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Las Vegas is a city of many high-end restaurants, celebrity chefs, and over-the-top dining experiences, and rummaging through the sheer number of options can be overwhelming. What I’ve found over the years is that the off-Strip dining can oftentimes be as impressive as what’s in the well-known casinos and resorts. The premium paid for the on-Strip dining experiences can be tremendous, leading many restaurateurs and bars to find more affordable, approachable places. With the explosion of Downtown Vegas as a viable attraction, there are now some impressive spots to visit, like one of the best Thai restaurants in the city, and a great cocktail bar. The ethnic dining in the Chinatown section of the city rivals some of the best restaurants in L.A., though no particular cuisine dominates. The following is a diverse guide to 16 of Las Vegas’ best restaurants and bars, listed in alphabetical order instead of in order of preference.
MUST ORDER DISHES: Hot and Sour Soup, Fried Rice Cake, Dan Dan Noodles, Xiao Long Bao Soup Dumplings, Green Onion Pancake, Pan Fried Pork Buns, Eggplant with Basil, Beef Rolls
This craft cocktail bar isn’t quite up to snuff when compared to the best of L.A., San Francisco, and New York, but for a town that’s used to well drinks and bottle service, it’s encouraging to find the tide turning, especially in revitalized Downtown Fremont Street. There are bars like Vanguard, Downtown Cocktail Room, and the Cosmopolitan’s Vesper Bar that are producing classics and innovative drinks using more unique spirits, but Commonwealth is a locals bar through and through. The vibe is a quasi-Speakeasy, old-timey type thing but it’s also a lot more fun than a lot of the other bars. The outdoor patio makes for a great fair-weather spot to imbibe while the interior blends loud tunes with crafted drinks. There’s also a true speakeasy called The Laundry Room that’s only accessible with a reservation.
MUST ORDER DRINKS: Blood and Sand
D.O.C.G. [CLOSED]
MUST ORDER DISHES: Arancini, ‘The D.O.C.G. Pizza’ with Fonduta, Egg and Truffles, Lardo Wrapped Prawns, Pici with Black Truffles and Braised Duck Sauce, Cavatelli, Diver Scallop
Freakin’ Frog [CLOSED]
This craft beer bar is definitely on the dingy side, but the selection makes up for it. For lovers of all things hops, yeast, and malt, it’s one of the better places to get a rare craft brew. Adam Carmer, who also teaches at nearby UNLV, started this Las Vegas original, which is also a great place to get acquainted with one of the largest selections of whiskey anywhere. The food, however, is worth skipping.
MUST ORDER DRINKS: Craft Beer, Whiskey
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