Hospitality Boulevard’s David Mangual Shares His Favorite Las 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 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.

David Mangual works at the corporate executive chef for Hospitality Boulevard, overseeing Smoked Burgers & BBQ at the Forum Shops at Caesars and Maxie’s at The Linq Promenade. The company plans to grow by acquiring new restaurants and bars and adding the Hospitality Boulevard touch. Mangual started working in restaurants when he was 14-years-old with his first position as a cook at Shoney’s in Las Vegas. Over the years, he opened Melange French Bistro, Double Barrel Roadhouse, and the bakery at Vdara. He worked as the executive chef at Double Barrel Roadhouse at the Monte Carlos, Hyde Lounge at T-Mobile Arena, and Osteria del Circo at the Bellagio, and also served as the sous chef at The Otheroom at the Forum Shops at Caesars, Hyde at the Bellagio, Sensi at the Bellagio, and Renoir by chef Alex Stratta at the Mirage. He graduated from the College of Southern Nevada with a degree in culinary arts. Here he shares some of his favorite places to dine in Las Vegas.

Do you remember your first memory Vegas? What happened?

I have lived here since I was a child. But, I remember driving through downtown old Vegas and seeing good ol’ Vegas Vic smoking a cigarette and all of the bright neon lights. Those are some great memories.

What made you decide to stay Las Vegas?

I’ve lived here since I was a child and being a chef in Las Vegas is what I have always wanted to do. I also wanted to move to New York City to work in a five-star restaurant but the opportunity to work at the renowned Renoir by chef Alex Stratta, one of Las Vegas’s first five-star restaurants, was something I couldn’t pass up.

Where do you like to eat breakfast in Las Vegas?

BabyStacks Cafe! The loco moco with onion fried rice is my favorite.

What about lunch?

I always love going out to Sake Rok.

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

L’Atelier De Joel Robuchon. I love it because of the open concept. Everything is prepared in front of you and the foie gras is my favorite dish there.

Where do you like to dine for a special occasion?

Sake Rok.

Are there any brunches in town you like to frequent?

Honey Salt is always a great spot for brunch.

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

I usually stick to my local neighborhood spots. I’m a casual guy, so we end up going to PT’s or something similar.

• All Dining Confidentials [ELV]

• All Coverage of Smoked Burgers & BBQ [ELV]

• All Coverage of Maxie’s [ELV]