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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

 that are worth your attention, but sometimes an old favorite feels new again with a grand return, new location, or another big change. We 

 last year — and have a few more examples for 2026.

 was a trendy spot before it closed at the Forum Shops in 2012. It’s now back in Vegas at the Grand Canal Shoppes with a sharp, contemporary dining room and returning favorites like the spicy tableside Caesar salad and goat cheese baklava. I like the “omakase” steak dinner. Name your price and the chef curates a custom meal. Just make sure to include the crème brûlée-style corn on the side.

 started out as a pizza and ice cream parlor before evolving into one of the best wine bars in Vegas (with an overachieving food menu) at Tivoli Village. James Trees has now moved Ada’s to the Arts District, taking over the former Esther’s Kitchen space and expanding the chef’s culinary empire in the Arts District. It’s more of a full restaurant now, but the emphasis on wine remains strong.

 hosts regular free wine tastings, which we feature in our weekly events rundown — emailed to 

🥩 After years as the signature steakhouse at the SLS and later the Sahara (in an “old is new” situation for a hotel), 

 has moved to the Palazzo. I prefer the old dining room, but the restaurant is definitely positioned as the chef’s most exclusive, high-end destination, shifting greater focus to bone-in ribeyes, grilled over oak and priced by the pound. Go with the new Josper-smoked leeks as your side dish and customize your cocktail at the martini cart.

 was a pop-up at the Hard Hat Lounge for a while and now has its own full-fledged location in the Soho Lofts building. As always, Detroit-style pizzas are the specialty — rectangular with cheese that spreads out to the edges for a crispy crunch.

, popular with locals at UnCommons, recently expanded to Pahrump (yes, 

, which used to be the Pahrump Valley Winery. We also hear Amari is introducing a great, new chef soon … but we’re not allowed to share the details yet 🤐

 closed in 2023 at the Red Rock Resort, but the casino had a change of heart and brought it back after trying out a Mexican restaurant in the space. The rustic style and wood-fired pizzas have returned, but chef Jason Janson is having fun with comfort food, including a fried chicken bucket (with biscuits and dipping sauces) and fruit-filled handpie desserts.

🍷 After finding success at UnCommons, 

 Resort at Summerlin. The decor is similar, but the windows overlooking the lawn are nice and you can semi-officially bring your wine outdoors. The food menu is different (try the crab louie) and there’s no retail component, but the wine is great and the team is loose with pouring samples before you commit.

 — with a location out on the Strip next to Madame Tussauds. It’s the first with all-day breakfast and a bar. I spied a bottle of Bulleit and asked for a shot on the rocks. I was promptly told the booze is strictly for spiking milkshakes 😕 As usual, the staff tosses lots of extra fries in the bag, even if you order the ”little” size.

Sometimes an old favorite feels new again with a grand return, new location, or another big change.

Old Restaurants That Feel New Again in 2026

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 a locals favorite in Charleston Heights for more than 20 years. You can’t miss the distinctive arched roof on the corner of Decatur and Alta, but the restaurant just unveiled a few changes.

Renovations include an enhanced outdoor dining patio, a refreshed Benjamin Franklin mural, and a new retro-style sign, while preserving the original at the Neon Museum. POP’S also debuted a food truck for special events and regular Saturday appearances at 

The name represents the “Pride of Philly Steaks” with the City of Brotherly Love well represented on the menu. Just walk up to the counter and order. The restaurant’s open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Some staff members have been part of the team since day one, including general manager Jose Hernandez.

POP’S was founded by Perry and Barbara Walton; North Carolina transplants who moved to Las Vegas, but loved the food and culture of Philadelphia. It’s been a family-owned business all this time and is now run by daughter Christina.

POP’S cheesesteaks are made with sliced Ribeye, locally baked buns, and vegetables brought in fresh daily. There are lots of options on the menu, but typically you’d choose between American or Provolone cheese (or if you really want to get crazy, authentic Cheese Whiz). Ask for the sandwich “wit” or “wit-out” onions. You can go with chicken instead of steak too.

The most popular cheesesteak is the #32 with provolone, peppers, and mushrooms. POP’S occasionally rotates in seasonal specials like the Holiday Hoagie ( sliced turkey with gravy, mayo, cranberry, and stuffing, layered with sweet potato fries) and a summer Lobster Roll on lettuce and tomato.

