Elio by Shawn McClain

Elio by Shawn McClain at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas represents one of the most thoughtful and personal fine dining propositions on the Strip, where a James Beard Award-winning chef channels his produce-forward philosophy through a menu that treats pasta and vegetables with the same reverence most Las Vegas kitchens reserve for prime beef. Chef Shawn McClain, best known for his celebrated Chicago restaurants, has created a space at the Cosmopolitan that feels simultaneously glamorous and grounded — high ceilings, dramatic lighting, and original artworks framing a kitchen that sends out food of genuine intellectual and sensory ambition. The pasta program is the kitchen's most celebrated achievement. McClain works with traditional Italian techniques to produce handmade pastas that are then filled, sauced, or combined with Nevada-grown and seasonal ingredients in ways that are distinctly American in character while honoring Italian form. Agnolotti dal Plin — small pinched pasta parcels filled with rotating seasonal preparations — is a dish that regulars return for repeatedly. The Wagyu Beef Tartare is a more classical preparation executed with precision. A seasonal tasting menu evolves constantly to reflect what the kitchen's producers are delivering, and it is the most complete way to experience McClain's range. The beverage program is carefully curated with natural wines, craft spirits, and a cocktail list that demonstrates the same ingredient-consciousness as the kitchen. Elio operates Thursday through Monday for dinner and reservations are recommended, typically available within a week for midweek evenings. The restaurant has drawn consistent praise from national critics and holds a position as one of the most important restaurant additions to the Las Vegas Strip in recent years.