7th & Carson’s Gregg Fortunato Takes a Culinary Journey Through His Favorite Vegas Restaurants

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 feature dubbed Dining Confidential.

Gregg Fortunato just brought his dishes to the new 7th & Carson in Fremont East. The Long Island, New York, native started his culinary career in Las Vegas under Roy Yamaguchi of Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion, where he held the title of chef de cuisine and was a member of the corporate training team that helped to open three new Roy’s restaurants. By 2006, MGM asked him to open Jia at the Beau Rivage Hotel in Biloxi, Mississippi. Later he became executive chef at Little Buddha inside the Palms and Buddha Bar in Washington, D.C. Fortunato returned to Las Vegas in 2011 to become chef of Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas and later opened Inyo Asian Variety Restaurant in Chinatown. “It’s all about evolving and learning something new everyday I step in the kitchen” he says. “That’s what keeps the passion going.” Here he shares some of his favorite restaurant to explore in Las Vegas.

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

No last call. Sold! LOL.

What made you decide to move to Las Vegas?

My parents moved here in 1995 and I followed two years later. I love to be surrounded by family and friends so it was only a matter of time before I moved here myself.

Where do you like to eat breakfast in Las Vegas?

Since opening in downtown I’ve been enjoying Eat across the street for my breakfast needs.

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

I love Japanese food so Raku is my go to. The house made tofu is just perfect, simple and clean. That’s what I love about Japanese cuisine.

Where do you like to dine for a special occasion?

Bazaar Meat. Mashed potatoes with butter or should I say butter with a hint of potato.

Are there any brunches in town you like to frequent?

Hexx Kitchen & Bar for bottomless mimosas.

Let’s say you want to hang out with your friends after work. Where do you like to go? I’ve been sticking downtown lately — Park on Fremont, Gold Spike and Downtown Cocktail Room.

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