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City Cast Las Vegas

The latest on the hottest places to eat, drink, socialize, and talk about in Las Vegas.

Rob Kachelriess

Pop quiz: Which celebrity chef restaurant has been in Las Vegas the longest?

 has been here since 1992, although it moved from the Forum Shops to the Bellagio in 2018. 

Emeril Lagasse’s New Orleans Fish House

 has occupied the same spot at the MGM Grand since 1995, making it the longest in one location.

 isn’t far behind — and could stick around longer in the end. The chefs behind the brand, Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken, just signed a 13-year lease extension at their Mandalay Bay location, which first opened its doors to customers in 1999.

“We've been chef partners for 46 years,” Milliken says. “It'll be 60 years when our lease is up.”

The move coincides with a full $4 million renovation of the two-level, 9,100-square-foot restaurant that’s already underway. The entrance is almost like a speakeasy while work is in progress with the host stand guiding customers downstairs via a convention hall staircase.

When complete, the new design will embrace softer curves while moving away from angular geometry. The upstairs bar will have new high-tops and people-watching rails. The deceptively large downstairs area will have new banquettes and a revamped bar to better accommodate large parties. “The colors are gonna shift, the vibe will shift some … even though it’ll still feel like Border Grill,” Feniger says.

The new look will take advantage of heavy traffic from the nearby convention hall, aquarium, and those walking by outdoors near the pool complex.

As always, the menu will evolve, but regulars will still get the Border Grill’s familiar take on Latin American cuisine, the largest Mexican wine selection in Vegas, and possibly the best brunch deal on the Strip — unlimited small plates for $46.99.

Through it all, Border Grill has been an independently operated collaboration between the two chefs. It’s not a casino-run venture, so no meddling from Mandalay Bay executives (although the chefs speak warmly of the relationship). Their partnership began with a 900-square-foot L.A. restaurant and two hibachi grills in a parking lot. Today, Border Grill serves 800–900 customers on an average day, with a one-day record of 2,500. The duo also has a lineup of 

 service counters at Vegas venues like Allegiant Stadium and T-Mobile Arena.

Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken prove long-term success is possible on the Strip with a renovation and lease extension at the Border Grill.

The Border Grill Banks on a Big Future in Las Vegas

The Border Grill Banks on a Big Future

The latest on the best and newest restaurants and bars in Las Vegas. We'll help you find where to eat, drink, and socialize.

Las Vegas Food & Drink

Food & Drink

 has been an experimental incubator for the chef to not only expand beyond the menus at his original 

 restaurant, but to host a variety of culinary pop-ups. But now, the location — near Durango and Spring Mountain — is entering a new phase with a permanent residency.

Moving forward, Durango Social Club is exclusively home to Mama’s, featuring the Vietnamese food of Crystina Nguyen. The chef, who previously helmed her own pop-ups throughout Las Vegas under the name This Mama’s House, remains faithful to traditional recipes that reflect the comfort of homestyle cooking with clean, refined ingredients.

You absolutely get your money’s worth. On a recent visit, there was only one dish that (barely) exceeded $30 — and none skimped on portion size. It’s exciting to see Nguyen experiment with less-familiar herbs and vegetables like the Vietnamese coriander that enhances the meat and seafood or the spongy, stalk-like elephant ear that brings texture to canh chua tôm — a spicy, but light-bodied soup with shrimp, tamarind, okra, tomatoes, bean sprouts, and pineapple. Nguyen says there’s “nothing missing” in her recipe that you'd find in any version of the soup done right in Vietnam.

Mama’s is also an education on the global influences that help define Vietnamese cuisine. The sea snails (or whelks) reflect the country’s era of French colonialism — although presented in a completely different way, simmered in a fragrant tom yum, lemongrass, and Thai basil broth. Nguyen’s Vietnamese cuisine also channels regional favorites with a yellow coconut-based curry, which the chef simmers with vegetables, noodles, and a hearty duck leg.

The chef follows her own preferences with her signature cà ri vịt — rice-wrapped spring rolls made with turkey (a meat not often seen in Asian dining) and folded in an additional layer of lettuce at the table.

