Celebrity Chef Todd English Opens the Boutique English Hotel in the Arts District in Las Vegas
BY ELAINE & SCOTT HARRIS
Many have known Celebrity Chef Todd English as a celebrated chef and restauranteur. He is world-renowned for his Olives and Figs restaurants, is a four-time James Beard Award winner, and has an extensive portfolio of 22 restaurants. In addition to his restaurants in Las Vegas, he recently added a hotel to his vast lineup of new ventures. The Las Vegas Arts District hotel is aptly named The English Hotel and is the first Celebrity Chef boutique, non-gaming hotel in downtown Las Vegas.
The English Hotel highlights 74 rooms in four stories at 921 South Main Street and is part of Marriott’s Tribute Portfolio Hotels. Think of it as a destination hotel. Being dog friendly and having no resort fees makes it a natural attraction. Upon walking in, it feels like family—just like what it must be like to be a guest in Todd English’s home. Plush luxury furnishings and floor-to-ceiling soundproof windows that adorn the guest rooms afford a relaxing, quiet feeling. The hotel is the delightful blend of entertainment and hospitality seen and felt throughout the property.
Don’t miss out on unique touches like the signature cocktail cart, recipe cards featuring Todd English’s favorites placed on your pillow at night, and custom silky robes. Guests’ amenities include a private secluded pool, outdoor lounge, and many intimate touches such as a family photo book for guests and well-appointed greenery dedicated to bringing a picturesque feel to the hotel. The iconic decor transports you back to another era, coupled with a modern hip vibe promising an experience that engages all the senses.
Of course, being a chef, the main attraction of The English Hotel is Todd English’s The Pepper Club, a Japanese/Mediterranean Asian fusion restaurant named after Chef English’s dog. It features a sushi bar, teppanyaki grill, and craft beer created by Beer District Brewing, made exclusively for the hotel. “The restaurant reflects two kinds of cuisine that I love, Mediterranean and Japanese,” said English. He brought the geographically distant food traditions together because they are both known for being healthy. “In decades past, blending Eastern and European cuisines was often written off as willy-nilly “fusion.” Mediterranean and Japanese gastronomic traditions are complementary, especially regarding umami flavors. What I’ve seen in cuisine now is that the world has changed,” English said. “It used to be ‘soy sauce and olive oil, oh my God,’ but now there are ways to mix it, match it, and excite the palate. We’re going to do a carbonara with dashi, so fun stuff like that,” English added.
The Pepper Club restaurant extends an eclectic menu featuring the Soba You Up Burger- an imaginative burger topped with noodles. Of course, there is a wide variety of sushi and a well-portioned raw bar with plenty of oysters and caviar. Dinner selections include Japanese sea bream, fluke, and golden eye snapper. To share, dive into Salmon Spring Rolls with avocado, Philly cream cheese, and honey mustard miso. You can’t miss Soi Cowboy Bebop Chicken 34 roasted 1/2 chicken, sautéed root veggie medley, creamy wasabi mash, and teriyaki miso.
Pro Tip: Allow 20 min cook time!
Off the Robata Grill, Pork Belly with cabbage, caramelized onions, scallions, and sampalok sauce for an excellent finish. Why not do it Chef’s way? Just plunge right into the Grand Omakase variety of 10 sushi, 21 sashimi, plus one maki choice and one specialty maki. Moving to the Raw Bar, the Seafood Tower is artful and gastronomically delightful. Engage in a culinary climb up the tower of lobster tail, seasonal oysters, chef-choice sashimi, and oishi shrimp! In the mood for a Roll? How about a Golden one? The G.O.A.T, juicy lobster tail tempura, avocado, ikura, seared wagyu, wasabi mash, fried kale, white truffle oil, and 23kt edible gold flakes!
Pro Tip: Don’t miss the Daily Brunch! 7 am-3 pm Try the Miso Salmon with Baby bok choy, assorted mushrooms, pearl onions, serrano rings, and orange miso sauce.
Pull up a seat at the gleaming rectangular bar in the center of the room or drink al fresco at the outdoor terrace overlooking the pool, with huge, garage-style doors that easily open during the warmer weather.
Pro Tip: Join the Bar at Happy Hour Daily 3 -5 pm!
Take a walk outside and enjoy the vibrant Arts District, where you will find breweries, lots of murals, exciting people-watching, and so much more around every corner you turn; after all, this is Las Vegas. The English Hotel is an attractively eclectic addition to the area and will undoubtedly become a hub for this up-and-coming part of downtown Las Vegas.
Todd English is certainly not resting on his laurels. While the English Hotel in Las Vegas is Chef Todd English’s first foray as a hotelier, it will not be his last. Todd English already plans to expand The English Hotel brand nationally and internationally. Todd English’s partner, global entrepreneur Keith Burkard has been a propelling force in The English Hotel’s global expansion plan, with identified additional locations in Miami, New York City, London, Los Angeles, Beijing, and Macao, China, in the pipeline. “Our distinctive discipline, innovative mindset, and industry experience has ultimately enabled our portfolio to perform and grow even during tumultuous market conditions,” said Keith Burkard, Partner E.H.G. Hospitality. The English Hotel is a visually charming hub of intimacy with an elevated culinary experience powered by Todd English’s food and beverage program, complete with Michelin-star quality room service. Find your way to downtown’s only chef-owned boutique hotel, English’s Downtown Las Vegas, where fun, frivolity, and fabulous food will follow.
The English Hotel
921 S. Main Street
Las Vegas, NV 89101
Phone: (725) 444-6835
