Rivea’s Orady Ditgnavong Shares Her Favorite Off-Strip Restaurants in Las Vegas

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.

Rivea’s executive pastry chef Orady Ditgnavong attended school in Nice, France, then went on to study the art of pastries for two years. She spent time in many types of pastry kitchen, spanning French pastry shops and boutique hotels in California to luxury resorts. Ditgnavong moved to Las Vegas to join acclaimed chef Jean-Phillippe Maury’s pastry team at the Bellagio, citing the city’s reputation as the birthplace of many culinary icons’ careers as the draw. Here she shares some of her favorite places to dine off the Strip.

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

My first trip to Vegas was very memorable for me. I came from my home country of France and had never seen anything like it. I remember being amazed by all of it such as the lights, the sound of the slot machines, the city that never sleeps, the themed hotels, everything extravagant. It just really drew me in. It was unlike anything I’d ever seen before.

What made you decide to move to Las Vegas?

I came here because Bellagio offered me the opportunity to work for the amazing hotel. I am eternally thankful to Jean-Phillippe Maury for giving me the opportunity of a lifetime to come here and be a part of his team. I have learned a lot and have met very many talented chefs along the way.

Where do you like to eat breakfast in Las Vegas? Any dishes you recommend?

I prefer to stay away from the Strip in general when I’m not working. Café Breizh in Summerlin is definitely my go-to recommendation. They have very high-quality products and the best French café. The café serves great coffee and the crepes are my favorite item.

What about lunch? Any dishes you recommend?

My Asian origins drive me to say Ping Pang Pong at the Gold Coast. They have very good dim sum, the quality is consistent, and there is a large variety of choices. I can never go to dim sum without having chicken feet!

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

Montana Meat Co. is my favorite local place for dinner and late-night food. This restaurant is very friendly and I have been returning there for years.

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

I have recently discovered a local place on Blue Diamond called Hi Scores Bar Arcade. They offer a large variety of beers and late-night food that is always nice after a long day of work. The setting is very inviting with free video games. It doesn’t get much better than that.

• All Coverage of Rivea [ELV]

• All Dining Confidentials [ELV]