On the Strip: Mon Ami Gabi
Mon Ami Gabi (Paris, 702.944.4224) is the original Strip-side café. If it wasn’t the first restaurant to offer patio dining with a view of the Fountains of Bellagio and perfect people-watching on Las Vegas Boulevard, it was certainly the first to do it with such style, ambiance and French flair. And while alfresco dining may be Mon Ami’s calling card, the fantastic menu is just as memorable.
Indulge in weekend brunch specialties like eggs Benedict or sautéed trout, or stick to breakfast favorites like lemon marmalade crepes, a spinach and goat cheese omelette or smoked salmon. Later in the day, don’t miss Escargots de Bourgogne with garlic-herb butter, duck confit served with red cabbage, bacon and dates in a black pepper-brandy sauce, or a classic Croque Monsieur. Not surprisingly, Mon Ami Gabi serves one of the best steak frites in all of Las Vegas, offering the choice of au poivre, Bordeaux (red wine butter), Bordelaise or Roquefort blue cheese sauce to complement your perfect prime filet and crispy potatoes.
Off the Strip: Tacotarian
Tacotarian
The Arts District area centered around a historic stretch of Main Street has emerged as one of Downtown’s favorite bar- and restaurant-hopping destinations. A single block of California Avenue is particularly sizzling at the moment, thanks to Esther’s Kitchen and new bars from CraftHaus Brewery and Garagiste Wine Room & Merchant. The newest addition is Tacotarian (1130 S. Casino Center Blvd. #170, 702.251.3853), a plant-based Mexican eatery that serves as the perfect taco depot for a night spent strolling downtown. Don’t miss the fresh guacamole and plantain con mole tacos.
#trending: Diablo's Cantina
Diablos Cantina
Expect a fresh south-of-the-border experience at Diablo’s Cantina (702.791.7111) inside The Mirage. Start with customizable guacamole to share with your table, add a soulful bowl of chicken pozole with guajillo-tomato broth, and tack on the citrus-cured aguachile shrimp ceviche for good measure. Diablo’s can be fun and light or hearty and satisfying once you dig into the tacos, enchiladas and achiote-marinated carne asada that round out the menu.
