True Food Kitchen (truefoodkitchen.com), the seasonally inspired restaurant and bar that pioneered healthy dining, has recently opened its first location in Las Vegas in Downtown Summerlin. A second location is planned on the Strip at The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace to open this spring.
Ada’s
James Trees has followed up Arts District fave Esther’s Kitchen with a family-friendly version. The focus here is on artisanal pizzas, shareable apps and cocktails, though you’ll still see his housemade pastas on nearly every table. Be sure to save room for a scoop or two from in-house Best Ice Cream (Amazonian chocolate, oat milk pistachio) for dessert. Tivoli Village, Summerlin, 702.463.7433, adaslv.com $$
Bardot Brasserie
Gold lettering on the windows, Laguiole cutlery and a central zinc bar epitomize the singular quality of Michael Mina’s elevated French brasserie in Aria, where classics like onion soup are refined with aged Gruyere and Périgord truffles in one of the most romantic and transporting dining rooms in town. Don’t miss: simple roasted chicken? Mina treats his all-natural Hudson Valley heirloom birds like Peking duck—brined, blanched and hung to dry before being roasted with artisanal soy and vin jaune from France’s Jura region. Aria, 877.230.2742, aria.com $$$$
Beauty & Essex
Beauty & Essex conjures up a secret pawnshop-inspired entrance—paying tribute to its Manhattan namesake—before diners step into a 10,000-square-foot space evoking vintage jewelry boxes, antiques and gemstones, and containing (unlike the original) a gold DJ booth. Three rooms from celeb chef Chris Santos serve shareable dishes like tuna poke wonton tacos and Thai-style crispy shrimp, as well as Vegas-only plates like roasted bone marrow. Cosmopolitan, 702.737.0707, beautyandessexlv.com $$$
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 your breakfast on the patio; it starts with a basket of fabulously flaky French pastries. (Try the giant, gooey pecan sticky bun.) Venetian, 702.414.6200, venetian.com $$$
Eggslut
Alvin Cailin has brought his concept from L.A.’s Grand Central Market, and his cult following, to a sleek little shop with a counter and bar stools to plant yourself on for egg-based dishes such as his classic Slut, a coddled egg on potato puree poached in a glass jar and topped with gray salt and chives. The lines are long, but the eggs are worth the wait. Cosmopolitan 702.698.7000, cosmopolitanlasvegas.com $
Lavo
Serving up Southern Italian cuisine in a buzzworthy setting, Lavo is a dining and lounge experience within Palazzo. Start your night off with signature cocktails in the lounge as the luxurious decor and hit-playing DJ set the mood for a memorable evening or enjoy a relaxing weekend brunch with friends on the patio that features sweeping views of the Strip. Grand Canal Shoppes, 702.791.1800, venetian.com $$$$
Veranda
The ideal brunch destination (in-the-know guests go for the mini-doughnut machine) also hosts afternoon tea and has an intimate lounge on its lush, pool-facing patio. Relax with a plate of gorgeous antipasti, fresh salads and a variety of light-to-robust entrees. The Four Seasons, 702.632.5121, fourseasons.com $$$
Photography by: Courtesy of True Food Kitchen
