Todd’s small and very personal restaurant, with the feel of a neighborhood hangout, serves Cal-Ital-French-Mediterranean-influenced cuisine that’s far more sophisticated than you’d expect. His wine dinners sell out quickly and, like the food, are priced to please. Much of the menu is set in stone (his goat-cheese wontons, halibut teriyaki, and braised short ribs are justifiably famous), but Clore tweaks it every so often to keep the fussy foodies happy.
Reservations recommended
This restaurant was reviewed in the August 2013 LVA; some of the information contained in this review may no longer be accurate. For those who miss Rosemary’s or find the west side’s Vintner Grill to out-of-the-way, Todd’s Unique Dining is another good non-casino alternative. Formerly the head chef at Bally’s Sterling Brunch, Todd Clore offers fine dining at prices well below what you’d pay for equal quality in the fancy Strip rooms, with main courses that typically come with potatoes and side vegetables priced from $18 to $38. The menu changes regularly, but the entrées are mostly steaks and seafood, along with interesting appetizers, many of which are Asian-influenced. One of the best dishes here is steak ”ON FIRE”—a skirt steak served with chili cheese fries and black bean chili sauce ($27). Dine on a Wednesday and take advantage of only the second free-corkage promotion we’ve ever come across in Las Vegas (the other is at the Venetian’s Pinot Brasserie), where you can bring in up to two regular-size bottles of your own wine for no charge. You should also get on the email list for Todd’s periodic wine dinners, which are often attended by local élite. While a relaxing dinner at Todd’s is always a good call, what we really love about the place is the happy hours. That’s ”hours” plural, since they run Mon.-Fri. from 4:30 to 6 pm, then again from 8:30 to 10, with half-price appetizers and drinks. Choices include edamame ($3.50 after discount), goats cheese wontons ($4), tuna tartar ($5), Asian dumplings ($5), kung pao scallops ($6), and a not-to-be-missed short rib martini ($9). You can combine the happy hour with dinner, but if you want a good sampling of appetizers, you won’t be hungry after. One of the best things about Todd’s is that it’s mostly Todd himself doing the cooking. You’ll know, because he comes out every chance he gets to chat with guests. The restaurant is located on the far east side of town on the outskirts of Henderson, and is open Mon.-Sat. from 4:30 to 10 pm. (Note: We learned just prior to press time that the Clores take their annual vacation in early August, so Todd’s will be closed this month through Aug. 15.)