Fun fact: nine regions of Mexico are responsible for producing the vibrant tapestry of flavors that characterize Mexican cuisine, and you can sample its various expressions at a stretch of new restaurants from Downtown, The Strip, and Spring Valley.
La Mona Rosa, located in the Fremont East neighborhood of DTLV, features central Mexican specialties from Isidro Marquez-Castillo and Daniel Arias. Inspired by their travels and family recipes, try dishes like poloze rojo, pork guajillo soup with hominy, avocado, cabbage, and oregano; or the tuna guajillo tostada, ahi tuna dressed in a lime guajillo salsa, cucumber, red onion, avocado, and topped with peanut salsa macha. Order the namesake pink monkey cocktail—a blend of gin, mezcal, prickly pear, hibiscus, and strawberry— and manage mischief accordingly. lamonarosalv.com
On The Strip at Wynn, the coastal Mexican restaurant Casa Playa unveils an all-inclusive weekend brunch from Chef Sarah Thompson featuring interactive taco stations, fresh fruit smoothies, and agua frescas. For those who prefer sweet to savory, a tableside presentation of pan dulces with conchas, Mexican chocolate croissants, and fig and crema danishes, inspire oohs and ahhs. Like any good brunch these days, there’s a DJ and tequila in the mix. wynnlasvegas.com
At Palms Casino Resort, Mexico City mainstay La Popular CDMX stocks 80 labels of tequila and mezcal, many sourced from small-batch distilleries in Oaxaca, Jalisco, and Guadalajara. These cocktails and spirits are perfectly paired to a bite of quesabirria cacos with braised brisket and beef shank, manchego, consommé; cilantro, and onions; or adobo prawn fajitas with charred jalapeño, onion, potato, bacon, bell pepper, melted manchego cheese, guacamole, pico de gallo, and sour cream, from Executive Chef Cesar de la Parra. lapopularcdmx.com s
