When the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas opened in 2010, it became the hotel for the well-heeled crowd. Dark interiors with purple accents gave the hotel a seductive vibe, only further driven home by the lobby’s 15-foot digital art columns that often showed silhouettes of unclothed women. Majority of its spacious rooms were outfitted with balconies, an unparalleled offering to this day. And its Chandelier lounge, draped in illuminated beads, was where you went to see and be seen. Over the past year, the property has undergone some changes, adding in ultra-exclusive penthouses for their high rollers; switching up their stores to include Sin City–appropriate necessities like Drybar and Reviv; and revamping their food and beverage program to include New York City and Los Angeles favorites like Momofuku and Eggslut, respectively. The latest establishment to join Cosmopolitan’s new crop of dining venues is Block 16 Urban Food Hall, the first of its kind in the city.
When Block 16 opened over Labor Day Weekend, it brought in five restaurants that were new to Las Vegas, with a sixth outlet coming soon. Located next to Marquee Nightclub & Dayclub on the resort’s second floor, the food hall offers quality food at accessible price points in a fast-casual setting. Unlike anything else on the Strip, it was a much-needed addition to Sin City’s culinary scene and has become a huge hit. Below, a look at Block 16’s outstanding eateries.
James Beard Award–winning chef Andy Ricker has brought his Portland-born Thai empire to Las Vegas in the form of Pok Pok Wing. As its name suggests, the signature item here is chicken wings; marinated and tossed in fish sauce, they deliver a flavor-packed punch and are a favorite amongst foodies. A vegan option is also available, swapping out poultry for tofu, just make sure to order it as a special with a side of papaya salad and sticky rice. Other dishes include khao soi, a northern Thai curry noodle soup; kaho man som tam, where coconut rice is topped with sweet pork; ju pa bao, a Macanese-style bun with fried bone-in pork loin; and a deep-fried chicken hot dog.
Nashville’s famous Hattie B’s Hot Chicken has finally made its way to the West Coast. Generously portioned plates come with two sides (collard greens and pimento mac and cheese are musts) or opt for the sandwich topped with cole slaw, pickles, and their signature Comeback Sauce. Choose your spice level and consider washing it all down with a boozy slushy.
A New Orleans favorite, District: Donuts. Sliders. Brew. serves up made-from-scratch bites starting at 6am. Kick off the morning with one of their biscuits—the fried pork belly with white gravy is a deliciously indulgent option—and a coffee from their extensive menu; grab some sliders at lunch time; and don’t forget to pick up a donut when those late-night cravings hit.
Lardo, which also hails from Portland, dishes out oversize sandwiches with bold flavors packed with meat. Focusing on pork and beef, think Korean pork shoulder, grilled mortadella, and pho-inspired beef for these over-the-top heroes. Take your meal to the next level with an order of fries tossed with pork scraps, marinated peppers, fried herbs, and Parmesan.
Although there are already two Japanese restaurants within the resort, the Cosmopolitan has brought on a third in the form of Tekka Bar. The name of the game here is simplicity and single-ingredient hand rolls take the spotlight. Grab a seat at the counter, order some sake, and watch as the chefs masterfully prepare your oder.
Later this fall will see the arrival of Ghost Donkey, a beloved tequila and mescal bar from New York City. There will be both tasting flights and craft cocktails in addition to an elevated menu (hello, black truffle nachos).
