For some, like City Cast podcast host Dayvid Figler, the Center at Spring Mountain, a plaza in Chinatown, evokes the old spirit of Commercial Center, with its array of offbeat shops and, especially, its variety of food options. A few of our favorites:
Legendarily rollicking Vegas grog shop, music venue, hepcat party zone, and tiki-themed Mos Eisley cantina. Whatever time you’re there, the night’s still young. The memory of my last visit is pleasantly hazy, but I think I ordered, and loved, the Scorpion.
“Mas Por Favor has a great menu,” says City Cast audio producer Layla Muhammad. “I got the slice of birria which was surprisingly big. We ate in the speakeasy parlor, which you definitely need a reservation for. Very cool space — but it gets a little crowded at dinnertime. The live music, fun drinks, and desserts make up for the tight squeeze, though. Tip: Beware of the food and drink minimum in the parlor!”
A pizza joint in the middle of Chinatown? “Well, in this eclectic strip mall, it makes total sense,” says Figler. “Now, some of my friends have already dubbed this high-end, gourmand spot with the custom wood-fired ovens as having the best pizza in town. It's certainly a contender. Garlic Butter Mushroom and Charred Green Onion; Fig Jam, Speck and Candied Pecans. This isn't a cardboard-box spot, for sure. A small but obviously curated menu, definitely a top food destination in an area brimming with options.”
Figler again: “From the minds of Makers and Finders comes this tucked-around-the-corner little coffee shop that’s a welcome respite from the bigger coffee palaces dotting the landscape. Here, you'll get your coffee fix right off the roasted bean and handful of pastry options, including banana nut loaf, fruit tarts, and matcha cakes. The bonus, for those in the know, are the handmade empanadas. But the real star here is how quaint and quiet (with excellent wifi) the space is. There's even a cute outdoor enclosure. A place to impress your friends just slightly off the beaten path.”
