By Nadia Ibanez
‘Tis the season for bachelor/bachelorette parties, poolside getaways, and other festivities that require bikinis and vegging out in the hot summer heat. Sin City has always been, and will always be, a favorite summer destination for the young and beautiful – and even the not so young. With the sparkling lights, cheap booze, gambling, and nightlife galore, Las Vegas seems to always peek its lovely head out when we’re looking for an adventurous destination a few hours outside of southern California.
We can’t say enough about some of the gorgeous hotels out there and the amazing shows that we love. But, my favorite part of going to Vegas is the food. Where else can you dine at restaurants manned by the likes of Jose Andrés, Bobby Flay, Tom Collichio, Michel Richard, Todd English, Hubert Keller, Bradley Odgen, Michael Mina, Emeril Lagasse, and Wolfgang Puck all within a couple miles of each other?
Yes, I know that spending a few days in Vegas is quite the production. From day drinking, bar hopping, and keeping track of everyone in your party, there’s very little time to sit down for an amazing four-course meal. And it’s just so much easier to find a fast food joint to curve your hunger pains. (I guarantee we’ve all hit up the bright and shiny McDonald’s at 3am on the strip after a night of insanity.)
If you’re on the strip and looking for an amazing meal, check out our picks for the best restaurants in Vegas.
FOR A LITTLE CLASS WITH YOUR BURGER AND MILKSHAKE
We can’t get enough of Holstein’s, located inside The Cosmopolitan. We visited for lunch after a weekend of drinking in vodka vaults and helicoptering over the Grand Canyon and their burgers and accoutrements were the best way to bid adieu to the fine city.
Start off with a can of PBR or Tecate in a custom cuzie, of course, or sink into a Savory Bloody Mary with beef brisket-infused vodka and a filet garnish. Their Bam-Boozled Shakes are to die for and are a great, sugary hair of the dog to get you through the morning. The Frozen Grasshopper is delish and has peppermint, chocolate, crème de mente and Van Gogh chocolate vodka. Or go for the Campfire Smores with marshmallow vodka, chocolate, marshmallow and graham cracker crumbles.
Seriously, everything on the menu is amazing. We tried the Fried Pickles for starters, which pairs perfectly with a nice craft beer. Other appetizers we were eyeing were the Cheese Curds and the Truffle Lobster Mac and Cheese. You can also opt to try a few sliders if you can’t choose one burger off the menu. Go for the Crispy Pork Belly Bun or the Maine Lobster Roll. Or save your belly and order a full-sized burger.
The Gold Standard Burger was one of the best I’ve ever had with its dry aged sirloin patty topped with smoked bacon, aged goat cheddar, tomato confit, baby arugula and garlic-chive aioli. Or, go for the Billionaire Burger with kobe beef, foie gras, onion marmalade, friseé and truffle mayo. Holstein’s is open until 2am on some nights so make sure to drop in for lunch, dinner or a late night snack.
FOR A TASTE OF ESPAÑA
If you’ve been lucky enough to try the real stuff on the streets of Madrid and Barcelona, or just have your own favorites at your local tapas bar, Jaleo by Jose Andrés in The Cosmopolitan is a must. Come hungry, bring friends, and order everything. The Pan de Cristal con Tomate is delish and simple. Brushed with fresh tomato, these bites can be topped with ham, manchego cheese or anchovies.
The menu consists of pages of tapas and they’re all perfectly paired with a carafe of sangria. Try the Tortilla Menorquina, a Spanish omelet with sobrasada sausage, onion and Mahón cheese, or the Chorizo Palacios, seasoned with pimento and garlic. Or, go for the Coliflor Salteada, a dish of sautéed cauliflower with dates and olives. Save room for the Croquetas de Pollo and the Gambas con gabardine, which are fried shrimp with caper mayo.
Salads, soups, vegetarian options and cheese plates are all to die for. If you have some time to spare, opt for paella, which takes 30 minutes for cooking and to allow for all of the flavors to mix and mingle. Jaleo offers paella of all types, ranging from Mediterranean flavors, traditional styles, and even Arroz Negro, served with black rice, porcinis, calamari and squid ink.
FOR A NOT-SO STANDARD ICE CREAM SOCIAL
Nothing beats the heat better than a big bowl full of ice cream – apart from an extra-large margarita. Serendipity 3 is world-famous and its location at Caesar’s Palace brings in anyone looking for a sugar buzz. Our party consisted of four lovely ladies and somehow we ended up with six different desserts.
If it’s your first time, you HAVE to order the signature Frrrozen Hot Chocolate. The drink is created with more than a dozen different types of chocolate and will cool your body with every slurp. The Peanut Butter version is equally amazing, or go for an oversized sundae to share with friends or enjoy by yourself. I recommend the Strawberry Fields Sundae with cheesecake, strawberry ice cream, strawberry sauce and whipped cream. The Red Velvet Sundae was another favorite among the table with chocolate ice cream, red velvet cake, hot fudge, whipped cream and sprinkles.
FOR THE HIGH ROLLERS AND THE RUSSIANS
If you’re in the mood for an extraordinary dinner and you have the extra cash to spare, Red Square in Mandalay Bay is where you want to be. With a whole menu just dedicated to caviar, you know you’re among high rollers and big players. For starters, go for the Siberian Nachos, wonton chips topped with smoked salmon, wasabi cream, chives and Tobiko. The Seared Foie Gras, Baked Apples and French Toast is another popular item and is topped with apple butter, smoked bacon and a berry gastrique.
You must order the Black Truffle and Lobster Fettuccine, which is topped with shaved black truffles and truffle oil. It’s one of the best pasta dishes I’ve ever had and was surprisingly light despite its uber-rich ingredients. We ordered a Roquefort Filet Mignon for the table too, which was served with a potato puree, roasted garlic and a drizzle of red wine sauce.
You cannot leave Red Square without a stop in the Vodka Vault. Attached to the restaurant is a giant freezer with 100+ imported vodkas. Your Vodka Goddess will greet you at your table, before handing you a faux mink coat and hat and escorting you inside the ice locker, which is 10 degrees below zero. Whatever your preference, you’ll be paired up with a few smooth vodka tastings. If you can’t stand the freezing temperatures, the restaurant also has a bar made of ice to keep your vodka cocktails frosty.
While you may think that Chicago, San Francisco, New York City and Los Angeles are the hubs for amazing cuisine, Las Vegas is quickly trailing behind as one of the nation’s best places to not only play, but also treat yourself to some fantastic restaurants. What are you favorite places to dine in Sin City?
