Evidently, you're not a subscriber to LVA or reader of our exclusive monthly newsletter, or you'd already be aware that, for many years now, we've run a regular Dining feature called "Local Corner," in which we profile the very kind of eating establishment for which you apparently yearn! From surprisingly good strip club steakhouses, to delicious Mexican dives, to obscure Peruvian ceviche joints, via hidden Ethiopian gems and funky food trucks, we relish exploring our city's more interesting gastronomic offerings and we eat as many of them as our time/waistlines permit!
We confess that for a while, we didn't always have time to add these to our online Restaurant listings, but many of our favorites are included and we're in the process of updating the list with all our latest finds. However, if you're not a member of our paid program, you don't get the benefit of reading the accompanying LVA review in our newsletter, so you'll miss out on our inside tips and tidbits, like suggestions of what to try. Also, restaurants in Las Vegas have a frustrating habit of opening and closing without notice, especially the experimental and hole-in-the-wall venues that we particularly appreciate, so be sure to call ahead before making a special trip too far off the beaten track, to avoid a wasted journey.
If you like Asian food, then of course Chinatown is a great option not only for Chinese, but also for awesome Japanese, Korean, Filipino, Vietnamese, and Thai restaurants. In fact, these days it's more accurately termed "Koreatown" for the prevalence of that particular cuisine, plus it's more of a sprawling "corridor" than it is a single cohesive entity, stretching for many blocks west of the Strip up Spring Mountain Road. Some of the personal favorites that we return to again and again include: Thai Style Noodle House (we favor the original and closest-to-us venue on Wynn at Spring Mountain, although there are now a total of four locations around town, serving excellent Thai food at almost unbeatable prices); Tofu Hut (don't be fooled by the name -- it offers a full complement of BBQ options and classic Korean dishes, for lunch and dinner); Sake House Ichiza (friendly, bustling late-night Japanese small plates/street food specialist, with hand-written daily deals strewn all over walls and a typically hipster/student-type demographic); Raku (a distinctly high-end version of the same, with prices to match); China Mama (focusing on N. Chinese delicacies and other regional specialties, so expect to see dishes on the menu you've never heard of or tried before); and our newest find, Fat Dumpling, which is just west of Valley View and already a go-to favorite for a tasty and wallet-friendly lunch.
Although discontinued in 2013, following the tragic auto-accident involving author Max Jacobson, our Eating Las Vegas restaurant guide contains extensive recommendations for the best pizzerias, sushi, burger, downtown, steakhouse, vegetarian, and dessert options, plus "Old" Vegas hangouts, and more, the majority of which remain valid today and include a wealth of off-the-Strip locals favorites to inspire you. Co-author John Curtas' ongoing EatingLasVegas.com blog and "Essential 50" restaurant list remains a great source for up-to-the-minute reviews of new eateries, most recently having reviewed the new neighborhood tapas joint from acclaimed Chef Alex Stratta (spoiler alert: he likes it ... a lot!) Both freebie mags Vegas Seven and LV Weekly are worth perusing for their coverage of new off-piste restaurants and local faves, too. Bon appétit!
