Molly Ringwald, dining with friends at Mundo (World Market Center) on Friday after her show at The Smith Center. Mundo owner George Harris gave her a tour of the Garden of Hope, a collaboration between Candlelighters for cancer kids and Mundo.

The Mayor of Art Square: Meet Brett Wesley Sperry lists Mundo as a favorite place to eat.

"A striking space – mixing old-world Mexico and Vegas glam – sets the scene at this “upscale” Downtowner in the Las Vegas Design Center, which melds “traditional flavors” with “top-of-the-line ingredients” for a “different take on south-of-the-border cuisine”; moderate prices, “knowledgeable” service and “wowing” cocktails fit the bill too, plus it has an “awesome” location near the Smith Center.

"This upscale Mexican restaurant has a perfect menu for the prestigious center, and it is where executive chef Robert Solano is creating old-world dishes with modern flavors. "

"Despite a lousy economy it has thrived on word-of-mouth, drawing a downtown crowd by day and, at night, patrons of the nearby Smith Center for Performing Arts."

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Aisha Tyler spotted dining at Mundo

David Hasselhoff spotted dining at Mundo.

Nicholas Cage spotted dining at Mundo.

Steve & Eydie Gorme spotted dining at Mundo.

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Strolling into the World Market Center on a Friday night to dine unannounced at Mundo used to be a breeze. "We actually have to turn some people away now," said Sara Gottenborg, the restaurant's assistant manager.

Inside, you find an open place, with a New York loft or lounge feel. It's busy, but the well-turned out and power business-lunch crowd kept the noise level to a respectable hum.

"There are some restaurants that just have it all together. I am talking location, ambiance, menu, service, food….the way it should be. I would most certainly count Mundo in the Las Vegas Design Center at the World Market as one that does."

John Curtas on Channel 3 News Las Vegas (Video).

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Actress and furniture designer Jane Seymour dined at Mundo A Culinary Haute Spot at the Las Vegas Design Center on Tuesday.

Republican presidential candidate Newt Gringrich dined at Mundo A Culinary Haute Spot Saturday night with Sheldon Adelson, chairman and CEO of the Las Vegas Sands. Corp.

Por Flavor!

Mundo is one of the more progressive restaurants that has a vegetarian section on the menu.

“I absolutely love the food there.”

Nestled in the enormous World Market Center stands Mundo, a seemingly hidden treasure with quaint ambiance and exquisite cultural flavors. Guests will experience tastes that span across Central American history, from classic recipes to contemporary works of culinary art.

Mundo’s food and drink revealed...

Or take a midday Mexican getaway at Mundo alongside Kara W and a plate of sea bass tacos. Their margaritas are made with "fresh squeezed the lime juice" and agave nectar. The only thing you need to do is schedule time for a siesta!

Mundo-A Latin Chic Restaurant: The name says it all.

Top dishes on the menu.

In a lifetime of just over a year, Mundo at the World Market Center in downtown Las Vegas has become a power-lunch hot spot. If there's anybody who's worth seeing, you're going to see them there, in large part because of the restaurant's proximity to the power corridors, in large part because of its ownership by political activist George Harris, and in large part because the food earns the restaurant its subtext, "a culinary haute spot."

Gourmands have been singing its praises since opening last year. Many thought it might not survive the troubled economy and out-of-the-way location, but the restaurant has held its own and it has brought a breath of fresh air to the downtown dining scene.

Hot Hostess Watch

Executive Chef Robert Solano appeared from the kitchen and stopped by the table to chat. He was extremely gracious with his time and very humble about his creations.

The Las Vegas Design Center at the World Market Center may draw huge crowds only a couple of times a year, but that hasn’t stopped the multitudes — and the power brokers — from flocking to Mundo. The decor is fun and funky, service is friendly, but food such as the braised short rib enchiladas is the real appeal.

Las Vegans George Harris, Mingo Collaso and Executive Chef Robert Solano collaborated together to open Mundo as an integral part of downtown revitalization.

The team moved the restaurant downtown in January 2010 and changed the name to Mundo, a Spanish word meaning “world.” General Manager Mingo Collaso says, “We knew that downtown was growing, and we wanted to be a part of it.

Perhaps veal ain’t your thang. Or makes you squeamish. Or you’re looking for a nice, tasty, light lunch downtown. Then you could do a lot worse than with Robe Solano’s chopped mélange (ELV loves him his mélanges) of lettuce, veggies, fruits and nuts…all dressed to a fare thee well with a slightly spicy dressing at Mundo.

Q Vegas Magazine's favorite dining spots.

Forego the trip south of the border and stop by Mundo for a menu that rivals Mexico's best resort restaurants.

The first upscale Mexican restaurant to open its doors downtown (and it’s about time), Mundo is a combination of Old World Mexico and new Vegas glam — with some West Hollywood hip thrown in for good measure.

The Mexican Garden Martini includes cucumber (to sooth that burning Vegas rash), blue agave bianco tequila, agave nectar, fresh pineapple puree and cointreau.

Mundo joins The Luxury Marketing Council

Did I say Yum yet? YUM!

That blend of comfort and cutting-edge also describes chef Robert Solano’s nouveau Mexican food.

It's tempting to call Mundo the most important restaurant to open Downtown in the past 20 years. If it survives, it will almost certainly be hailed as such. If it doesn't, Las Vegans will only have themselves to blame for not supporting a place pulling out all the stops to impress.

Mundo (Spanish for "world') uses recipes native to the Yucatan Peninsula, where Solano lived until he was 12.

It’s obvious that lots of folks are finding their way to this obscure location for a first bite.

I immediately loved the interior of the restaurant; modern and funky, yet classy and with a decidedly southwestern flavor to it. We were seated at one of the front tables in a nice, cushy sofa. The perfect way to enjoy a Saturday lunch.

Robert Solano is the mastermind in the kitchen, and we see a lot of Yucatecan influences, a region that does not get nearly enough play on Mexican menus in North America.