The restaurant will continue to evolve with regular specials and an upcoming brunch menu. Mama’s is one of those places that encourages repeat visits while trying something new each time — whether ordering a cocktail on the side or a small bottle of Vietnamese sake.

 I was skeptical when the restaurant recently 

, but City Cast Las Vegas contributor Jason Harris 

, saying the tight, family-run operation specializes in “amazing homestyle cooking” from “many different regions.”

: Jamie Tran’s contemporary, but personal spin on Vietnamese cooking made her a 

 a few years ago. Always start with the salmon skin tacos.

: Multiple locations to serve pho (Vietnamese noodle soup), made with bone broth that simmers for 12 hours.

Durango Social Club enters a new phase with a permanent residency. Enjoy traditional, refined Vietnamese homestyle cooking from Executive Chef Crystina Nguyen.

Mama’s Vietnamese Food Finds Permanent Home at Durango Social Club

Mama’s Finds a Home for Vietnamese Cooking in Las Vegas

You have to wonder … Did the LVCVA get its money’s worth? The tourism board led a coalition of Southwest counterparts to sponsor a new edition of the 

 for the best, most ambitious restaurants in Nevada, Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico.

And by Nevada, they mean Las Vegas. That’s fine. We’ve been hungry for Michelin to return and hand out stars ever since the Great Recession pulled the plug on our very own dedicated guide, which 

Even with the understanding that there’s never a perfect list — and awards of any kind foster debate by definition — it couldn’t be more clear that Michelin learned absolutely nothing about Las Vegas in the 17 years since it’s been gone.

During Wednesday night’s ceremony at the Fontainebleau, only four Vegas restaurants received stars. And three of ‘em are French fine-dining powerhouses that scored the same or lower than last time around. The other recognized restaurants are pretty great overall, but you also got familiar names that built their reputations in other markets, at least two coasting on better days, and a couple random surprise picks that nobody expected from Chinatown. (For cred, I suppose.) The rankings are based on reviews by anonymous inspectors, but it feels like they used leftover notes from 2009 and asked ChatGPT to fill in the rest.

According to Michelin, there isn’t a single restaurant in Las Vegas (or the rest of the California-free Southwest) that serves “exceptional cuisine worth a special journey” to earn three stars.

So, here’s how things ended up for Vegas:  

 (“Excellent cooking worth a detour”)

 (“High-quality cooking worth a stop”)

(“Friendly establishments that serve good food at moderate prices”)

 — which is considered good, but not quite “one star” good

By all accounts, everyone agrees the Vegas dining scene has only gotten better and more interesting in the past 17 years. But you’d never know it by reading the new Michelin Guide.

 aren’t just glaring omissions, but restaurants that are especially strong in representing the culinary spirit of Las Vegas: where it is now and where it’s going.

And if you don’t believe me, listen to food writers John Curtas and Lorraine Blanco Moss, who both agreed on 

which restaurants should make the Michelin Guide

The Michelin dining guide returns to Las Vegas. How well does it understand our city's culinary scene?

Las Vegas Restaurants with Michelin Stars 2026

The Michelin Guide Returns to Prove It Doesn’t Understand Las Vegas

Here in Las Vegas, we’re always looking for what’s new and what’s next — especially if we’re the first to tell somebody else about it. As the local dining scene continues to explode, find some time to check out the new restaurants that have recently opened their doors.

 for a while now — the latest example of how the EDO empire 

 without spreading itself too thin. The towering chandeliers and busy open kitchen set the tone for a meal based on sharable plates, full of French inspiration with Spanish and Italian touches. Corporate executive chef Tayden Poha-Ellamar gets to stretch his creativity with a sweet-and-savory foie gras tart and cappelletti swimming in a sauce similar to French onion soup, while tweaking staples that fans of the EDO brand have come to love: croquetas, patatas bravas, and those irresistible gin-and-tonics.

 is a Southwest Valley butcher shop and food counter 

 that raises grass-fed cattle with none of the bad stuff. By minimizing the middleman, prices are just as appetizing as the food, from a loaded $7 cheeseburger to an $18 steak with fries cooked in beef tallow. The only problem — demand has been strong from the start, so supply tends to run low, while lines run long.

