Stick to the classics, but do things your own way. Chef Michael LaPlaca has been doing that for years at Portofino, the Mirage’s somewhat overlooked, consistently spectacular Italian restaurant. The chef applied the same methodology in designing last year’s LVB burger joint, and the delicious results await. Among the many upscale burger bars on the Strip, LVB is a standout.
Before you even get to one of the stacked-high, satisfying burger options, the snacks indicate things are different here—mini oyster po’ boy sandwiches and Cajun-buffalo spiced chicken wings are particularly tempting. For the main event, consider the AAA burger—those three letters stand for Angus beef, applewood-smoked bacon and arugula. There’s decadent boursin cheese and tangy sundried tomatoes on this burger, too. The Kick in the Kisser brings the heat, topped with pickled jalapeños, sriracha aioli and pepperjack cheese, but it’s an evenly balanced bite thanks to avocado, a fried egg and crisp onions.
Crazy-flavorful salmon, turkey, mushroom and duck burgers offer options for those who walk a different path. But if you’re chasing boldly beefy burgers, LVB’s eponymous sandwich will get you there, a patty topped with American cheese, caramelized onions, lettuce, tomato, pickles and “boulevard sauce.” LVB Burgers & Bar at the Mirage, 702-792-7888; Sunday-Thursday 11 a.m.-midnight, Friday & Saturday 11 a.m.-2 a.m.
