This is an example.

This article was written by Thomas Obungen and taken from: https://www.honolulumagazine.com/restaurants-las-vegas/ 

The images displayed are credited to Thomas Obungen also.

I was never a fan of Las Vegas. Joke’s on me—now that my parents have permanently relocated to the Ninth Island, I call it home two weeks out of the year. I don’t gamble, nor do I seek out the shows. I do a little shopping, but after catching up on much-needed sleep and cuddles with the dogs, eating takes up most of my agenda. Luckily for me, Vegas knows food.

We go off The Strip to explore parts of the valley between Chinatown and Summerlin, with the occasional visit to downtown Las Vegas and the edges of Henderson. These Las Vegas area restaurants are favorites I look forward to visiting each time.

Al Solito Posto

Photos: Thomas Obungen

This grand restaurant at Tivoli Village is a bastion of Roman sensibility with East Coast roots. Inside is a gorgeous bar with Vegas’ best Negroni menu and soft lighting accentuating the huge dining room. The fare skews toward red sauce Italian with servings that rival Buca di Beppo and much tastier. It’s from the mind of James Trees, aka the chef-owner of Esther’s Kitchen in Downtown, after all. Al Solito’s seasonal menu revolves around fresh handmade pasta, like rigatoni alla vodka with spicy Italian sausage ($29) and silky pappardelle bolognese ($31), and entrées including lamb shank osso bucco ($44) and chicken marsala ($31). Even the warm foccacia bread shouldn’t be missed. For dessert, the Italian Rainbow cake ($14) with scoops of gelato ($10) makes you feel like it’s your birthday even when it’s not. Attentive service and an intimate ambiance make this one of my favorite places in Vegas.

Open Monday to Thursday from 4 to 10 p.m., Friday to Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 4 to 11 p.m. Inside Tivoli Village, 420 S Rampart Blvd. #180, Summerlin

Café Breizh

Photos: Thomas Obungen

Baguettes, croissants, brioche and crepes galore: Café Breizh is where we go when we’re in the mood for Breton and French pastries and sandwiches. This is one of my parents’ regular spots in Summerlin. For the quality and value, it does not disappoint. For Christmas, we stock up on croissants and eclairs from the case (from $4.50), plus a loaf of gruyere and bacon sourdough bread ($7.50) to eat with butter. It’s all tough to resist. Breakfast and lunch are casual affairs, especially when you go early on weekdays. The Croque Madame ($12) and peanut butter crepes ($7) are almost too good to be true.

Open Monday to Thursday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday to Sunday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., 3555 S. Fort Apache Road #141, Summerlin, cafebreizh.com 

D E Thai Kitchen

A hole-in-the-wall Thai restaurant on an eerily quiet street near West Charleston Boulevard and South Third Street, D E Thai Kitchen is a happy discovery. For as small as it is, it sure punches above its weight class when it comes to food and service. My pad si ew with crispy pork ($16) reminds me of what I’d order in Los Angeles’ Thai Town. The curries are rich and full of protein and veg, I don’t think you could mess up with any order. Dining in is quick for an 18-seat restaurant, and takeout is a solid choice, especially after a day of shopping at the nearby outlets.

Multiple locations, dethaikitchen.com