, Chef Jae Doan gives Spring Valley a Japanese restaurant that’s full of creativity while matching the seafood quality of the Strip’s best restaurants —- and even some omakase spots in Chinatown. The shiromi carpaccio (white fish seared gently in hot oil with a yuzu vinaigrette) is full of flavor and the uni toast on sourdough brioche is beautifully briny with a wasabi crème fraîche and shrimp eggs. Even a relatively simple sushi roll mixes Chilean salmon and Hokkaido scallops with a wasabi habanero salsa.

Chef Kwame Onwuachi has managed to give Las Vegas something completely new — no rare feat — with 

 at the Sahara. Named after the indigenous Jamaicans that created jerk-style cooking, the restaurant is billed as a Caribbean steakhouse, but the culture is especially strong in the sweet and buttery cocoa bread, a refreshing green mango salad with okra, and mashed potatoes buried in chunks of crawfish. The signature jerk chicken has its own station in the middle of the dining room — and the same seasonings are used on the steaks, grilled over pimento wood. Throw in a wine list showcasing women and minority producers, the atmosphere of an underground club, and a ‘90s R&B playlist, and you’ve got one of the most unique and ambitious restaurants in Vegas.

A companion piece to the ultra-exclusive 

 welcomes the general public for an upscale take on an Italian steakhouse with unusually friendly service and outdoor views of the Wynn golf course. You’re already in “worth the splurge” territory, so go ahead and start with the caviar-stuffed cannoli, continue with a spicy lobster bucatini, and feast on the Bistecca Fiorentina, a 40 oz. Porterhouse carved tableside under the guidance of James Beard favorite Alfred Portale.

 have something new. Located west of the Strip on Sahara (a few doors down from the Golden Steer), 

 offers a cozy, but elevated setting to try all sorts of new flavors. Sure, you can get a Pad Thai, but don’t fear the heat of the spicy tom zaab sea bass soup or tiger prawns fried to a nice crisp in a tamarind glaze. The restaurant also offers two tasting menus to take out the guesswork and leave your experience in the chef’s hands.

Cory Harwell wants Vegas steakhouses to not only be great, but affordable. That’s the idea behind 

 at The Bend. But this ain’t a discount dining deal. The space is beautiful and modern with an open kitchen and roll-up garage doors. A few dishes (Philly Cheesesteak eggrolls, peanut butter bacon) share the spirit of playful mashups found in Harwell’s other restaurant, Carson Kitchen, but the real fun is the steaks (especially zabuton and bavette cuts you don’t see everywhere else) sous-vided, grilled on a flattop, and finished over an open flame before the tallow butter soaks in.

 took over the old Picasso space at the Bellagio, expanding the outdoor patio to include a dock for its very own yacht. Rides are strictly for hotel VIPs, but the restaurant remains an experiential treat with tall ceilings, lakeside views, and soft amber lighting that matches the flavors in Mario Carbone’s Italian cuisine. It’s easy to appreciate the quirks — like an Old Fashioned made with rum and a splash of whiskey or chicken parm reimagined with jumbo Madagascar shrimp as the protein — but the pastas stay true to simple presentations that allow every ingredient to shine.

 proves that Indian food can work in an elevated, upscale environment. The restaurant — an offshoot of the London original that earned two Michelin stars — is named after a British-colonial term for Indian sports clubs, offering an air of exclusivity and spectacle at the Aria. From the moment you walk in, it’s impossible not to notice the posted names of the service captains and the dense aromatics that fill the air. The dishes are robust and spicy, from the Gol Guppas (basically bread and veggie shooters) to the Kasoori Chicken Tikka, which balances the heat with yogurt and fenugreek leaves. A margarita with a tangy mezcal infused with — yes — weaver ants is worth your time and curiosity.

 comes to the Las Vegas Strip with scenic views on the third-floor open-air deck at The BLVD. The pizzeria takes pride in its sourdough, fermented with wild yeast over a long 8-12 day fermentation period. The result is a thin crust similar to a Neapolitan-style pizza, but a little crunchier. A sauce-free recipe with pistachios and truffle oil is a house favorite.

