Eater Awards 2017: Announcing the Las Vegas Winners

It is now time — drumroll, please — to announce the winners of the 2017 Eater Awards in Las Vegas. These winners comprise a diverse group of the finest and most interesting chefs, restaurants and bars in the city. They’ve defined this year in dining, and we applaud them.

First, a quick recap: Eater’s local editors in 24 cities nominated candidates for five major categories: Restaurant of the Year, Chef of the Year, Prettiest Restaurant, Saddest Closing of the Year, and Bartender of the Year. These awards are geared toward places that have opened in about the past year, or people who have become involved in new ventures or otherwise changed the game in that time, which is why many renowned veterans don’t appear.

Eater readers then voted on winners, while Eater editors made their own choices. The national winners can be viewed here, but now, without further ado, here's who came out on top in Las Vegas.

Restaurant of the Year: The Black Sheep

Amelinda B Lee

The southwest neighborhood desperately needed a go-to restaurant, and The Black Sheep provides just that. Vietnamese-American comfort food made with locally sourced ingredients fills out the menu, while the bar serves craft cocktails, a value-driven wine list and beer supplied by Henderson and local brewers. Former director of operations for chef Daniel Boulud’s Dinex Group Andrew Hooper is part of the restaurant. Read more about The Black Sheep here.

Restaurant of the Year Readers’ Choice: Blue Ribbon at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas

Chef of the Year: Jamie Tran, The Black Sheep

Madison Freedle

Las Vegas needs to celebrate its women and minority chefs more often. Enter Jamie Tran at The Black Sheep, certainly worthy of taking on that role. Her background includes stints at DB Brasserie at the Venetian and Aureole at Mandalay Bay. Now she combines her background with her French training to create the dishes at The Black Sheep. Read more about Jamie Tran here.

Chef of the Year Readers’ Choice Winner: Jamie Tran of The Black Sheep

Design of the Year: Zuma at the Cosmopolitan

Amelinda B Lee

Zuma at the Cosmopolitan takes elements of earth, fire, water and air to decorate the 9,000-square-foot space that cleverly combines a Japanese izakaya and robata grill as well. Noriyoshi Muramatsu of Tokyo-based Studio Glitt designed the space with neon lights and man-made structures. Organic materials, such as a feature wall composed of natural stone from Chiang Mai in Thailand, as well as a reception desk, bar and sushi counter made of tree trunks, also sourced from Thailand round out the decor here. Read more about Zuma here.

Design of the Year Readers’ Choice Winner: Zuma at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas

Saddest Restaurant Closing of the Year: DB Brasserie

Jenna Dosch

DB Brasserie from Daniel Boulud at the Venetian was supposed to mark the French chef’s grand return to Las Vegas. Instead, the restaurant closed after a two-year stint at the Venetian. Previously, he had a restaurant at Wynn Las Vegas as well. Boulud continues to operate DB Bistro & Oyster Bar at the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. Chica from Lorena Garcia now fills that space. Read more about DB Brasserie here.

Off-Strip Restaurant of the Year Readers’ Choice Winner: N9NE Steakhouse at the Palms

Bartender of the Year: Bryant Jane and Lyle Cervenka at Starboard Tack

Amelinda B Lee

Back in the 1970s, Starboard Tack attracted attracted all the celebrities — Tom Jones, Frank Sinatra, you name it. After a stint as Gilligan’s Hideaway, Lyle Cervenka and Bryant Jane of Amaro bar at Retrocena fame brought the old bar back to life 24/7 with original fixtures including the fireplace, stained glass windows and tables. Hooray for saving a Downtown treasure. Read more about Starboard Tack here.

Bar of the Year Readers’ Choice: Emily Yett at Primrose

• Look Back at the Eater Awards Nominees for 2017 [ELV]