Watch out Celine Dion, Cher, and Donny & Marie – some other popular stars have been making a splash in Sin City. Over the past decade, some of the biggest names in the culinary world have flocked to the Las Vegas Strip to open some of the countries most renowned destination eateries. These chefs have brought innovation, creativity, and indulgent offerings to Las Vegas – helping to elevate the Las Vegas experience for tourists. From brunch to happy hour to dinner options – we rounded up the best of the best for filling the stomach and feeding the soul on the Las Vegas Strip.
Tapas ’Til You Tap Out at Border Grill’s Limitless Brunch
Border Grill @ Mandalay Bay
LGBTQ Advocate and Celebrity Chef Susan Feniger has fully embraced the indulgent nature of Las Vegas. Border Grill, a modern Mexican eatery at Mandalay Bay that she owns with Chef Mary Sue Milliken features seasonal fare that is conscientiously sourced. The restaurant recently revamped an already mouth-watering list of limitless brunch menu items. Feniger decided she wanted to take that indulgent vibe up a few notches but keep the restaurant aligned with her sophisticated take on dining. “When we first started this, we felt like we were competing with buffets in Vegas,” she shares. “We felt like we can do a similar thing but make the food to order so it’s fresh, interesting, doesn’t sit in a steam table and we get to have a chef cook it fresh. It also comes out at different times so it’s not everything piled on one plate,” she continues.
The expanded menu at Border Grill features everything from short rib hash, diablo fried chicken, lobster cachapas, and more. Feniger’s menu also includes a variety of brunch libations including two of her favorite drinks. “I love, love our Cafe de Lola with rum or Kahlua,” she shares. “I also love mezcal so the El Mezcalero rocks. You get the smokiness of the mezcal, the tang of the passion fruit and a bit of sweetness from the coconut. Or give me a spicy bloody Maria or two,” she says with a laugh. Feniger sought to really create a warm, indulgent atmosphere following a tumultuous time in the world. She says, “We wanted to have that killer menu that would make people feel nurtured and fed – even overfed! Nothing more comforting than hanging out, eating, drinking, and relaxing after an exhausting year and a half.” Clearly it is working for Feniger – Border Grill has been voted best brunch on the strip for several years.
The Happiest Hour in a Cocktail Garden Fit for a Queen
Vanderpump Cocktail Garden @ Ceasars Palace
Reality star and restauranteur Lisa Vanderpump personifies indulgence with a fabulous flair. The British expat and LGTBQ advocate shot to fame on the hit Bravo show The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills where she showcased her food and beverage hot spots PUMP and SUR in the heart of “Boys Town” in West Hollywood. When Las Vegas came knocking for a taste of LVP in the form of a cocktail garden, she answered. “It is such an honor that Caesars Palace asked us to partner with them on this venture – we were thrilled to become part of the Caesars Family,” said Vanderpump. “We have created a unique, decadent space with a majestic feel where guests can relax in a sexy garden oasis. From the design and ambiance (featuring the incredible Nick Alain lighting, fixtures, and furniture) to the selection of light bites and cocktails, I am proud of what we created and hope everyone will enjoy the experience as much as we do,” she added.
Guests can sip through the menu during happy hour while enjoying the stunning indoor patio featuring an al fresco-style garden with 16-ft. olive trees and eccentric lighting fixtures. The LVP experience includes a cocktail list that focuses on craft cocktails with tongue-in-cheek names. Lisa’s sassy stamp is clear on her sumptuous libations like The Checkmate Bitch: Stoli hot vodka, Chacho jalapeno vodka, fresh pineapple, grapefruit liqueur, vanilla citrus, angostura bitters and pink peppercorns. Other options for include the Please Her, Caesar!: Vanderpump vodka, Rosé Champagne, blackberry, elderflower, lemon, aquafaba and the Matcha Matcha Man: Vanderpump vodka, matcha, fresh mint, lemon, ginger liqueur, aquafaba. The menu also features light bites to balance the boozy beverages. Vanderpump Cocktail Garden even features a list of delicious drinks to end the night with their ‘Naughty Nightcaps’ portion of the drink list.
