Curtas is the main author.

Generally eater las vegas I've found to be on point.

It depends on what you like and don't like. And there are so many great restaurants.

I'd start with a list like this, but I could always add more if the cuisines represented don't float your boat. If I were to design a curated tour of ten restaurants to eat at, I would try to give you ten restaurants that are nothing alike.

https://vegas.eater.com/maps/best-re...s-vegas-38-map

Eater has a lot of lists if you can narrow down your preferences.

Eater list is pretty solid if a bit dated. Great at taking all demographics into account and covering a ton of bases. Wouldn’t surprise me if some places on the list were bought. I think I read somewhere that the city essential lists on Eater aren’t all places that the writer has personally eaten at.

Can’t think of any reason I’d dine at Spago. If I wanted a fountain view there are better options (food wise not necessarily view wise). Las Vegas has gotten so much better at pizza since Settebello first came to Vegas. Criminal to not highlight other very good spots. Think downtown is also grossly underrepresented in the list but definitely speaks to its age

eater is best when you sort by a particular type of food
their pizza list: https://vegas.eater.com/maps/best-pi...as-restaurants

John Curtas' original book, from 2011, featured 50 Essential Restaurants and had two co-authors. It came out with updates in 012, 013 and then 017 with different co-authors. He wrote his 2020 book solo. He has a documented disdain for some chefs, notably Bobby Flay, and some feel a noticeably cozy relationship with Chef Laurent Tourondel. The book selections have been a bit contentious over the years when Co-authored, with each having a veto-proof selection, and a gang rule of in/out for a few others. Listing Top of the World (Strat), for one instance, was a heated battle.
Nevertheless, I feel he is a go-to source for Las Vegas Dining.
http://www.eatinglv.com/
https://www.amazon.com/kindle-dbs/en...SelectorHeader

Sorry for the seemingly incorrect information as my answer was based on an older version of the book where Curtas was a coauthor.

Doc: In no way was I trying to correct any posting of yours. I consider you an ongoing asset to this thread. My purpose was to enlighten regarding Curtas' books, of which I've read all.
Sorry I took a few days to respond- I was in Reno for a few.

All three of these places are somewhere between casual and fine dining (japaneiro has some fine dining food in very casual setting)

Japaneiro- still the perfect late night food and late night happy hour menu for poker players. Their quality doesn’t drop even if it’s 2:10am

Bouchon- best brunch in Vegas and the margin seems to be growing

Bardot brasserie- food was above average but on a busy Thursday night the service was absolutely terrible. We would see our waiter once every 30-40mins, always in a rushed state. When I ordered a glass of champagne I later saw the price was 45 dollars a glass which I think is too high not to mention. I would return to eat at the bar alone, but definitely never again with my fiancé on date night.

Had an adequate and enjoyable dinner at Frankie and Fina’s, even if the place was full of old white people. This is what happens when you can’t get into Juan’s though :shrug:

Separately tried new El Dorado in SW. Was good, though they are having some communication issues since their calls go to Tivoli and are routed. Should be quick to work thru that. The food was super rich and spicier than I remember for not being asked for a spice level.

has anyone been back to Thai street on industrial since they have reopened?

Went to Wynn weekend buffet brunch. Don’t even call it brunch, call it breakfast. No crab, oyster or prime rib. Truly terrible 50 dollar breakfast.

But do they normally have those items during brunch?

Pre pandemic yes. It was a 50 dollar brunch ffs

TK House of Bread and Armenian Cuisine. First legit lamahjoun I’ve seen here. Everything is good. El Cap and Flamingo nw corner

This is like asking where to play poker in Las Vegas...

I found the Bulgarian place our last trip. Good to hear of this. Is there a Georgian (as in the Caucasus, not the Masters) establishment you have seen?

Went to Yardbird for brunch this morning. We are big fans of that place, but I think their brunch falls a little short of their dinner service. The waitress and hostess were not quite on top of things, and the food was good not great. My fiance really liked her pecan waffle and said that she would go back for that. My fried chicken and egg sandwich was certainly good but not spectacular even though I love their biscuits and fried chicken on their own. We will go back there for brunch but it will probably be awhile, whereas we get a craving for all of their southern dinner foods on a regular basis.

Nothing specifically Georgian I have seen. Some Georgian items on TK menu though. its very casual, the menu is mostly kabobs and pastries stuffed w meat, rice, cheese, potato, etc. Georgian khachapouri. I am not knowledgeable enough to tell you Armenian v Georgian etc.

What is the name of the Bulgarian place?

Forte Tapas? The owner is Bulgarian but it's an eastern European restaurant. I went there last year and quite enjoyed it.

anyone know where to get good clams casino? It is on the majority of italian restaurants on east coast but they are no where in sight out here. Last place that had them was Allegro and they have been off the menu for quite some time now.

Do any of the fan favorites in this thread appear on UberEats and deliver their food ?

Guys, give me something in Henderson... I know about elsewhere in LV, but just want to check out some "local" since we are eventually moving there. I don't care about cuisine types - just want some favourites. Thanks!

Saga pastry + sandwich - Nordic open sandwiches. Cool owner and good food

8 kitchen - Favorite hawaiian spot in Vegas. Would go often it wasn’t in Henderson

Craft kitchen - a Decent brunch. Don’t plan to walk in on weekend

Blume - Trying to be a party spot for an over 40 crowd. DJ, low lighting, blue suede. Food better than I expected

The stove - Rowdiest restaurant I’ve ever been to in my life. Brunch is insane. Champagne guns / bongs, every other party is dancing. Food is also better than I expected it to be

Manila bbq - Filipino food in Las Vegas is awful. This is the best one. Probably not for everyone. Despite the name I always go for any of their soups

Served global dining - The chef here spends a ton of time following food trends on ig. He is a massive food nerd and the people he serves to likely don’t appreciate it. The menu is a hodgepodge of things, but he is very passionate about sourcing ingredients and trying new techniques. The pricing of everything is insane value all things considered. When I went I enjoyed all of the food and was pretty surprised given how empty it was. Go here and hope they don’t shut down


Le cafe du val - very solid pastries aside from canele which was jokingly bad. Dense and underdone bottom. Very slow to call things bad but regardless of how long this was sitting out, this was not prepared as intended or I totally disagree with their intention

Truffles n bacon - Brunch stuff with some filipino twists. No alcohol, long weekend waits

Slaters 50/50 - burgers with a lot of stuff on them. Ig friendly. Not for me but I’m a grumpy old when it comes to food like this

Full house bbq - More approachable filipino spot for non-filipino people. Chef was exec chef for a large casino so has experience in serving varied demographic. Think it’s ok

Chikyu vegan izakaya - thoroughly enjoyed everything


Most of these places I’ve only gone to once so would be cool to hear your thoughts if you end up at any of them

Thanks, Doorbread! Booked Global Dining. Will also try Gaetano's in Henderson and hit LV for Andiamo at the D.