A&E

A tour of some of our favorite appetizers from around the Las Vegas Valley

Image
Irish Nachos at McMullan’s Irish Pub
Photo: Wade Vandervort

Entrees require commitment. You choose one and risk staring jealously at your dinnermates’ plates—or those at the next table over. Appetizers, meanwhile, allow you to play the field. Order two or three for yourself and skip the main course, or better yet, get a dozen for the table. It’s often the best way to experience a new restaurant, or revisit an old favorite. Here are a few of the apps that keep us coming back.

Classics

Photo

Chinatown Clams Casino at Sparrow + Wolf (Wade Vandervort/Staff)

Steak Tartare at Bavette’s

When dining at a steakhouse, the steak tartare serves as an early barometer for the meal to come. Bavette’s is classically prepared, with Dijonnaise and a slow-cooked egg. No one will fault you if you skip the main course. $27. Park MGM, 702-730-6700.

Steamed Juicy Pork Buns at China Mama

They come to the table looking like spoon-sized bao, which they are and aren’t. They’re stealth soup dumplings, filled with rich broth and a savory pork meatball. Pro tip: Tear them open at the top to let some of the heat—but not the soup—out. $13. 3420 S. Jones Blvd., 702-873-1977.

Emeril’s New Orleans Barbeque Shrimp at Delmonico’s Steakhouse

Jumbo shrimp arrive swimming in a buttery barbecue sauce combining house-made Worcestershire, shrimp shell stock and more. Along with the accompanying rosemary “biscuit,” get some of the famed popovers to soak up that sauce. $20. Venetian, 702-414-3737.

Chinatown Clams Casino at Sparrow + Wolf

This one epitomizes chef Brian Howard’s Sparrow experience: classic American cuisine with an Asian twist, as uni hollandaise and lap cheong (Chinese sausage) deliver sweet and savory in every shell. $7.50 apiece. 4480 Spring Mountain Road #100, 702-790-2147.

Fry everything!

Photo

Cheese Sticks at b.B.d.’s (Wade Vandervort/Staff)

Cheese Sticks at b.B.d.’s

Ooey-gooey, custom-blended cow’s milk cheese fills these top-notch fritters with astoundingly crisp exteriors. There’s a traditional version with marinara sauce and a Mexican style redolent with jalapeño and habanero chilies. $7. Palace Station, 702-221-6513.

Wisconsin Fried Cheese Curds at Aces & Ales

Aces pairs its stellar beer selection with addictive bar food like these deep-fried cheddar curds from the Heartland, served with Frank’s hot sauce and ranch for dipping. $10. 3740 S. Nellis Blvd., 702-436-7600; 2801 N. Tenaya Ave., 702-638-2337.

Badger Bites at Badger Cafe

These jalapeño and cheese smokies—swaddled in wonton wrappers and deep-fried—are so good, they named the restaurant after them. Even if that’s not true, they’re still the best cocktail party offering ever. $6.50. 1801 E. Tropicana Ave. #8, 702-798-7594.

Crispy Chicken Skins at Carson Kitchen

The health-conscious among us insist that we relegate chicken skin to the side of our plates. Throw caution to the wind and nosh on these starters at the Downtown joint, which elevates them with a smoked honey dip. $9. 124 S. 6th St. #100, 702-473-9523.

Gyoza at Hatsumi

Leave it to Chef Dan Krohmer to reinvent stuffed, pan-fried wontons. They arrive looking like a wonton pancake, and break apart into crisp, delicious pork or veggie nuggets that scarcely need to be dipped in the provided ginger soy. $10. 1028 Fremont St. #100, 702-268-8939.

Fritto Misto at Locale

This classic Italian dish—which here combines calamari, pesciolini and shrimp, coated in a delicate batter and served with a lemon and caper aioli—brings the ocean and its freshest riches to you. $15. 7995 Blue Diamond Road #106, 702-330-0404.

Pizza Egg Rolls at Naked City Pizza

No one ever accused chef Chris Palmeri of being demure with his food. Exhibit A: handmade egg rolls oozing with mozzarella and pepperoni. They’re as Italian as the Buffalo native himself. $8.75. Multiple locations, nakedcitylv.com.

Irish Nachos at McMullan’s Irish Pub

These are not yo’ average nachos: McMullan’s starts with thick-cut, house-made potato chips and piles them up with cheddar cheese, bacon, tomato, sour cream and chives. Chicken, sirloin, jalapeños or corned beef are extra and worth it. Mini $10, half-size $13, full size $15. 4650 W. Tropicana Ave. #110, 702-247-7000.

Olives Ascolane at Pizzeria Monzú

These succulent poppers are old-world goodness: plump, briny Castelvetrano olives stuffed with savory beef-pork-chicken sausage and coated in a light breading before being submerged in roiling oil. No condiments needed. $8. 6020 W. Flamingo Road, #10, 702-749-5959.