Las Vegas loves Lisa Vanderpump so much that she is opening a new outlet, Vanderpump à Paris at the end of 2021. We say Oui Oui to more LVP in Sin City.
A Taste of the Amalfi Coast by Bobby Flay
Amalfi @ Ceasars Palace
Food Network darling Bobby Flay loves all things Italy. The chef and co-host of the Discovery Plus show Bobby and Giada in Italy loves southern Italy so much he decided to bring the full experience of the Amalfi coast to the Las Vegas strip with his new eatery, Amalfi. “Opening Amalfi at Caesars Palace has allowed me to showcase my passion for the Amalfi Coast and the fresh flavors the region is known for,” said Flay. “Our team has created an incredible experience that brings everything I love about the Amalfi Coast to the Las Vegas Strip, from the various seating areas to the coastal cocktails, to the fresh fish market to all the seasonal flavors we are showcasing on the menu. We have been blown away by the guests’ response already, making me incredibly proud and excited for all that lies ahead,” he added.
Upon entering the restaurant, guests are transported to the Amalfi coast with a design featuring a natural palette and touches of greenery, organic fabric, wood and stone and a colorful mosaic limestone floor. The main dining room features a large ceiling display of various wines and a bustling open kitchen. Guests can open up their palettes with an Amalfi Spritz – an updated and more sophisticated version of the Aperol Spritz featuring Selim Spumante, Cappelletti Aperitivo and soda water. Following a spritz or glass of prosecco, guests can indulge in flavorful and light antipasti like shellfish frito misto with Meyer lemon aioli and pistachio pesto or charred octopus with burnt orange pancetta. The focal point of Amalfi is the fresh fish and seafood display manned by a fishmonger who can share all the details about the fish featured. Guests can pick from the extensive selection including golden snapper, red snapper, black bass, branzino, Carabinero shrimp, among others. Then, guest can decide how they want the fresh fish prepared – grilled over charcoal or roasted al forno and served with the choices of Meyer lemon and capers, red pepper, and Calabrian chile pesto or salsa verde. Indulgent desserts like tiramisu and sorbets provide for the perfect finisher to a decadent dining experience.
Following a dinner at Amalfi, guests will love that Bobby loves all things Italy.
A Classic Steakhouse with a Gangster Flair
Bugsy and Meyer’s Steakhouse @ Flamingo
Bugsy and Meyer’s is the perfect spot for a taste of old school Las Vegas meets contemporary steakhouse. The name pays homage to Flamingo Hotel founders Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel and business partner Meyer Lansky, who opened the first resort-style hotel on the Las Vegas strip in 1946. The restaurant’s decor features bold and vibrant colors with an Art Deco flair designed by the one and only Jonathan Adler with help from Chicago-based Studio K Creative. The eatery features half a dozen experiences for guests – a patio and lounge, centerpiece bar, a raw bar, three private dining rooms, a main dining room and a speakeasy – The Count Room.
The indulgent steakhouse features an encased show cooler featuring the decadent in-house dry aged steak program. Guests can pick from a variety of hand-selected cuts include domestic prime, wet aged, dry aged prime, imported wagyu and more. Add-ons for the steaks include lobster tail, Alaskan king crab, foie gras, B&M scampi and Point Reyes cheese fondue. And what is a steak dinner without some over the top side dishes? Bugsy and Meyer’s has no shortage of indulgent sides like the truffle potato puree, lobster mac & cheese and The Heater – a potato with white cheddar, house sausage, and caramelized onions. The cocktail list features classic cocktails and several rum drinks – a favorite spirit of the 1940s. A favorite of guests is The Jungle Bird made with Cruzan black strap rum, Campari, pineapple juice, lime juice, simple syrup with a pineapple wedge and leaf. Following dinner, guests can enjoy desserts like The Big Apple, made with caramelized apples, soft caramel, hazelnut café crumble and a white chocolate yuzu mousse. Or skip the dessert and live your best Las Vegas life and order a nightcap or two from the build-your-own Old-Fashioned portion of the drink menu.
There will be no gambling with your taste buds at Bugsy and Meyer’s – you will leave feeling like the gangster that you are.
Last modified: October 1, 2021