Fried sides are the specialty, so load up on mac n’ cheese bites, green beans, mozzarella sticks, and more. The coconut dipping syrup with the sweet potato fries is a nice touch. POP'S even has packaged Tastykake treats, which all Philadelphians crave, but is hard to find outside the Northeast.

 is an iconic spot that helps define the character of Charleston Heights, a neighborhood you might want to 

Visit an iconic, 24-hour cheesesteak restaurant that helped shape the identity of a Vegas neighborhood west of the Strip.

POP'S Philly Cheesesteaks in Las Vegas

How POP’S Got Vegas Hooked on Round-the-Clock Cheesesteaks

Miss the days of renting movies and showing your parents how to work the VCR? Well, the old-school video store is back — with a twist (to garnish your cocktail). 

 is a pop-up speakeasy, running from March 25 to May 17 in Las Vegas.

Back 2 The Video Store takes over part of PKWY Tavern on the corner of Flamingo and Decatur. Admission is $17.80, which includes your first cocktail, a 90-minute window, and open seating. Just like a real video store, you get a membership card. Browse the selection and pick out a “movie,” which represents a cocktail, and bring it to the bartender to place your order.

The cocktails are movie themed, fruity, and reflect the era. (In other words, they wouldn’t look out of place at TGI Fridays.) Highlights include the Titanic with mezcal, vodka, and a rose-shaped ice mold, Happy Gilmore (a boozy take on an Arnold Palmer), and an Indiana Jones punch bowl. The drink prices, between $8 and $16, border on “throwback” status as well. The NBA Jams Fireball-Rumchatta shot includes a toy basketball net presentation. Royale with Cheeseburger Sliders and Mighty Ducks Mini Corn Dogs headline a menu of small bites.

The experience includes a few photo stations, from movie posters and cutouts to a throne worthy of the “Fresh Prince” and a “Clueless” backdrop. You may even get a chance to test your skills with an arcade-style video game, bowling, bingo, or karaoke. A DJ plays throwback hits on weekends.

The pop-up is presented by Bucket Listers, the same event company behind 

, which came to the Park MGM last year and other licensed concepts like the 

, which wraps up its Vegas run at AREA15 this weekend.

with a look at today’s best food 😋 Philip Tzeng (also known as 

, one of the most popular foodie Instagurus in Vegas) joins 

The Ultimate Guide to Ramen in Las Vegas

Back 2 The Video Store serves alcohol-fueled nostalgia without late fees.

Back 2 The Video Store Pop-Up Bar in Las Vegas

Be Kind, Rewind to the Video Store Era with a Pop-Up Speakeasy

 — and that includes meatballs. You can’t get away with slopping ground beef, salt, and breadcrumbs together anymore. So let’s take a look at who gets it right.

Nicole Brisson took inspiration from working with Dario Cecchini (a famous Italian butcher) when putting together her meatballs for 

 at Resorts World. The chef combines two parts veal, two parts house-ground beef, and one part Heritage Farms pork sausage, along with fresh herbs, garlic, shallots, and sheep’s milk ricotta. The key ingredient? Lemon zest to cut the richness of the meat. The tomato sauce includes house-pickled peppers and poached Fresno chili for a pop of heat. The meatballs are so good, they’re offered as an entree, but a smaller portion is available during happy hour.

Giovanni Mauro had Sicily in mind when putting together two meatball recipes for 

. The chef adds currants, pine nuts, and mint to pork and beef Palermo meatballs for a bright pop of flavor, served with tomato sauce and pecorino. The Foglie di Limone Ripiene is more like sausage, made with pork, beef, and lamb — and wrapped in a lemon leaf.

 focuses on quality ingredients when baking meatballs, crafted with a robust combination of filet mignon, pork, and veal — all ground fresh in house — plus grana padano and pecorino cheeses, Italian parsley, and caramelized onions. The recipe uses just 4% breadcrumbs — a sharp contrast to other restaurants that often have up to 30% breadcrumbs to cut down on costs.

