Las Vegas Expands Culinary Scene
Travelers visiting Las Vegas know the city’s biggest attraction is the Strip, followed by Fremont Street. However, a surge of investment is transforming another part of Sin City—specifically its southwest corridor, located just 10 miles off the Strip—into a prominent culinary hub.
Introducing UnCommons
The newly constructed UnCommons is set to unveil an exceptional array of restaurants throughout the year, while the Durango Resort and Casino is scheduled to launch in the fall. Both destinations aim to draw in local residents while simultaneously enticing visitors to the Strip. (Las Vegas hosted over 32 million visitors in 2021.)
UnCommons, a 40-acre, $400 million urban outdoor shopping and dining venue, currently features locations of two popular eateries from Los Angeles: Urth Caffé and SunLife Organics. Urth Caffé, which already has a location on the Strip at Wynn Las Vegas, is known for its coffee, teas, healthy dishes, and baked goods. SunLife Organics specializes in superfoods served as bowls, smoothies, and cold-pressed juices. Also open at UnCommons are Mercadito, a bodega-style sandwich shop offering grocery staples, and Teaspoon, a boba tea shop.
In addition, 25 other food and beverage concepts are in progress, with 14 anticipated to be part of a food hall named The Sundry—the creative vision of chef Michael Mina. Set to open in spring, visitors can expect to enjoy a variety of offerings, such as chili-rubbed al pastor tacos made with fire-roasted cauliflower at chef Ray Garcia’s revamped B.S. Taqueria. The only other full-service restaurant within the 20,000-square-foot space will be Mizunara, a Japanese whisky and temaki bar specializing in open-style sushi hand rolls, crafted by San Francisco chef Shotaro “Sho” Kamio.
Guests will enjoy a seamless dining experience through a QR-coded menu with convenient delivery throughout the two-story space. Remarkable offerings include chicken sandwiches by chef Matt Horn at Kowbird; grilled meats from James Beard Award nominee Bruce Kalman at SoulBelly; and Michelin-recognized Indian dishes by Alejandro Medina and Rajat Parr at Dhaba Ji. Other enticing options are Japanese street food at Gyu+; Mexican steakhouse J. Blanco; the Peruvian Nikkei restaurant KAIYŌ; Portland’s famous ice cream shop Salt & Straw; tiki-themed speakeasy Todo Bien; and a vibrant sports bar known as General Admission.
The Durango Resort and Casino
Set to open this fall, the $750 million Durango Resort and Casino will significantly enhance the area’s appeal as a stand-alone destination. Durango will offer an array of amenities, including 83,000 square feet of gaming, a race and sports book, 200 luxurious rooms, 20,000 square feet of event space, and a 25,000-square-foot food hall. The “Eat Your Heart Out” food hall will feature 11 food and drink outlets. Guests can anticipate favorites from popular national brands, such as Los Angeles’ Irv’s Burgers; New York’s Prince Street Pizza; Philadelphia’s Fiorella by Marc Vetri; and Hawaii’s Ai Pono Café.
Additionally, local favorites will also grace the resort, including Shang Artisan Noodle; Vesta Coffee; Nielsen’s Frozen Custard; Yu-Or-Mi Sushi Bar; Drnk bar; and the popular Oyster Bar modeled after the Palace Station location, along with four other unique dining establishments.
“Every detail has been carefully curated, from hand-selected creative concepts to venue design,” remarked David Horn, vice president of Durango Casino and Resort, in a recent statement. “[It brings] together a playful culinary epicenter and includes a variety of options for every preference, taste, or mood.”
