Las Vegas Mixtape v4: A Gloriously Old-School Diner, a Hellbound Show, and More

Track #3: Lamaii, Chinatown

It’s hard to imagine cultural life in Vegas minus Chinatown, with its 150-plus restaurants (not limited to Asian eateries) and hipster bars crammed into 3-mile around on and around Spring Mountain Rd. One favorite row of restaurants of mine is located in a shopping center that includes the one-two-three punch of Lamaii (Thai), Taru (Sushi Bar & Grill) and Sparrow + Wolf (modern American cuisine). For this mixtape, I wanted to spotlight Lamaii, where I’ve dined five or so times in the last two years.

From its expertly conceived dishes to the seductive design and moody lighting where everyone looks like they’re “worth a million in prizes” (to quote a lyric from Iggy Pop’s “Lust For Life”), this is a must-visit spot. There are so many you-can’t-go-wrong choices here, like the Loui Suan starter, which is sautéed ground pork, green leaf, and Thai herbs wrapped in fresh rice paper. It’s light, a little crunchy, and transcendent.

Looking for a meatless wonder? Try their Basil Eggplants stir-fried with fresh basil and garlic. There’s also the beautifully plated Tom Yum Hang—grilled salmon with sautéed bok choy and tom yum sauce. Lamai’s pad Thai with chicken, the “spaghetti and meatballs” of Thai restaurants, is exceptional here; it’s upliftingly sweet and silky.

Bonus: Lamaii just opened an outpost in Henderson—a sign of its growing success.