, a Vegas staple for more than 30 years, love Pat’s Meatballs, named after a longtime employee. The all-beef recipe is fried in equal parts olive oil and canola oil for a golden brown exterior and fluffy texture to handle the seasonings, breadcrumbs, and parmesan cheese.

 puts an Asian spin on the concept with Lion’s Head meatballs. No, the meat isn’t from a lion 🦁 (The name refers to the lopsided shape of the meatball.) The kitchen braises pork with soy sauce, served with vegetables to balance the richness of the fat in the meat.

to tell you about — the beef, veal, and Italian sausage meatball at 

inside the Aria. Here’s the catch: It’s a secret off-menu item 🤫 But why stop there? 

 — even as social media threatens to spoil the surprise. [City Cast Las Vegas 🎧]

You can’t get away with slopping ground beef, salt, and breadcrumbs together anymore.

The Best Meatballs in Las Vegas

Meatballs: The Most Important Meal of the Day

I have a soft spot for what I call the “airport Old Fashioned” — made with regular ice, maraschino cherries, an orange slice, and a squirt of soda water. If I’m lucky, I can upgrade the whiskey to something that wasn’t pulled off the bottom shelf of a grocery store. I consider it a bonus if the bartender pours in a touch of artificially colored “juice” from the plastic cherry container.

It does the job between flights — but I’d rather reserve low expectations for the pace of TSA security checks.

So with an eye for something better, I checked out 

, a first-of-its-kind passenger lounge by American Express, modeled after a vintage speakeasy at Harry Reid International Airport 🍸

From the green tile and bright marble to heavy drapes and brass accents, Sidecar has the aesthetics down. In the true spirit of a speakeasy, it’s exclusive — and you need the "password" of an American Express card (platinum or above) to enter. The food and drinks are free, so if you’re a frequent traveler, the annual fee could be worth it. (I might make up the cost in cocktails alone over a few business trips.)

The Continental (rye and cognac with cinnamon bitters) easily trumps my “airport Old Fashioned” — stirred in an old-school mixing glass and garnished with a fresh-sliced orange peel. The wines, curated by sommelier Helen Johannesen, favor small-production vineyards and Old World regions. How often do you find a bordeaux blanc or chilled lambrusco at the airport?

The food is the biggest surprise, featuring global flavors and recipes designed by a quartet of James Beard award-winning chefs.

 opens at the Sahara later this year, but you can get a taste of his Afro-Caribbean cuisine with a crushed cucumber salad, topped with rice pearls and chili honey infused with sumac and fermented scotch bonnet chilies.

Sarah Grueneberg of Chicago’s Monteverde put together a chicken parm “slider,” wonderfully overstuffed with a full breast, crispy pepperoni, and a housemade sauce of oven-roasted tomatoes, basil, and fennel seeds.

The French background and Southern heritage of Mashama Bailey (whose Savannah restaurant, The Grey, is expanding to Paris soon) is on display with an egg combo of mushrooms and mustard greens with black garlic aioli.

Mike Solomonov of Philadelphia's Zahav puts an Arabic spin on avocado toast with harissa and labneh (yogurt with a cheese-like texture) on brioche bread.

 these days, Sidecar is secluded, but not impossible to find. Look for it on the upper level of Terminal 3 near the D gates — perfectly positioned to thumb its nose at the Capitol One Lounge on the opposite side of the foyer.

secrets to share at the Las Vegas airport

A new speakeasy at the Las Vegas airport offers ample amounts of ambiance and exclusivity.

A Speakeasy Opens at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas

The Vegas Airport Has a Speakeasy Now

Local chefs and businesses are having fun with fungi lately. So let’s get familiar with some of the best ways to enjoy mushrooms in Las Vegas.

The Las Vegas Tasting Society tends to organize events for tequila, whiskey, and stuff like that, but the group is presenting 

Magic of Mushrooms: An Exotic Tasting Experience

 this Sunday, March 1 in the Arts District. Roam between stations to munch on 10 plant-based mushroom recipes, including fun stuff like lion’s mane “crab cakes” and king oyster carpaccio. Upgrade the experience to add on a menu of potato dishes as well as vodka or wine pairings.

 grows their own mushrooms right here in Las Vegas — sold to the general public and prized by some of our city’s best chefs. Order familiar favorites like shiitake, maitake (hen of the woods), and a variety of oyster mushrooms, or less familiar options like pretzel cap and coral tooth. Desert Moon also sells grow-your-own mushroom kits and makes regular appearances at farmers markets at Downtown Summerlin and St. Rose Corporate Center in Henderson.