Pepper Jack Mac & Cheese Bites at PT’s Pubs

What’s better than tangy mac and cheese? Deep fried balls of it, available for a happy hour discount between 5 and 7 p.m. and midnight and 2 a.m. anywhere you might be around the Vegas Valley. $7-$9. Multiple locations, pteglv.com.

From the sea

Photo

Buffalo Fried Oysters at Hardway 8 (Wade Vandervort/Staff)

Buffalo Fried Oysters at Hardway 8

The newish downtown Henderson watering hole’s take on oysters—fried firm, doused in Frank’s Red Hot and garnished with blue cheese and scallions—should appeal to those turned off by the critters’ raw texture. $12. 46 S. Water St., 702-410-5124.

Spicy Mussels at Herbs & Rye

This bowl of bivalves, delivered wading in a tomato stew reminiscent of arrabbiata, is worth braving the wait at this award-winning cocktail lounge. Just be sure to save enough bread to sop it all up. $26. 3713 W. Sahara Ave., 702-982-8036.

Uni Bites at Mordeo Boutique Wine Bar

The succulent sea urchin—layered atop a buttery brioche and finished with minced jamón de Ibérico—demonstrates the seamless fusion of Spanish and Asian ingredients at this Spring Mountain wine bar and tapas joint. $26. 5240 W. Spring Mountain Road #108, 702-545-0771.

Caviar Taro Puff with Quail Egg at Red Plate

It’s not cheap, but it’s one of the most beautiful and delicious dim sum plates around—a delicate, gooey quail egg surrounded by a crispy nest of fried taro paste, and topped with gold flakes for that extra ooh factor. $20. Cosmopolitan, 702-698-7000.

The Carb load

Photo

Crispy Smashed Potatoes at Gaucho’s Sacred Flavors (Wade Vandervort/Staff)

Crispy Smashed Potatoes at Gaucho’s Sacred Flavors

Whether you’re ducking out between Bunkhouse sets or stopping by simply for a bite, these can’t-miss taters—served with goat cheese and chimichurri—are the exact right move. $6 (add $3.50 for egg and avocado). 124 S. 11th St., 702-530-3877.

Giant Pretzel at 90 Ninety Bar + Grill

Tear off a piece—or 20—of this twisty-salty bread wonder the size of a dinner plate. Served suspended from a metal hanger, the crusty/chewy snack is accompanied by ale-infused cheese sauce and stone-ground mustard. $9.75. Suncoast, 702-636-7111.

Malaysian Roti at David Wong’s Pan Asian

Begin your tour here with these flaky, lightly fried Malaysian flatbread triangles, accompanied by a ramekin of yellow curry for dipping. Because dipping is always good! $7. 2980 S. Durango Drive #101, 702-629-7464.

Bikini at EDO Gastro Tapas & Wine

This riff on Barcelona’s famous pressed Bikini sandwich—named for the concert venue that birthed it—is a panini-esque bite of layered sobrassada sausage and Mahón cheese drizzled with honey. $7.50 for two. 3400 S. Jones Blvd. #11A, 702-641-1345.

Savory Monkey Bread at Honey Salt

Brunch lovers clamor for the sticky, sweet version, but for its savory counterpart, visit this Summerlin spot for dinner, when it comes piping hot with fresh mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses and pomodoro dipping sauce. $4. 1031 S. Rampart Blvd., 702-445-6100.

Anchovy Crostinis at La Strega

The perfect app should hit your taste buds all at once, and these do just that: the anchovy’s brininess; a hint of sweetness from the preserved orange; added complexity from the pickled shallots and oregano; and the crostini’s crunch and heft. $6. 3555 S. Town Center Drive #105, 702-722-2099.

For veggie lovers

Photo

Cauliflower at Esther's Kitchen (Courtesy)

Marinated Cucumbers at Best Friend

For a healthy app that’s still delicious, try this crunchy, spicy delight, served in a ceramic bowl. Need more? Pair it with house-made kimchi, pickled daikon and broccoli banchan. $4. Park MGM, 702-531-2186.

Brussels Sprouts at Boteco

Brussels are a great way to balance out a meat-forward meal, and this southeast Valley spot makes them memorable—tossing them with balsamic gastrique, Parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs for a superb sweet and savory experience. $8. 9500 S. Eastern Ave. #170, 702-790-2323.

Esquite at Santos Guisados Tacos & Beer

Fork into cups of creamy corn niblets in the glow of an Elvis votive candle at this Downtown hot spot. The off-the-cob, bay leaf-scented elotes are revved up with chipotle aioli, cotija cheese and lime-chili powder. Takis make for a crunchy bonus topping. $5. 616 E. Carson St. #140, 702-826-3515.

