As the Las Vegas Strip continues to come back to life in 2020, some of its more serene experiences have returned with characteristic quiet—and that means you may have missed them. The regal Four Seasons hotel, attached to the megaresort Mandalay Bay, has reopened and brought back one of the Strip’s most beloved dining destinations, Veranda (702.632.5121). Always a favorite among locals and tourists alike for breakfast and lunch or weekend brunch on the perfect poolside patio space, Veranda is ready to serve a selection of refreshing, lighter plates like avocado toast or the veggie-laden egg white frittata, or more substantial fare like the Sin City Burger with bacon jam and white cheddar.
Looking north on the Strip, Planet Hollywood Resort returned to action in early October and a comprehensive restaurant portfolio comes with the exciting package. You don’t have to stick to burgers and fries when indulging at lunchtime at Gordon Ramsay Burger (702.785.5462); try the Crispy Cherry Pepper Chicken sandwich or the bacon-wrapped Sabrett hot dog. Or slide over to Pin-Up Pizza (702.785.5888) for a monster-sized slice or the comfy Café Hollywood (702.732.1222) for diner-style favorites like a Reuben sandwich or chicken fettucine Alfredo. For dinner, head upstairs and choose between the glamorous Strip House (702.737.5200) for a dry-aged ribeye or Maine lobster, or the stylish Japanese cuisine at Koi (702.454.4555), where sushi and other seafood specialties shine.
You can find a vast variety of flavors if you continue your journey north to lively downtown Las Vegas, where buzzy new bars and restaurants intermingle with longtime local favorites. Carson Kitchen (702.473.9523) is one of the last dining concepts created by the late Kerry Simon, one of the most influential chefs in Vegas history, and while it has grown beyond Vegas with locations in Atlanta and Salt Lake City, the original spot in the renovated John E. Carson hotel building just off Fremont Street has evolved into a comfort-food classic. A brand-new brunch menu tantalizes with sopapilla French toast, oxtail hash, shrimp and grits and more.
At Downtown Grand, Freedom Beat (702.719.5315) has also reactivated its brunch on Saturdays and Sundays featuring live music and bottomless mimosas or Bloody Marys to go along with all-you-can-eat offerings such as Hatch chile chilaquiles, eggs Benedict and biscuits with chipotle gravy. Over at Downtown Container Park, charming wine bar Bin 702 (702.826.2702) has room on its expansive patio and is serving up craft cocktails, cheese and charcuterie boards and delicious panini.
One of the most talked-about downtown combos can be found in the Arts District just off Main Street, where local brewery CraftHaus (702.888.1026) has a big, bright taproom that’s teaming up with next-door neighbor Garagiste Wine Room & Merchant (702.954.3658) to create a unique and casual experience. Happy guests are bouncing between these bars and patios, snacking on small plates and sampling specially curated wines and fresh, Vegas-made brews. It probably isn’t what you imagined when you started off downtown, but it’s a great example of how Las Vegas hospitality continues to evolve in new and interesting ways.
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