, paired with Krug or Belvedere martinis without booking an entire evening’s experience. Caesars Palace, 702-731-7286; caesars.com
RIVEA
Not-to-miss items at Rivea include tangy Provençal caponata and a lobster and purple artichoke salad whose vibrancy only rivals the view to the west from its perch on the 64th floor, with an unparalleled view of both mountains and Strip. Don’t miss the crispy socca (the chickpea street food from the South of France) for a feeling of endless Riviera summer. Delano Las Vegas, 702-632-7888; delanolasvegas.com
RX BOILER ROOM
Chef Rick Moonen—often called the “godfather of sustainability” in seafood circles—indulges his love of comfort food in a steampunk-influenced room upstairs from his RM Seafood— complete with an alchemy bar and “nourishment chart.” Don’t miss witty bites like Devils on Horseback (dates stuffed with Shaft’s blue cheese and wrapped in smoked bacon), chicken pot pie nuggets, and duck confit poutine. Mandalay Bay, 702-632-9300; mandalaybay.com
SALUTE TRATTORIA ITALIANA
The offerings at this elevated southern Italian Red Rock hotspot range from pastas prepared tableside to a whole, salt-roasted branzino to Nutella-stuffed bomboloni. Red Rock Casino, Resort & Spa, 702-797-7311; redrock.sclv.com
SPAGO
Gourmet dishes like smoked salmon pizza and fresh salads—plus a devoted following of local socialites and power brokers—makes Wolfgang Puck’s original Vegas outpost one of the Strip’s best options for a power lunch. The Forum Shops at Caesars, 702-369-6300; caesars.com
SUGARCANE RAW BAR GRILL
This James Beard-nominated Miami hot spot landed in Vegas in November. Early favorites include sea urchin tostada and shellfish hot pot rice with clams, cuttlefish, and Alaskan king crab. Venetian, 702-414-4525; venetian.com
SW STEAKHOUSE
Overlooking Wynn’s Lake of Dreams, SW Steakhouse is one of a handful of restaurants in the country to serve certified-authentic Kobe beef. INSIDER TIP: Like the comfortable dining room chairs? So does hotel mogul Steve Wynn. He’s had them shipped to his offices around the world and to SW in Wynn Palace in Cotai. Wynn Las Vegas, 702-770-3325; wynnlasvegas.com
TWIST
Pierre Gagnaire’s Mandarin Oriental restaurant—his only presence in the States—offers whimsical, modern takes on French fare (broccoli ice cream, anyone?). Mandarin Oriental, 888-8819367; mandarinoriental.com
VERANDA
Vegas’s ultimate brunch hot spot (in-the-know guests go for the mini donut machine) also hosts afternoon tea, and an intimate lounge on its lush, poolfacing patio. The ultimate power breakfast and lunch spot, its secret strength is as a sanctuary from Vegas chaos in the evening hours. The Four Seasons, 702-632-5121; fourseasons.com
Cosmopolitan’s high-energy club scene, light bites and tableside cocktail service are served in a sexy, matte black and shimmering gold room inspired by women’s jewelry and focused on the dramatic, back-lit bar. Cosmopolitan, 702-698-7939; cosmopolitanlasvegas.com
THE DORSEY
For those who love a labor-intensive, classic cocktail with a minimum of electronic dance music and a good dose of big-name master mixology, enter The Dorsey, whose cocktails are designed by Sam Ross of Attaboy and Milk & Honey. Don’t miss the Penicillin, a smoky-sweet remedy for everything— made with single-malt and blended Scotch, with honey, ginger, and lemon. Venetian, 866-659-9643; venetian.com
FIZZ
David Furnish and Elton John’s two-story Champagne bar is an exquisite blend of ’70s-style bronze accents and faux-fur prints. Caesars Palace, 702-776-3200; caesars.com
FRANKIE’S TIKI ROOM
Down authentic (strong) tiki drinks in a retro space accented by hand-carved furnishings, vintage posters, and an exotic soundtrack. You’ll find original carvings by Tiki Bosko (who made art for the Tropicana) and Leroy Schmaltz, aka the godfather of tiki carvers. 1712 W. Charleston Blvd., 702-385-3110; frankiestikiroom.com
FRANKLIN
While the Delano celebrates its desert surroundings with a neutral décor that brings the outside in, Franklin, the hotel’s lobby bar, offers a lush, modern contrast with dark leather furniture, warm wood walls, gold accents, and a fireplace. Delano Las Vegas, 702-6327888; delanolasvegas.com
THE GOLDEN TIKI
Located in Chinatown, the newer of Vegas’s two favorite tiki bars features tropical drinks, talking tiki statues, and a giant conch shell. Look for “shrunken heads” of local celebs. 3939 Spring Mountain Road, 702-222-3196; thegoldentiki.com
HERBS & RYE
From Gothic “alcoholic remedies” to quaffs from the Golden Age to the perfect Sazerac, Herbs & Rye is darkly and wittily vintage. Award-winning mixologist-owner Nectaly Mendoza’s place is where the industry ends up at the end of the night to take the edge off. 3713 W. Sahara Ave., 702-982-8036; herbsandrye.com
MANDARIN BAR
Unofficially called “The Edge” because of its perch in one of the hotel’s particularly sharp corners, the VIP area requires advance booking, so call ahead for a seat at Mandarin Oriental’s 23rdfloor bar—with the awesome views it affords from three walls of floor-to-ceiling windows. Mandarin Oriental, 888-8819367; mandarinoriental.com
PARASOL UP
With colorful fabrics and hanging lanterns, this casino-level lounge has just undergone a million-dollar renovation, and still offers some of the best people watching in Las Vegas. The updated drink menu features five barrel-aged craft cocktails available on draft. The bar’s counterpart, Parasol Down (an escalator ride away), overlooks Wynn’s picturesque Lake of Dreams. Wynn Las Vegas, 702-770-3392; wynnlasvegas.com
PETROSSIAN BAR
Just like its New York sibling, Petrossian Bar celebrates caviar and vodka in a loungey atmosphere (prepare for conspicuous consumption; it’s right on the edge of the casino floor). INSIDER TIP: Petrossian also has one of the most civilized high teas in town—think fresh scones and clotted cream accompanied by a pianist commanding the one-ofa-kind Steinway. Bellagio, 702-6936163; bellagio.com
SKYFALL LOUNGE
The jewel-toned bar and lounge that connects with Alain Ducasse’s vertiginous Rivea restaurant is one of the best places on the Strip to settle in for the living theater that is a flaming Las Vegas sunset over the Red Rock Conservation Area. Do it with a cocktail from the bar menu (perhaps from the Shaken and Stirred category). Delano Las Vegas, 702-632-7575; delanolasvegas.com
VELVETEEN RABBIT
The Downtown bar run by two sisters is filled with Victorian furniture and features such stylistic elements as draft beer pulls fashioned from old wooden mannequin hands. A cocktail list of elixirs features such unusual concoctions as The Ghost Next Door (fig-infused tequila, banana syrup, Aztec chocolate bitters, and biscotti “mist”) and the smoky Black Leather Jackets (mezcal, Lustau East India sherry, Cynar, and vanilla). 1218 S. Main St., 702-6859642; velveteenrabbitlv.com
VICE VERSA PATIO & LOUNGE
Vdara’s fireside patio bar is a perfect place for cocktails and light bites before a night on the town. Vdara, 702-5902312; vdara.com
VISTA COCKTAIL LOUNGE
This glittery cocktail lounge showcases a rotating display of cityscapes from around the world. Caesars Palace, 702-731-7852; caesars.com