, a new barbecue spot by “Top Chef” veteran Alex Reznik. The cozy but contemporary restaurant has its own strip mall corner with a smoker in the parking lot to bring brisket, pork, and other meats to life, slow and low over post oak and hickory. Just make sure to order the candied bacon and house-made onion dip to start things off right. And I love how self-serve La Colomb coffee is on standby — even at night — just because.

 on Oscar Amador’s latest restaurant, which took over his old EDO space, and we’re happy to report it exceeds our already high expectations. The menu of Latin cuisine borrows elements of European and Asian cookery, showcasing the chef’s personal vision in a way that’s not easy to categorize. Between the house-aged bluefin ceviche, “carrot cake” of Japanese uni with candied jalapenos, and bright, but earthy flavors of a roasted beet tartare, 

is an adventurous spot worthy of repeat visits.

 is yet another new steakhouse on the Venetian grounds — but one that puts a luxury spin on Korean BBQ. Two things stand out: The beauty of the dining room and the quality of beef, featuring prime Black Angus and A5 Wagyu in a variety of cuts, giving every customer an education in high-end steaks. Grill your options to perfection over a flame at the center of the table while enjoying pickled banchan side dishes.

The Las Vegas Grand Prix comes and goes every year, but 

 gives us a chance to embrace Formula 1 racing year round (without the traffic headaches). Prices are restrained by Strip standards and the menu has a few surprises — like tandoori chicken tacos and surprisingly good dim sum — while focusing on sports bar classics and shifting into a 21-and-over lounge mode after 7 p.m.

 takes over the space formerly home to District One, giving Chinatown another option for contemporary, casual dining. Chef Winston Matsuuchi puts an Asian spin on American comfort food, adding miso to a delicious pan roast, serving short rib tacos with a kalbi marinade, and grilling chicken skewers with sake-mushroom tare sauce over Japanese white oak.

, James Trees takes aim at the tourist crowd with 

 on the top floor of the Rio. Begin with a cocktail on the open-air patio and soak in those panoramic Strip views before hunkering down with a menu balanced between steakhouse classics and stuff you don’t see often, including wild game like elk, bison, and venison. The lion's mane mushroom entree is a sleeper hit that even non-vegans can appreciate.

 is a bar with a playful side, made clear by the old TV monitors and pachinko (Japanese pinball) machines that decorate the space. Just south of Fremont Street, Pachi-Pachi is strong on cocktails (with whiskey washed in beef tallow for an oOld fFashioned and vodka infused with vanilla beans for an egg-white martini). The noodles and sandos are popular, but the Hokkaido Biru Bomb Burger seems to get the most attention — a Wagyu smashburger cut in half and served on a cast iron pan with beer cheese, which unofficially doubles as a dip for the house-made potato chips.

The Spring Valley crowd has a fresh opportunity for in-your-face, numb-the-tongue, Szechuan-style spiciness that usually requires a trip to Chinatown (for restaurants like Chengdu Taste and another newcomer, Bowl of Fortune). 

 turns up the heat, but is happy to modify spice levels in braised chicken, stir-fry vegetables, and boiled meats like beef and pork. Located in a quiet strip mall, the space is modest, but the Chinese flavors are intense.

I also want to give an extra shoutout to 

 (scroll down for our original review) for turning into a culinary incubator with popups like 

 (French/Mediterranean by Tyler Vorce, formerly of The French Laundry), 

 (Filipino). Kishore and Vorce join Durango Social Club founder Dan Krohmer for a one-night-only 

It feels like every year I’m writing about a new Italian restaurant at the J.W. Marriott, but things seem different this time. 

 by “Top Chef” alum Fabio Viviano not only pulls the brakes on the Rampart Casino's revolving door of concepts, but stands out in a town already 

. The tableside presentations seal the deal, especially a fettucine alfredo done right (for once) and the fantastic caprese, featuring mozzarella hand-pulled on the spot, with thin-sliced heirloom tomatoes, and fresh basil.