Cauliflower at Esther’s Kitchen

Here’s a great way to meet your daily serving of veggies: Get to Esther’s and order the cauliflower off the antipasti menu, charred and tossed with anchovies, capers, garlic and chili for a maximum umami hit. $10. 1130 S. Casino Center Blvd., 702-570-7864.

Steals

Photo

Shrimp Cocktail at 7th & Carson (Christopher DeVargas/Staff)

Shrimp Cocktail at 7th & Carson

For nearly half a century, Downtown’s Golden Gate served a classic iteration of this iconic Vegas snack, and today that very same recipe can be found at this Downtown spot, served Thursday-Tuesday from 5-6 p.m. for the retro price of 99 cents, with the purchase of an entree. $9.99 other times. 616 E. Carson #110, 702-868-3355.

Meatballs at Pizza Rock

Sure, Tony Gemignani is a 13-time World Pizza Champion, and you probably come here for the pies. But the meatballs—a blend of beef, pork, herbs and spices smothered in marinara sauce and topped with Pecorino Romano—deserve top billing, too. Three for $6 ($4 from 3-6 p.m. & 10 p.m.-close), six for $10. Multiple locations, pizzarock.com.

Deviled Eggs at Sporting Life Bar

Seventy-five-cent anything sounds great when you’re drinking, but once you’ve consumed these silky smooth treasures—halved, of course, and topped with crispy, fried capers (!)—you’ll know you’ve stumbled onto something way beyond typical bar cuisine. 75 cents apiece. 7770 S. Jones Blvd., 702-331-4647.

Splurges

Photo

Milos Special at Estiatorio Milos Courtesy

Milos Special at Estiatorio Milos

Move over, bloomin’ onion. The Cosmo’s iconic Greek eatery stacks thin slices of delicious, fried zucchini and eggplant and pairs them with Kefalograviera cheese and creamy-cool tzatziki for dipping. You’ll fight over the last one. $33. Cosmopolitan, 702-698-7930.

Legs and Eggs at Greene St. Kitchen

The richest, melt-in-your-mouth, butter-poached king crab legs are topped with briney kaluga caviar and piled atop melted leeks and—you guessed it—more butter! Extravagant, and worth every penny. $44. Palms, 702-489-2129.

Tuna Tartare at Michael Mina

A contender for greatest show on the Las Vegas Strip: a gorgeous pile of diced ahi, surrounded by various mix-ins—pine nuts, minced chilies, quail egg yolk and more—then swirled tableside into one of the best bites of your life. $34. Bellagio, 866-259-7111.

Dip In

Photo

Chips & Salsa at Frank & Fina’s Cocina (Wade Vandervort/Staff)

Chips & Salsa at Frank & Fina’s Cocina

It’s the best thing about family-style Mexican restaurants, right? The (free) food they plunk down the moment you’re seated. F&F’s chips are perfectly un-heavy, and the super-fresh salsa has just enough kick to tingle the tongue. Complimentary with meal. 4175 S. Grand Canyon Drive, 702-579-3017.

Fresh Guacamole Dip at Bonito Michoacán Mexican Restaurant

Exemplary guac doesn’t seem hard—make it fresh, and let the ingredients shine. Bonito does just that with a tableside presentation made to your specifications. It’s a choose-your-own-aventure of the most delicious kind. $8. 3715 S. Decatur Blvd., 702-257-6810.

Baba Ghanoush at Khoury’s Mediterranean Restaurant

There isn’t a better rendition of this traditional Middle Eastern eggplant dip in the entire Valley, its subtle smokiness contrasted with hints of lemon. Paired with the ethereal, made-to-order pitas, it can be a meal or a setup to one. $9. 9340 W. Sahara Ave. #106, 702-671-0005.

Creamy Spinach & Artichoke Dip at Lagasse’s Stadium

Pair an all-American tradition (game day) with another: a mini cauldron of burnt-on-top bubbly cheese, spinach and artichoke, ready to pile onto toasted flatbread or tortilla chips. For an extra $9, kick it up a notch with crab meat. $10. Palazzo, 702-607-2665.

Calling all quesos

Photo

Do you know queso? It’s Spanish for “cheese,” but in Texas, where I grew up, it only means one thing: chile con queso. The ridiculously indulgent—and only mildly spicy cheese dip—is a beloved staple of Tex-Mex cuisine, traditionally served with chips or flour tortillas. If it hasn’t completely stuffed you by the time the meal arrives, you did it wrong.

Chile con queso is what happens when Mexican tradition meets American food manufacturing. According to a recent Washington Post article about the peculiar origins of iconic foods, Texans took a Mexican chile dish and added processed American cheese (such as Velveeta), chili powder and a can of Ro-Tel (diced tomatoes and green chiles) and voila! A Texas-size cure for weight loss.

