In a nondescript mall just east of the Strip, Lotus of Siam serves up the best northern Thai food on the West Coast and probably in the country. For the price of a bowl of soup at some of the Strip's top restaurants, you can feast on Thai dishes from the tremendously talented chef and owner, Saipin Chutima. Go straight to her a la carte menu and don't miss the northern-style sausage with basil, green papaya salad or steamed catfish in lotus leaf. The wine list is remarkable too: heavy on Austrian Rieslings and German Gewürztraminers, and put together by the sommeliers in town who love this place.