As you note, the restaurants in Strip megaresorts get most of the attention, but many fine restaurants are found downtown. In fact, one convenient thing about downtown, as stated in the 8/13/05 Question of the Day, is that it rarely changes. So you can rely on the good restaurants there to be open and serving the same recommendable food as always.
Perhaps the most venerable of the downtown fine-dining establishments is Hugo’s Cellar, the steakhouse at the Four Queens. It’s been around for decades and appears on nearly every list of the most romantic restaurants in Nevada, thanks to its signature roses for the ladies, tableside salad service, highly attentive wait staff, and complimentary chocolate-covered fruit.
Another highly recommendable IMINO (if money is no object) restaurant downtown is Stefano’s at the Golden Nugget, serving northern Italian food since Steve Wynn’s office was in the building (where the name of the restaurant originated). Here, too, the food is fabulous and the service impeccable; as a bonus, the waiters break out in song ("Volare," "Pepino the Italian Mouse" and "That’s Amore" were are the favorites) every half-hour or so.
Also at the Golden Nugget is Lillie Langtry's, serving Cantonese and Szechuan food (great if you’re in a big party and like to share food), as well as big steaks.
Speaking of steaks, the Ranch steakhouse on the 24th floor of the Binion’s tower is famous for its big slabs, including prime rib, pork chops, and rack of lamb, as well as chicken and fish. You take a glass elevator to the top-floor restaurant and bar, which has the best view of any downtown dining establishment.
Speaking of atmosphere, the Pullman Grille at Main Street Station is another steakhouse, though with an Asian flair to attract the casino’s primarily Hawaiian clientele. Dominating the restaurant is a cigar and martini bar in an authentic 1926 Pullman train car, a great place to lounge in overstuffed chairs and have a drink, appetizers, and dessert (if you don’t like cigar smoke, though, give it a pass).
Good-value "bargain-gourmet" rooms include the Centerstage at the Plaza, which has the best view of Glitter Gulch of all the restaurants downtown; Roberta’s at the El Cortez; and the Redwood Bar and Grill at the California.
A great non-casino restaurant that's been around forever (in fact, the chef pretty much pioneered the fine-dining trail in Las Vegas) is André's, located in a small converted house on 6th Street downtown, a bit outside of the casino corridor. André Rochat, a classically trained French chef, oversees his original eatery here; he's also in charge of Alizé on the top floor of the Palms tower, André's French Restaurant at the Monte Carlo, and Mistral, recently opened at the Las Vegas Hilton.
Finally, an LVA-staff favorite is one of the true sleeper restaurants in Las Vegas -- downtown or otherwise. The Second Street Grill at the Fremont is located in a quiet and intimate room, and serves an American-Pacific Rim-fusion cuisine, the unique creations of chef Rachel Breen, who’s been there more than a decade. Seafood is the name of the game here: Daily specials are flown in fresh from Hawaii. The service is professional but not pretentious, and if you’re pressed for a great place to eat on short notice, you can usually count on same-day reservations.
