AMERICAN
CONT. FROM P31 and charcoal grill. Finish the 32-ounce Diamond Jim Brady New York steak and get a free dessert. BOSTON PIZZA 1507 Las Vegas Blvd. South, 3852595. One of the city’s best old-time pizza joints. Don’t order extra cheese unless you really mean it. THE BROILER Palace Station, 2411 W. Sahara Ave., 367-2408; Boulder Station, 4111 Boulder Highway, 432-7743. Belly up to the vast salad bar before diving into tasty entrees like mahi mahi and bouillabaisse. BURGER BAR Mandalay Bay, 3930 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Suite 121A, 632-9364. Diners create their own burger. Start with a patty — Angus, Kobe, turkey, lamb, salmon, chicken or veggie — pick from eight cheeses, 12 kinds of vegetables and maybe pickled green tomatoes or a lobster tail. The choices tempt even the sanest patron to shell out for a oncein-a-lifetime burger. CHICAGO HOT DOGS 1078 N. Rancho Drive, 6473647. This is as close as you’re gonna get to a real Chicago hot dog joint. CROWN & ANCHOR 1350 E. Tropicana Ave., 7398676; 4755 Spring Mountain Road, 876-4733. Great British fare served by English-accented servers amid a nautical décor. DELMONICO STEAKHOUSE Venetian, 3355 Las Vegas Blvd. South, 414-3737. Straight-ahead and gimmick-free elegance, with excellent service. DU-PAR’S RESTAURANT AND BAKERY The Golden Gate Casino, 1 Fremont St., 366-9378. The opening of this Southern California institution in The Golden Gate Casino caused much rejoicing among L.A. expatriates and diner fanatics. And if you fit into one of those categories, you’ll probably love the place. The pancakes here are legendary, as are the pies. But at the end of the day, it’s still just diner food. Nonetheless, it’s one of the most popular spots downtown to satisfy the late-night munchies after an evening drinking on East Fremont Street. THE EGG AND I 4533 W. Sahara Ave., 364-9686. Down-home atmosphere makes this breakfast spot a nice alternative to the national chains. FIREHOUSE SUBS 9555 S. Eastern Ave., 8933473. It has the cult-like vibe of Saturn dealerships, but the subs are better than anything at the competing chains. Try the chili, if only for the chance to sample the massive hot sauce collection. GOLDEN STEER 308 W. Sahara Ave., 384-4470. Old-style men’s club décor, stuffed animal heads and huge portions make this the perfect place for carnivores and one of the last refuges for people nostalgic for old Vegas. GORDON BIERSCH 3987 Paradise Road, 312-5247; 750 S. Rampart Ave., Suite 16, 487-6463. Great atmosphere and great beer. Meet the yuppie of your dreams. GRAPE STREET CAFÉ 7501 W. Lake Mead Blvd., 228-9463. This wine bar and “cellar” has a Napa Valley feel to it, and offers more than 75 varieties of wine, the vast majority of which are available by the glass. The kitchen offers dishes from casual to formal, simple to inspired. Whether you’re in the mood for gourmet sandwiches, delicious pizzas, pastas or full entrees, you’ll find something on the menu to suit your appetite. Call ahead, a dedicated local fan base packs the house most nights.
