Osteria Costa’s Linguine And Clams. Credit: Osteria Costa
Food is comfort, and nothing makes a beautiful night out better than a brag-worthy dinner. Mark your time in Las Vegas with a series of incredible outings that will fill your camera roll and your stomach with happy memories.
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Bavette’s Steakhouse & Bar
Wipe away a manic day with a sweet and floral Lillet Rosé martini downed in the lush atmosphere of Bavette’s Steakhouse & Bar, an homage to Gilded Age opulence. Dark and sultry, the restaurant’s dimly lit chandeliers, red banquettes and mix of vintage art and murals by abstract illustrator David Plunkert encapsulate the vibe of this new center-Strip restaurant from Chicago’s Hogsalt Hospitality Group.
In partnership with Sydell Group, a hotelier focusing on hospitality experiences deeply rooted in their location, Bavette’s opened in late 2017 as part of Monte Carlo’s transformation into the highly anticipated Park MGM.
The food and drink here are rich. Think seafood towers, baked goat cheese, crab-stuffed avocado, pork and lamb chops. Though this is a steakhouse, if a filet or a ribeye isn’t on the meal plan, you can still satisfy that red-meat craving with a classic burger and fries. Add egg and bacon for extra flavor or try the crispy spiced fried chicken. And if you don’t eat meat, don’t fret — there’s a vegetarian menu available upon request.
Go for a pre- or post-dinner cocktail in the very hidden back-parlor bar. Explore the Old-Fashioned menu with four libations made from different spirits — Hibiki Tokyo whisky, Hardy cognac, Belle Meade bourbon and Old Overholt rye whiskey — or delve into the history of mixology with a Manhattan, a martini, a Sazerac or a gimlet.
The most difficult part of this meal is leaving room for the hot fudge sundae royale, which lets you do it your way with a selection of toppings like M&Ms, sprinkles and Oreos, all presented tableside.
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Once
Pronounced “on-seh” as in the Spanish word for “eleven,” the first Las Vegas restaurant from acclaimed Los Angeles chef Ricardo Zarate is as surprising as its name. The Peruvian Nikkei cuisine at Once — the eatery is located inside the Grand Canal Shoppes at Forbes Travel Guide Four-Stars The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino and The Palazzo Resort Hotel Casino — digs into Zarate’s roots as the 11th of 13 children, blending staples from his South American culture with influences from Japan.
In keeping with the numerical theme, the menu features 11 à la carte shared plates. Start with the octopus, charcuterie and cheese platter; it’s an unexpected blend of components, but the pulpo is prepared so well you could cut it with a spoon.
Light and fresh ceviches are a favorite here, including the red snapper tiradito, kampachi with amarillo tiger’s milk and bigeye tuna sashimi with black truffle. On the hearty side, the Korean bibimbap gets a dash of Latin flair with black mint stew, tacu tacu rice, a sunny-side-up egg and plantains. The typical Peruvian fried rice dish chaufa is tossed with lobster, snow crab, pancetta and sausage. The yuca-stuffed beignets with Manchego are not to be missed, either.
Of course, there are also 11 signature cocktails, including the Yuzu Me with gin, wasabi simple syrup, lime and yuzu.
Décor-wise, the space radiates a chic patio vibe without ever having to go outside, thanks to living plant walls, Edison lighting and five communal tables.
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Osteria Costa
After sampling Once’s South American interpretations, try Osteria Costa’s Southern Italian essence without ever leaving the Strip. Located in The Mirage and helmed by chef Michael LaPlaca, the eatery brings the regional flavors of the Amalfi Coast to the desert.
Open to the casino floor, the space has a palette of seaside blues and greens, light wood furnishings and billowing linens. A pizza counter with a hearth oven offers a more interactive culinary experience — and a front-row seat to one of the menu’s stars. You can also take a seat in the bar and lounge or in the main dining room to indulge in a multi-course feast.
Every meal at Costa should start with a cocktail; the bar makes its own limoncello in house daily, though you’ll also find the requisite Aperol spritz and other citrus-inspired libations.
A first course of meatballs and housemade mozzarella, followed by the sublime, simple and perfectly crisp margherita pizza puts those who may not eat seafood on a delicious path.
But for everyone else, the classic linguine and clams, made with garlic, chilies and lemon, is as good as they come. If you’re skipping straight to fish, opt for the clean and bright branzino, grilled with lemon and oregano, or the corvina acqua pazza, the white sea bass with tomatoes and basil.
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Hell’s Kitchen
Named after famously fiery chef Gordon Ramsay’s extremely popular television show, Hell’s Kitchen at Caesars Palace debuted in early 2018 and hasn’t slowed down, with guests clamoring to taste favorites like the beef Wellington or pan-seared scallops and lobster risotto that they’ve seen season after season. And it may just get busier — more dishes from the series will be added as new episodes air.
With a nicely crafted atmosphere that re-creates the set of the show in the heat of battle, the only thing missing is Ramsay in the flesh. But fret not, there’s a digital version that serves as the restaurant’s greeter alongside the pitchfork. The mosaic-inlaid show kitchen is divided into red and blue “teams,” and the cooks’ jackets and bandanas are identical to the contestants’. All the design nods are here, too, from the slim stems on the wine glasses to the brass utensils, each resembling the iconic farm tool logo.
This is the celebrity chef’s fifth Las Vegas restaurant and his seventh with Caesars Entertainment. So, toast to the eventful night of noshing ahead with the gin-based Notes from Gordon, garnished with a printed surprise note from Ramsay himself.
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Masso Osteria
Celebrity chef Scott Conant makes a dash for the ‘burbs with his refined Masso Osteria at Red Rock Casino Resort and Spa. Masso means “boulder” in Italian, a tribute to the surrounding beauty of the West.
Conant’s famous pasta al pomodoro is on the menu. Other showstoppers include smoked mozzarella stromboli; wood-roasted chicken al limone; and a simply dressed kale salad with Parmesan, almonds, green onions and an avocado vinaigrette. The best way to sample everything is with a multi-course family-style meal.
Romantic yet jubilant, Masso is an ideal way to wind down the day — with some wine and pasta.
