The Las Vegas Strip’s Culinary Remix: New Restaurants, Rebrands, and Spectacles

In the ever-evolving culinary showcase that makes Las Vegas a foodie destination, these innovative concepts are drawing notice on the Strip.

Stanton Social Italian (Caesars Palace)

It isn’t often – or ever? – that a successful Strip restaurant rebrands and reopens with a completely new concept, but that’s what just happened at Caesars Palace. The former Stanton Social Prime, a high-concept steakhouse featuring expertly executed and cinematically- presented dishes from noted New York chef Chris Santos, has transformed into Stanton Social Italian – in the same location. And in an impressive achievement, Santos’unique twist on classic Italian dishes achieves the same level of success as the prior steakhouse incarnation did in terms of quality and presentation. Of the starters, the Heirloom Tomato Salad with creamy whipped burrata and basil pesto is a perfect example of what tomatoes could be – and should be, while the Hamachi Crostata with a cherry tomato confit atop sesame lavash is a flavor sensation. Of the pastas, the house-made Cavatelli with Wagyu Bolognese proves how a low-and-slow cooking technique produces an authentic Bolognese sauce, while the Spaghetti Carbonara does justice to its Roman origins. And continuing the cinematic presentation theme, Santos’ Spumoni “Milkshake” is a clever – and tasty – masquerade that’s sliced-to-order tableside, while the Green Flag cocktail zooms in on a mini Vespa scooter.

Carbone Riviera (Bellagio)

Stepping into a legendary location is always a heavy lift, especially when it involves replacing an iconic restaurant like Bellagio’s Picasso after the retirement of longtime chef and creator Julian Serrano. But MGM Resorts and partner Major Food Group have nailed it with Carbone Riviera, the new Italian seafood restaurant that takes its cues from sister Italian-American eatery Carbone at ARIA. With a fittingly glamorous design in a room graced by original works of Picasso, Renoir and Miro, throwback ambiance and a rich, sumptuous menu, Carbone Riviera drips with atmosphere while channeling 1960s glamour – complete with matching soundtrack and crisp, attentive service. And the menu, featuring Mediterranean seafood flown in fresh daily, reads and delivers like a greatest hits compilation. The antipasti provides a fitting introduction with the Lobster Poplette Fra Diavolo’s meatballs (substituting succulent lobster for the traditional meat) bathed in a mildly-spicy, garlicky tomato sauce. A rarely-seen Sicilian Red Prawns crudo, simply finished with lemon juice and premium EVOO is also a hit. Of the macaroni (pasta) courses, the don’t-miss dish is the Cappellini Crab AOP, presenting a copious serving of sweet crabmeat in a classic olive oil and garlic sauce, combined to perfection.

The restaurant also features a signature whole-fish program, with various species deboned and filleted tableside with great flourish. In an interesting riff on the classic, Italian-American veal parmigiana dish, a single, massive Madagascar Prawn is butterflied and lightly fried, then layered with marinara sauce and fresh mozzarella. But when it comes to presentation skills, nothing tops the Grand Sorbetti Misti, a grand finale of fresh fruit sorbets (ex., coconut, cantaloupe, blood orange, passion fruit) served in their fruit-respective, scooped-out shells, then artistically arranged on an iced glass platter. Carbone Riviera is more than a restaurant; it’s an experience, and clients will likely agree that this is a one-time splurge they’ll be talking about for some time.

Proper Eats (ARIA Las Vegas)

As Las Vegas food halls continue to up the ante in the city’s never-ending culinary competition, they’ve evolved into a credible alternative to the once-ubiquitous buffet by offering restaurant-quality dishes in a fast-casual format. At Proper Eats – one of the city’s best-regarded entrants – that evolution has spawned two new eateries that deserve notice. Since no self-respecting food hall could thrive – or even survive – without offering a now-de rigueur fried-chicken sandwich, Lucky Bird spotlights its Nashville-style fried-chicken concept with crispy tenders, craveable sandwiches and Southern Comfort sides like mac salad and BBQ baked beans. And although the Nashville Hottie delivers medium heat on a bun with pickle slices and mayo, adventurous fire-eaters may opt to try their tenders Mutha-Cluckin’ Spicy.

Meanwhile, in a 180 spin towards healthier eating, SunLife Organics’ SoCal-inspired “wellness destination” menu aims to deliver functional nutrition that’s also tasty. Of the Superfood Shakes, the Kagoshima Matcha leans hard into the current matcha craze by adding banana, cashew butter, date syrup and oat milk for a smooth, delicious beverage. And for those who prefer to get their trendy superfoods by the spoonful, the Vegas Bowl tops acai with hemp granola, berries, raw cashew butter, bee pollen, Himalayan pink salt, coconut shreds and raw honey in a combo that could easily be blessed by a mountaintop yogi.

Brasserie B Parisian Steakhouse by Bobby Flay (Caesars Palace)

In yet another rebrand at Caesars Palace, talented celebrity chef Bobby Flay’s skills shine even brighter via an enhanced menu at the renamed Brasserie B Parisian Steakhouse by Bobby Flay. Dinner offerings now include a choice of eight steak options, highlighted by Bobby’s Spice Crusted Bone-In Ribeye with Smoked Chile-Honey Glaze and Roasted Red Pepper Relish, which does justice to the chef’s Southwestern specialty roots. But the enhanced lunch menu here is no less impressive, exemplifying Flay’s attention to detail on virtually every dish. Starting with a perfectly-dressed Lobster Avocado Cocktail that doesn’t skimp on the shellfish is a no-brainer, while the French onion soup is a don’t-miss dish with sweet Vidalia onion, a delicious gruyere gratin and a touch of brandy. Next up, diners can’t go wrong with a melt-in-your-mouth Slow-Roasted Salmon bathed in a Honey Mustard Horseradish. And no French brasserie would be complete without a perfectly-authentic Thin Apple Tart and classic Creme Brulee – both standouts here. From his original focus on Southwestern cuisine, Flay’s impressive culinary chops have since expanded to Italian (Amalfi, also at Caesars), Bobby’s Burgers (multiple locations) and now Brasserie B.

The Party at Superfrico (The Cosmopolitan)

Leave it to innovative circus company Spiegelworld (creators of Absinthe and Atomic Saloon Show) to come up with yet another cleverly-unique social event that we’re all invited to. The Party at Superfrico runs Sunday through Thursday nights in an intimate, 50-seat room with four small stages, a quality, three-course dinner and a wild show interwoven among the courses. Guests at the single 7:00 p.m. seating are welcomed into a small drawing room, aka The Reliquary, where an enthusiastic European hostess leads a toast with a glass of sparkling wine. After being escorted to tables in the adjoining, intimate Blue Room, guests place orders from a menu featuring a choice of appetizer (the Tuna Tartare stands out), main course (Branzino Piccata is a popular option) and dessert (the Tiramisu gets a novel twist via white chocolate) before the “party” begins with the opener, Micah Clark’s beautiful Bubble Act. Wild aerial acts, feats of strength and a comely couple’s sensual dance and acrobatic routine follow, some coming within inches of seated guests. Interspersed with the next two culinary courses are additional acts, each increasingly dangerous and/or comedic, along with sexy and racy themes/language, since this is a Spiegelworld production, after all. Several audience members are invited to assist the performers, which adds to the hilarity. Ultimately, The Party at Superfrico is an intimate, wild, beautiful, and often risqué experience – wrapped up in a Prohibition-era theme – with a memorable meal as a bonus. Starting at $175 per person, this is “eatertainment,” Vegas-style.