Question of the Day - 08 February 2007

Although this city is known for its 24-hourness, until recently there was something of a dearth of late-night dining options, aside from the casinos' 24-hour coffee shops. These are certainly not to be sniffed at and if you're looking for bargain munchies, there are still graveyard specials galore -- see the link on our home page under "Vegas Info" for multiple choices of where to get steak/ham & eggs and other filling breakfasty fodder for $6 or much less. And the more upscale coffee shops at Strip venues, like the Venetian's Grand Lux Café, are a whole different story, serving high-quality food 24/7.

But sometimes you don't want to have to venture into a casino or you have a taste for something a little healthier than a big plate of carbs before bedtime. Fear not! There are plenty of options these days; you just have to know where to look.

Here are some suggestions for both casino and neighborhood restaurants (many of which have been the subject of LVA's "Local Corner" column) that serve until midnight or considerably later:

ITALIAN

• Capozzoli's (Corner of S. Maryland Pkwy and E. Desert Inn): A classic neighborhood Italian joint that's open until between midnight and 3 a.m., depending on demand, and features live music Tuesday through Saturday.
• Casa di Amore (E. Tropicana, just off Eastern): Another classic old-Vegas joint and it's open 24/7. Offers free limo rides from the Strip and serves great pizzas, along with a full Italian menu, most of which can be ordered at any time.
• The Bootlegger Bistro: Also an established venue, albeit in a different location to the original (now the corner of Las Vegas Blvd. S. and Robindale), this restaurant is famed for its live entertainment and celebrity karaoke and is open 24/7, with a special late-night menu.

SPANISH

• Cafe Ba Ba Reeba (Fashion Show Mall, on the Strip): Open until midnight Friday and Saturday, this Spanish tapas restaurant that originated in Chicago serves the full menu, (which you can view at http://www.cafebabareeba.com/menu.htm) until closing.
• A favorite happy-hour hangout of ours, Firefly Tapas (3900 Paradise Rd.) is open until 2 a.m. during the week and 3 a.m. weekends and serves the most authentic tapas menu we've tasted in the U.S. Tapas dishes start at $3 for gazpacho, artichoke toasts, and Spanish tortilla and go up to the $9-$10 range for garlic shrimp, chorizo clams, and grilled meat skewers. Also serves full-plate entrées like paella, pasta, roasted chicken, and steaks. Pretty handy for the Convention Center. And see "Other" below for details of their new Asian sister restaurant next door.

CHINESE

• Recently in the LVA Top 10 for its lunch special, Diamond China (on Sahara, just west of Valley View) is open until 5 a.m. daily and comes highly recommended, particularly if you like seafood. Their vegetable dishes are also excellent and the hot and sour soup is the best we know of anywhere.
• It may be a chain, but PF Chang's serves well-above-average food until midnight during the week and 1 a.m. on weekends. They're found in the Aladdin/Planet Hollywood, on Paradise (near the Hard Rock), and on the west side at Sahara and Fort Apache.

SUSHI & TEPANYAKI

• Hamada of Japan (E. Flamingo, just east of Paradise) is among the most established Japanese restaurants in town and is open until 4 a.m. nightly.
• The kitchen at RA Sushi in the Fashion Show Mall is open until 2 a.m. and the sushi bar until midnight. Also worth checking out for happy hour or lunch.
• We haven't had a chance to check it out yet, but the Social House at TI is open for late-night dining until 4 a.m. Tuesday-Saturday and has quickly become a favorite with the celebrity crowd.
• Musashi is a new restaurant in the same complex as Firefl