By Rachel Feinblatt By Rachel Feinblatt | February 4, 2022 | Food & Drink, Food and Drink Feature, Food & Drink Feature, Food & Drink,
New year, new restaurants. These fresh dining spots are bringing added flavor and flair to the Vegas culinary scene.
The lush patio at Carversteak at Resorts World Las Vegas PHOTO COURTESY OF CARVER ROAD HOSPITALITY
A dream team of culinary powerhouses—Bravo Top Chef alum and Joël Robuchon’s first female sous chef Elia Aboumrad-Page, prominent L.A. restaurateur and chef Christian Page, and local food and beverage specialist Tony Angotti—have teamed their passion for hospitality with delicious fare to launch Boom Bang Fine Foods & Cocktails in Henderson. In this kitchen, American cuisine gets a French twist to craft plates like the wild and cultivated mushrooms tart (with goat cheese mousse and verjus) and the sole meuniere (with potato puree, brown butter, capers, lemon and parsley). Then, go out with a (boom) bang with desserts like the Red Velvet Mad’ Bomb—warm red velvet madeleines a la mode with rose water glaze. Weekend brunch is also on offer for the Saturday and Sunday crowd. 702.478.6200, boombang.restaurant
Saffron’s pumpkin coconut soup includes roasted Japanese pumpkins infused with coconuts and leeks and is then topped with fried tri-root shrub, lotus chips, fried basil leaf and chive oil PHOTO: COURTESY OF SAFFRON, THE VEGETARIAN EATERY; BY JOSE M. SALINAS
From tomahawk steaks to wagyu beef and beyond, Carver Road Hospitality’s first Las Vegas restaurant, Carversteak at Resorts World Las Vegas, satisfies both carnivorous and vegan cravings. After honing his skills at multiple Michelin-starred restaurants under chefs David Myers, Michael Mina, Thomas Keller and Joël Robuchon, executive chef Daniel Ontiveros has crafted a menu featuring favorites like warm caviar poppers, lobster en croute, F-1 wagyu strip loin and much more. With award-winning international design studio DesignAgency in control, the steakhouse exudes a midcentury modern look, where guests can enjoy private dining experiences in its dedicated Knife Shop and Whiskey Room. 702.550.2333, carversteak.com
Larrea’s Smokin’ Cloves cocktail
Tucked next to El Dorado Cantina at Tivoli Village is Exclusivo, a 40-seat, speak-easy-style restaurant featuring global cuisine with progressive Latin influence. The restaurant is the brainchild of chef John Miranda and executive chef Robert Meistrell, both formerly of Twist by Pierre Gagnaire. Dive into dishes like the seafood tamale with shrimp, crab and escabeche in yellow curry with Oaxaca cheese; sofrito and cilantro in squid-ink masa; and vegetarian yam croquette tacos. Meanwhile, sommelier Noe Alarcon (an alum of Caesars Palace and Wynn Las Vegas, among others) is on hand to recommend posh pours. 702.447.0502, exclusivorestaurant.com
Steamed prawn dumplings at The Noodle Den at SAHARA Las Vegas COURTESY OF SAHARA LAS VEGAS
Fusing together modern American cuisine and international influences, MasterChef winner and executive chef Shaun O’Neale debuts his latest culinary endeavor, Larrea. This restaurant prides itself on its handcrafted dishes—like Baja kampachi crudo, mafaldine with local pork sugo, and gnocchetti with spinach and snap peas—composed of locally sourced, seasonal ingredients. Cocktails are a must-try thanks to master mixologist Benjamin Browning, whose top-notch sips range from The Governess with Old Tom gin to the Knight Shade with mezcal. 702.463.9777, larrealasvegas.com
With two Michelin stars and a AAA Five Diamond rating, Le Cirque has reopened its doors at Bellagio Hotel & Casino. Available for reservations Thursday through Sunday, the French favorite returns with world-renowned chef Dameon Evers—an alum of Thomas Keller’s Bouchon Beverly Hills, Gordon Ramsay’s namesake eatery in West Hollywood and Michael Mina’s Bourbon Steak—at its helm. Guests can select from a six- or 10-course tasting menu, which can also be served vegetarian style, or opt for a three-course pretheater menu for a quicker yet equally satisfying dining experience. Fan-favorite menu items include the gateau of Hudson Valley foie gras, an almond cake featuring layers of foie gras; poularde roti, a chicken stuffed with truffle sausage and bacon; and decadent ganache chocolat beurre noisette bursting with chocolate ganache, Harry’s Berries and Sicilian pistachio. 702.693.8100, bellagio.mgmresorts.com
Chef Guoming “Sam” Xin’s latest restaurant, The Noodle Den, is bringing flavorful Chinese cuisine to SAHARA Las Vegas in the form of handpulled noodles and classic dishes for lunch and dinner. Visit the 1,300-square-foot space to indulge in noodle-filled dishes like beef brisket handpulled noodle soup plus chef’s specials ranging from baked sea bass with unagi sauce to sweet-and-sour port spareribs. Paper lanterns, an illuminated painted fabric ceiling depicting cranes and cherry blossoms, and a whimsical mural of cranes with umbrellas drives home the Asian-inspired ambiance. 702.761.7000, saharalasvegas.com
To accommodate diners of all palates, Saffron, The Vegetarian Eatery recently opened its doors in Chinatown. Serving Southeast Asian vegan and vegetarian fare, chef Louross Edralin—an alum of Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen—utilizes fresh, organic and locally sourced ingredients in dishes like beet carpaccio, pumpkin coconut soup, and salt and pepper “chicken” featuring black pearl mushrooms. (For dessert, save room for vegan chocolate or New York-style cheesecake.) End the experience with a postdinner drink from lead mixologist Donnell Ingram, who is whipping up favorites like the Asian pear mule tinged with pear vodka and muddled Asian pears. saffrontheeatery.com
It’s in with the new at SW Steakhouse at Wynn Las Vegas, where executive chef Mark LoRusso is reimagining traditional dishes with culinary style and flair. The chef’s inspiration behind his new menu stems from seasonal ingredients, embedding signature flavors into each plate. Expect dishes like Maine lobster bisque, pan-roasted sea scallops and pepper-crusted chateaubriand. In conjunction with LoRusso’s delicious eats, mixologist Mariena Mercer Boarini is stirring up new sips like the Fast Lane espresso martini and the Dark Side of the Moon—her take on a whiskey sour—while pastry chef Michael Outlaw is sweetening the dessert menu with the Apple Delight, a spiced apple galette a la mode. 702.770.3325, wynnlasvegas.com
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