Ribeye Steak at Cleaver Enjoying one of Nectaly Mendoza’s lean, seared-to-perfection 18-ounce steaks—perhaps with one of the bar’s excellent cocktails—underneath a portrait of Bill Murray? That’s a full Vegas experience right there. $64, 3900 Paradise Road # D1. –Geoff Carter
Dining Out Again
- Las Vegas restaurants have reopened, with new protocols, challenges and dishes to love
- Dining tips: How to ensure you have the safest meal possible
- Elevate your takeout game: If you’re not ready to dine out, you still have lots of options
- Social distancing presents challenges for drinking meetups
- Finally! It’s time to eat these favorite dishes again
Coniglio Brasato at Ferraro’s It doesn’t matter if it’s summer or what the temperature outside might be. When we return to this Vegas Italian culinary institution, we’re ordering this soulful plate of braised rabbit with polenta and roasted mushrooms. $36, 4480 Paradise Road. –Brock Radke
Witches Garden at La Strega Everything in this appetizer is so wickedly good. A plate of artisanal vegetables—multihued cauliflower, tender baby carrots, crunchy radishes and more—served with a small dish of whipped chickpeas for dipping is exactly the bright spot we need right now. $12, 3555 S. Town Center Drive #105. –Genevie Durano
Maine Lobster Bake at Lakeside Indulge in one of the most transportive meals prepared with care at one of the most underrated restaurants on the Strip: Maine lobster, king crab, shrimp, pancetta, roasted fennel, potatoes and saffron toast. $85, Wynn. –BR
Pasta al Forno at Nora’s Italian Cuisine It’s a simple dish: rigatoni and a hearty meat sauce, topped with a layer of melted mozzarella and dollops of ricotta. It’s basically a pasta sundae—and it’s pure comfort, through and through. $15, 5780 W. Flamingo Road. –GC
Five Cheese Pesto Pizza at Pizzeria Monzú The dough takes five days to make and uses two different starter strains, including one that’s reportedly 300 years old. Then Monzú adds scamorza, mozzarella, ricotta, Parmigiano, pecorino romano, pine nuts and basil cream to one of the most luxurious pies in town. $14-$27, 6020 W. Flamingo Road #10. –Leslie Ventura
Smoked Scottish Salmon at Sadelle’s Sure, you could buy bagels, lox and cream cheese at the grocery store and DIY it (I have a couple times during the shutdown), but it won’t come close to this authentic NYC version. $24, Bellagio. –Spencer Patterson
Crab Xiao Long Bao at Shanghai Taste I often daydream about these hot, juicy, handmade dumplings. The OG xiao long bao (aka soup dumplings) are already scrumptious, but it’s the crab fat here that melts into the seasoned pork and steamy broth and takes these to another world. $14, 4266 W. Spring Mountain Road. –LV
Whole Lamb Neck at Sparrow + Wolf Meat finds its best expression at Sparrow + Wolf, whether it’s cooked over the wood-fired grill or the hearth oven. The Chinatown eatery’s lamb entree is always spectacular, and the current iteration—whole lamb neck barbacoa, served with Cascabel chili tortillas and English pea salsa verde—is no exception. $39, 4480 Spring Mountain Road #100. –GD
Hand Roll Threesome at Tekka Bar Takeout sushi is never quite as awesome, and these hand rolls—perfect tubes of nori, warm rice and fish (in succession: salmon, yellowtail and toro)—must be experienced in real time. $16, Cosmopolitan. –SP