The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas will debut a curated collection of six fast-casual eateries later this year sure to serve some humble pie to traditional hotel food courts.
The first of its kind on the Las Vegas Strip, Block 16 Urban Eatery & Bar will open on the second level of the luxury resort’s Boulevard Tower in the fall. Instead of the familiar fast food chains found in most common eating areas, the quick-serve marketplace’s sextet of eclectic restaurants will serve chef-made cuisine from some of the country’s finest food destinations including New Orleans, New York City and Nashville.
Sliders, sushi, chicken wings, Southern greens … the selection at Block 16 will satiate even the most discerning foodies. Restaurants include popular New Orleans hotspot District: Donuts. Sliders. Brew.; New York City tequila and mezcal bar Ghost Donkey; the first west coast location for Nashville’s Hattie B’s Hot Chicken; the fully-loaded sandwiches of Portland Chef Rick Gencarelli’s Lardo; James Beard Award-winning Chef Andy Ricker’s Pok Pok Wing of Portland; and a Las Vegas original, Tekka Bar: Handroll & Sake.
District: Donuts. Sliders. Brew.
Craft donuts from District: Donuts. Sliders. Brew. are a coveted treat in New Orleans with more than 100 indulgent donut flavors made on a rotating basis from natural ingredients. Even the sprinkles are made from scratch. No worries if you don’t have a sweet tooth. District at the Cosmopolitan will also offer breakfast, lunch and dinner options. The specialty coffee and espresso program—including Vietnamese Iced Coffee and Nitro Cold Brew—is an added perk.
Ghost Donkey
Originating in the Big Apple, Ghost Donkey will bring a nice authentic helping of Mexican spice to Vegas with its tasty tapas-type bites. Some say the Truffle Nachos are a legend in their own time. An extensive drink menu adds to the fiesta feeling with a large selection of mezcal, tasting flights and specially crafted cocktails made from traditional Mexican spirits and artisanal brands.
Hattie B’s Hot Chicken
Southern hospitality heads to Sin City at the family-owned Hattie B’s, where hot chicken, Southern sides and local brews are served counter-side. Try the spicy fried chicken, which ranges in heat levels from Southern (no heat) to Shut the Cluck Up. There are also plenty of comfort dishes to round out the heat like pimento mac and cheese, coleslaw, black-eyed peas and local Nashville favorite, banana pudding.
Lardo
With big flavors and enormous food, Chef Gencarelli’s eatery is perfect for Vegas, a city that celebrates excess. The name Lardo comes from a type of salume made from cured strips of fatback. The menu is a meat eaters dream featuring stacked sandwiches like pork-drenched double burgers and the Sausage Egg RickMuffin. Wash it all down with the chef’s favorite beers sourced directly from Portland.
Pok Pok Wing
Chef Ricker’s Portland-based concept is popular with famous foodies like Anthony Bourdain and Guy Fieri. Now his delectable dishes, such as Ike’s Vietnamese Fish Sauce Wings, are headed to the Las Vegas Strip. Taste buds will surely be tantalized by Ricker’s special combination of spicy and sweet. The stickier your fingers get, the better! In addition to the wings, check out the Som Soda, a fizzy elixir made with Pok Pok Som drinking vinegars.
Tekka Bar: Handroll & Sake
Drawing its inspiration from an ancient gambling destination in Japan, Tekka Bar: Handroll & Sake is a brand new restaurant concept offering a sweet sake program and made-to-order handrolls. This sensational sushi bar was created by Las Vegas Restaurateur Takashi Segawa, best known for Las Vegas neighborhood restaurants Monta Ramen, Kabuto and Sushi Mon. The signature Tekka Tuna rollis sure to spice up your day.
Block 16 Urban Eatery will join the Cosmopolitan’s other acclaimed restaurants including Momofuku, Eggslut, Milk Bar, Blue-Ribbon Brasserie and Zuma.
Here’s hoping you visit on an empty stomach or, at the very least, don’t wear a belt!