The family behind the Thai cuisine of Pin Kaow now has 

 near Silverado Ranch, serving a more diverse take on Asian food by executive chef Steve Piamchuntar. The restaurant nails Thai favorites like the tom kha coconut broth and the egg noodles in the khao soi, but also shows a Chinese influence in shrimp soup dumplings, an addictive wonton soup, and khao mun gai, similar to Hainanese chicken, poached and served over rice. The soft, chewy brownie — bright green due to the inclusion of pandan — with coconut ice cream is my favorite dessert of the year.

 towers in front of the Grand Bazaar Shops with the covered top-floor patio offering views of the Bellagio fountains across the street. Soak in the energy of the Strip on the ground floor with roll-up garage-style windows and a stage for live music. The place is ideal for catching a big game and sharing comfort food with friends, from a Jackpot Tower of bite-sized appetizers to pizzas, spicy cauliflower, and at least one cocktail dispensed by a mini gas station pump. Anything on draft qualifies for a 100 oz. beer tower, including an exclusive by local brewery HUDL. Locals get 20% off the bill.

Chef Dan Krohmer of Other Mama is branching out with something new, replacing Chamana's Cafe (a sadly overlooked spot for breakfast and lunch) with 

 in the same retail plaza. Drinks begin flowing at 6 p.m., followed by a five-course tasting menu at 7 p.m. that for now, is only served Fridays-Saturdays. The debut lineup featured seared duck, roasted red snapper, crispy stuffed quail, a bavette steak, and wild honey ice cream with a warm peach and pie crumbles. Opt in for the wine pairings, the restaurant’s secret weapon.

Southern Highlands gets a new dining spot, 

, with the name emphasizing a devotion to simple ingredients. Pasta and pizza portions are relatively small, encouraging guests to order and share more items for a complete experience. The deconstructed, build-your-own bruschetta and chicken parmesan, made with creamy burrata instead of mozzarella, are fun reboots of old favorites as well.

UnCommons has seen its struggles — like the 

 is a steakhouse Southwest locals can call their own. Yes, the prices are Strip-esque, but the shareable steak boards bring down the check average with cuts grilled over American red oak. You can also try the brand-new happy hour for discounts on classic cocktails, beef skewers, and meatballs.

 is now in Vegas with an inspired take on Chinese hot pots, served Sichuan style (#spicy 🌶️) on Spring Mountain Road. Dip your choice of meats and veggies into a simmering broth in the center of the table. You can even divide your pot into thirds to sample a few options.

 is almost like the In-N-Out Burger of Tijuana street food. The fast-causal restaurant keeps things simple, but does it well, earning a loyal following with everything made fresh to order in a minimalist environment. (The red and white uniforms only drive the comparison home.) After a Vegas debut at Lotus in Chinatown, the concept is now open in the Summerlin area. You might have a short wait for your food to show up, but that’s what the ice bucket of beer is for. Look for the DIY bottle opener on the counter.

 is everything you want in a Strip restaurant, between a stylish, lounge-like dining room and a menu of seafood-heavy Mexican cuisine at the Cosmopolitan. Begin with the bigeye tuna tostada, continue with a Mexican play on Oysters Rockefeller with Oaxacan cheese, and order the Angry Fish (fileted branzino with hot chili oil) as the main entree. There’s even a surf n' turf burrito, loaded with shrimp, steak, beans, and rice.

James Trees' culinary empire continues to grow in Las Vegas and the chef remains as passionate as ever about his craft. 

 gives the Arts District a sophisticated, but loose French bistro with a courtyard and large windows that allow natural light to pass through the entire dining room. Whether it’s chicken liver and foie gras terrine, bruleed tarragon over bone marrow, or French-style cold seafood like scallops with light accents of apple and verjus (a tart grape juice ), the restaurant gives the Arts District — and Las Vegas — something new. 

 is a neighboring sister cocktail lounge with a focus on light-bodied cocktails.

Visit the best new Vegas restaurants to open their doors in recent months. 

New Restaurants in Las Vegas

Best New Restaurants in Las Vegas

Longtime City Cast Las Vegas podcast listeners were happy to hear the voice of Sarah Lohman return on 

. Our former co-host has been busy writing 

, a book on the history of ice cream, due for publication in 2027.

So, of course, we were happy to welcome Sarah back to discuss the 

“This is very much a selfie museum,” she said, noting the lack of exhibits related to ice cream history or production. “They want you to be prepped for the photo ops … so you can rent ice cream garments to do that in. There's a chapel to get married, which I think is a very smart move for Las Vegas … There's going to be some wedding receptions, you can sit and make friendship bracelets, and of course, there's the sprinkle pool, (which is like a) ball pool from Chuck E. Cheese, but actual swimming pool size and filled with large pink plastic sprinkles. It's surprisingly deep.”

