Valencian Gold (Temporarily Closed)

THIS RESTAURANT IS TEMPORARILY CLOSED, WITH PLANS TO RE-OPEN.

Few restaurants underwent as radical a transformation (and upgrade) during the pandemic as this Spanish restaurant in the southwest corner of the valley. What started as a quick-casual paella joint has morphed into a vibrant, exciting party spot offering some of the best Spanish cuisine in Las Vegas. They’ve also added a first-class bar program.

Chef/partner Jeffrey Weiss worked in Jose Andres’ organization before traveling to Spain to further study the nation’s cuisine at some of its top restaurants, and eventually writing a book on the art of Spanish charcuterie. At Valencian Gold, he allows himself to have a little fun with those traditions -- as evidenced by the shoulder-mounted flame-thrower he uses to put the finishing touches on his paella. The décor is equally whimsical -- right down to the “prayer candles” on the wall decorated with the faces of his culinary idols.

“Fill the table with tapas: shaved jamon, fried cheese with truffle honey, oxtail fries and shrimp with iberico xo sauce,” says Chef Brian Howard. “Park that next to one of their signature cocktails, pitchers of sangrias or a bottle of verdejo and you have a party!”