Paymon Raouf opened the first incarnation of Paymon’s in the early 1980s as a small deli near UNLV with a table, two chairs and to-go food for students. Today, the Westside location is a favorite for Greek, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine, with a few dishes from Italy and Iran and plentiful vegan and vegetarian choices. In the evening, the lounge area transforms into a nightlife spot with hookah and a full bar. 8380 W. Sahara Ave.; 702.804.0293; paymons.com. $
HONEY SALT
Proof that you can find stellar dining off the Strip lies in Honey Salt’s creative menus of upscale American fare, packed with options you won’t find in most neighborhood restaurants. They include cast iron branzino with shaved fennel, bacon-wrapped farmhouse meatloaf with tomato jam and the mighty kale salad. The brunch menu is also loaded with hits. Get a brookie (combination brownie and cookie) for dessert. 1031 S. Rampart Blvd.; 702.445.6100; honeysalt.com. $$
LOTUS OF SIAM
Lotus of Siam, which earned praise for its locations in the Strip corridor over the past few decades, brings love to the ‘burbs with this stunning offshoot at Red Rock Resort. Can’t-miss dishes include Poo Pad Pong Karee, which is curry stir-fried Alaskan king crab legs with eggs and mixed vegetables, and the probably world-famous garlic prawns, deep fried in the shell, with a crispy texture reminiscent of potato chips. 11011 W. Charleston Blvd.; 702.907.8888; lotusredrock.com. $$
NENE CONTEMPORARY JAPANESE BISTRO
Fine Japanese food in casually elegant surroundings comes to the suburbs in this palace of sushi, sashimi, robata dishes, bento bowls, soups, salads, entrees and vegan selections. Bluefin tuna, Scottish salmon, branzino and San Diego uni (sea urchin) are among the sushi items offered. The chef ventures beyond traditional Asian rice dishes with assorted risottos. Specials abound on summer and lunch menus, so don’t miss happy hour. 4165 S. Grand Canyon Dr.; 702.463.2700; nenesushilv.com. $$
ROLLIN SMOKE BBQ
With two decades of experience in barbecue and Southern-style meals, Rollin Smoke Barbeque has expanded to five locations (including T-Mobile Arena and Allegiant Stadium). St. Louis pork spareribs, pork baby backs, beef ribs, smoked chicken and smoked chicken wings come with a choice of sauces from the Arkansas region, including sweet, spicy, lemon pepper, Cajun or very hot. Enjoy a Po-Boy or The Big Hawg sandwich with 10 ounces of pulled pork. 4115 S. Grand Canyon Dr.; 702.816.3634; rollinsmokebarbeque.com. $
TOASTED GASTROBRUNCH
Are you looking for a bottomless mimosa brunch on a weekday? Chef Sami Ladeki has you covered. The owner of Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza chain shocked many when he converted the West Flamingo Road location into a Toasted Gastrobrunch. But the menu of morning classics in both traditional and innovative forms quickly won over locals. The booze program has something for everyone: signature cocktails, prosecco, wine, three Bloody Marys, eight coffees, three bellinis and five mimosas. And yes, bottomless options are available. 9516 W. Flamingo Rd.; 702.638.9500; toastedgastrobrunch.com. $$
BRONZE CAFE
Fast casual meets healthy at Bronze Café, where the salads, sandwiches and sweets have secured a loyal following among locals throughout the valley. Focusing on “fit-friendly” eats, the menu features a sizable vegan section. Carnivores are not ignored, however, with options like the Bacon Chicken Chop salad and the What What sandwich, made with turkey, pepperoni, Arcadia greens, basil aioli, oregano vinaigrette, tomato and red onion. There’s an entire pastry case of all-vegan sweets—many of which are also gluten-free. 2380 N. Buffalo Dr.; 702.852.2830. $
ADA’S FOOD + WINE
The most experimental restaurant by superstar chef/restaurateur James Trees (Esther’s Kitchen, Al Solito Posto), Ada’s sometimes feels more like a workshop than a fixed concept. For now, Chef Jackson Stamper seems to be having fun mixing his takes on traditional Spanish tapas with unexpected comfort foods. Veteran sommelier Kat Thomas (Bellagio, Aria, The Mina Group, Sirio Maccioni) augments the choices with a list of lesser-known, reasonably-priced wines. Tivoli Village, 401 S. Rampart Blvd.; 702.462.2795; adaslv.com. $$
