Sarah Feldberg
There's been solid buzz coming out of the Las Vegas dining scene as of late. A forthcoming location of Eataly is setting up its pizza ovens and espresso machines at the Park MGM. The Michelin-starred Tim Ho Wan is on its way the Palms. Mott 32, the Hong Kong-based restaurant known for its dim sum and Peking duck, is slated for a long-defunct dining room inside the Palazzo, and Daniel Humm and Will Guidara are bringing NoMad Restaurant to their hotel atop a hotel at the Park MGM.
Meanwhile at the Cosmopolitan, the resort's Block 16 Urban Food Hall debuted on the second floor of the Boulevard Tower as the coolest food court you've ever seen, with outposts of fast-casual favorites from around the country like Andy Ricker's Pok Pok
Wing, Nashville's Hattie B's Hot Chicken, Portland sandwich spot Lardo, New Orlean's District: Donuts. Sliders. Brew. and Ghost Donkey, a colorful mezcal and tequila bar out of New York.
"Unlike anything else on the Strip, it was a much-needed addition to Sin City's culinary scene and has become a huge hit," declared Forbes.
While the restaurants above range from high-end to low-key, they have one crucial thing in common: They all come from somewhere else.
Las Vegas' dining scene has become a best-of list for the rest of the country and beyond, importing well-regarded local and regional restaurants into Strip casinos (where they often enjoy more lavish decor and ample kitchens). It's proven a successful
strategy countless times over. Just see Wolfgang Puck's Spago, Jose Andres' Jaleo, Michael Mina's Michael Mina and Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken's Border Grill.
But there's something to be said for the "only in Vegas" experience, for visitors arriving on the Strip to discover experiences and eateries that you can't also find in New York, Nashville, Hong Kong or Portland, Ore. That could be an over-the-top buffet,
an exclusive tasting experience or something in between.
There are, of course, many Vegas originals currently serving. The Palms' lauded new Scotch 80 Prime comes to mind, as does Michael Mina's Bardot Brasserie at Aria. Among the offerings at the Cosmopolitan's food hall is Tekka Bar, a fresh handroll concept
from local restaurateur Takashi Segawa, and Los Angeles chef Roy Choi is preparing to debut Best Friend at the Park MGM.
"It's Koreatown in a capsule — a portal to the streets of L.A. but also rooted in what makes Las Vegas ... VEGAS," the chef said via release.
But those original ideas now feel crowded by familiar concepts. It's likely less risky to import what's worked elsewhere, but Las Vegas has never thrived on being like any place else.
Perhaps the city's food and beverage directors should keep that in mind.