Cathay House signage at Palms

Have you ever been sitting there, late at night, and thought about how good some Chinese food would be, right then?  Sadly, in Las Vegas, most restaurants cease delivering food, hours earlier.  So, I was interested when Jacob pointed-out a billboard announcing that Cathay House was opening at Palms Casino Resort. 

Custom-made chandelier at Cathay House at Palms

I filed this on the back-burner, and figured it would surface sooner than later.  Sure enough, after a very long day, where we both worked through dinner, I looked over at Jacob, around midnight, and announced “Boy, I could really go for some Chinese, right now.  And since that Cathay House has opened at Palms, this could be perfect!”

So, I called Palms, and found that yes, the restaurant was open for business and stays open late.  As a matter of fact, it’s more like a restaurant in a restaurant, as it is actually a back room in the back of 24/7 Café that has been cleverly reconceived with a contemporary Chinese theme: Red and black Koi fish seem to swim up the walls, golden carp and bamboo abound, while all eyes are drawn to the custom-made chandelier constructed from 15 inverted Asian parasols, that hangs from the pinnacle of the room’s rotunda).

So, we hopped into the car, and sped down to the Palms; which, at midnight, from Spanish Trail, is nary more than the proverbial hop, skip, and jump.  What’s more, the intuitive layout of the Palms lends itself to late-night sojourners.

We were both on the mend from a nasty cough/flu, and as such, our first order of business was a huge bowl of Hot & Sour Soup.  I know that my people are firm believers in the healing properties of chicken soup (holy schmaltz, Batman!), or, in a pinch, some wor wonton soup; but when I’m the one schvitzing and hacking, I know that a nice and spice Hot & Sour is gonna hit the spot and cure what ails me.  Furthermore, Jacob agrees.  So this was a no-brainer for us. 

Honey Glazed Walnut Prawns at Cathay House

The soup was hot and zesty (I’ve yet to figure-out the Sour alluded to in the name).  It was a bit heavy on the cilantro (the bane of my culinary existence, these days), but still a mighty fine soup – and now I know how to order it, next time.  Plus, for less than eight bucks, we each had three cups of soup, and still had a quart that we took to go.

Whole Crispy Fried Chicken at Cathay House

Jacob had a hankering for the Honey Glazed Walnut Prawns (sure, I ate most of them, but he’s the one who suggested it).  They were sweet and golden and yummy – like a shellfish desert.  The order of Hong Kong Pan Fried Noodles, which we ordered Combination Style (with scallops, chicken, pork, and shrimp), was so tempting that it was half-gone before I realized I’d neglected to photograph it.  And by the time we got to it, the Whole Crispy Fried Chicken, we were stuffed.  That said it made for some fantastic wraps and sandwiches over the following days.

Sure, there’s no dearth of great Chinese restaurants around town.  But how many places – that are equally friendly to both tourists and locals – can quell your cravings for Peking Duck and Steamed Whole Flounder, in the most wee of hours?  (Not many.)  Top the whole thing off with a steaming cup of Chrysanthemum Tea, or a frosty bottle of Tsing Tao, and you’re good to go!

Cathay House inside 24/7 Café
Palms Casino Resort
10am – 2am (Sunday – Wednesday)
10am – 4am (Thursday – Saturday)
Click HERE for menu

Get into it!