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6800 W. Sahara Ave., 8044646; 3535 Las Vegas Blvd. South, 254-4646. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Hash House A Go Go promises “twisted farm food,” which means their chef puts a classy spin on down-home favorites. Their real trademark, however, is monstrous portions. JOHNNY SMALLS Hard Rock Hotel, 4455 Paradise Road, 693-4414. While this place advertises itself as a tapas restaurant, a more accurate description of its cuisine would be small plates from around the world. And that variety is the restaurant’s main appeal. The truth is, you can find better versions of most of these dishes in other restaurants. But you’re unlikely to find them all in one place. And you’re certainly not going to find a better deal than their $23.99 all-you-can-eat offer ($19.99 with a player’s card). The atmosphere is the kind of contrived fabulousness that’s the trademark of the new HRH Tower, making this a perfect place to dine before or after a visit to Vanity. KONA GRILL 750 S. Rampart Blvd., 547-5552. The name is Hawaiian, but there’s a distinct Asian or Pacific Rim accent to many of the appetizers and entrees. There’s also a full sushi bar. Sit in the casually modern dining room or outside at the patio bar. LAHAINA GRILL 4570 Hualapai Way, 309-9911. This large Hawaiian restaurant has an equally large and diverse menu that ranges from raw bar fare to six varieties of chicken wings to macadamia-crusted mahi mahi. They’ve also got a full sushi bar, so there’s something for just about everyone. LAWRY’S THE PRIME RIB 4043 Howard Hughes Parkway, 893-2223. They may have the simplest menu in the world of sit-down restaurants, but they’re good at what they do: prime rib. THE LUNCH BOX 4632 S. Maryland Parkway, 722-6400. This university hotspot is small and unassuming, with a menu that’s even smaller and, at first glance, deceptively simple. The place only offers five hot dog preparations, a handful of waffle sandwiches and a few desserts. But when you take a closer look, you realize these guys take their wieners seriously. One hundred percent beef, soy, turkey or spam dogs are offered Chicago-style (with mustard, sweet relish, tomatoes, pickles and hot peppers), with chili and cheese or Chilean style (with mustard, spicy mayo, tomatoes, avocado and sauerkraut). Or try a Milwaukee bratwurst with caramelized onions, spicy brown mustard and kraut. MAPLE TREE COUNTRYSIDE KITCHEN 6000 W. Spring Mountain Road, 362-5151. In keeping with New England’s sugarhouse restaurant tradition, the syrup is authentic and fresh. A large, country-style breakfast selection is available all day, with lunchtime choices available as well. Closes at 2 p.m. every day, closed Mondays. MERMAID RESTAURANT & LOUNGE Silverton, 3333 Blue Diamond Road, 263-7777. More lounge than restaurant, the menu concentrates on snacks and sandwiches. But its cool, underwater décor — complete with a monstrous fish tank, jellyfish behind the bar and waitresses dressed in mermaid outfits — make it a fun place for a quick bite and a drink. MICHAEL MINA’S Bellagio, 3600 Las Vegas Blvd. South, 693-8199. Quaint, elegant (and pricey) fish house with origins in San Francisco. Fresh gourmet seafood and lavish desserts are coupled with an exHASH HOUSE A GO GO
cellent wine list and an attentive wait staff. Hard Rock Hotel, 4455 Paradise Road, 693-5592. Awesome diner. Quick, cheap, tasty, friendly and hip. The way Vegas could’ve been. N9NE Palms, 4321 W. Flamingo Road, 933-9900. This contemporary steakhouse offers a compelling menu of Chicago-style steaks and chops, combined with an internationally diverse menu for those with something else in mind. Reservations suggested. NU SANCTUARY Town Square, 6605 Las Vegas MR. LUCKY’S
LUV IT FROZEN CUSTARD 505 E. Oakey Blvd., 384-6452. A lone remnant of a once common creature: the independent ice cream store. It makes its own delicious custard. Blvd. South, Suite 145, 527-7851. While Town Square is packed with pretty decent chain restaurants, Nu Sanctuary is a Vegas original. Part ultralounge, part restaurant, the menu was prepared by Chef Brian Howard, a veteran of numerous Las Vegas restaurants, including Tsunami, Lutece, Alizé, Bouchon and, most recently, CatHouse. His offerings span the globe and while they can often seem a bit ambitious, they’re nearly always delicious. He offers what may be the finest pierogi in town — crispy and delicious, topped with crème fraiche and American caviar. OMELET HOUSE Various locations. Longtime favorite breakfast spot featuring 38 varieties of six-egg omelets. Closes at 3 p.m. ORIGINAL PANCAKE HOUSE Various locations. An excellent choice for breakfast. You haven’t lived until you’ve ordered an oven-baked German pancake. PEPPERMILL INN 2985 Las Vegas Blvd. South, 735-7635. An absolute Vegas treasure. This ’70sera coffee shop will keep you fed and happy until Dan Tanna returns. Huge portions. RAINBOW’S END 1100 E. Sahara Ave., 737-1338. One of the few good places in the valley catering to vegans and vegetarians. Try the Greek pizza. REDWOOD BAR & GRILL California Hotel-Casino, 12 E. Ogden Ave., 385-1222. Traditional American, special-occasion dining in a wonderful room.
