On the Strip: Burger Bar
Pairing the early days of summer with a perfect burger is a timeless combination. If you’re searching for that perfect summer bite on the Las Vegas Strip, look no further than Burger Bar (The Shoppes at Mandalay Place, 702.632.9364), the gourmet burger emporium by pioneering chef Hubert Keller that set the trend for this style of restaurant in Vegas. The American Classic is the go-to starting point, a thick and juicy patty of Angus beef with American cheese, crispy bacon, fresh tomato, onion and lettuce on a sesame seed bun. But that’s just the beginning. Explore your own culinary creativity and build your own burger with an endless selection of toppings and sauces or replace the beef with chicken, turkey, salmon, shrimp or a veggie patty. But if you prefer to keep it simple and let the chef’s expert team do their thing, consider the Hubert Keller burger with buffalo meat, caramelized onion, spinach and blue cheese with red wine and shallot sauce on a fluffy ciabatta bun. –Brock Radke
Off the Strip: Gaucho’s Sacred Flavors
Hungry indie rockers can chow down with gusto at Gaucho’s Sacred Flavors (124 S. 11th St., 702.530.3877) in downtown Las Vegas. Located at the venerable but vibrant Bunkhouse Saloon, the new eatery features an eclectic Nuevo Latino menu, a mash-up of Argentine, Cuban, Mexican and Americana flavors. Standouts include piping-hot chicken empanadas, zesty sea bass ceviche, crispy sweet potatoes with goat cheese, spicy chorizo sandwiches and grilled New York steak. For dessert, churros with caramel dulce de leche hit the spot. –Greg Thilmont
#trending: NoMad Bar’s Sunday Jazz Brunch
Nomad Brunch
Sometimes a Sunday might cause you to laze in a fuzzy stupor, scrolling through Netflix and munching on Doritos. But the NoMad Bar’s Sunday Jazz Brunch (Park MGM, 702.730.6785) offers a cure for those almost-Monday blues, with items like the creamy black truffle tart and a tangy mushroom omelet. One bold highlight is the house coffee, by Brooklyn roastery Devoción. Don’t worry, you can still chill. Sip a signature cocktail and enjoy the hypnotic gypsy-jazz sounds of Hot Club of Las Vegas. –Alex Haase
