Tag: vegas dining

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A Chef’s Happy Hour: Local Flavor, Big Talent, Real Vegas

Chef Happy Hours in Las Vegas

Las Vegas may be famous for its celebrity chefs and marquee dining rooms, but some of the most exciting food in this city is coming from locals chefs building community at their off-strip kitchens.

Here are a few of the chefs and restaurants that are making waves in the Vegas food scene today. And the best part? You don’t need a reservation weeks out or a high-roller budget to try them. You can experience their craft at happy hour. 🍽️🍸

Chef Ellie Parker – Main St Provisions – Arts District

Ellie Parker, the 25-year-old Executive Chef of Main St. Provisions in the Las Vegas Arts District and a top 10 chef on season 24 of Hell’s Kitchen. Try the slider-of-the-day or the filet mignon tartare with a dirty martini dip for only $8 each. Mon- Fri 4:30-6 PM and 4-6 PM on weekends. Main St. Provisions Happy Hour Menu & info here.

Chef Joe Valdez – Basilico – Southwest

Chef Joe Valdez is known for creating traditional Nona-inspired Italian cuisine with modern inspirations. Try Chef Joe’s traditional spaghetti and meatballs or spicy shrimp with artichokes with a modern Vegas vibe for only $10 each. Basilico Happy Hour 4-6 PM daily with $9 cocktails, $7 wines and more.

Chef Dan Krohmer – Other Mama – Southwest

From learning the disciplines of sushi and kaiseki in Japan to being on tour with Vans Warped and Coachella, Chef Dan Krohmer’s Other Mama on the west side has earned an impressive number of accolades over the last decade including one of the best sushi happy hours in Vegas. Try the $5 spicy tuna and cucumber hand roll or Japanese fried chicken ($8) with a signature and very original cocktail ($8). Other Mama Happy Hour Daily 5-6PM.

Chef Bruce Kalman – Soulbelly BBQ – Arts District

James Beard nominated chef Bruce Kalman has built a career on bold flavors, craftsmanship, and an uncompromising respect for ingredients. Chef Bruce became nationally recognized through Top Chef, Chopped, Beat Bobby Flay, and as a finalist on BBQ Brawl. Make your way to the Arts District to try Chef Bruce’s pulled pork cornbread sliders ($5) at Soul belly BBQ happy hour Tuesday to Friday from 2-5 PM and a reverse Happy Hour on Friday and Saturday from 9-10 PM.

Chef Paco – Alebrijes – Fremont Street

Chef Paco’s move from Mexican favorites on The Strip to authentic Mexican at Alebrijes Downtown did not go unnoticed. There are many words to describe Chef Paco’s kitchen at Alebrijes including artful, original, inspirational and it’s all available on the $10 happy hour menu…with $7 fresh margaritas of course!. Alebrijes happy hour on Fremont Street daily 4-6 PM and 10 PM-12 AM.

Discover more Las Vegas Happy Hours and Chef driven dining in Las Vegas.

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Downtown Las Vegas Pizza Tour

Downtown Las Vegas Pizza Tour

Downtown Las Vegas is hot. The Fremont Street Experience, Fremont East and The Arts District have all had major makeovers within the last decade, thanks to pioneers like Derek Stevens, Tony Hsieh and James Trees. And the Huntridge District seems poised to join them.

What may surprise visitors and locals alike is the proliferation of amazing and distinctly different pizzerias. If you’re a casual pizza fan, that means you can find a great slice in any Downtown neighborhood. If you’re a serious pizza fanatic, you may want to consider plotting your own DTLV Pizza Tour.

The Neon Feast restaurant guide lists 14 of the best pizzerias throughout the valley, with a separate list of five great pizza spots in Downtown Las Vegas. Here’s a short rundown of those picks. (Click the links for more information on each.)

Good Pie (1212 Main St.)

