Las Vegas Mixtape v35: Country’s Sphere Takeover, Chinatown Tapas, and a Desert Oasis

Track #2: A Different Beast @Chinatown

Sample the pintxos served from dim sum-style carts. (Image: Vegas 411)

Looking to embark on a true culinary adventure? Head to the Chinatown restaurant A Different Beast which delivers on the boast of its name and fully embraces its guests.

The menu at this airy space with sharp-looking modern design focuses on the Basque and Catalan regions of Spain. The kitchen sends out a distinctive array of tapas as well as pintxos (smaller tapas)—the latter impressively served from dim sum-style carts—along with main plates and a host of sangrias.

The eatery gets bonus points for its beautifully plated offerings. (Image: Vegas 411)

High-quality ingredients and bold taste sensations rule the day here. This was reflected in everything we ate: the patatas bravas, wagyu meatballs, shrimp with garlic oil, croquetas with ham, and a main plate of cod with Basque salsa verde, lemon, and oil.  A standout pintxo consisted of egg and ham, with garlic oil and onion sprouts. No way could we leave without diving into the seductively creamy Basque cheesecake.

Co-owned by the culinary couple—chefs Kat and Justin Yi—A Different Beast is a spinoff of their shuttered downtown LA eatery Hock+Hoof, a Michelin Plate-awarded restaurant.  “After the pandemic forced us to close our doors,” they explain on the eatery’s website, “we embarked on a global journey and fell in love with Basque culture in San Sebastián and the vibrant culinary scene of Barcelona.” The knowledge they gained from their travels is passionately reflected in the menu.