That’s one of the reasons guests are required to sign a waiver before entering. The kids will also have fun with multi-level slides, a “hall of freezers” with doors opening up to Instagram-worthy rooms, and a “cone-sino” for Vegas-style gaming with no real money at stake. Adults might be more interested in a bar with themed cocktails, including a s’mores chocolate martini. Everyone will be happy with the ice cream buffet, included with admission, which begins at $41.99.

“ To me, the price of the ticket was worth the all-you-can-eat ice cream buffet … I have to give them props too because they have featured flavors from 

, which is one of our local ice cream shops, and I think the best ice cream in Las Vegas.”

Overall, Sarah describes the Museum of Ice Cream as “definitely a lot of fun,” even though an opportunity was missed to be something more. “ Education is not a big part of it. That’s okay with me, but maybe if I have one beef with the Museum of Ice Cream, it's the use of that word ‘museum,’” Sarah said, mentioning that something dedicated to flavors from around the world would be a welcome addition.

“ It's not an art museum. It's a trampoline park that adults might enjoy too.”

Is the word "museum" out of place here? A food historian weighs in. 

Is the Las Vegas Museum of Ice Cream Worth It?

Is the Museum of Ice Cream Worth the Hype?

 is not only one of the best things about 

 food bank 👍 More than 200 restaurants participate, offering special value-driven prix fixe menus to showcase signature dishes. A few options immediately stand out 👀

 … The “four courses” at Oscar Amador’s new restaurant are actually one tasting menu of nine bites. No choices! All included for $90.

 … Everything listed is included here too, but presented as an omakase/kaiseki experience for $120. Sushi and other seafood is at the chef’s discretion, but it’s one of those places where everything is served with top-tier sourcing and preparation.

 in North Las Vegas has a $20 lunch with pretzel bites (my weakness) as a choice of appetizer.

 …. $30 for a pizza, salad, and dessert. That’s not a bad price these days, especially at a casino. (I just spent more than $30 for a pizza by itself at a neighborhood spot.) The deal applies to pickup orders too.

 in Henderson has two dinner options for $40 or $60. Either way, this is one of the most underrated Italian restaurants in the valley —- and one that quietly supplies its own house-made pastas to other businesses.

 at UnCommons is one of the pricier options here — four courses for $110 — but three steaks (and a pork Tomahawk!) are among the main course options without an upcharge.

 … One of my favorite Strip restaurants has a $30 three-course lunch. I’m heading 

Picks From the Rest of the City Cast Las Vegas Team

 kick lately, and it isn't slowing down anytime soon! The full three-course offering for $70 sounds great but I'm eyeing the Sticky Toffee Pudding in particular. It looks life changing.

 at the Venetian does chicken very well, so I'm excited to see they have Oaxacan chicken

available for lunch ($40) and dinner ($80) options!

 to get my barbecue fix without having to leave Henderson. What I save on gas will be directly reinvested into baby back ribs, available as part of a $30 four-course lunch or dinner.

😋 I’m so excited that there's not only a new location for 

, one of my favorite restaurants in the valley, but that this James Beard nominated chef is debuting during Restaurant week with an $80 dinner. Cannot wait to get in on those mole beef ribs and besides the four courses, he’s tossing in a dessert. Class move!

! I'm excited to check out their four-course meal for $80.

— Senior Account Executive Jacquelin Cohen

had more to say about Restaurant Week recommendations during the 

The City Cast Las Vegas team shares our top picks for the most interesting and attractive prix fixe menus during Restaurant Week. 

Top Picks for Restaurant Week in Las Vegas

Our Top Picks for Restaurant Week

, but some chefs and restaurateurs go above and beyond in Las Vegas, establishing culinary empires that deliver a variety of food in multiple locations — without skimping on quality.

 to the neighborhood dining scene. The chef’s farm-fresh Italian cuisine (and that bread!) at 

 helped establish the Arts District as a must-visit dining destination. He then set his sights on Tivoli Village with 

 (a larger dining room with Italian-American classics done right) and 

, which started out as a pizza and ice cream shop before transforming into a wine bar with food that punches well above its weight class. Back in the Arts District, Trees moved Esther’s into a larger location and brought in Ada’s to take over the old space. Down the street, the chef and his team run French bistro 

. Trees finally made it (almost) to the Strip with 

, a steakhouse on the top floor of the Rio hotel tower.

