Just a few doors down from bustling ramen hot spot, Monta, Abriya Raku, or simply Raku, is an exercise in the practiced restraint and simple preparations that are the hallmark of great Japanese cuisine. The heart of the menu is simple skewers prepared on their traditional charcoal grill, but sashimi, fresh house made tofu, and a variety of small composed plates make this much more than your standard robata. The sake list is enough to keep any enthusiast content well into the night, when many of the city’s best chefs have been known to show up (they close at 3:00 AM).

Bouchon is a traditional French bistro as imagined by the perfectionist culinary giant Thomas Keller. One of the best raw bars in the city, the menu sticks to the classics, and executes them flawlessly. Enjoy steak frites and a glass of burgundy on the beautiful patio and marvel at the wonderful dichotomies that make Las Vegas such a special place.

Buddy V’s is all about comfort. Known as TLC’s Cake Boss, baker Buddy Valastro has teamed up with a capable team of Las Vegas restaurateurs to open this homage to the food his family loves to cook: hearty pastas, reimagined red sauce favorites, and of course killer desserts. The whimsical dining room is full of nods to Buddy’s baking heritage and photos of his family. The bar has one of the most commanding views of the northern end of the Strip, looking up past the Palazzo, Treasure Island and the Wynn towards the Stratosphere.

Saying Chandelier Bar sits “right in the thick of it” can feel like an understatement on some nights. Suspended above the gaming floor in the heart of the Cosmopolitan, the three-story bar is wrapped in a cloak of thousands of Swarovski crystals. Each floor offers its own unique menu of cocktails, ranging from classic to avant garde. It is a see-and-be-seen type of place that’s worth seeing in its own right, and a great meeting point for exploring the rest of the property. Avoid it on convention weekends when corporate groups claim large sections of the seating areas for private events.

A Chinese Mexican mash up like you’ve never seen before, this endlessly creative restaurant offers beautifully crafted, modern visions of both culinary traditions, occasionally at the same time. The menu offers something for everyone, with original tacos on fresh made tortillas, hand cut and house-made noodle dishes, and jewel-like dim sum made right next to the bar. A constantly evolving list of seasonal cocktails accompanies an extensive spirits list that features one of the city’s best selections of mezcals and tequilas.

Sleek, modern, and detail oriented, Wolfgang Puck’s CUT is a steakhouse for people who love steakhouses, but also want something new. Built around a menu that seeks to educate guests about the different styles, heritages, and sources of premium beef, its signature beef tasting offers a unique and delightful take on this Las Vegas staple. Carefully crafted appetizers that play off steakhouse classics, an extensive wine list, and stellar service create a warm and comprehensive dining experience. Don’t miss a martini and a few bites under the playfully watchful eye of Chuck Close’s portrait of Chef Puck in the buzzing, yet intimate lounge.

A restaurant within a restaurant, é by Jose Andres is a unique celebration of the avant garde style that has defined contemporary Spanish cuisine, and permanently changed global fine dining, over the past twenty years. A protégé of Ferran Adria, chef Andres limits his most imaginative and experimental cooking to this intimate eight-seat dining room hidden behind the bar at Jaleo. With many of the dishes prepared directly in front of the guest, the experience combines elements of science, cooking and magic in a progressive, multi-course exploration of traditional Spanish flavors. Don’t skip the wine pairing, which contains a set of wonders all its own.

The brainchild of Las Vegas restaurant power couple Elizabeth Blau and Kim Canteenwalla (she helped Steve Wynn change dining in Las Vegas forever, he’s the former executive chef of the MGM) Honey Salt is a neighborhood restaurant worth seeking out. The buzzing, polished, shabby chic dining room and comfy bar draw everyone from twenty something date nighters to young families to the city’s elite. The regularly changing menu features seasonally inspired American that balances satisfying comfort with lighter and more health conscious choices. A concise, but diverse wine list offers a wide range of options, depending on your mood, and the house cocktails are not to be missed. A dinner worthy destination, it’s also perfect stop for a Sunday brunch on your way back from Red Rock Canyon.

Along with its slightly more casual sister restaurant, Atelier Joel Robuchon, this is the only American outpost of the acclaimed “Chef of the Century”, Joel Robuchon. As expected the menu is an exploration and celebration of the luxurious, refined, and precisely executed contemporary French cuisine the chef is known for. Awarded three Michelin stars, the wine list is impeccable, as is the service in this traditional temple of fine dining hidden in the middle of the desert.

