Lotus of Siam

Awarded 'Best Thai Food in North America,' this restaurant, which has been family-run for over 20 years, is a Las Vegas staple. Chef Saipin Chutima and her husband Bill took over the restaurant in 1999 and have since received multiple James Beard nominations. Penny, the family’s eldest daughter, currently runs the restaurant including the wine selections. The service is no frills and focuses on making sure the highlights of the northern Thai cuisine are enjoyed. I am a big fan of the stuffed wings, larb and northern-style sausage. These will be referenced in other publications as well since they are the items which made the restaurant famous. However, since the early 2000s, the wine list has more and more become a focus.

The wine list was originally a passion project of ownership, led by highly educated staff, to highlight how well Riesling could pair with Thai food. Today, that list has become a constant iteration of how well one can drink when limited markup and high quality selections are the focus. Whether you are looking for the few bottles of Sine Qua Non which make their way to Las Vegas or examples of Riesling from the 1970s, they all can be found here. Be certain: you should be confident with ordering wine on your own, as the staff is largely focussed on the food. However, with the wine-buying done by owner Penny Chua, you are in safe hands (even if she is not always on the floor).