Few cuisines bring people together quite like Chinese food. Sure, it’s fun to get takeout, but the experience gets bumped up to 11 when you’re sitting around a table and using the lazy Susan to grab its latest tasty treat. Las Vegas has more than its fair share of such experiences, but it’s hard to imagine the concept being done better than at Mott 32; we almost guarantee at least a few genuine surprises for even the most well-traveled Chinese food fan.
The restaurant’s name is a tribute to 32 Mott Street in New York, the site of the city’s first Chinese convenience store. And, as you’ll soon discover by looking at the menu, this establishment has a bit of everything, celebrating Cantonese, Szechuan and Beijing cultures.
As you take your seat in the ornately decorated space, you’ll feel transported to another culture almost instantly. Glass, wood and light are all used to maximum effect here. Wherever you choose to sit, definitely check out the signature cocktails here first, from the Five O’Clock in Hong Kong, made with Beattie’s potato vodka, rose liqueur, lemon, orange sherbet, strawberry jam and orange bitters, to the Jade Apple, a blend of Ketel One Grapefruit and Rose with sour apple, honeydew, and cherry tomato tanghulu.
The starters here are all memorable. You wouldn’t ordinarily think an appetizer of marinated cucumber and garlic would be anything special, but at a recent meal I could not stop eating these. It’s the Mott 32 touch, which is present in every single item. Dim sum is well represented here as well, from traditional Iberico pork Shanghainese soup dumplings to soft quail egg siu mai, served with Iberico pork and black truffle.
Starters are plentiful. The signature smoked black cod is a popular item, and you’ll realize why the second your chopsticks pierce the succulent seafood. If you really want to splurge, try the braised whole Japanese dried abalone with oyster sauce. It’s an absolute revelation.
As you can guess, Peking duck is a real standout here, and yes, you will have to pre-order, but trust us, this version is more than worth the anticipation. It’s smoked with dried applewood and roasted fresh when your party arrives (this sumptuous feast serves three to four people). You’ll also get freshly steamed pancakes, thinly sliced cucumber and scallions, raw cane sugar and house-made special hoisin sauce. Mott 32’s unique carving technique guarantees the maximum amount of juiciness in every bite.
Another duck option is the braised version with ginger. And the minced pork adds extra dimension to a wok-fried oyster omelette.
Here’s a bonus: Mott 32 features a plant-based menu, with Shanghainese soup dumplings with “pork” and tofu to crispy “chicken” with Szechuan red peppercorns and cashews.
Desserts are presented with flair. You’ll want to take the camera out before digging into delights like rose and Valrhona white chocolate panna cotta with lychee sorbet and raspberries, and pomelo grapefruit and honeycomb, served with coconut ice cream.
The Venetian, 702.607.3232
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