Mandalay Place, 3930 Las Vegas Blvd. South, 632-9300. This fine seafood restaurant can boast a celebrity chef who actually works there and a wide variety of excellent, if pricey, dishes. Friendly service completes the experience. SAMMY’S WOODFIRED PIZZA Various locations. This fast-expanding chain serves weird-but-excellent pizzas and salads. SEDONA 9580 W. Flamingo Road, 320-4700. Beautiful, modern décor and an eclectic menu. You’ll find Asian, Italian, French and even Swiss influences in the cooking, but nothing terribly exotic. When the weather’s nice, enjoy outdoor dining on the patio. SLIDIN’ THRU Various locations, www.slidinthru.com. The urban mobile food truck trend has finally come to Las Vegas. The first entrant, Slidin’ Thru, offers a wide variety of delicious, inexpensive sliders. Once you taste the seasoning on the kalbi rib version, you’ll understand why tech-savvy fans from all walks of life rabidly follow the location of this truck via Facebook and Twitter to chase down chef/owner Ricardo Guerrero’s sandwiches. SMITH & WOLLENSKY 3767 Las Vegas Blvd. South, 862-4100. This stand-alone Strip steakhouse is part of the New York chain. Simple and expensive steaks are served snootily, but it’s a good place to impress certain kinds of people. THE STEAK HOUSE Circus Circus, 2880 Las Vegas Blvd. South, 794-3767. This hidden gem offers classic steakhouse décor, huge slabs of meat and great service for a few bucks less than you’d pay at comparable places around town. No wonder it’s developed a loyal following among locals and tourists alike. T-BONES CHOPHOUSE & LOUNGE Red Rock Casino, 1011 W. Charleston Blvd., 797-7595. This highend steakhouse is as beautifully designed as the rest of the resort and boasts some of the finest steaks in town. All beef is aged for 42 days in a combination wet- and dry-aging process, and signature cuts include the bone-in filet mignon. Among the side dishes, don’t miss the tater tots with white truffles. TINOCO’S KITCHEN Las Vegas Club Hotel & Casino, 18 E. Fremont St., 385-1664. An eclectic menu at reasonable prices. You’ll find plenty of delicious Italian pastas, such as lobster ravioli. Other highlights include chicken satay and a filet mignon with foie gras in a port reduction. TODD’S UNIQUE DINING 4350 E. Sunset Road, 259-8633. As good as any gourmet restaurant on the Strip at notably lower prices, but it’s the service that helps distinguish the place as a great neighborhood restaurant. Unique, casual fine dining. TRIPLE 7 BREWPUB Main Street Station, 200 N. Main St., 387-1896. One of the better brewpubs in town. Great beer and good food. TRIPLE GEORGE GRILL 201 N. Third St., 384-2761. Patterned after a classic seafood and steakhouse, it offers a large selection of steak, chops and seafood as well as many more casual choices. There’s even a piano lounge where you can enjoy an after-dinner drink. VINTNER GRILL 10100 W. Charleston Blvd., 2145590. Contemporary American cuisine with Mediterranean influences in an atmosphere the owners describe as “everyday opulence.” Dine indoors or
R.M. SEAFOOD