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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 ly feature dubbed Dining Confidential. Know a chef who wants to share some top dining spots? The tipline is open.
Double Barrel Roadhouse executive chef David Mangual only recently took over the reigns of the Monte Carlo restaurant, but he’s been on staff there since the restaurant’s April 2014 opening. The East Chicago native has been in the culinary business for 20 years, working at Renoir by chef Alex Stratta, and Osteria del Circo and Sensi at the Bellagio. When he’s not making Southern-style dishes at Double Barrel, Mangual likes to make Italian food and pizzas on his backyard barbecue grill and build classic cars in his garage. Here he shares three restaurants he frequents on his days off. "During my time in Las Vegas, these restaurants have inspired me to continually think outside the box and create dishes our guests love," he says.
Which restaurants do you turn to when you’re not working?
Bazaar Meat by José Andrés and Umami Burger at SLS Las Vegas, Honey Salt and Fat Choy at the Eureka Casino.
What dishes are most memorable?
When I go to SLS, I go to Bazaar Meat by José Andrés to order the Truffle and Bees cocktail and then I walk over to Umami Burger to dine and I order the Sunny Side (a.k.a Truffle Especiale) Burger. The cocktail and burger make a great pair.
On my days off I go to Honey Salt because they have an awesome brunch menu and all you can drink blood orange mimosas. I always order the smoked salmon Benedict or the ahi tuna salad.
At Fat Choy I like to order the pork belly bao, the Fat Choy burger, and also the bone marrow, which is on their special menu.
Why do you enjoy going there?
I like going to those restaurants because they have always been consistent with their recipe and I know what to expect. They have a great selection and they always satisfy.
