Downtown dining keeps getting better with new entries

Downtown is quickly becoming the city’s newest hot spot for a great meal as well as handcrafted one-of-a-kind drinks. Thanks to dozens of new restaurants and bars that have opened during the past few years — and many in just the past few months — the downtown dining scene is on the upswing. Many of the locations have outdoor dining options along with delicious menu selections.

Park on Fremont, 506 E. Fremont St., is one of the area’s newest eateries. The 5,000-square-foot gastropub offers innovative bar fare, an eclectic art collection, a laid-back vibe and antique tables in a lush garden for outdoor dining. It is open daily from 11-3 a.m.

“The patio at Park on Fremont was designed to look like a mature back garden that was plucked from a rural setting and transplanted into the middle of downtown Las Vegas,” Park proprietor Ryan Doherty said. “That juxtaposition lends itself to a distinctive atmosphere for guests to enjoy exceptional drinks and food outdoors in an environment that is unlike anything else in the city.”

Next door at 508 E. Fremont St. is a new pizza place called Radio City Pizza that offers a wide array of interesting pizzas from chicken Parmesan pizza to a breakfast pizza. Also featured on the menu are calzones, stromboli and meatball Parmesan sandwiches. If guests are in the mood for something lighter, the Radio City Salad includes mixed baby greens, vine-ripened tomatoes and red onions served with red wine vinegar and olive oil. Radio City Pizza is open Sunday through Thursday 11 a.m.-midnight and Friday through Saturday 11-4 a.m.

Commonwealth brings an inviting new social scene to Las Vegas at 525 E. Fremont St. The quintessential 6,000-square-foot cocktail bar is inspired by pre-Prohibition era design and libations, complete with its very own backroom speakeasy.

While the lower level is for socializing, the 2,000-square-foot rooftop patio is for partying. Live music and entertainment create a dynamic setting for guests to enjoy the view of downtown Las Vegas while enjoying beer, wine and unique cocktails. Commonwealth is open Wednesday through Friday from 6 p.m. to close and 8 p.m. to close on Saturday and Sunday.

Located around the corner from Commonwealth at 100 Sixth St., the recently opened La Comida is already invigorating the downtown dining scene with a menu inspired by the fare of Mexico City. The latest creation by the Morton Group, led by restaurateurs Jenna and Michael Morton, La Comida blends authenticity and tradition with a funky vibe.

“In the restaurant industry ‘comida’ is the meal shared by staff before they begin their service. We call it ‘family meal,’  ” Michael Morton said. “La Comida was designed to re-create that feeling of camaraderie in a fun, eclectic atmosphere with fresh drinks and Mexican food we all love.”

La Comida is open Monday through Friday for lunch, Tuesday through Sunday for dinner and for brunch on Sunday.

Open across the street from La Comida at 601 Fremont St. is the newly opened 4,000-square-foot Backstage Bar & Billiards. The decor features booths constructed from musicians’ tour cases and gold records lining the walls. The bar serves a full menu, including several microbrews.

Located on the ground floor of the Ogden at 150 Las Vegas Blvd. North, Rachel’s Kitchen is the creation of Debbie Sofer Roxarzade and named after her daughter. The Rachel’s Kitchen franchise store in the Ogden is owned and operated by two local women, Caron Richardson and Kathy Wilson, whose goal is to serve fresh, high quality and delicious food with a gourmet touch at affordable prices.

With their signature fresh juices, salads with homemade dressings, signature pastas with unique sauces and gourmet wraps and sandwiches, the options are endless. Rachel’s breakfasts include omelets with fresh ingredients, freshly baked muffins, scones and fruit-filled smoothies. The restaurant is open Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m.-7 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 7 a.m.-8 p.m. and is closed Sunday. Rachel’s Kitchen offers bike delivery , catering and a daily happy hour.

Located steps away from the Fremont Street Experience and within easy walking distance of the Fremont East Entertainment District, Downtown Grand at 206 N. Third St. is emerging. Downtown Grand will open at the end of 2013 and will be home to 18 restaurants and bars as well as a permanent indoor Farmer’s Market.

With more than 41,000 square feet of food and beverage space, Downtown Grand is a curated dining experience featuring options for all tastes and budgets. Patrons may choose from the Commissary on Downtown3rd with its four food venues (including LEV Restaurant Group’s Daily Kitchen & Wellness Bar and I Love Burgers) and a bar with more than 20 beers on tap. Downtown Grand also will feature the S+O Café, a unique take on the traditional downtown three-meal coffee shop, a traditional Chinese restaurant, a New York-style deli, a comfortable lobby bar, a shaved ice stand with a daiquiri bar and the stylish and industrial Center Scene Bar. Located on 3rd Street are Mob Bar, Triple George Grill and Hogs & Heifers. Pizza Rock, a destination pizzeria that combines sensational pizza with music and nightlife in a fun and creative environment, will open sometime in the summer.