Good Pie Las Vegas

With a slice window out front, plenty of indoor seating, a great bar program and a cool vibe, Good Pie is an Arts District institution. The signature style is Grandma Pies: thin-crust rectangular pizzas made with dough that’s been fermented for three days, topped with high-quality tomato sauce and cheese. Rotolo is so dedicated to keeping this Long Island-born style alive, he’s decorated the restaurant with photos of grandmothers. But Good Pie also offers Brooklyn Round, Sicilian and Detroit-style pies. If you want to get more creative, ask about the Fried Pizza with burrata or the Detroit Stuffed Chicken Parm.

Pop Up Pizza (The Plaza)

Pop Up Pizza at The Plaza Hotel Casino Las Vegas

Located in the lobby of The Plaza, Pop Up is award-winning pizzaiola Michael Vakeen’s most traditional creation. It’s extremely casual, with counter service and a handful of tables, and décor that maintains an NYC vibe with a Beastie Boys-inspired mural and other Big Apple references. All of the pies and slices are made with California tomatoes, sausage from Chicago and Brooklyn-born mozzarella. Among the available toppings for the round and square pizzas, you’ll find Creamy Onion Spinach & Mushroom, and Hot Pepperoni.

Pizza Rock (201 N. 3rd Street)

Pizza Rock Downtown Las Vegas

Thirteen-time World Pizza Champion Tony Gemignani has received just about every accolade imaginable for his California and Las Vegas restaurants, and is in the process of opening franchises for his Slice House brand across the country. But this location of Pizza Rock (there’s another one in the Green Valley Ranch casino) offers more styles of pizza than any of them. We’re talking Napoletana, Romana, Classic American, Classic Italian, Grandma, Sicilian, Detroit, California, Chicago Cracker Thin Crust, New York/New Haven and even Gluten-free in the dining room and bar, with New York slices available at the 3rd Street window.

Evel Pie (508 E. Fremont Street)

Evelyn Pie Downtown Las Vegas

Combining Evel Knievel fandom with a punk rock aesthetic, this East Fremont pizzeria serves New York-style slices in a dining room packed with memorabilia and a pinball machine, and has a back patio perfect for bands. Try a signature rattlesnake slice as you people-watch the tourists, punks, and hipsters who collide here from early afternoon until late into the night. The real surprise is how good the pizza tastes, even without the theme. So if the gritty, irreverent atmosphere isn’t for you, grab a whole pie or a few slices to go.

Yukon Pizza (1130 E. Charleston Blvd.)

Yukon Pizza Downtown Las Vegas

This family-run shop near the historic Huntridge Theater has earned a devoted following, particularly after winning a top prize at the International Pizza Challenge. The pizzas are built around a sourdough starter that dates back five generations, originally cultivated in the Yukon Territory during the Klondike Gold Rush. The result is a rich, crackly and chewy crust with an astounding depth of flavor. Expect a mix of traditional Neapolitan pies and offbeat creations, such as Sausage & Kale or the garlic-loaded “You Had Me At Garlic,” each one powered by that unique dough.

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Dollar Oysters

Dollar Oysters 1

They’re rare, but $1 oyster specials still turn up in Las Vegas. Here’s one.

Get dollar oysters all day on Tuesdays at Cap’t Louie Seafood Boil, a non-casino restaurant on the west side of town. The deal runs all day and there’s no limit. The oysters are Virginia blue points, served with cocktail sauce, fresh horseradish, and lemon.

The setting is pleasant, though it’s just a restaurant. There’s no bar, though beer and wine are available. The restaurant offers several seafood plates, mostly fried baskets and seafood boils. They look good and are mostly priced under $20 (along with market-priced crab, lobster, shrimp, mussels, and crawfish), but we didn’t try anything besides the oysters.

Cap’t Loui is located at 9430 W. Sahara, about seven miles from the Strip. Heading toward downtown on the Strip, turn left on Sahara and keep driving till you hit it. There are Cap’t Loui restaurants in several other states, but this is the only one in Nevada. Hours are 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.