Lao Sze Chuan at the Palms Casino Resort

The Environment:

If drama mixed with authenticity is all it takes to charm you, order a meal, sip tea or indulge in savory Dim Sum delights (served between 11:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Friday and Saturday) in an environment that’s been described as pure Hollywood. Choose Lao Sze Chuan for a formal client dinner or date and impress your guest: palace-worthy colors and décor transport diners across the ocean to a world of opulence and exotic trappings. Royal purple, red and orange walls hung with luxurious fabrics beneath massive chandeliers that drench the dining room in a golden glow are reminiscent of rooms in China’s most opulent palaces. Notice subtle bamboo leaves etched into columns that add restive touches throughout the dining room and bar. Guests arrive at a reception area that never fails to thrill: A tower of ginger jars, Buddhas and lanterns extend all the way to the ceiling, so from the moment one enters, Asian décor influences are as heady as the delicious fragrances that follow diners to their tables.

Why We Dine:

Even if you’ve had bad experiences in the past because someone forced you to dine at an all-you-can-eat Chinese buffet or a mediocre chop suey joint, you owe it to yourself to taste truly authentic Chinese cuisine that’s so far from your previous experiences, you might call the experience revolutionary. Owner Tony Hu, whose culinary expertise ranges from family-inspired traditional cooking techniques to culinary school and apprenticeships at Chicago’s legendary Chinese restaurants, began building his own restaurant empire over two decades ago. Despite being the proprietor of no fewer than 16 prestigious Chinese eateries, his first location in Las Vegas has proven to be a hit ever since Lao Sze Chuan first opened its doors in August 2014. Hu oversees every aspect of staff, menu and ambiance and visits China regularly to pick up new tips that result in one-of-a-kind gourmet menu offerings. For those who consider the ubiquitous eggroll the beginning and end of an Asian dining experience, a single meal at Lao Sze Chuan has been known to turn diners into Chinese food gourmands.

Inside Knowledge:

At any given time, the Lao Sze Chuan menu lists more than 200 beef, chicken, pork and seafood offerings, in addition to a splendid variety of side dishes ranging from soups to appetizers. Find familiar dishes like Sole Fish Fillet in Chili Bean Sauce and Twice-cooked Pork Szechuan Style, but offbeat menu items not found on typical Chinese menus await diners, like Hu’s signature Lamb with Cumin, Mapo Tofu for vegetarians and Chef’s Special Dry Chili Chicken. If you think that these dishes come with hot prices equaling the restaurant’s spicy seasonings, you would be mistaken: Most items on the a la carte menu cost between $12.95 and $15.95, with a few topping out at $17.95. Seating for 150 people within this Asian enclave means you get atmosphere with gourmet dishes plus an added treat: the expansive outdoor patio space adjacent to the main dining room overlooks the Palms pool—just in case you require a little cool water after sampling hot and spicy dishes.

Is it Worth It?

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