My wife loves the wood ear mushroom salad, served cold, drenched in sesame oil and soy sauce, at China Mama’s two Chinatown locations (the 

stir fries wood ear mushrooms (named for their color and shape) with sweet potato and snow peas as a vegetarian-friendly side dish.

One of my all-time favorite mushroom recipes … is served at a steakhouse. 

 at the Rio steams a large Desert Moon lion's mane mushroom and soaks it for two days in beet juice, garlic, thyme, and ginger, which then develops a steak-like crust when broiled. It arrives on the table with black garlic puree and charred cabbage.

This Las Vegas business closed its brick-and-mortar shop and cafe last year, but remains active as a health-focused online retailer. The signature 

 is a fermented combination of shiitake mushroom mycelium plus lion’s mane, turkey tail, reishi, and chaga mushrooms. (A 20% Valentine’s Day discount continues through the end of February.)

See what else gets yanked from the ground when 

Local chefs and businesses are having fun with fungi lately.

Where To Find Mushrooms in Las Vegas

Las Vegas Is Mad About Mushrooms

It feels weird to call Indian food “hot” in Las Vegas — and we’re not just talking about the spices. Restaurants throughout the valley have catered to our local Indian population for decades, but the cuisine is gaining new attention with recent high-profile openings. So, where to begin?

Indian food has largely been overlooked by Strip resorts. That changed with the recent opening of 

 at the Aria, based on the original in London, which earned two Michelin stars — kinda 

. The Vegas version lives up to the hype — big on spices and robust flavors inside a dining room that feels like a private club.

about Gymkhana in our latest rundown of the 

👩‍❤️‍💋‍👨 Best for Date Night

 is more relaxed, serving its own version of elevated Indian cuisine inside a stylish dining room at Town Square. I prefer the lounge, which has a gorgeous bar and comfortable couch seating to enjoy an Indian take on sushi, meats grilled over an open flame, and flavorful curries. The cocktail menu is deep — and exceptional.

Buffets are a staple of Indian cuisine, even if they’re harder to find in Vegas these days. 

 has one of the best in town, available in both Henderson and Summerlin. The recipes favor organic ingredients and the bread is baked fresh and brought to the table.

 is expanding all over the valley with locations in the Southwest, Henderson, Summerlin, the Northwest, and Hughes Center near the Strip. The local chain serves approachable, exceptional takes on Indian classics, from chicken tikka masala to paneer pakora (batter-fried cheese), with detailed descriptions of dishes on both the menu and lunchtime buffet line. The dining rooms are casual, but cozy and contemporary.

Hemant Kishore is always up to something, offering some of the best, most personal takes on Indian cuisine throughout Las Vegas with 

 tonight (Feb. 19) and next Thursday (Feb. 26), plus his signature fried chicken, available for walk-ins the next two Fridays (Feb. 20 & 27).

India has the largest vegetarian population of the world, so it’s no surprise to see plant-based options featured heavily at Indian restaurants. 

, which opened in Silverado Ranch last year and is already earning fans for a menu that leans heavily towards the vegetarian dishes associated with regional Gujarati cuisine. The recipes feature flatbreads, lentils, yogurts, and vegetables — mixing sweet and spicy flavor profiles — and frequently served in round thali trays.

 is a service counter with a menu that’s 100% vegetarian. The restaurant, located inside Rani’s World Foods grocery store west of the Strip, is known for its variety of paratha (flakey, layered pancakes) and a daily special that includes a choice of vegetables or curry, yellow lentils, rice, and rotis (flatbreads) on one plate.

 about your favorite Indian restaurant in Vegas 📬

Filipino food is growing in popularity in Las Vegas too 🇵🇭 

 discusses how the cuisine is helping to shape the 

culture and local economy of Filipino Town

, which is gearing up for its first anniversary east of the Strip. [City Cast Las Vegas 🎧]

Indian Food is Having a Moment in Vegas Right Now

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.

