Palazzo’s First Food & Bar focuses on fancy takes of familiar fare
When the hunger for something fancier than bar food strikes, it’s not always necessary to leave your stool.
Sam DeMarco opened First in Manhattan’s East Village 16 years ago, envisioning a local bar with upscale food.
“I didn’t want to challenge people’s tastes,” DeMarco says. “Nothing else is going to fill that late-night void like buffalo wings.”
Of course, DeMarco’s wings are fancifully cut, marinated in homemade fire sauce and served with blue cheese fondue. Likewise, his chopped salads sport falafels for croutons.
“We wanted the authentic feel of a local bar or neighborhood diner,” DeMarco says, “just with better food.”
DeMarco lost his New York lease (although not his New York accent) in 2004. This month, he opened First Food & Bar inside the Palazzo, 3327 Las Vegas Blvd South. Most days, he says, you’ll find him at the action station in the center of the tribally tattooed cement floor, preparing classic late-night American food with a chic European twist.
“We do all kinds of traditional stuff with fun touches,” he says. “It reminds you that you’re in a nice place, but it’s got that cool feeling of being authentic and real.”
First Food & Bar, which seats 200, is open 7 a.m.-4 a.m. Sundays-Wednesdays, 7 a.m.- 6 a .m. Thursdays-Saturdays. Reservations are recommended for large parties.
Signature dish: Original Mini Burgers, $16
Starters: BBQ pulled pork egg roll, $9.99; pastrami Rueben tacos, $8.80; mojito lamb chops, $14
Soups and salads: Lucky Onion Soup, $7.77; watermelon arugula salad, $10.95; Alphabet Chicken Matzo Ball Soup, $6
Entrees: Kentucky fried pork chop, $13.95; Tuna au poivre, $18.88; soy honey marinated duck, $16.66
Desserts: Smokin’ Dunkin’ Spike O’ Donuts, $5-$7; First Crackerjacks, $6; Grown Up Sno-Cones, $3.99
Information: 607-3478.
— By COREY LEVITAN
