On the Strip in Las Vegas, everyone knows the finest places to dine---just name some of the most globally recognized chefs in the world and you will find them: Joel Robuchon, Guy Savoy, Alain Ducasse, Thomas Keller, among a laundry list of others.
One fine dining restaurant on the strip that is worth checking out is Bartolotta Ristorante Di Mare at The Wynn Resort. Unlike any other restaurant in the United States of this great America, you will discover the freshest fish flown in from the Italian Mediterranean as if you were fishing those waters yourself on the same day you ate your catch. Chef Bartolotta accomplishes this by retaining on his staff a marine biologist who maintains the temperature and salinity of the water tank that stores the live seafood, including Bartolotta’s famed langoustines. Chef Bartolotta also employs a system of tracking the temperature of his seafood shipments to ensure that there has been no material fluctuation of temperature during the transportation process. Keep in mind that the menu does not represent all of the seafood that may be available on any particular day so you will need to ask about daily specials. Unequivocally, Bartolotta Ristorante Di Mare is a Pescatarian’s “dream come true.”
One fine dining restaurant on the strip that is worth checking out is Bartolotta Ristorante Di Mare at The Wynn Resort. Unlike any other restaurant in the United States of this great America, you will discover the freshest fish flown in from the Italian Mediterranean as if you were fishing those waters yourself on the same day you ate your catch. Chef Bartolotta accomplishes this by retaining on his staff a marine biologist who maintains the temperature and salinity of the water tank that stores the live seafood, including Bartolotta’s famed langoustines. Chef Bartolotta also employs a system of tracking the temperature of his seafood shipments to ensure that there has been no material fluctuation of temperature during the transportation process. Keep in mind that the menu does not represent all of the seafood that may be available on any particular day so you will need to ask about daily specials. Unequivocally, Bartolotta Ristorante Di Mare is a Pescatarian’s “dream come true.”
My long time favorite is Lotus of Siam. It was also the James Beard Foundation’s favorite in 2011 when it awarded Chef Saipin Chutima the “Best Chef” in the Southwest region of the United States. Like most great places of food culture, you will find this restaurant in a strip center. For any lack of ambiance, the food and the wine list will make up for it. The wine list is a tome of world-class wines from around the globe at prices that will make you aghast. On one occasion, I purchased a bottle of Estate Pinot Noir from one of the finest vineyards in California, Rochioli, at $75 when the producer sells the same bottle for $55 to its allocated customers. On yet another occasion, I ordered a 1996 Premier Cru LeRoy from Burgundy for no more than $125. With these fine wines, you will also have the opportunity to indulge in the most satisfying Thai cuisine that you will ever experience, next to eating in Southeast Asia or Jitlada in Los Angeles.
Start your journey through Southeast Asia by ordering the Som Thum, the Thai Papaya Salad, a classic dish that consists of green papaya, chili, tomato, crushed peanuts, mixed with lime juice, fish sauce and sugar. Lotus of Siam’s subtle sweet version of Pad Thai is not to be missed---stir-fried thin rice noodles with eggs, green onions, bean sprouts and chopped peanuts on the side. I usually add shrimp to my Pad Thai order.
Start your journey through Southeast Asia by ordering the Som Thum, the Thai Papaya Salad, a classic dish that consists of green papaya, chili, tomato, crushed peanuts, mixed with lime juice, fish sauce and sugar. Lotus of Siam’s subtle sweet version of Pad Thai is not to be missed---stir-fried thin rice noodles with eggs, green onions, bean sprouts and chopped peanuts on the side. I usually add shrimp to my Pad Thai order.
The shining star of this Thai experience is the Garlic Prawns. Never have I had deep-fried prawns where the shells are removed from the shrimp but still attached at the ends for eating. Analogous to a Sushi Chef frying the head of the sweet shrimp for the Japanese version of a French Fry, this is the Thai version. Chef Saipin sautés the prawns in a special garlic sauce, topped with ground pepper. For an even more indulgent version of this variation (except for eating the shells), order the lobster but make sure you have plenty of company to help you finish it. The other standing star is the Sea Bass with ginger. Chef Saipin delicately steams the sea bass topped with their special ginger sauce.
Leaving Lotus of Siam after this deliciously satisfying comfort meal and exquisite wine experience, you will know that you hit your jackpot during your visit to Vegas.
Leaving Lotus of Siam after this deliciously satisfying comfort meal and exquisite wine experience, you will know that you hit your jackpot during your visit to Vegas.