🥩 We’re keeping celebrity chefs at bay on this list, but making an exception for José Andrés, who’s been especially active in Vegas. 

 at the Cosmopolitan presents a loyal take on Spanish cuisine, featuring a wood-fired paella grill that’s a show all by itself. 

 is an exclusive, restaurant-within-a-restaurant that celebrates the chef’s love of gastronomy with just two intimate seatings a night. The Cosmopolitan is also home to 

, which serves both Asian and Mexican dishes (while resisting the urge to “fuse” them together). Andrés’ grandest restaurant, the 

 after moving from the Sahara to the Palazzo, while 

 shifts the focus to seafood inside the Shops at Crystals. The sleeper pick? 

, which combines Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and African flavors at the Forum Shops. A special $100 anniversary tasting menu (available through June 1) throws a little of everything your way with no choices to worry about — and worth it for the chilled yogurt soup and smoked lamb shoulder kleftiko alone.

🍸 Chef Oscar Amador turned a small Spanish tapas restaurant, EDO, into one of the most acclaimed restaurants in Chinatown before expanding the concept to the Gramercy with 

, which brought an Italian influence into the mix. Amador closed the original, renaming it 

personal, experimental take on Latin flavors

, which combines familiar elements (gin and tonic, anyone?) with French inspiration east of the Strip. The kitchen is in great hands under the direction of corporate executive chef Tayden Poha-Ellamar (a veteran of L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon) and executive chef Roberto Higuera. If that’s not enough, a new gastropub is on deck to open this year at the Gramercy in the old DW Bistro space.

 has only grown and gotten better under the ownership of Ivy Ma and husband Nick Lin. The Chinatown original was knocked out of action a few years ago due to a fire, prompting a 

 in Shanghai Plaza and later, the brand’s 

 at Palace Station. All three serve a spirited take on regional Chinese cuisine, from dumplings to crispy beef, under the guidance of longtime executive chef Bing Chou. The smaller 

 is geared towards takeout orders in Summerlin and Spring Valley, while 

 is more casual, serving beef rolls, soups, and other bites near Charleston Heights.

Some of our city's best chefs and restaurateurs prove it's possible to have quantity without sacrificing quality. 

Culinary Empires That Help Make the Vegas Dining Scene Great

. Not so much the sandwiches, but the flavor profile repackaged in unexpected ways. I even wrote a story about PB&J Old Fashioneds years ago for a defunct publication named Supercall (although the accompanying 

 was reprinted elsewhere). But my favorite place for peanut butter and jelly is on a good burger. Sounds weird, but it totally works — and the following restaurants agree.

, a locals-oriented sports bar by Station Casinos, has locations in North Las Vegas, Henderson, and the West Valley — and all serve the PB&J Smash Burger. The recipe has a spicy kick, thanks to a house-made raspberry-jalapeno jam. A pair of short rib-and-chuck patties get smashed on the grill for a nice crust while both halves of the bun are smeared with peanut butter and griddled until golden brown. The kitchen adds it all together with pickles and American cheese for one indulgent, delicious bite.

Whether in Silverado Ranch or the Northwest Valley, 

 has the P.B. & Jealousy, a favorite on the menu since day one. It layers a flame-grilled angus beef patty, thick-cut bacon, melted peanut butter, and strawberry jelly on a honey wheat bun. (Feel free to substitute a 50/50 patty — half beef, half ground bacon — at no extra charge for extra smokiness.)

The Ellis Island Casino is getting in on the act too. 

 just introduced a new menu that includes a PB&J Burger with bacon, cheddar cheese, and peanut butter jam with the crunchy kick of fried jalapenos. Wash it down with one of Ellis Island’s own craft beers. (I recommend the amber ale.)

Peanut butter and jelly is perfect on a sandwich, but the combo is even better on a burger. Trust us. 

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