Restaurant Guy Savoy’s Nicolas Costagliola Talks About His Favorite Las Vegas Restaurants

Sin City is home to a lot of restaurants and bars, but there are tons of hidden gems that the majority of Las Vegans aren’t unearthing. To help guide readers to these potential discoveries, Eater Vegas enlisted some of the city’s food players to share their recommendations for a feature dubbed Dining Confidential.

Nicolas Costagliola, the new executive chef at Restaurant Guy Savoy, the French restaurant at Caesars Palace, first joined the restaurant in 2012 to work as the chef de partie and eventually advanced to second de cuisine. At age 15, Costagliola trained at the Lycée Hôtelier de Paul Augier in Nice, France, and landed a commis position at the Las Vegas mainstay Pamplemousse Le Restaurant in 2007. Costagliola worked at Marche Bacchus and Gordon Ramsay Steak at Paris Las Vegas. Most recently, he served as the assistant executive chef at Bacchanal Buffet, and helped with opening Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen at Caesars Palace and Bacchanal Buffet at Caesars Palace Bluewaters Dubai.Here he shares some of his favorite places to dine in Las Vegas.

Do you remember your first trip to Vegas? What happened that was memorable?

The first time I came to Las Vegas was in 1998 on vacation. I remember watching the World Cup on TV when France won. That was pretty memorable.

What made you decide to move to Las Vegas?

I returned in 2007, already in my cooking career and was fascinated by the culinary scene and what Las Vegas had become. I saw it as a great opportunity to stay and work here.

Where do you like to eat breakfast in Las Vegas?

I have two spots that I love to enjoy breakfast. The first is Lulu’s Bread & Breakfast, which is located in the Centennial area and is walking distance from my house. I go for the breakfast burrito and their pastries. Second would be Hash House A Go Go. They have great drinks and dishes (fresh squeezed apple juice and rum make a great breakfast drink).

What about lunch?

For lunch, I prefer something light like ramen. Ramen Hashi on Spring Mountain is always consistent and quick.

If you’re going out for dinner, which restaurants do you like to frequent?

There so many places in Las Vegas to pick for dinner. At Joël Robuchon, I enjoy the langoustine. At Le Cirque, seasonal dish from chef Alan are a good way to go. The omakase menu at Nobu Restaurant & Lounge at Caesars Palace. At Mott 32, I like the Peking duck and hot and sour dim sum. It all depends the kind of food I’m in a mood for.

Are there any brunches in town you like to frequent?

Tableau at Wynn and of course, Bacchanal Buffet, are my two favorites.

Let’s say you want to hang out with your friends after work. Where do you like to go?

I like to go to Sand Dollar Lounge to grab a beer, they have great selection, and a pizza, it’s owned by a very dear friend of mine.

Any dessert places you like to dine at in Las Vegas?

Sweets Raku has great dessert and my kids love it because it’s made to order in front of you.

• All Dining Confidentials [ELV]

• All Coverage of Restaurant Guy Savoy [ELV]