7th & Carson
The Downtown small-plates hub headed by chef Gregg Fortunato serves up perfectly fried chicken wings and such comfort finger-foods as oxtail toast and duckling pot pie, plus vegetarian dishes like potato gnocchi. Grab a spot on the charming patio and the afternoon is yours. 616 E. Carson Ave. #110, 702-868-3355. –Leslie Ventura
Andre’s Bistro
As Andre’s at the Monte Carlo closed, its more casual counterpart in the southwest Valley sprouted up, giving us classic French bistro fare in an accessible location with the attention to detail for which André Rochat’s flagship was known—plus a hauntingly good golden trout amandine. 6115 S. Fort Apache Road #112, 702-798-7151. –Jim Begley
The Black Sheep
2017 in Review
When chef Jamie Tran quietly opened her Vietnamese-American restaurant in the southwest, no one could have predicted the game-changing menu she’d bring. Braised pork belly with crispy pig ear salad, Vietnamese curry chicken and sweet bao sliders are just a few things you need to sink your teeth into, if you haven’t already. 8680 W. Warm Springs Road, 702-954-3998. –LV
Boteco
Lurking within the fine-dining wasteland of south Eastern Avenue is an oasis of excellence: Boteco. From this tiny, inviting spot, Strip-trained chef Rachel LeGloahec serves an eclectic, shared-plate menu escaping classification. Share edgy escargot croquetas and rich Botequito sliders … but you might want to hoard the savory braised beef and Piedmontese rice for yourself. 9500 S. Eastern Ave. #170, 702-790-2323. –JB
Chica
From an inventive menu to the transportive, fresh décor, you can feel Lorena Garcia’s attention to detail everywhere you look inside the Venetian’s new Latin restaurant. Garcia tastefully blends cuisines—from Venezuelan arepas and Peruvian octopus to Yucatán halibut—in a way no chef on the Strip has attempted before. Venetian, 702-805-8472. –LV
Elia
Delicate Mediterranean fish grilled whole, crisp zucchini medallions served with creamy tzatziki, roasted feta with tomatoes and serranos. It’s a perfect meal, just one route you can take at this new neighborhood gem. Elia might set the new standard for Greek food in Las Vegas—including the Strip. 4226 S. Durango Drive, 702-284-5599. –Brock Radke
Hobak Korean BBQ
If you’re tired of your LA friends telling you Las Vegas doesn’t have good Korean barbecue, take ’em to Hobak. The South Korea-based restaurant group chose Vegas for its first U.S. location, and locals and tourists have flocked there for quality Angus beef and heritage pork—not to mention the ample assortment of banchan. 5808 W. Spring Mountain Road #101, 702-257-1526. –LV
MB Steak
If anyone could create some worthy innovation to the big Vegas steakhouse experience, Michael Morton would be the man. Here he’s collaborating with his brother David for the first time, igniting a new wave of coolness at the Hard Rock Hotel with fresh vibes and irresistible cuisine. 702-483-4888. –BR
Meraki Greek Grill
Southwest Las Vegas is beyond lucky to get two great Greek eateries in the same year. Meraki is the more casual restaurant, serving classics like spanakopita, falafel and gyros you’ll crave every day. And that lamb burger! 4950 S. Rainbow Blvd. #160, 702-202-1002. –BR
Mian Sichuan Noodles
Be thankful we’re in Vegas, where Tony Xu’s imports don’t have the three-hour lines of their SoCal counterparts. In fact, the noodle-centric Mian—Xu’s second entry into the local market—doesn’t have the crowds of its predecessor Chengdu Taste. Take advantage of this, and delve into Mian’s handmade noodle dishes delivering varying degrees of blistering heat. 4355 Spring Mountain Road #107, 702-483-6531. –JB
Momofuku
Celebrity chef David Chang’s foray into Las Vegas at the Cosmopolitan is hardly a study in subtlety, but executive chef Shaun King delivers its bold flavors in grand fashion. Umami-laden bigeye tuna with shaved foie gras and smoky dry-roasted mussels excite, and you can go big with fried chicken and caviar—an addictive combo well worth the tariff. Cosmopolitan, 702-698-2663. –JB
Sparrow + Wolf
Local foodies (and food writers like us) had impossibly high expectations for Sparrow + Wolf as the next great local Vegas restaurant. Brian Howard and his team surpassed all of them. 4480 W. Spring Mountain Road #100, 702-790-2147. –BR