Even before Las Vegas developed its own Chinese community some 30 plus years ago, there was a tie between that city and Chinese food. That's because before then, a number of casinos had started serving late night Chinese food to Chinese American gamblers, who apparently had been ferried into town on casino sponsored travel junkets. In subsequent years Las Vegas attracted richer Chinese gamblers from around the world. About 20 years ago this led to the erroneous belief among some people that Las Vegas had the best Chinese food in the United States. This was traced back to a comment by legendary Ruth Teichl who indeed said that some of the casinos were turning out the best Chinese food in the country, but the food she spoke about was not available to the general public. Rather she was talking about invitation only dinners thrown at casinos for their Chinese high rollers.
The growth of the local Chinese community that led to the creation of a Chinatown on Spring Mountain Blvd., as well as increasing patronage from Chinese visiting the Strip from around the nation and the world, led to more and more authentic Chinese food in in Las Vegas. Not to the extent it would match the quality of the food in Los Angeles, San Francisco or New York, but still good enough so that nobody would complain about it. At first every casino had its own Chinese restaurant, then casinos kept adding a second or maybe even a third Chinese restaurant At first, though on the pricey side, I didn't find anything outstanding, but then restaurants like Hakkasan and Red 8 stepped up Chinese food on the strip to a new level.
However after last month's visit, it is apparent to me that Las Vegas has finally carved out a Chinese food niche as to upscale Chinese food on the Las Vegas Strip. While Las Vegas did have expensive Chinese dining at such restaurants as Wing Lei, Blossom and Jasmine, I really didn't take them seriously. However about 5 years ago, two new openings in the Venetian, Mott 32 and X Pot, delivered the quality to match the high prices. Finally getting a chance to visit Mott 32, I was impressed by everything we had.
Nicely decorated dining room with salute to Anna May Wong.
Hot and sour Iberico pork soup dumplings
Mushroom dumplings
Peking duck egg rolls
Sugar coated crispy baked BBQ pork buns
Perhaps the best beef chow fun I ever ate
Xiaolongbao. Order of just 4?
Snow pea leaves, cooked to perfection.
And Guava pudding, better than mango pudding.
Likewise the lineup at the oddly named Washing Potato, in the largely moribund Fontainbleu Hotel was also stellar.
Washing potato squash and pine nut dumpling
Cucumber and wood ear salad
Wonton in chili oil
Scallop shu mai
Pineapple buns
Banana egg rolls
