Watch out for Celine Dion, Cher, and Donny & Marie – several other popular stars have made a splash in Sin City. Over the past decade, some of the culinary world’s biggest names have flocked to the Las Vegas Strip to open some of the most prestigious restaurants in the country. These chefs have brought innovation, creativity and delicious offerings to Las Vegas – and helped improve the Las Vegas experience for tourists. From brunch to happy hour to dinner options, we’ve brought together the best of the best to fill the stomach and nourish the soul on the Las Vegas Strip.
Tapas’ Til You Tap Out at Border Grill’s Limitless Brunch
Border Grill @ Mandalay Bay
LGBTQ attorney and celebrity chef Susan Feniger has fully embraced the indulgent nature of Las Vegas. Border Grill, a modern Mexican restaurant in Mandalay Bay that she owns with Executive Chef Mary Sue Milliken, offers seasonal dishes that are carefully sourced. The restaurant recently revamped an already delicious list of limitless brunch menus. Feniger decided that she wanted to take this indulgent atmosphere up a few steps but keep the restaurant geared towards her discerning approach to food. “When we started doing this, we felt like we were competing with buffets in Vegas,” she said. “We felt we could do something similar, but prepare the food to order so that it was fresh and interesting, not sitting on a steam table and having a cook cook it fresh. It also comes out at different times, so it’s not all on one plate, ”she continues.
The expanded menu at the Border Grill features everything from short rib hash, Diablo fried chicken, lobster cachapas, and more. Feniger’s menu also includes a variety of brunch libations, including two of her favorite beverages. “I love, love our Cafe de Lola with rum or Kahlua,” she says. “I love mezcal too, so El Mezcalero rocks. You get the smokiness of the mezcal, the touch of the passion fruit and a bit of sweetness from the coconut. Or give me a spicy one or two, damn Maria, ”she says with a laugh. Feniger really wanted to create a warm, indulgent atmosphere after a turbulent time in the world. She says, “We wanted this killer menu that would make people feel like they were being fed and fed – even overfed! Nothing is more comforting than hanging out, eating, drinking and relaxing after a strenuous year and a half. ”It clearly works at Feniger – Border Grill has been voted the best brunch on the Strip for several years.
The happiest hour in a cocktail garden for a queen
Vanderpump Cocktail Garden @ Ceasars Palace
Reality star and restaurateur Lisa Vanderpump embodies pleasure with a fabulous flair. The British expat and LGTBQ lawyer became famous with the hit Bravo show The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, in which she presented her food and drink hotspots PUMP and SUR in the heart of Boys Town in West Hollywood. When Las Vegas knocked to try LVP in the form of a cocktail garden, she replied. “We are very honored that Caesars Palace asked us to work with them on this project – we were thrilled to be part of the Caesars family,” said Vanderpump. “We have created a unique, decadent room with a majestic flair, where guests can relax in a sexy garden oasis. From the design and ambience (with the incredible lighting, fixtures and furniture by Nick Alain) to the selection of light snacks and cocktails, I am proud of what we have created and I hope everyone enjoys the experience as much as we do, ”added she added.
Guests can sip through the menu during happy hour while enjoying the stunning indoor terrace with a 5-meter-high outdoor garden. Olive trees and eccentric lighting fixtures. The LVP experience includes a cocktail list that focuses on craft cocktails with tongue-in-cheek names. Lisa’s cheeky stamp is evident on her lavish libations like The Checkmate Bitch: Stoli Hot Vodka, Chacho Jalapeno Vodka, fresh pineapple, grapefruit liqueur, vanilla citrus fruits, Angostura bitters and pink peppercorns. Further options are the Please Her, Caesar !: Vanderpump Vodka, Rosé Champagne, blackberry, elderflower, lemon, Aquafaba and the Matcha Matcha Man: Vanderpump Vodka, Matcha, fresh mint, lemon, ginger liqueur, Aquafaba. The menu also offers light bites to make up for the damp drinks. The Vanderpump Cocktail Garden even offers a list of delicious drinks to end the night with their “Naughty Nightcaps” portion of the drinks menu.
