On the Strip: Eataly Las Vegas
With 40,000 square feet of market-like kitchen kiosks, wine and Italian aperitif bars, sit-down restaurants slinging authentic pasta and pizza and delectable counters offering sweets from gelato to cannoli, where does one begin? It’s a big, delicious dilemma at Eataly Las Vegas (Park MGM, 702.730.7617) the fantastic food hall taking the Strip by storm. Consider starting small with a snack of light, buttery ciabatta or a slice of pizza alla pala fresh from the bakery, or that crispy/creamy cannoli with an espresso from Caffé Lavazza. Savor every flavor but nosh wisely, friends, for there is so much more to come: freshly shucked oysters, prime cuts of beef grilled before your eyes to share with your hungry group, Roman or Neapolitan-style pizza and decadent salume and cheese boards featuring rare, imported ingredients. Two things become clear—Eataly is going to be the hot spot for quite a while, and you’re going to have to come back tomorrow to eat whatever you missed.
Off the Strip: La Comida
One of downtown’s favorite Mexican eateries, the vivacious La Comida (100 Sixth St., 702.463.9900) excels due to its vibrant food and drinks, but also because of its beyond-friendly environment. It will celebrate five years in the Fremont East neighborhood this year, but it feels well-worn and lived in, like it’s been around forever. The cuisine is comfy, too, particularly the new happy hour offerings of guacamole-covered nachos and crispy chicken flautas to pair with passion fruit or prickly pear margaritas. Might as well order a pitcher, right?
Trending: Hofbräuhaus
How long does it take to become a Las Vegas legend? Hofbräuhaus (4510 Paradise Road, 702.853.2337), a faithful reproduction of the Munich original, one of the most famous beer halls in the world, has been offering authentic fun just off the Strip for 15 years this month. If our endorsement isn’t enough for legend status, consider its numbers since opening: more than 750,000 gallons of beer, 450,000 pounds of sausage, 135 tons of sauerkraut and 1.5 million pretzels to the more than 3 million happy visitors.