D.W. BISTRO
A Las Vegas original, DW Bistro takes the innovative step of creating its culinary niche by combining the flavors of Jamaican cuisine and New Mexican regional food in a Parisian-style restaurant. Owner Bryce Krausman and founding Chef Dalton Wilson took this bold concept and named it DW, an acronym for “Dining With” that represents the restaurant and the brand. More than a decade later, the menu continues to evolve. DW’s weekend brunch is among the most popular off the Strip. The Gramercy, 9275 W. Russell Rd.; 702.527.5200; dwbistro.com. $$
Marché Bacchus
This French bistro on Desert Shores’ picturesque and tranquil Lake Jacqueline is a local institution. It’s beloved for its tables along the water, on-site wine shop (with a ridiculously low corkage fee), and approachable but refined food. Several superstar chefs have passed through this kitchen, some on their way to the top, others seeking a change of pace from life on The Strip. Their diverse influences are scattered throughout the breakfast, lunch and Sunday brunch menus. Traditional and contemporary dishes offer something for everyone, including vegans and vegetarians. Desert Shores, 2620 Regatta Drive, Las Vegas;702.804,8008; $$$
AL SOLITO POSTO
Chef James Trees’ Tivoli Village Italian spot differs from his Arts District restaurant, Esther’s Kitchen, in one main way: its focus. Where Esther’s has a West Coast energy, Al Solito Posto (“the usual place” in Italian) is a tribute to the East Coast Italian cuisine that dominated Las Vegas during the Rat Pack’s heyday. Here, Trees and his team prove that the classic red sauce dishes many of us grew up with (think chicken parm) deserve more respect than they receive at your local pizza place. Tivoli Village, 430 S. Rampart Blvd.; 702.463.6781; alsolito.com. $$
AMARI
Amari is much more than the resident Italian restaurant at UnCommons in the southwest valley. The focaccia bread and pizzas are made with the same exquisite dough, using a 25-year-old ancient grain starter that produces complexity in taste and texture. The menu features updated Italian classics, including a shrimp scampi reimagined as a pasta dish and a deconstructed chicken cacciatore. It all pairs well with wine, cocktails or the restaurant’s exceptional amaro selection. UnCommons, 6825 Tom Rodriguez St., Las Vegas. amarilv.com. $$
ANIMA BY EDO
Anima is the second restaurant by the team behind the award-winning Spanish restaurant EDO, which includes repeat James Beard Award nominee Chef Oscar Amador. While a few dishes cross over between restaurants, Anima has a distinct menu with stronger Italian and Mediterranean influences. Prices are a solid value for food of this caliber. Like EDO, Anima offers unbeatable tasting menus. The kitchen team is gracious about working around any allergies or preferences. The Gramercy, 9205 W. Russell Road; 702.202.4291; animabyedo.com. $$$
BASILICO
Located within the southwest’s Evora community, Basilico courts locals who appreciate the nuances of a modern dining room, inviting outdoor patio and unique vision of modern Italian cuisine. Sicilian-born Chef Francesco Di Caudo, who won Chef of the Year at Ferraro’s and a James Beard Award nomination at Anima, transcends expectations with avant-garde technique, unexpected ingredients and original presentations. But he keeps it all grounded with respect for the basics, particularly pizzas and pasta. Standouts include a duck mousse “cigar” served in an oversized ashtray, accompanied by sesame-truffle “ash.” 6111 S. Buffalo Dr.; 702.534.7716; basilicolv.com. $$
LA STREGA
Chef Gina Marinelli gained her local fame on the Strip, running celebrity chef Scott Conant’s D.O.C.G. in The Cosmopolitan. After leaving that position, she traveled to Italy’s Amalfi Coast. It’s those travels that inspire this restaurant. Guests find lots of seafood, light pasta, delicious pizzas, steaks, chops and game meats. Fun Fact: The restaurant’s name is Italian for “The Witch.” 3555 S. Town Center Dr.; 702.722.2099; lastregalv.com. $$
MONZU ITALIAN OVEN
