Raku in Las Vegas is Mitsuo Endo's Spring Mountain izakaya since 2008, binchotan-charcoal robata that drew chefs from the Strip and earned multiple James Beard nominations.
Signature dishes: Robata skewers, Agedashi tofu, Foie gras with caramelised onion
Must order: Agedashi tofu (made in-house daily) plus a run of robata skewers chosen at the counter.
Tip: Booking is essential. Late-night kitchen runs to 03:00 for after-shift industry diners.
Address: 5030 Spring Mountain Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89146
Ferraro's Italian in Las Vegas is the Ferraro family room since 1985, a Paradise Road dining room with one of the deepest wine cellars off the Strip and an old-school tableside menu.
Signature: Osso buco Milanese, Linguini with clams, Tiramisu
Order: Osso buco Milanese with saffron risotto; on the menu since opening day.
Tip: 1,500 wine labels in the cellar; ask for the sommelier to route a pairing menu.
Monta Ramen in Las Vegas is the Chinatown Hakata-style tonkotsu shop next door to Raku, a 35-seat counter that codified Vegas's ramen scene from 2009 onward.
Signature: Tonkotsu ramen, Tsukemen, Gyoza
Order: Tonkotsu ramen with chashu and a soft-boiled egg; ask for kotteri broth and extra noodles.
Tip: Counter-only seating and cash preferred; the line builds from 18:00 onward and they sell out by 23:00.
Kabuto Edomae Sushi in Las Vegas is the Chinatown 14-seat omakase room since 2013, fish flown from Toyosu and traditional aged nigiri at the counter.
Signature: Edomae omakase, Aged tuna, Otoro
Order: Full omakase at the counter; the aged tuna programme runs longer than most US sushi rooms.
Tip: Counter seating only; reservations open 30 days out at 09:00 and fill quickly. Closed Mondays.
Other Mama in Las Vegas is Daniel Krohmer's seafood-driven sushi room since 2015 off Durango Drive, a Morimoto Philadelphia alum's industry hangout.
Signature: Hamachi crudo, Crispy whole fish, Uni toast
Order: Crispy whole fish with chili-lime sauce; daily catch from the sushi case.
Tip: Happy hour 5 to 6:30pm at the bar runs a half-price oyster and crudo list; cheapest way into the kitchen.
Ferraro's Italian in Las Vegas is the Ferraro family room since 1985, a Paradise Road dining room with one of the deepest wine cellars off the Strip and an old-school tableside menu.
Signature: Osso buco Milanese, Linguini with clams, Tiramisu
Order: Osso buco Milanese with saffron risotto; on the menu since opening day.
Tip: 1,500 wine labels in the cellar; ask for the sommelier to route a pairing menu.
Honey Salt in Las Vegas is Elizabeth and Kim Canteenwalla's Summerlin farm-to-table dining room since 2013, a family-friendly Rampart Commons kitchen with a daily-changing menu.
Signature: Mac and cheese with prosciutto, Beet salad, Strawberry scones
Order: Mac and cheese with prosciutto crumble; long-running signature plate.
Tip: Weekend brunch runs Saturday and Sunday 10:00 to 14:30; the crab toast and house pancakes are the anchors.
Marche Bacchus in Las Vegas is Rhonda and Jeff Wyatt's Summerlin lakeside French bistro since 2007, a wine shop with retail bottles drunk on-site at $10 corkage.
Signature: Steak frites, Escargots, Lavender creme brulee
Order: Pick any retail wine from the 950-bottle wall; pair with steak frites or escargots on the lake patio.
Tip: Lakeside patio is reservations-required; ask for sunset 19:00 to 19:30 in winter and earlier in summer.
Monta Ramen in Las Vegas is the Chinatown Hakata-style tonkotsu shop next door to Raku, a 35-seat counter that codified Vegas's ramen scene from 2009 onward.
Signature: Tonkotsu ramen, Tsukemen, Gyoza
Order: Tonkotsu ramen with chashu and a soft-boiled egg; ask for kotteri broth and extra noodles.
Tip: Counter-only seating and cash preferred; the line builds from 18:00 onward and they sell out by 23:00.
Kabuto Edomae Sushi in Las Vegas is the Chinatown 14-seat omakase room since 2013, fish flown from Toyosu and traditional aged nigiri at the counter.
Signature: Edomae omakase, Aged tuna, Otoro
Order: Full omakase at the counter; the aged tuna programme runs longer than most US sushi rooms.
Tip: Counter seating only; reservations open 30 days out at 09:00 and fill quickly. Closed Mondays.
