Learn where Vegas locals go for the best values on food & drink

Local Foodie Favorites

Sumo Sushi2

Dinner Places

Whether its a casual dinner with friends or celebrating a special occassion.  These are some of our favorite places for dinner:

1.  Sumo Sushi2 - With so many sushi options in town, we love Sumo's for the following reasons:  Quality ingredients and fresh fish and seafood.  Unlike many AYCE (all you can eat) restaurants that use a second grade quality of fish.  Sumo's uses the same high quality fish that supply many of the biggest restaurants and resorts on the strip.  2.  The preparation and presentation of the sushi is professional but not "over the top crazy and intricate" which slows down the time to get dishes to hungry diners. 3.  The value of dinner, exceeds what you would pay for in terms of quality of ingredients, quantity of food and service attentiveness.  Other places may have fancier presentations, give you more food, or have a better restaurant atmosphere.  But as they say in life, "you get what you pay for".

2.  Los Olivios Ristorante - provides family style dining in a very small restaurant at prices that are 30 -50% less than most other Italian restaurants in town.  The quality and taste of the food is excellent.  The portions are large, and the value is second to none.  Where else in town can you get a plate covering freshly made sole francense for less than $20, or chicken piccatta for about the same price?  The restaurant is always busy, due to its small size (7-8 tables that will seat 30 people max).  Its noisy, because of its tiny size and voices of happy diners are loud.  Bring your own bottle of wine (they dont charge a corkage fee), but most diners automatically add another $10 per bottle tip when paying.

3.  Monzu - We love the dining experience at Monzu.  Its one of the few places on our list that has a liquor license and serves perfectly made craft cocktails.  There wine list is also extensive and has many fantastic bottles of wine that pair well with your meal and are moderately priced ($40-$60).  When dining here you must try the bread, which is freshly made in house from a secret blend of flour that is imported from Italy.  Everything is freshly made in house, including the sauces.  They also have a large menu of appetizers that could be a meal in itself.  Live entertainment is provided on select days, and the atmosphere in the restaurant has a "casual elegance vibe".  Unlike its sister restaurant Nora's down the street, its a smaller more intimate dining experience but you don't feel "cramped in or rushed".  

4.   The Black Sheep - If you're looking for a small hidden place, off the strip that serves craft cocktails and asian fusion original dishes from a celebrity chef, you must try this restaurant.   This great find, is tucked away in the southwest part of town, now down the street from the Durango Casino and Resort.  Chef Jamie Tran signature dishes include: rainbow  trout, salmon skin tacos, poached pear salad and others that change monthly.  The quality and value of the experience is amazing.  The service and staff are friendly and consistent with a popular off the strip restaurant.  The portions are perfect for sharing, and pair well with there small but impressive wine list that wont break the bank.  The restaurant is always busy, due to its small size (8-10 tables) and reservations are definatly recommended. 

The Black Sheep