Dine Like Chef Carlos Buscaglia at Hexx

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 readers to these potential discoveries, Eater Vegas enlisted some of the city's food players to share their recommendations for a feature dubbed Dining Confidential.

Canadian-born Carlos Buscaglia grew up in Argentina, working at his parent’s Italian deli in Buenos Aires, before they moved to Las Vegas when he was 15. Now the executive chef at Hexx Kitchen & Bar brings more than 25 years experience to the kitchen at the 24-hour Paris Las Vegas restaurant. Buscaglia helped open Fiamma Trattoria & Bar in 2003 at the MGM Grand, and then opened Due Forni Pizza & Wine in 2010, serving as co-creator and executive chef. He joined Hexx earlier this year. Here he shares some of his favorite places to dine in Las Vegas. “Once I started working in the food and beverage world, I feel in love with this city,” he says.

Do you remember your first trip to Vegas? What happened that was memorable?

I was 15-years-old, and I couldn’t believe I was moving to Las Vegas. My first drive on Las Vegas Boulevard was just mesmerizing. The lights and the amount of people walking on the Strip was incredible.

Where do you like to eat breakfast in Las Vegas?

When I'm on the go, I enjoy going to Fruits & Roots to get a coffee and a smoothie. The Maca-Choco is my favorite. It’s made with all organic cashew milk, maca root, dates banana and coconut oil. If I have time to relax, Bagel Café’s corn beef hash is delicious.

What about lunch?

Nittaya’s Secret Kitchen. I dream of that spinach salad.

If you’re going out for dinner, which restaurants do you like to frequent? What makes them special? Any dishes you can recommend?

There are so many different restaurants I turn to. If I’m on the west side I like T-Bones Chophouse at Red Rock Resort and Sen of Japan. I really enjoy chef Gregg Fortunato’s cuisine, and since 7th & Carson opened, Legs + Eggs has become one of my new favorite dishes.

Where do you like to dine for a special occasion?

Bardot Brasserie at Aria and Costa di Mare at Wynn are my two spots for a specialdinner.

Are there any brunches in town you like to frequent?

DW Bistro’s pastry basket and jerk pork hash is where it’s at.

Let’s say you want to hang out with your friends after work. Where do you like to go?

Herbs & Rye, drinking Brown Derbys all night long.

• All Coverage of Hexx [ELV]

• All Dining Confidentials [ELV]