/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/44418572/Honey_Salt_1.0.0.jpg)
Q: Name your top restaurant standbys of 2014 — the restaurants you returned to most.
Robin Leach, gossip columnist for the Las Vegas Sun: SPAGO IN CAESARS PALACE FORUM SHOPS; LAVO AT PALAZZO, NOBU AT CAESARS PALACE, HONEY SALT , JOEL ROBUCHON AT MGM, AND GIADA AT THE CROMWELL.
Don Chareunsy, Senior Editor, Arts + Entertainment, Las Vegas Sun: Joe Vicari’s Andiamo Italian Steakhouse in The D Las Vegas. Terrific ambiance, service and food. Sammy’s Restaurant & Bar in Henderson. Still mourning the loss of Republic Kitchen & Bar in Henderson, Sammy’s has an eclectic menu and a terrific Happy Hour. For decadent and elevated Chinese food: Hakkasan in MGM Grand. And, um, Sprinkles at The Linq Promenade for guilty-pleasure cupcakes.
Brock Radke, food and drink editor for Las Vegas Weekly: The places I ate at most frequently were Pizza Rock, Chada Thai & Wine, Settebello, Fukuburger, Parma, Lulu's Bread & Breakfast, Comme Ça, Bouchon, the sadly shuttered Tacos El Gordo on the Strip and Cheffini's at Container Park.
Jim Begley, freelance food and drink writer for Las Vegas Weekly, Desert Companion, Las Vegas Magazine and sundry publications: Kyara for casual dinners. Comme Ca for nice meals on the Strip. The stalwart Sen of Japan for sushi. El Menudazo for weekend hangovers. Goodwich and Fat Choy for lunches near the office. China MaMa and David Wong’s Pan Asian for takeout. And Sporting Life Bar for something a little different; it’s so good, it immediately leapt into the rotation.
JoAnna Haugen, Las Vegas contributing editor, Travel Weekly: Metro Pizza - Thankfully it's less than a mile from where we live!
Mitchell Wilburn, VegasChatter: Carnevino and Le Cirque, those are two restaurants that have never failed to impress me.
E.C. Gladstone, About.com/GoVegas (Guest Contributor); JackColton.com (Dining & Drinking Editor); NowImHungry.com (Titanium Overlord): Carson Kitchen, Comme Ca, Carnevino (and those are just the ‘Cs’) Aureole , Pho Sing Sing. District One, Yonaka
Bob Barnes, Editorial Director of The Las Vegas Food & Beverage Professional,
Las Vegas Reporter for Gayot and Regional Correspondent for Celebrator Beer News: Honey Salt—Executive Chef Joe Zanelli’s caramelized sea scallops is a dish I can never pass up and I love the restaurant’s casual ambiance and comfortable couch seating with pillows.
Top of the World—Chef Claude Gaty never disappoints with his masterful blending of cuisines from all over the world, with an unsurpassed view thrown in for free.
La Cave Wine and Food Hideaway—Chef Billy DeMarco rocks with his take on American cuisine with a well rounded menu with some global influences thrown in, like Moroccan chicken skewers with tzatziki; and I especially appreciate the Sunday brunch in which you can taste several of the restaurant’s dishes without ever leaving your seat.
Michael G. Uzmann, Doctor, Blogger, Wandering Diner: I don’t do ‘standbys,’ instead opting to visit new places as often as possible. That said, Hearthstone and Twist both saw me visit more than once.
Scott Roeben, Vital Vegas: Pizza Rock continues to be a favorite. The meatballs are among the best in Vegas, and the pizza is consistently great. Big fan of Nacho Daddy, downtown, too. Old Homestead at Caesars and STK at Cosmo are still tops for steakhouses, the cafes at Binion's and El Cortez have the best burgers. Off-the-Strip go-tos are Mint Indian Bistro, Mount Everest India's Cuisine and Siena Italian Authentic Trattoria and Deli. Oh, and I'm not ashamed to proclaim my love for the elevated bar food at Twin Peaks. Don't knock it until you try it, and the view is amazing.
Amelinda B Lee, photographer for Eater Vegas: Yonaka Modern Japanese was the restaurant I returned to most this year because I just couldn't get enough of Chef Ramir DeCastro's creations. The Shrimp and Grits at Natalie Young's Eat; I can't order anything else. Also, Pot Liquor CAS and DW Bistro — they have this amazing chargrilled Duroc pork chop that puts all other pork chops to shame.
Susan Stapleton, editor of Eater Vegas: Getting back to restaurants is rough with the amount of work and dining out I have on my plate. Yusho, Japanese Cuisine by Omae and DB Brasserie. The white truffles at Le Cirque are a yearly must.