Review: Partage

Tell us about your first impressions when you arrived.
Wood-paneled walls and minimalist brass light fixtures hang over taupe banquettes in Partage's modern room—a sign that Las Vegas' Chinatown (the shops and restaurants along Spring Mountain Road) continues to diversify and modernize. This modern French restaurant, which began by serving only three separate tasting menus (but since has broadened to an a la carte menu) may not have the cinematic wow factor of the Strip, but it has quickly become a local favorite. Since it's open late (like most restaurants in this neighborhood), you'll likely see chefs dining here after their own service on the Strip, as well as celebs unwinding after their shows.

What was the crowd like?
Most diners here are looking for a modern French experience served in three, five, seven, or eight courses, and they're serious about experiencing every single artful morsel.

What should we be drinking?
The cocktails feel chef-y, as though they're planned with the food and the experience in mind. Consider, for instance, the Blue-tini, made with vodka, Noilly Prat, and a bleu cheese–stuffed olive, or the smoky Ultima Palabra, with mezcal, maraschino, chartreuse, and serrano pepper. The wine is French, with a nice range of bottles, many clocking in around $60.

Main event: the food. Give us the lowdown—especially what not to miss.
This is focused, artful food from a chef who wants his diners to pay attention to what they're eating. Even the deceptively simple dish names force you to take note; "Seaweed," for instance, is ravioli stuffed with vegan cheese, wakame, and kombu in a sorrel veloute. Start with the marinated salmon with miso and honey or the knockout tian de legumes (onion puree, tomatoes, zucchini, and eggplant confit), then move onto the applewood-smoked pork. There are plenty of vegetarian and vegan dishes, as well.

And how did the front-of-house folks treat you?
The small staff knows its stuff. Chances are you'll be attended to by "Chopped" winner Yuri Szarzewski himself, who moved to Las Vegas in 2015 after working for a decade in Michelin-starred restaurants in Paris and Courchevel.

What’s the real-real on why we’re coming here?
Come to impress out-of-town guests with your insider knowledge of Chinatown's coolest new secrets.