Lotus of Siam is always worth a visit and so is Raku. Other options are Sparrow & Wolf, Double Zero, Carson Kitchen, Anima, Esther’s Kitchen or Bouchon
It’s been awhile since my last visit, but I thought Secret Pizza had a very good NYC style slice. Probably not a destination place, but it’s fun finding it if you happen to be near the Cosmopolitan, and it’s open late.
Some other ideas for places not mentioned already:
Lunch/Brunch - Mon Ami Gabi (Paris) for French fare, Bardot Brasserie (Aria), also French.
Fine Dining - Partage (Chinatown) for inventive tasting menus, Vetri Cucina (Palms) for excellent Italian food with a view.
Late night steak with great cocktails at Herbs and Rye or sister restaurant Cleaver.
Other - the Oyster Bar at Palace Station for a pan roast. Frankie’s for a tiki cocktail.
Just came back from the first trip in over a decade. Large group of 9 that included kids. Quick rundown
Sparrow + Wolf - 4/5. One of the most celebrated off strip joints. The beef tartare was surprisingly the best dish and the first thing we tried. Everything else including the famous hummus with oxtail was good, just not particularly distinct. I think some of the dishes are just too showy and desperately trying to be different, but the flavors don’t really pop. They somehow managed the octopus and squid ink risotto not to compliment. Good agnolotti but standard for a place as such. Black pepper pork was fine. Nothing really popped except some occasional fatty pork pieces. The clams were good.
Lotus of Siam - 3/5. Shockingly average for one of the most famous Thai in the country. The prawns and fried ribs were ok. Oily, uninspiring curries. One of the worst drunken noodles I ever had. The only above average dish was the sticky rice mango dessert and an interesting roasted mushroom that was prepared like a dip for veggies. In NYC this place would struggle to survive if opened today, unless it was just an off night.
Tacos El Gordo 5/5. This was a great last minute stop in North Vegas coming from Zion/Bryce. CDMX style tacos, tho they are actually a chain from Tijuana. Superb Suadero, Lengua, and Pastor. NYC can use a place like this.
Chéri Rooftop 5/5. Surprisingly excellent resort (Paris) rooftop Brunch. Until they kicked everyone out when the entire resort had water issues.
All in all, an ok trip. But I’m starting to doubt the old “off the strip is better” notion. Need more data.
They have an extremely extensive menu offering every Thai dish known to American man. I counted 11 sections, and one of them titled “Northern”. They also had a “Mama’s Favorites” section. We were a large group with kids so had to order some mild and familiar, but also got some northern (roasted mushrooms served like a dip for veggies) and favorites like the garlic prawns. The Mushroom dish had a good amount of chili, not amazing but one of the better dishes. I probably would have a better meal if I ordered more Northern like you said. Its hard to know that Northern is their specialty when looking at the menu. But no place, especially acclaimed as such should have duds on the menu. Even the crab fried rice was mushy and not very fresh
The standard ones are OK but LoS shines with many more unusual dishes (compared to your “average” Thai). If you are going back to LV you should give them another try