The dish was so ubiquitous back home, I was shocked at its scarcity in Vegas. Try to order queso here, and you’re likely to receive the more authentic Mexican appetizer, queso fundido. Literally “melted cheese,” this app is deliciously gooey but not as liquid or—delightfully “fakey”—as the Tex-Mex version.

Try both yourself: Lindo Michoacan offers a traditional queso fundido with melted Monterey Jack cheese and green chiles ($8.75), while the Vegas-born Nacho Daddy chain serves a creamy white queso dip with pico de gallo and jalapeños ($8.95). –C. Moon Reed

Homemade hummus: A DIY guide

Photo

Our beloved hummus—made of chickpeas, lemon juice, tahini and salt in its most basic form—has made itself at home on American palates for a few decades now, but its history goes back centuries in Middle Eastern cuisine. You can find it in any grocery store (Trader Joe’s has no fewer than five different flavors) or Mediterranean-style restaurant in town, but making it at home can be even easier.

Start with a third of a pound of dried chickpeas/garbanzo beans (about 2 cups cooked). Soak in water overnight, then transfer to a pot, slow cooker or Instant Pot and cook until tender. (Cooking times vary depending on your method, but an Instant Pot will get the job done in 25-30 minutes.) Drain the chickpeas but save some of the liquid, known as aquafaba, which you can use later to thin out your hummus. (You can also use this liquid as a vegan substitute for eggs or egg whites.)

Add the following to the chickpeas: three tablespoons of lemon juice, half a cup of tahini (sesame seed paste), a couple cloves of garlic, a dash of cumin, salt and fresh cracked pepper to taste and two tablespoons of aquafaba. Mix in a food processor or a high-powered blender until the taste and texture are to your liking, drizzling in a little olive oil if desired. The trick is to try it as you go along—you might like a little more acidity, so add more lemon; or you might prefer more cumin. You can even throw in some cayenne for heat, or pretty much any spice you like.

Transfer to a glass container, drizzle with good-quality olive oil on top and chill. The only drawback to homemade hummus? You’ll have to eat it within four or five days, since it contains no preservatives. If your family is anything like mine, you won’t have to worry about that. –Genevie Durano

Amazing nontraditional chicken wings abound

Photo

Does the mere thought of deep-fried drums and flats smothered in that time-honored blend of hot sauce and butter get your mouth watering? Thought so. Buffalo-style chicken wings are a championship snack on any occasion and a mandatory app for the table when watching a game at your neighborhood pub.

Las Vegas is stacked with sports bars and other wing-centric franchises, but local restaurants also have you covered when you’re ready to switch it up from the typical and traditional. Bar food destination extraordinaire b.B.d.’s (Palace Station, 702-221-6513) takes the chicken out of the fryer with its Famous Spicy Burnt Wings, coating the delectable bites in house-made hot sauce and charring them until crispy under the broiler. The process keeps the meat juicy and moist with enough crunchy bits on the outside.

How do you feel about whole wings? The tender confit wings at Sporting Life Bar (7770 S. Jones Blvd., 702-331-4647) have been the standard-bearer for this format, but now we also have the legendary Ike’s Vietnamese Fish Sauce Wings, sweet and sticky with bits of crispy garlic, at Pok Pok Wing (Cosmopolitan, 702-698-7000). Also waiting on the Strip are the smoked whole wings at Virgil’s Real BBQ (Linq Promenade, 702-389-7400), full of flavor and saturated in sweet and spicy barbecue sauce.

When it comes to breaded and fried chicken wings, Flock & Fowl (150 Las Vegas Blvd. N. #100, 702-272-2222) is a favorite and took the title in Las Vegas Weekly’s 2018 Ultimate Vegas Wing Bracket. We recommend the salt and Szechuan pepper variety at Flock, but you should also hit Korean hot dog joint Buldogis (2291 S. Fort Apache Road, 702-570-7560) to sample its lightly breaded, crispy-fried wings doused in spicy gochujang or soy-caramel sauces. And the ultimate hybrid of Southern fried chicken and Chinese takeout-style wings exists at Soul Foo Young (1216 W. Owens Ave., 702-539-0333), where the magic words “Bruce Leroy” will get you four addictive wings, seasoned, battered, fried and served whole, with an ample portion of fried rice on the side. Level up by smothering those wings in peppery gravy, and you might not ever go back to Buffalo sauce. –Brock Radke

Tags: Dining, Featured, Food
Share
Photo of Las Vegas Weekly Staff

Las Vegas Weekly Staff

Las Vegas Weekly Staff

Get more Las Vegas Weekly Staff
Top of Story