Another member of the Seoul Plaza trifecta, Kabuto is a gem of a subdued Edo Mae style sushi restaurant that gets Las Vegas visitors as close to Tokyo as they could hope for. The shoebox of a dining room is defined by a sunken sushi counter, which puts guests at eye level with executive chef, Gen san, and his highly capable team. Preparations are simple, thoughtful, and exquisitely sourced, with a carefully curated yet diverse variety of fresh fish coming in daily from around the globe. Surrender yourself to the omakase and you will not be disappointed. It is recommended to arrive as close to their 6:00 PM opening as possible, as the daily delivery schedule and strict attention to quality means the earlier you are, the larger the selection.

This French brasserie, in the Paris, was recommended to me by a couple of self-dubbed “Vegas haters,” who admitted they loathed the city’s over-the-top vibe but found the ambience and food authentic at Mon Ami Gabi. Indeed with its red leather banquette seating and hearty serving of steak-frites, the restaurant does remind of Paris. Instead of a bread basket each table gets a warm demi-baguette. The wine list is lovely and decently priced, which is not always a given in Sin City. The patio tables have excellent views of the dancing fountains of the Bellagio across the street.

Ramen continues to dominate foodie markets across the country, and Manta is Las Vegas’s shining example of why this trend has transformed into a full on national obsession. Nestled in one of the most foodie dense shopping centers off the Strip, Seoul Plaza, the tiny dining room offers two basic broths – a rich umami bomb of almost gravy-esque Tonkotsu (pork) and a brighter, lighter Shoyu (chicken-soy), if you can’t make up your mind there’s always the ultimate combo Tonkotsu-Shoyu. Keep it simple or load up on add ins such as corn, kimchi, and preserved mustard greens. The rest of the menu won’t disappoint either, kimchi fried rice, gyoza, and the chilled sesame noodles are all sure to please. Get there early and expect to wait, but it’s worth it.

Nestled in the corner of the ground floor of Tony Hsieh’s ambitious experiment in building an urban core out of repurposed shipping containers, Pinches Tacos is a Southern California import bringing simple fresh Mexican to Downtown Las Vegas. The Container Park itself, complete with a two story flame throwing preying mantus, tree house playground, and live music, is worth a visit for any in the know Vegas traveler, but Pinches really makes it worthwhile. Tortillas are griddled fresh to order, and high quality, simple fillings are highlighted, rather than overwhelmed, with minimal toppings and condiments. Load up your plate, grab one of the killer blood orange margaritas, and settle in for a whole new type of Las Vegas people watching.

A veritable oasis in the heart of the Four Seasons, Press is a newly renovated hotel bar worth seeking out, especially in the beautiful fall and spring months. A lush trellised verandah overlooking the hotel’s subdued pool (especially compared to its larger Strip counterparts) is the perfect escape from the occasionally overwhelming hustle and bustle of Las Vegas. Slow down a beat and enjoy the friendly, knowledgeable bartender, thorough wine and spirits list, and handcrafted cocktails. A small plates offering in the evening features quick bites such as sliders, corn dogs and tacos, playfully re-imagined with an upscale twist.

It’s all about the view. Previously known as MoBar, Skybar is perched on the 23rd floor of the stunning smoke-free, casino-free Waldorf Astoria Hotel. Three walls of floor to ceiling windows offer commanding views down the length of the Strip, and an abbreviated menu of exquisite bar bites and small plates pairs with the bar’s extensive offering of expertly crafted cocktails, many of which feature a vaguely Asian inspiration. Find out when sunset is and get here an hour early to escape the crowds and watch the neon come alive.

The godfather of Las Vegas celebrity chef restaurants, Spago’s twenty-plus year run has laid the foundation for great food in the valley. An institution in its own right, the dining room still fills with the types of stars that made the original famous. Celebrity sightings and history aside, the kitchen turns out some impressive food, executing the light, approachable, and imaginative contemporary American food that made the restaurant famous in the first place. Almost everything is made in house, from the breads to the charcuterie to the chocolate, and the staff is confident, warm and professional. Order a bottle of wine, and watch the day roll by within view of the famous Bellagio fountain.

If there is one defining concept of the modern Las Vegas dining scene it is the steakhouse, and SW is the king. Built as the jewel in Steve Wynn’s fine dining crown, the restaurant features a comfortable and well-appointed dining room as well as an exquisite terrace overlooking the surreal, multi-media filled lagoon known as the Lake of Dreams. The core of the menu is the predictable offering of steaks and chops, but creative sides, playful starters, and thoughtfully composed plates give it a range, and a broader appeal than the standard fine dining steak restaurant. One of the few dining steakhouse destinations in the world with vegan options, SW is always a crowd pleaser.