The Next Eight Restaurants to Watch in 2015

Have all the big restaurants opened now that Lago debuted at Bellagio? Depends on how you look at it. Eight different small projects are on their way to Las Vegas, including sophomore efforts by five chefs, something built from scratch from a former heavyweight chef on the Strip and a new restaurant out of Southern California that should be on your dining rotation when it opens, probably this week. Get your scorecards out and get ready to discover eight new smaller restaurants that you will want to try when they open in 2015.

[Photo: Instagram]

Yojie Japanese Fondue

Address: Village Square, 9400 W. Sahara Ave.

The Players: Comedian Jo Koy bought a stake in the restaurant.

The Situation: The Los Angeles-based shabu shabu lets you swish swish your proteins and vegetables in sukiyaki as guests cook food themselves. Consider this a great option for the family and even a healthy way to dine out.

Opening: May
All Coverage of Yojie Japanese Fondue [ELV]

The Smashed Pig [Photo: Amelinda B Lee]

The Smashed Pig

Address: 509 Fremont St.

The Players: Husband and wife chef team Martin Swift and Linda Rodriguez

The Situation: Swift and Rodriguez worked at Nobu and Hachi, but The Smashed Pig will be all about British fare, a tip to Swift's heritage. U.K. pub staples like pasties and pies have been promised, plus a Christmas-time favorite, a fruity mincemeat pie.

Opening: Summer
All Coverage of The Smashed Pig [ELV]

[Photo: Bradley Martin]

Le Pho

Address: The Juhl, 353 E. Bonneville Ave.

The Players: District One Kitchen & Bar executive chef Khai Vu

The Situation: Khai Vu's sophomore effort brings Vietnamese fare to The Juhl. So far, the restaurant has been pretty hush hush about any plans here.

Opening: Unknown
All Coverage of Le Pho [ELV]

[Photo: Facebook]

Chada Street

Address: 3839 Spring Mountain Road

The Players: Bank Atcharawan of Chada Thai & Wine

The Situation: This 3,200-square-foot restaurant inspired by Thai street food marks Atcharawan's sophomore effort.

Opening: Summer
All Coverage of Chada Street [ELV]

Flock & Fowl [Photo: Instagram]

Flock & Fowl

Address: 380 W. Sahara Ave.

The Players: Sheridan Su and Jenny Wong of Fat Choy

The Situation: The owners of Fat Choy are opening a chicken restaurant on Sahara Avenue, right down from their original restaurant inside the Eureka Casino. They're building the site out from scratch, and based on their Instagram posts, the space requires a lot of work.

Opening: They say May on Facebook
All Coverage of Sheridan Su [ELV]

Chow [Photo: Bradley Martin]

Chow

Address: 1020 Fremont St.

The Players: Natalie Young of Eat

The Situation: Branded "the Chicken and Chinese Joint" and located next door to Downtown's recently debuted bookstore The Writer's Block, Chow will occupy 2,278 square feet with 67 square feet of patio. Chef Young promises "Southern-style soul food with fine Chinese cuisine," and all eyes are on her much-anticipated spin on Southern fried chicken.

Opening: Fall?
All Coverage of Chow [ELV]

[Photo: Bradley Martin]

Harvest & Larder and Grazing Pig Charcuterie

Address: 1130 S. Casino Center Blvd.

The Players: Brian Howard, formerly of Comme Ça and Corey Nyman of partner and founder of boutique winery Labor Wines

The Situation: Their ground floor, 4,530-square-foot space will be home to both the counter service Grazing Pig Charcuterie and full-service restaurant, Harvest & Larder — Honest American Cookery & Libations. They will be sharing a kitchen and creating an urban lounge for the area between the two ventures.

Opening: Fall
All Coverage of Harvest & Larder [ELV]Ge