Located in the vibrant heart of Downtown Las Vegas, Carson Kitchen stands as a testament to culinary innovation. For years, it has been a beloved restaurant, reshaping the district and transforming it into the culinary destination it is today. The late Chef Kerry Simon, also known as the “Rock ‘n’ Roll Chef,” and Cory Harwell, the current Chef and Owner, founded this unique dining establishment.

Carson Kitchen Main Dining Room (©Chris Wessling)

Exploring the Bold Flavors of Carson Kitchen in Vegas

“We wanted to create a restaurant where we could introduce people to typical fine dining ingredients but in a comfortable, approachable, casual way,” Chef/Owner Cory Harwell told us. “Kerry was a customer of mine at my first restaurant and was a fan of my food. We became friends, and when the opportunity arose, we decided to build some things together. His influence on me as a chef is immense, and Carson Kitchen was his favorite restaurant that he was ever involved in. We are forever proud of that!”

With a menu that evolves with the seasons, diners can indulge in creative dishes made from fresh, high-quality ingredients. “The idea is to house intimidating ingredients in familiar vehicles. How do we get people to try caviar for the first time? We put it on deviled eggs,” Harwell told us about the menu’s offerings. “The cocktails are such a huge part of what we do, and most of them are named in honor of very special people in my life. The “Fine, You?” is my favorite and is named after my father. That is how he answered the phone all my life. He never said hello; he always said, “Fine, you?”

Devil’s Eggs (©Eugene Dela Cruz)

In addition to a menu filled with unique offerings, the space at Carson Kitchen has a vibe all its own. “The design is meant to invoke feelings of our home dinner party at a chef’s kitchen,” Harwell explained. “What is it like to go to a chef’s house and have a dinner party? That’s the look and feel.” Diners can also look forward to an ever-changing selection of offerings. “We are constantly evolving,” Harwell said of the menu and its frequent updates. “Every year, we roll out two new menus and are always looking to lead the creation of upcoming food trends. When we opened the door, nobody was serving beets, cauliflower, or a number of other items. Now, almost everyone is. We will continue to set those trends. I’ve always said, “if they aren’t copying you, you aren’t doing anything worth copying”.”

The urban vibe of Carson Kitchen, combined with its open kitchen and rooftop bar, makes it a must-visit destination for food enthusiasts looking to experience the vibrant flavors and spirited atmosphere that epitomize Las Vegas dining. “Food and beverage is the vehicle that connects human beings, but conversation drives the vehicle,” Harwell told us. “We try to create conversational opportunities with how our service is designed and how our menu is written. We almost want to force guests to ask questions and create conversation.”

Carson Kitchen Bar (©Chris Wessling)