Everywhere I Ate in Las Vegas, Part 1

No gambling. Much eating.

First, I have a confession: on my trip to Las Vegas last month, I didn’t gamble so much as a dime. To some, that will sound crazy, because Sin City was built for (and by) gambling. But it’s just not my thing. I’ve tried it, and it does not excite me. But watching other people win or lose at roulette or poker? That’s thrilling. I love Las Vegas for people-watching — remember, my day job is crime novelist, and there’s a lot of inspiration to be found in Vegas!

The other thing I love? Eating. As soon as I knew I was Vegas-bound, I started researching gluten-free restaurants. This wasn’t my first rodeo, and I wanted a mix of familiar favorites and new-to-me spots. I got both on this trip! Here’s Part 1 of everywhere I ate:

Border Grill: I’ve dined at Border Grill restaurants in both Las Vegas and Los Angeles, and this location remains a perennial favorite. Located inside the Mandalay Bay Casino at the far southern end of the Strip, this outpost offers delicious Mexican food — much of it gluten-free. One of the most charming exchanges I had on the trip was with a waiter there. When I told him that I have celiac disease, he said, “Thank you for trusting us and eating here.” He went on to outline some of the safety procedures they take to prevent cross-contamination. It was such an amazing, warm response, and it made me feel so welcomed. I started with the fresh guacamole, followed by a main course called Yucatan Pork, which had achiote pork roasted in banana leaves and served with sautéed plantains. Friends, it was incredibly rich and unbelievably good. I didn’t think I could eat a bite afterwards, but my husband convinced me to share the flourless chocolate almond cake with him. SO GOOD.

Top row: Mon Ami Gabi. Bottom row: Cobb Salad at The Henry (left); Yucatan Pork at Border Grill.

Mon Ami Gabi: This Parisian-styled bistro is softly lit, with high ceilings and chandeliers, and green leafy plants in pots and flowing over every available railing. It’s directly across Las Vegas Boulevard from the Bellagio’s fountains, so if you get a table with a view — or on the patio — you get a spectacular show every half-hour. Most of the menu is available gluten-free, so there are plenty of options. I started with the duck leg confit, served with leeks, chestnuts, and bacon, and it was delicious. For my main course, I had one of the daily specials: slow-braised lamb shank with creamy polenta and Niçoise olives. Was the food rich? Yes, but in the name of research, I made room for dessert: a classic creme brulée with vanilla custard. All of it was delightful. The one change I noticed from the last time I visited Las Vegas was that Mon Ami Gabi no longer serves their warm gluten-free bread to guests (bread is available for a separate charge).

The Henry: This terrific modern American bistro is located just off the casino floor at the Cosmopolitan, but there’s something a little bit crazy you need to understand about it: the hours. The Henry opens at… 10pm. Yes, you read that right. The Henry opens at 10pm and stays open all night, closing at 2pm. That means it is an excellent choice for breakfast, lunch, and late-night dining, but it is not a dinner option, unless you would like to have dinner after seeing a show. I liked it so much that I went there twice on my most recent trip, once for breakfast and once for lunch. Both times, I was impressed. Breakfast was the California Club Omelet with bacon, avocado and cheddar. Lunch was the Henry Cobb Salad, which was… a classic Cobb. I think I was expecting some kind of Vegas twist, but they went the traditional version and it was excellent.

Scenes from the Bellagio's spring garden and Michael Mina.

Michael Mina: This one’s a showstopper. Located just behind the Bellagio’s indoor seasonal garden, this was my splurge restaurant on my last night in Las Vegas. It did not disappoint. At the start of the meal, they brought out delicious gluten-free bread served with salted butter, plus a trio of house-made dips — all complimentary. The menu is not long, but almost everything on it can be prepared in a gluten-free version. A dish like the appetizer Ahi Tuna Tartare is gluten-free, but it’s normally served with crustless bread triangles on the side; for me, they brought out radicchio leaves, which worked perfectly. (It was actually my husband’s appetizer, and I appreciated the restaurant serving it in a way that we could both enjoy.) My starter was the sea scallops with black truffle, which required no modification at all. My main dish, the Muscovy duck with foie gras, was another winner, as was the Midnight Accessory cocktail (vodka, elderflower, raspberry, and rooibos). The biggest surprise of the evening was dessert: I could not believe that the strawberry soufflé was gluten-free. It was served with creme anglaise and a rosé champagne sorbet, and it was perfection.

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