Las Vegas loves Lisa Vanderpump so much that she will open a new outlet at the end of 2021, Vanderpump à Paris. We say Oui Oui to more LVP in Sin City.
A taste of the Amalfi Coast from Bobby Flay
Amalfi @ Caesars Palace
Food Network darling Bobby Flay loves everything Italy related. The chef and co-host of the Discovery Plus show Bobby and Giada in Italy loves southern Italy so much that he has decided to bring the full Amalfi Coast experience to the Las Vegas Strip with his new Amalfi restaurant. “With the opening of Amalfi at Caesars Palace, I was able to demonstrate my passion for the Amalfi Coast and the fresh flavors the region is known for,” said Flay. “Our team created an incredible experience that brings everything I love about the Amalfi Coast to the Las Vegas Strip, from the various seating areas to the coastal cocktails to the fresh fish market and all of the seasonal flavors that we feature on the menu. The response from the guests has already blown us away, I’m incredibly proud and I’m looking forward to everything that lies ahead, ”he added.
Upon entering the restaurant, guests are carried away to the Amalfi Coast with a design with natural tones and a touch of green, organic fabrics, wood and stone, and a colorful mosaic limestone floor. The main dining room has a large ceiling display with a variety of wines and a lively open kitchen. Guests can open their pallets with an Amalfi Spritz – an updated and more refined version of the Aperol Spritz with Selim Spumante, Cappelletti Aperitivo and soda water. After a splash or a glass of Prosecco, guests can enjoy spicy and light antipasti such as seafood frito misto with Meyer lemon aioli and pistachio pesto or charred octopus with burnt orange pancetta. The focal point of Amalfi is the fresh fish and seafood display served by a fishmonger who can share all the details about the fish featured. Guests can choose from the extensive selection, including Golden Snapper, Red Snapper, Black Bass, Branzino, Carabinero Shrimps. The guest can then decide how the fresh fish should be prepared – grilled over charcoal or roasted al forno and served with a choice of Meyer lemon and capers, red pepper, Calabrian chilli pesto or salsa verde. Pampering desserts like tiramisu and sorbets round off a decadent culinary experience perfectly.
After dinner at the Amalfi, guests will love that Bobby loves everything Italy.
A classic steakhouse with gangster flair
Bugsy and Meyer’s Steakhouse @ Flamingo
Bugsy and Meyer’s is the perfect place for a taste of old school Las Vegas and contemporary steakhouse. The name pays homage to the founders of the Flamingo Hotel, Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel and business partner Meyer Lansky, who opened the first resort-style hotel on the Las Vegas Strip in 1946 – the only Jonathan Adler with the help of Studio K Creative from Chicago. The eatery offers half a dozen experiences for guests – a terrace and lounge, a bar in focus, a raw bar, three private dining rooms, a main dining room and a whisper bar – The Count Room.
The indulgent steakhouse has an enclosed show cooler with the decadent in-house dry-aged steak program. Guests can choose from a variety of hand-picked cuts, including Domestic Prime, Wet Aged, Dry Aged Prime, Imported Wagyu, and more. Steaks include lobster tail, Alaskan king crab, foie gras, B&M scampi, and Point Reyes cheese fondue. And what’s a steak dinner without some over-the-top side dishes? Bugsy and Meyer’s has no shortage of delicious side dishes like truffle mashed potatoes, lobster mac & cheese and The Heater – a potato with white cheddar, house sausage and caramelized onions. The cocktail menu offers classic cocktails and several rum drinks – a popular spirit of the 1940s. A guest favorite is The Jungle Bird made from Cruzan Black Strap Rum, Campari, pineapple juice, lime juice, simple syrup with pineapple wedge and leaf. After dinner, guests can enjoy desserts like The Big Apple with caramelized apples, soft caramel, hazelnut café crumble, and a white chocolate yuzu mousse. Or skip dessert and live your best Las Vegas life and order a nightcap or two from the homemade old-fashioned section of the drinks menu.
There is no gambling with your taste buds at Bugsy and Meyer’s – you will feel like the gangster you are.
Last modified: October 1, 2021
