Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the return of a true icon to the Las Vegas Strip. The Mirage has reopened at last, returning to glory after a five-month hiatus, and it’s bringing the cornerstones of a dynamic dining lineup back to life as well.
Osteria Costa Photo by: Sabin_Orr
It starts with Tom Colicchio’s Heritage Steak (866.339.4566), an epic destination deserving of the Top Chef head judge’s name. Heritage blends old-world technique—prime meats and seafood fresh from a wood-fired grill—and old-school steakhouse charm with a sleek, modern approach to menu design, service and décor. Located inside The Mirage’s legendary rain-forest atrium, this cozy space is set for optimal relaxation while you indulge in oysters on the half shell, luscious Berkshire pork belly, a dry-aged double-cut ribeye or a Japanese A5 grade strip loin. Save some room for the playful Ice Cream Social dessert.
Other options at the Strip’s first true megaresort include the cool and casual Osteria Costa (866.339.4566), serving up handmade pizzas and pastas alongside a selection of simply prepared Amalfi Coast seafood specialties, and ’round-the-clock favorite Pantry (702.696.7050), where buttermilk pancakes, chicken-fried steak or a bagel with lox could be your pick for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Photo by: José Andrés courtesy photo
Global chef José Andrés’ acclaimed Bazaar Meat at Sahara Las Vegas (702.761.7610) has been open again since June, but there’s a brand-new dish on his menu and it’s already creating quite the beefy buzz. Bazaar’s first-ever burger is available at the handsome Bar Centro, and it’s made from a unique blend of wagyu beef short rib and brisket. Topped with shredded iceberg lettuce, special sauce and pub cheese on a homemade bun and served with fries and house-made ketchup, it might remind you of your favorite fast-food flavors. But this is no drive-thru snack.
Also new on the Strip are the enhanced happy hour offerings at STK at The Cosmopolitan (702.698.7990), where half-price specialty cocktails and select wines are available daily between 4:30 and 6 p.m. Bold bites to light up the afternoon include the signature Lil’ BRG sliders with truffle fries, roasted shishito peppers, beef or tuna tartare and the memorable jalapeño-pickled shrimp cocktail.
Photo by: Marco Varoli
Speaking of shellfish cravings, there are new and newly opened seafood spots sprinkled around the valley, on and off the Strip, that deserve your attention. The often-overlooked Oyster Bar at Harrah’s (702.369.5000) offers a lively and casual environment and a menu stacked with favorites like New England clam chowder, Maryland crab cakes and a creamy lobster and shrimp pan roast with rice or pasta.
Recently reopened South Point eatery Big Sur Oyster Bar (702.796.7111) has exciting new dishes like a tropical crab cocktail and honey lemon glazed salmon, while a brand-new seafood spot also in the southern stretch of town, The Boilery (702.405.8838), is serving up Cajun specialties like crawfish, grilled oysters and shrimp, clams and mussels doused in garlic butter or Old Bay and lemon seasoning sauces.
Longtime west-side hot spot Other Mama (702.463.8382) mixes fresh sushi and sashimi into its beloved mix of oysters, ceviche, poke and seared tuna or spicy salmon tostadas, and just a few blocks away, new arrival The Legends Oyster Bar & Grill (702.476.8887) specializes in steamed mussels or clams and tasty cioppino or the Louisiana seafood boil.
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