Dining Pick of the Week: Pot Liquor Contemporary American Smokehouse

Pot Liquor Contemporary American Smokehouse

Town Square Las Vegas, 6587 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Suite B-196, 702-816-4600

Pot Liquor’s name is not a pun based on licking the last bits of flavor out of a pot. It’s actually a Southern term for the rich broth left in the pot after collard greens, turnips or mustard greens are boiled together with smoked meats, bones or salt pork. The new 6,622-square-foot restaurant at Town Square Las Vegas features a menu based on barbecue served in a comfortable, rural Southern-style setting that features rustic-looking art and fixtures, including Mason jar chandeliers. The restaurant is the creation of Flip Arbelaez and Doug Bell, who surprisingly aren’t from the South but are huge fans of the cooking style. “Our focus on the food at Pot Liquor is as much about classic regional barbecue as it is about our takes on traditional Southern fare,” said Bell, corporate executive chef. “The entire menu reflects what we consider to be the best of the best around the country in terms of barbecue style and also some of the fantastic ingredients and preparations found throughout the Southern United States.” Rather than focus on regional barbecue types and get involved in the blood feud between Kansas and Texas barbecue, Bell took what he felt were the best elements from many types of barbecue to make a unique flavor. Among the menu selections are grilled prawns, pulled pork, collard greens and pork rinds. The bar is stocked with a variety of draft, bottled and canned beers, wine and fresh lemonade cocktails. Specialty cocktails include Mint Julep, the Spicy Jack and the Pot Liquor Bloody Mary, enhanced with real pot liquor. For art lovers, there are four works by local artist Donovan Fitzgerald that were commissioned for the space. Pot Liquor is open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. Happy hour is from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, visit potliquorcas.com.