Las Vegas Mixtape v27: Racing, Rock Goddesses, and Retro Vibes

Track #3: Diner Ross @The LINQ

If you have only one night to spend in Las Vegas, may I suggest you head to Diner Ross? It’s the companion restaurant to Spiegelworld’s extravaganza “DISCOSHOW” but also a place that can be experienced separately from the show. Truth to tell, it might be the hippest place in all of Vegas—with an authentic ‘70s feel, visually and musically—paired with, in their words, “finer diner” NYC-inspired food.

As with the “DISCOSHOW ” dance music celebration, you enter Diner Ross via 99 Prince off The LINQ casino floor, a recreation of a NYC train station complete with subway tiles, a bar, a newsstand, and the piped-in sound of rumbling subway trains (every detail counts here).

From there, you walk upstairs to the enormous ‘70s disco-themed Glitterloft bar and lounge before entering the restaurant and another bar where the ‘70s ambiance becomes even stronger. Having spent my younger years during the disco era in my native Bronx, I was thrilled to see Diner Ross infectiously pull off the whole ‘70s NYC vibe.

On the wall, there’s ‘70s memorabilia, like a big painting of Diana Ross (whose namesake inspired the restaurant’s name), a “Serpico”/Al Pacino film poster, and a framed glossy B&W photo of the New York Dolls.

Playing on the sound system is an all-inclusive mix of ‘70s songs by everyone from Captain & Tennille, Mink DeVille and Bowie, to ELO, O’Jays, and Blood, Sweat and Tears. 

Thanks to Diner Ross for breathing new life into traditional dishes like this mac and cheese. (Image: Vegas 411)

The food here is creative, festive, and mighty tasty. Our party started with craft cocktails before segueing into old-school popovers with salted butter and jam, a platter of ham and cheese, and the yuzu-accented tuna tartare. Next were the steak frites and the mac and cheese, flavored distinctively with caramelized onions.

Dessert? Of course. We went with the “Funfetti” funnel cake, a perfect way to cap off the Diner Ross experience. This is a place where you can easily hang out for hours.