The Las Vegas dining landscape is stacked with familiar flavors that will hit the sweet spot every time, but sometimes you don’t know what you want. Sometimes you want an experimental experience, creative cuisine that pushes the boundaries and introduces something new.
One of the newest edgy eateries in town is Anima (702.202.4291) at the Gramercy center in southwest Las Vegas. Coming from the minds of the team behind the popular EDO Tapas restaurant, this energetic new dining destination blends Spanish and Italian dishes without sacrificing the integrity of either style. Crispy croquetas, one of the most popular tapas dishes, have flavors of cacio e pepe, while cured tuna sashimi swims in aji amarillo escabeche. You’ll want to explore the charcuterie boards with imported ingredients from both regions, but don’t skip the indulgent pasta dishes like truffle cavatelli with bone marrow or leek ravioli in foie gras sauce. Anima is cutting-edge—and unlike any other food experience in Las Vegas.
For fun fusion on the Strip, look no further than the seminal SushiSamba (702.607.0700) at The Venetian and Palazzo, which has satisfied guests for years with its unique combination of Japanese, Peruvian and Brazilian dishes. Start with the crispy Hokkaido scallops served wrapped in butter lettuce and graduate to vegetable tempura and rich wagyu beef gyoza. Large-format dishes such as the over-the-top Moqueca Mista, an assortment of seafood with coconut milk and chimichurri rice, and the Churrasco Rio Grande, Brazilian-style grilled meats with sides and dipping sauces, are a great way to experience exotic flavors with your entire table.
Chef Todd English has restaurants at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas and at the new English Hotel in downtown Las Vegas, but he has reconceptualized the idea of the food hall with The Beast (725.210.5365) at AREA15. The casual concept in the heart of the immersive entertainment district offers a variety of foods, from Buffalo wings to Korean-style corn dogs and beer-battered fish and chips. The Kraken burger boasts five beefy patties in a shareable monument to the all-American meal, and the Beast Breath Smokehouse menu serves up pepper brisket, St. Louis-style pork ribs, hot links and more. There’s a flavor for every preference at The Beast.
Sparrow + Wolf (702.790.2147) in Chinatown has evolved from a neighborhood restaurant into a favorite destination for locals and Vegas visitors. That’s because the menu is always changing in exciting new ways. Currently coming off Sparrow’s wood-fired grill and hearth oven are coal-fired Spanish octopus with chickpea stew, black pepper, and honey Iberico pork with foie gras and roasted plantain, Koji-marinated top sirloin with banchan-style cucumbers, and braised lamb neck with brown butter beans and Parker House rolls. Try the tasting menu if you’re ready to put yourself in the kitchen’s capable hands, or keep it simple and light with cocktails, charcuterie and cheese and the restaurant’s beloved sourdough bread with butter and salt.
Back on the Strip, another new experience is blossoming at Resorts World. Caviar Bar (702.676.7936) is definitely dedicated to its titular delicacy, but at its core, this refined eat-at-the-bar experience is an elevation of American seafood with incredible ingredients and craftsmanship. You can opt for a traditional caviar service with some of the best product available anywhere, or enjoy it with imaginative small bites like waffles with smoked salmon or shrimp toast. Chilled shellfish, tartares and crudos await, and main selections include Alaskan black cod, handmade gnocchi with Parmesan cream, and Australian wagyu beef grilled to perfection in miso butter with Japanese mushrooms. This Las Vegas bar will make you feel like you’re dining in the lap of luxury.
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