There’s always something new happening in the Las Vegas dining scene, and, not surprisingly, some of the most buzzed-about restaurants these days are backed by a celebrity or a Michelin-starred chef. Here are a few spots clients should check out.
The Bedford by Martha Stewart
It took lifestyle icon Martha Stewart eight decades to open her first restaurant, The Bedford by Martha Stewart. Designed by Stewart herself, the 194-seat eatery, located in Paris Las Vegas, draws inspiration from her country farmhouse in Bedford, N.Y., giving it a comfortable, “we’re at Martha’s” feel.
The menu includes oysters Rockefeller, ricotta-stuffed zucchini blossoms and her mother’s recipe for pierogis (Eastern European dumplings), which are bathed in brown butter. Some dishes even come with a performance: The whole roast chicken is carved tableside, while the bone-in ribeye and potatoes are sliced and smashed, respectively, right in front of guests. When it comes to cocktails, the list is playful and very “Martha,” with drinks such as the Martha-tini and classic or frozen pomegranate Martha-ritas. She even serves her own California chardonnay from a label she shares with her buddy, rapper Snoop Dogg.
Martha Stewart is a new name in the Las Vegas dining scene.
Credit: 2022 Denise Truscello/Getty Images for Caesars EntertainmentWakuda
Stepping into Wakuda is a feast for the eyes. The electric signage captures the energy of Tokyo’s Shinjuku neighborhood; mesmerizing black-and-white artwork by street artist Jun Inoue hangs on the walls; and sculptures of sumo wrestlers complement a dining room featuring rich wood, stone surfaces and glowing lanterns. And the food itself is an art form.
Located in The Venetian Resort Las Vegas, Wakuda is the first U.S. restaurant for two Michelin-starred chef Tetsuya Wakuda, who earned accolades for Waku Ghin at the Marina Bay Sands Singapore. To the Venetian, he brings both an a la carte menu and an exclusive $500 per person omakase experience that’s limited to eight guests and housed in a private room. The main menu features Japanese classics, as well as originals such as poached angel prawns with shellfish soy sauce and Canadian lobster marinated in sweet vinegar. An extensive mixology program, a whisky bar and a menu of 100 sakes — including some private labels only offered here — add to the experience.
The hottest Mexican steakhouse in town is Toca Madera, which is tucked into The Shops at Crystals near Aria Resort & Casino.
Toca Madera
The hottest Mexican steakhouse in town is Toca Madera, which is tucked into The Shops at Crystals near Aria Resort & Casino. The high-energy spot employs fire dancers and fire breathers to entertain diners, and cocktails such as the Los Muertos are set aflame to add a bit of fun. Guests enter a plush environment through “The Bird’s Nest,” an oasis under a canopy of trees, to dine on boldly flavored dishes. A raw bar includes a tangy yellowtail ceviche, while appetizers consist of A5 wagyu tacos and truffle quesadillas. Other standouts include the short rib enchilada, branzino with chipotle lime butter and a wagyu truffle burger.
Crossroads Kitchen offers a menu of plant-based dishes.
Credit: 2022 Crossroads Kitchen/Meg BlairCrossroads Kitchen
At Crossroads Kitchen, in Resorts World Las Vegas, chef Tal Ronnen’s biggest challenge is convincing the skeptics. While guests will see menu items with common names such as spaghetti and meatballs, tagliatelle Bolognese and calamari fritti, all of the Mediterranean dishes here are “plant-based,” to use a phrase Ronnen tries to avoid. The calamari, seasoned and ringed from mushrooms, could easily be mistaken for the real thing. Pizzas use cashew cheese, the meatless sausages have snap and flavor, and the stuffed zucchini blossoms may just be the prettiest item on the menu.
