Las Vegas is mentioned and immediately wild parties, near naked wet bodies, poolside, with famous DJ’s, recording artists, and movie stars photo bombed and stamped on the front of gossip rags come to mind.  Formerly regarded as a gamblers paradise/hell or a bachelor/bachelorette party central, Las Vegas has redesigned itself as an international destination for extravagant resorts and spas, venues for world famous recording artist, but also as a showcase of world famous chefs such as Wolfgang Puck, Mario Batali, Bobby Flay, and now Giada Delaurentiis and more. 

My first trip to Las Vegas was free as a spouse invited to a business dinner.  I had never had any desire or expendable cash to go there by choice.  I was insulted by menu prices and witnessing in action the term corporate greed at a steakhouse at one of the newer casinos (2001).  All that changed as my feet hit the strip and the famous Bellagio fountain show kicked off Frank Sinatra’s “Luck Be A Lady”.  The next day, my husband and I ventured out of the Luxor, into Excalibur, across to New York New York where we enjoyed meaty sandwiches and appetizers that were new to our vocabulary and tastebuds.  

After several winter Las Vegas Convention trips, I have just returned from my first Vegas in the summer adventure.  If you are passionate about food and have never been to Las Vegas, or if you’ve been before but only experienced the typical steakhouse business dinner, give Las Vegas a chance to wow you!

TIPS:  

Check https://www.totalrewards.com/content/cet-tr/en.html for dates for discounted hotel prices and use the extra cash on delicious food and cocktails!  Vegas headliners typically run $99 and up per person.  American Express members can find discounted tickets to some shows.  

Check https://www.delta.com or https://www.southwest.com for airfare deals that coincide with the best hotel rates.  

Expedia has amazing deals on bundled vacation packages for air and hotel https://www.expedia.com/Vacation-Packages.  Skip the rental car, use taxis.

Check menus as you walk.  Use OpenTable app to book your dinner reservations the day before or at least by lunch the same day.  http://www.opentable.com/las-vegas-restaurants

August 2016 Las Vegas 

Primary purpose:  See Rod Stewart “The Hits” At The Forum, Caesar’s Palace, last Saturday of 2016 Vegas tour. 

Secondary purpose:  Romantic getaway for my stressed out husband to sneak in world class cuisine and a day at the famed Qua Baths and Spa at Caesar’s Palace and to experience Caesar’s Garden of the Gods Oasis (outdoor pools).

Accommodations:

Caesar’s Palace for $149 Thursday, $229 Friday special 50th anniversary rate.  

Embassy Suites Convention Center FREE with Hilton Honoros points for Saturday, the most expensive night in Vegas,and Sunday.

Entertainment:

Rod Stewart “The Hits” on Saturday night.   American Express Platinum perks, 12th row, $169 each.

Splurge:  

Qua Baths and Spa deep tissue massage which includes all day Roman spa facilities pass.   $139 and up.     https://www.caesars.com/caesars-palace/things-to-do/qua#.V9GJt-s8KrU

Food Experiences:

OTTO Enoteca, St. Mark’s Square, The Venetian:  Chef Mario Batali and Chef Joe Bastianich’s authentic Italian food and wine library serving antipasti such as Arancini di Riso, Carpaccio, along with wood fired pizzas, in house fresh pastas, and the best moderately priced great wine selection in Las Vegas.  Venetian style entertainment of Opera Arias, short skits,, dancers ensue while you sip your vino.  My personal must go every time I visit Las Vegas restaurant.  http://lasvegas.ottopizzeria.com

Herringbone, Aria:   TOP CHEF alum Chef Brian Malarkey offers farm to sea selections while reclining  on gorgeous sofas or dine at a private table under the pergola, surrounded in lush garden.   Watch the palms sway as the Vegas sun sets in the background whilst you sip uniquely crafted cocktails and purvey the organic/sustainably sourced menu selections for the week.   My personal new favorite Las Vegas restaurant.  http://herringboneeats.com/las-vegas/

Herringbone’s Salmon Parfait: Capers, Creme Fraiche, Chervil, Noble Russian Caviar, Blini.  

Sunset from our table at Herringbone.

Seersucker, Caesar’s Palace:  Same creative team of Herringbone but with a country chic vibe of blue glass, dish towel linens, with small plate offerings like beef tartare, marinated offerings served in small pickling jars, along with a few full sized entrees.  My personal favorite appetizer stop.  (If you’re a Southerner, skip the Pacific oysters.  Trust me, they’re not the same.)  Checkout happy hour!  My personal favorite cocktails before the show spot.  http://searsucker.com/las-vegas/

DB Brasserie, The Venetian:   Chef Daniel Boulud.  Two words-  Happy Hour!  Great wine and beer selections and they will even let you take a glass to go back out into the casino or strolling St. Mark’s Square.  But don’t deprive  yourself the food offerings .  Country pâté anyone?  We stopped for a glass of Rosé and ended up ordering snacks and catching up on College football predictions showing on the flatscreen.  Chatted with other CFB fans while we rested our feet.  Definitely returning for a romantic French dinner next time.  http://www.dbbrasserie.com/

DB Brasserie country pâté at happy hour.

Giada, The Cromwell:  FoodNetwork Chef Giada Delaurentiis’ swanky establishment on the corner of Vegas Boulevard and Flamingo was a new experience.  We arrived 45 minutes early, waited in the lounge area, and ordered $15 – $22 signature cocktails, perplexed by the presence of a dozen or so children at this very expensive dining experience.  We negotiated a table by the window where we immediately enjoyed the Bellagio fountains as we reviewed the ridiculously expensive wine list.  We were underwhelmed by the menu selections as our hobby is regional Italian cooking.  The bread service was remarkable, as stated on multiple reviews, as well as the stuffed veal chop which was priced at $45 with no accompanying sides.  The servers are frazzled but well dressed in white jackets.  The clientele range from women in cocktail dresses to men in shorts and crocs.  Go if Giada is your food superstar and you don’t mind spending $375 for two cocktails, two appetizers, and two entrees, and no dessert.  http://www.giadadelaurentiis.com/vegas/

Cocktails:

Mandarin Bar, Mandarin Oriental Hotel:  The big show that you blew $300 for 2 tickets is over, now what?  The 23rd floor bar is the best viewing spot of South Las Vegas Boulevard featuring 3 walls of floor to ceiling glass which allows patrons to gaze down the strip towards the Paris Las Vegas (half scale) Eiffel Tower.  Live band starts up around 10pm, geniusly crafted cocktails and savory snacks like Wagu beef sliders are delivered to your table by very attentive waitresses while you chat up internationals or stare at the neon lights.  My personal favorite after dinner / after the show night spot.  http://www.mandarinoriental.com/lasvegas/fine-dining/mandarin-bar/

Mandarin Bar cocktails with a view.

Parasol Down, The Wynn Las Vegas:  Colorful parasols with a Parisian flare drape from the ceiling over the interior bar as a hostess eargerly opens the terrace door for you to choose seating at table or reclined in wicker couches tossed in white linen pillows, waterside at the Lake of Dreams.   Put on your sunglasses and enjoy the rush of a 40′ waterfall cascading over a tile background.  Devise your game plan for the day or night while enjoying Hibiscus scented cocktails away from the buzz of crowds and baby strollers as no one under 21 is allowed.  My personal favorite start to a bar crawl and favorite Sunday cocktail spot.  http://www.wynnlasvegas.com/Dining/BarLounges/ParasolDown