Dining with the Locals in Las Vegas
Where do the people who live in Las Vegas dine when they go out for dinner? It certainly can’t always be to the name brand chefs’ restaurants in the action-oriented hotels on Las Vegas Boulevard. In order to answer the question, we traveled to America’s Glitter Capital and concentrated on dining with the locals.
One of the quirks of Las Vegas dining is that some of its best culinary experiences can be found – sometimes with difficulty – in shopping centers. Lotus of Siam, for instance, hides in a seedy strip mall a few blocks east of the Strip and has a forgettable interior. But it is widely rated as one of the best Thai restaurants in the nation. The deep fried sea bass on “drunken noodles” is excellent, and the tom kah kai coconut-flavored chicken soup is delicious, if you can take its spicy heat. Dinner for two, before beverages, about $70. The lunch buffet is a deal at $10 but try to get there before the noon crowd. Dinner reservations are a must. 953 E. Sahara Avenue. Tel: 702-735-3033.
Word of mouth led us to Ferraro’s Italian restaurant, long a favorite of many of the town’s visiting entertainers. We started with terrific grilled asparagus, rolled in Italian smoked ham and topped with broiled mozzarella, then ordered the pappardelle Mimmo with lobster and scallops, and Mimmo Ferraro’s signature osso bucco, so tender the meat falls off the bone. Dinner for two, with a good Chianti, was about $130. 5900 W. Flamingo Road. Tel: 702-364-5300.
One of the most popular of the off-strip restaurants is Rosemary’s, where owners Michael and Wendy Jordan preside over a pleasant, high-ceilinged room and a menu with touches of their native New Orleans. Best of our tastings were the grilled loch Duart salmon with roast potatoes in a brie cream sauce; and the Creole-seasoned shrimp, with spicy andouille flavors and red bean sauce. Lunch for two, with wine, about $80. There’s also a prix fixe lunch at about $30 per person. 8125 W. Sahara Avenue. Tel: 702-869-2251.
On the far west side of Las Vegas, and worth the drive, is Marche Bacchus, in a beautiful location under the trees on a lake. The menu is mainly French, but you can also choose pan-roasted Idaho trout and pepper-seared ahi tuna. The traditional bread pudding is a must for dessert. You can buy your wine at their wine shop at quite reasonable prices, and there will be a corkage fee of $10. Dinner for two, before wine, about $100. 2620 Regatta Drive. Tel: 702-804-8008.
Pamplemousse is an ornate French restaurant where we could not resist the 14-ounce veal chop; the New Zealand rack of lamb in a pistachio crust; and roast duck breast. The Grand Marnier soufflé tops the dessert list. Dinner for two, before wine, about $140. 400 E. Sahara Avenue. Tel: 702-733-2066.
Firefly, a tapas spot located in a shopping mall just a few minutes off the Strip, is popular with a noisy young crowd, but don’t let that stop you. We were very pleased with our choices of chicken and chorizo stuffed mushrooms, garlic prawns, bacon-wrapped dates with red peppers, and lamb sausage. The paella is also very tasty. Dinner for two, with sangria, about $80. 3900 Paradise Road. Tel: 702-369-3971.
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