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.

 as a Hollywood lounge that happens to carry food — a place with mid-century modern decor, bright pops of pink, chandeliers, and late-night hours for the “vibe-dining” crowd in the Southwest Valley. You can’t go wrong with the braised short rib and goat cheese mashed potatoes, but the sampler platter has a little bit of everything — steak skewers, sliders, deviled eggs, tacos, popcorn, and more — for groups to share.

 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.

 is the latest concept by Mindy Lim, the chef behind Daikon Vegan Sushi. This time around, the menu is expanding to include a wider array of Asian cuisine like curry and pad thai. Lim makes a point to avoid processed “fake meat” substitutes, allowing spices and herbs to bring flavor to tofu and vegetables.

 specializes in cookies, cakes, and other desserts, prepared with a Latin touch. Located near Summerlin inside a cozy strip mall space, the restaurant also surprises with savory options, including a Cuban sandwich, grilled and layered with ham, pork, mustard, and cheese.

, but chef Natalie Young has already moved on with a new concept in the Arts District. Echo Taste & Sound brings back a few familiar dishes (like the shrimp and grits) alongside crispy mushrooms, wagyu beef skewers, and other shareable small plates. The food and cocktails match well with the vinyl selection, spinning in the background on a high-def system that’s never too loud.

The husband and wife team behind Le Café du Val in Henderson and Le Café du Sud in Southern Highlands just opened 

 in Chinatown’s Green Leaf Lotus apartment tower. The decor is more industrial, but remains cozy for a comfortable setting to enjoy French pastries, fresh coffee, and sandwiches prepared with imported meats and cheeses.

The ever-changing Mexican restaurant space at Virgin Hotels is now 

, but things are looking up under the direction of Executive Chef Noe Alcala. You get enchiladas and barbacoa tacos, but also surprises like taquitos paired with a mole consommé and Asian touches with miso-glazed salmon and seared and sliced ribeye marinated in lime juice, jalapenos, and soy sauce. The best seats are on the outdoor patio.

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

New Restaurants in Las Vegas

Best New Restaurants in Las Vegas

The past few weeks have been a wild ride for Ellie Parker. The executive chef of 

 received a James Beard Award nomination for “Emerging Chef” on January 21 — one day before the world learned she was the latest winner of “Hell’s Kitchen” on Fox. Has she had time to settle down and let all the attention sink in?

“I feel like the chaos is just beginning,” she counters. As part of her TV triumph, Parker earned a spot helming the Hell’s Kitchen restaurant at Connecticut's Foxwoods casino — with a projected start date in May or June.

So, with some time left on the clock here in Vegas, what are the dishes that best define the chef’s run at Main St. Provisions?

😋 5 Must-Try Dishes at Main St. Provisions

Parker says the Tomahawk pork chop is her favorite dish to both prepare and eat. The chef lays a 16-ounce Kurobuta pork chop on the broiler for some grill marks and char before adding a molasses and dark rum glaze. “It’s sticky, it’s sweet, it’s got that rum-like tang to it, ” she says, noting how good pork can taste when it isn’t dry. The meat is served with sauteed green beans and grilled golden apples.

The Cajun BBQ shrimp was added to the menu at the request of Main St. Provisions owner Kim Owens and turned into a huge hit. “ I honestly think there would be a riot if I took that off the menu today,” Parker says. “So many people love it.” The shrimp sits in a spicy marinade for two days before it’s pan seared with white wine, lemon juice, and butter.

The latest recipe for the oven-roasted chicken, served with a fried polenta cake and braised kale, was influenced by Parker’s time filming “Hell’s Kitchen.”

“ I got some inspiration while I was on the show,” she says. “Because we worked a lot with kale and polenta.”

Her time on “Hell’s Kitchen” is also felt in the seared Japanese Hokkaido scallops — the only kind Parker will use — served with celery root puree and bacon jam.

“Gordon Ramsay is kind of known for yelling about scallops,” Parker says. “So I took a little more time, love, and care in the scallop dish after filming. I just had a new sense of appreciation for the protein itself.”

Ramsay is also famous for his sticky toffee pudding, but the version on the dessert menu at Main St. Provisions actually 

The "Hell's Kitchen" winner talks about five signature dishes from her restaurant and the secret to perfectly seared scallops.

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