THE BLACK SHEEP
Visitors to Las Vegas who limit their culinary excursions to the Strip will miss out on memorable places like the Black Sheep, which, since opening in 2017, has become a go-to place for gourmands looking for eclectic excitement. Vietnamese and American comfort food come together with French flair at this casual-yet-stylish hotspot, resulting in a menu that you won’t find anywhere else in the city. Chef Jamie Tran has garnered local raves with her unique blends, including tasty appetizers like Thai basil shrimp ceviche with fermented yuzu avocado mousse, and bao sliders made with homemade pork sausage and fried quail eggs. For the main course, consider the mouthwatering braised duroc pork belly, complete with glass noodles and roasted heirloom carrots, or the lemongrass duck confit, served with black beans and sautéed dandelion greens. The wine list is exceptional for a restaurant of this size, with labels from France, South Africa, Italy and nearby California. 8680 W. Warm Springs Road. Tel. 702-954-3998. www.blacksheepvegas.com
GORDON RAMSAY HELL’S KITCHEN CAESARS PALACE
Opened in 2018 in front of Caesars Palace, Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen is designed to bring TV-inspired excitement to the dining experience, with décor that recalls the studio set of the eponymous cooking show. The giant open-kitchen concept at this spacious and handsome venue is straight from TV, with kitchen staff dressed in the same red and blue uniforms as on the show. Floor-to-ceiling windows provide lots of natural light as well as great views of the Strip. The menu features items from the TV show itself, with well-publicized dishes like lobster butternut squash, truffle carbonara, and pan-seared scallops. And since the management adds new items to the menu as they debut on the air, there are always fresh surprises. The prix-fixe lunch and dinner menus are especially efficient ways to experience the full range of Gordon Ramsay creativity; both feature pan-seared scallops and beef wellington with potato puree, glazed root vegetables and red-wine demi-glace. The restaurant also has an extensive menu of spirits, with signature drinks including the dramatic Smoke on the Blvd, a rye drink that arrives in a cherry-wood, smoke-filled cabinet, and the gin-based Notes from Gordon, complete with a scroll that features a “surprise” note from Gordon Ramsay himself. 3570 S. Las Vegas Blvd. Tel: 702-731-7373. www.grhellskitchenlv.com
Gordon Ramsay
