Exciting new dining options keep popping up away from the Las Vegas Strip, further accelerating and diversifying the city’s dynamic culinary landscape. Downtown’s Main Street area has been a hotbed of interesting new bars and restaurants for the last couple of years and the latest addition is Taverna Costera (702.749.0091), a Mediterranean-style destination with a modern design and a rooftop bar where live bands take the stage at night. The place feels like a comfy hangout for local artists and performers, and the menu is stocked with light yet flavorful fare with French, Spanish and Greek influences. The Arts District is suddenly full of distinctive venues, and Taverna Costera adds even more depth to this increasingly popular part of town.
Out in the wide open west near the Summerlin community, a wildly popular Los Angeles joint has planted roots in Las Vegas. Dave’s Hot Chicken (702.843.5455) recently debuted in a former fast-food spot on West Sahara Avenue, and the drive-thru window line has been wrapping around the parking lot since day one. Hungry Hot Chicken fans can’t get enough of the crispy fried tenders and sliders available at seven different spice levels; luckily, there’s always a steady supply of cool dill pickles to put out the fire caused by this addictive poultry.
And in the distant southwest valley, a lesser-known Mexican dish is being celebrated and taken to new heights at the recently opened Gabi’s Gorditas (702.268.7466). This fast-casual spot on Blue Diamond Road is putting a healthier spin on Mexican cuisine by using only natural, high-quality ingredients and hand-crafting tortillas for its namesake gorditas, filled with flavorful picadillo made with beef, pork and Peruvian purple potatoes or slow-simmered chicken tinga. Grab a side of Hawaiian-style poke or pickled cactus salad and broaden your horizons.
It seems like there’s always something new on the Strip at Sahara Las Vegas, which continues to renovate and add new options like the updated Zeffer’s café concept set to open this month. But at Bazaar Meat by José Andrés (702.761.7610), the resort’s landmark restaurant from the legendary eponymous chef, the newest element in the kitchen is executive chef Candace Ochoa. She’s been working with Andrés for more than a decade, and now that she’s in command of this Vegas institution, Ochoa is adding her own spin to Bazaar’s beautiful blend of experimentation and classic preparations. If you haven’t dined here lately, it’s time to return.
And speaking of true destination dining, there’s something not new but newly reopened at Park MGM. NoMad Las Vegas had previously reopened its swanky bar and lounge but just recently reactivated The NoMad Library (702.730.6785), the stunning dining room serving a luxurious take on American classics such as Oysters Madison, seared scallops with minestrone and garganelli pasta, bone marrow-encrusted filet mignon and other creations from the mind of executive chef Michael Rellergert. Between the food and the atmosphere, there’s nothing quite like NoMad.
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