Your food experience Off-The-Strip would not be complete without going to a Japanese Charcoal Grill in Chinatown where most of the executive chefs go to dine after hours. This temple of authentic Japanese fare is called Aburiya Raku. In the many meals I’ve eaten in Japan, the meals I’ve had at Raku equal in integrity of experience, pristine quality of ingredients, and humble genius in execution. Like Lotus of Siam, Raku is located at the far end of an inconspicuous strip mall on Spring Mountain Road about a 10 minutes cab drive from your hotel on the strip.
Raku resides in an intimately situated space that minimally distracts you from the food and your company. On the other side of the main dining room, Raku provides traditional Japanese subterranean seating for larger parties.
Chef Mitsou Endo has two formats to choose from while dining at his restaurant. First, the Omakase at a price of $75 or $100, and the other is a la carte from the regular menu and the irresistible daily menu on the mini-chalkboard. The daily menu typically includes a special fish that is prepared sashimi style, a whole fish that can be prepared in a variety of ways depending on your preference, among other items. I recommend you order all of them as part of your personalized tasting menu that the server will course out for you.
Raku resides in an intimately situated space that minimally distracts you from the food and your company. On the other side of the main dining room, Raku provides traditional Japanese subterranean seating for larger parties.
Chef Mitsou Endo has two formats to choose from while dining at his restaurant. First, the Omakase at a price of $75 or $100, and the other is a la carte from the regular menu and the irresistible daily menu on the mini-chalkboard. The daily menu typically includes a special fish that is prepared sashimi style, a whole fish that can be prepared in a variety of ways depending on your preference, among other items. I recommend you order all of them as part of your personalized tasting menu that the server will course out for you.
To start, Chef Mitsou prepares a supple homemade tofu with Japanese condiments.
Chef Mitsou’s sashimi salad is made up of impeccable slices of salmon, yellowtail, and tuna atop spinach with a lightly sweet ponzu dressing, garnished with crispy onions for texture and savory sweetness.
From cold to hot, the crispy fried shrimp are irresistible, mini-whole prawns with meat as sweet as lobster that will sate your desire for something deliciously fried after consuming a container or two of one of Raku’s artisanal Japanese sakes. From the robata grill, the salmon with ikura oroshi, the yellowtail with glazed soy sauce, and the fish belly are sure bets. If you have never eaten here, I strongly suggest ordering the Omakase, the chef’s tasting menu, to introduce you to Chef Mitsou’s creativity and culinary restraint for preserving the cuisine at a level of simplistic brilliance.
Although Raku has been nominated multiple times by the James Beard Foundation as the best restaurant in the Southwest region of the United States, Raku still maintains an “Under The Radar” status by virtue of its Off-The-Strip location. I hope it stays that way because Raku will always remain Vegas-At-Its-Best in my book.
As visitors to Vegas, we often times get lulled into the labyrinth of the hotel casinos, ubiquitous dining venues, and eye-popping entertainment attractions. With as little as a short cab ride and a desire for adventure, you will discover a city replete with cultural anomalies that will not only enliven your senses but also inspire you to come back for more.
Bartolotta Ristorante Di Mare is located at the Wynn Resort at 3131 South Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV 89109 (702) 770-3305, open nightly at 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., http://www.wynnlasvegas.com/Restaurants/FineDining/Bartolotta.
Lotus of Siam is located at 953 East Sahara Avenue, A5, Las Vegas, NV 89104 (702) 735-3033, open Mon – Fri from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Sat – Sun from 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., www.saipinchutima.com.
Aburiya Raku is located at 5030 West Spring Mountain Road #2, Las Vegas, NV 89146 (702) 367-3511, open Mon – Sat from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m., closed Sunday, http://www.raku-grill.com.
Although Raku has been nominated multiple times by the James Beard Foundation as the best restaurant in the Southwest region of the United States, Raku still maintains an “Under The Radar” status by virtue of its Off-The-Strip location. I hope it stays that way because Raku will always remain Vegas-At-Its-Best in my book.
As visitors to Vegas, we often times get lulled into the labyrinth of the hotel casinos, ubiquitous dining venues, and eye-popping entertainment attractions. With as little as a short cab ride and a desire for adventure, you will discover a city replete with cultural anomalies that will not only enliven your senses but also inspire you to come back for more.
Bartolotta Ristorante Di Mare is located at the Wynn Resort at 3131 South Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV 89109 (702) 770-3305, open nightly at 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., http://www.wynnlasvegas.com/Restaurants/FineDining/Bartolotta.
Lotus of Siam is located at 953 East Sahara Avenue, A5, Las Vegas, NV 89104 (702) 735-3033, open Mon – Fri from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Sat – Sun from 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., www.saipinchutima.com.
Aburiya Raku is located at 5030 West Spring Mountain Road #2, Las Vegas, NV 89146 (702) 367-3511, open Mon – Sat from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m., closed Sunday, http://www.raku-grill.com.