One of the loveliest restaurants in Las Vegas, NoMad Library, also serves one of the tastiest menus of both cocktails and food. NoMad Library and NoMad Las Vegas originally landed at Park MGM as an outpost of the NoMad Hotel in New York. The New York hotel has since closed, but luckily the Vegas version survived, serving up gorgeous cocktails and amazing entrées.
The interior of the restaurant is exceptional—you are surrounded on all sides by soaring shelves of books, part of a classic collection, and large chandeliers hang over the center tables. With the plush seating, mezzanine railings and low table lamp lighting reminding you of an old-school public library, the night feels special before you even order.
The original NoMad Hotel had an incredible cocktail program, and you’ll certainly find that’s true here as well—the Air Mail features Venezuelan rum, honey and sparkling wine for a light refreshing sip that’s perfect to start your meal. Later on, you may want to try the Peter Piper, an alcohol-free cocktail with pineapple, passion fruit, black pepper, lime and even a bite of white balsamic vinegar. And it’s just as interesting to taste as it sounds. But there are variations on the sidecar, Negroni and Manhattan as well, so whatever your taste, you’ll find something great.
Appetizers are varied, from fried artichokes with lemon-herb cheese dip to hamachi on compressed watermelon with a Thai basil vinaigrette. If you like tableside preparations, check out the tuna tartare. Vegans can indulge in broccolini bruschetta, an inventive dish with macerated raisins and an almond-cashew “ricotta.”
Two pasta dishes are filled with inventive touches: The Bolognese features wagyu beef in the sauce over spaghetti, with basil and Parmesan, while crab carbonara includes an unusual uni béchamel plus summer squash, bacon and Parmesan. If you prefer risotto, NoMad Library’s take includes ancient grains, maitake mushrooms and heirloom carrots, and it’s also suitable for vegans.
Broccolini bruschetta
One of the most celebrated dishes from New York was the roast chicken, an involved preparation that featured foie gras. In Vegas, NoMad Library’s roast chicken for two has similar flavors, with foie gras and black truffle, and the addition of chorizo. It comes with saffron rice. Other specialty entrées to consider are the lobster thermidor, with two and a half pounds of lobster, and the tomahawk steak, 40 ounces of bone-in prime beef with a yuzu steak sauce. Both also serve two. There are several enhancements, including black truffle.
For slightly smaller portions, check out the double-cut pork chop, a 14-ounce bone-in piece of meat served with achiote sauce and apple compote; a delicate filet mignon with bone marrow crust; scallops with English peas; and cioppino with scallops, shrimp, mussels and white fish in a tomato saffron broth.
The baked potato “Dumont” is super decadent, packed with Gruyère and black truffle. It’s so very good, and has justly garnered many fans in Vegas. The Ridiculous Mac & Cheese lives up to its name with the addition of lobster and black truffles.
For dessert, the lemon olive oil cake is lightly flavored, with mixed berries and a raspberry sorbet. Another plus for this is that it’s also vegan.
NoMad Las Vegas, 702.730.6788, nomadlasvegas.mgmresorts.com
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