Chef/owner Giovanni Mauro operates Monzu in the space that once housed his mother’s landmark restaurant, Nora’s Italian Cuisine. The food here, however, is a bit more adventurous, having been inspired by the chef’s travels to Italy. Rectangular Roman “pizza alla palla” is offered alongside unique takes on Sicilian classics: heirloom pumpkin with chicken gizzards, lemon leaf stuffed with meat croquettes, milk-poached whipped salt cod with caviar. Enjoy these delectable bites with live music on weekends. 6020 W. Flamingo Rd.; 702.749.5959; monzulv.com. $$
OSTERIA FIORELLA
Chef Marc Vetri is a Philadelphia culinary legend who operates a brilliant fine-dining restaurant atop the Palms. Osteria Fiorella is more approachable, or as he puts it, “a little bit more red sauce-y.” Find lasagna al forno, rigatoni with sausage ragu and bucatini pomodoro, amazing pizzas, and more exotic pasta like Swiss chard tortelli in a sage brown butter sauce. His devotion to quality ingredients and pristine execution, however, is consistent among all his restaurants. Red Rock Resort, 11011 W. Charleston Blvd.; 702.797.7777. redrockresort.com. $$
BBQ MEXICANA
A casual sister concept to celebrity chefs Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken’s Mandalay Bay institution, Border Grill, BBQ Mexicana infuses U.S. barbecue with Mexican spice in a casual, quick-service setting. After years of serving local sports fans at T-Mobile Arena, Allegiant Stadium and the Las Vegas Ballpark (and conventioneers at Mandalay Bay), it now offers burritos, bowls, tacos and salads on Sunset Road. The smoked brisket burrito (aka the Burnt Ends Burrito) is a Las Vegas original created on a food truck that’s become an urban legend among local foodies. 8480 W. Sunset Rd. Ste. 200; 702.552.0111; bbqmexicana. com. $
DOM DEMARCO’S PIZZERIA & WINE BAR
Dom DeMarco’s is a descendant of the famous Di Fara Pizza in Brooklyn, and its New York pedigree shows in its square Sicilian and round Brooklyn-style pies in the Queensridge/Peccole Ranch neighborhood. Pizza lovers can whet their appetites with eggplant pizzettes or the ever-popular garlic knots, while those who aren’t in the mood for pizza can choose from several pasta dishes. The covered (and heated) outdoor patio offers a great al fresco experience year-round. 9785 W. Charleston Blvd.; 702.570.7000; domdemarcos. com. $
OLD SCHOOL PIZZERIA
Chef Giovanni Mauro is kickin’ it old school here with classic round pizzas. This is the same chef who wowed us with square Roman pizza at his upscale restaurant, Monzu. In this more casual pizzeria, he uses that same dough, crafted with a 300-year-old Neapolitan sourdough starter and fermented for five days. He also offers ultra-premium toppings and some very upscale sides. Not up for a whole pie? Get a “monster-sized” slice with a choice of sides for $8.99. 1930 Rock Springs Dr.; 702,847.5774; pizzaoldschool.com. $
OTHER MAMA
Chef/owner Dan Krohmer, a Morimoto veteran, studied sushi in Japan before spending some time cooking for rock and pop superstars on the road. He knows his stuff when it comes to nigiri and sashimi. What’s more surprising is how amazing his other creations (seafood and otherwise) can be. Hush puppies with caviar, oysters Rockefeller with pork belly, and spicy tuna tartare with waffle fries are all jaw-dropping. 3655 S. Durango Dr.; 702.463.8382; othermama.com. $$$
ECHO & RIG
Chef Sam Marvin’s Tivoli Village spot offers a full-fledged butcher/restaurant combination. The butcher shop (with a glass meat locker on full display) shares the first-level space with the restaurant’s bar and lounge. At the steakhouse upstairs, the menu offers an extensive list of small plates and plenty of steaks—including tri-tip, hanger, NY, ribeye cap, wagyu filet tenderloin, skirt and Spencer. Tivoli Village, 440 S. Rampart Blvd.; 702.489.3525; echoandrig.com. $$$
HARLO STEAKHOUSE & BAR
Harlo is what happens when an indulgent, modern steakhouse from the Strip transplants to Downtown Summerlin. Chef Gina Marinelli (the creative force behind local Italian favorite La Strega) offers fantastic cuts of beef from around the country grilled over an open flame alongside pasta, side dishes and seafood. The caviar presentation is a sight, as the precious eggs are carefully weighed on a triple-beam scale. Downtown Summerlin, 1720 Festival Plaza Dr.; 702.333.0402; harlosteak.com. $$$$