For a chef to garner national fame (a James Beard Foundation award) and international clientele is quite special, and that’s just one reason Las Vegas considers Saipin Chutima a local treasure. Lotus of Siam—both its reopened original location at Commercial Center and its temporarily closed second spot on Flamingo—has been one of the brightest spots in our city’s culinary history, and we’re fortunate for it. 953 E. Sahara Ave., 702-735-3033.

Runner-up: André Rochat