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. Know a chef who wants to share some top dining spots? The tipline is open.
Steve Zappacosta [Photo: Chelsea McManus]
Who better to ask about great greasy spoons to frequent then chef Steven Zappacosta, the corporate director of food and beverage operations for Station Casinos? After all, he did create the restaurant concepts behind Grand Café, Pasta Cucina, Il Vino, Wild Burger and Café Fiesta and oversees the team member dining rooms, nine buffets and eight cafes at the resorts.
His 25 years in the industry started at Ground Round Grill & Bar and later as an apprentice at The Terrace at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pa. Zappacosta moved on to become the chef manager of corporate dining for Compass Group's McGraw Hill, Calif., and later the culinary training manager for BJ's Restaurants, opening 25 locations and overseeing the kitchen operations for 19 of those. He came to Station Casinos in 2007.
Here he shares his favorite diners in Las Vegas.
Which diners do you turn to when you're not working?
Coffee Cup in Boulder City
Café Fiesta inside Fiesta Henderson
Tiffany's on Las Vegas Boulevard
What dishes are most memorable?
The chili verde omelet at the Coffee Cup. Great flavors, made fresh in house. That chili verde itself is reason enough to go back.
At Tiffany's, the steak omelet. You can't go wrong with sliced steak and cheese.
Café Fiesta has a black bean burger and tomato salad. It's super tasty and you feel good after having it.
Why do you enjoy going there?
All three because the food is simple, super flavorful and the staff is very friendly. When going out for breakfast I want great food, without the need to have a twist or something fancy. If the staff is friendly, that can make a good place great.
· All Coverage of Greasy Spoons Week [~ELV~]
· All Dining Confidentials [~ELV~]
