Mark LoRusso Goes for Chicken & Waffles on Days Off

Sin City is home to a lot of restaurants and bars, but there are tons of hidden gems that the majority of Las Vegans aren't unearthing. To help guide us to these potential discoveries, we've enlisted some of our city's food players to share their recommendations for a weekly feature dubbed Dining Confidential.

Mark LoRusso works with a backdrop of art at Botero, his modern-American restaurant at Encore Las Vegas where the works of Colombian artist Fernando Botero dazzle. He handled Tableau at Wynn Las Vegas before making the move to open Botero, and his resume contains high-end restaurants such as Michael Mina’s Aqua at the Bellagio, where for seven years he was the executive chef, and Checkers Hotel alongside Thomas Keller. Usually after work, LoRusso is preparing family-style Italian meals for his wife and two children. But when he’s not in the kitchen, he has three Vegas faves he frequents.

Where do you enjoy eating when you’re not working at your own restaurant?
Due Forni, Mundo and Bouchon at the Venetian.

What dishes are most memorable?
My favorite dish is at Due Forni. I love the octopus salad, with charred chunks of octopus, and a tomato caper sauce.

I like the sweet corn tamale at Mundo and Bouchon’s chicken and waffles at brunch.

Why do you enjoy going there?
I enjoy these restaurants because they offer high quality food in a relaxed environment. My two daughters like to go to Due Forni, which is convenient since it’s in our neighborhood.

I love to see chefs doing great things, off the Strip. Especially at Due Forni and Mundo, these guys are offering high quality food, close to home.
· All Coverage of Botero [~ELV~]
· All Dining Confidentials [~ELV~]
Mark LoRusso [Photo: Encore Las Vegas]