LAS VEGAS
Ah, Vegas. One of our favorite getaways. Great for 2 nights, perfect for 3, and never good for more than 4. It’s hot most of the year, and it feels like (and is) a totally different world. Lots to do and see, but most importantly, to eat and drink. Some great spots if you’re willing to go off strip; a one-of-a-kind Tiki Bar, (Frankie’s); incredible, modern American food (Carson Kitchen); Fantastic, inventive and historic cocktails (Herbs and Rye); and plenty of other must-eat, must drink places. We try and get out to Las Vegas once a year or so if we can, as it provides a great escape and a refreshing climate change. Enjoy the city!
Lodging
THE MIRAGE
3400 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109
If you’re staying on the strip, the Mirage is a good choice. It’s slightly north-strip, but you can walk most places if you don’t mind doing so. It tends to have reasonable prices (though it still has those dastardly Resort Fees), and decent amenities. It’s a reasonable place
WEBSITE: https://mirage.mgmresorts.com/
Food & Drink
CARSON KITCHEN
124 S 6th St #100, Las Vegas, NV 89101
Just go. This place is so damn good. The food is impeccable, the drinks are fantastic, and the ambiance is great. It’s a bit off the beaten path being near downtown, but you can go for a stroll down the Fremont Street Experience to take in the freakshow while you digest.
WEBSITE: https://www.carsonkitchen.com/
FRANKIE’S TIKI ROOM
1712 W Charleston Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89102
This place is smokier than all get-out, so be prepared. But if you can stand the smoke, this place is fire. Their standard whiskey for mixed drinks is a Macallan 10. They make all kinds of original and standard tiki drinks, and they make those things STRONG. It’s a bit of a dive, but if you like tiki drinks, it’s a must-go.
WEBSITE: https://www.frankiestikiroom.com/
HERBS AND RYE
3713 West Sahara, Las Vegas, Nevada, 89102
Another gotta-go place, they cook steaks well, and their cocktails are incredible. Their cocktail menu is based around the different eras of cocktails, and they are great at making them. The donuts for dessert are killer, and you really can’t go wrong with any of their cocktails.
WEBSITE: http://www.herbsandrye.com/
CRAFT STEAK
MGM Grand (3799 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109)
Owned by Chef Tom Colicchio (of Top Chef fame), this steak house is a solid meal. It’s a bit pricey, but you’re going to enjoy your food. Their salted brioche dinner rolls are incredible, and you’ll be happy with whatever you pick. Solid cocktails and wine selections.
WEBSITE: https://www.craftsteaklasvegas.com/
CHINA POBLANO
The Cosmopolitan (3708 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109)
Owned by famed chef José Andrés, this place has a very solid and interesting menu (Mexican and Chinese food, with various shades in between). Menu is mostly tapas, with a few bigger plates. Their food is very good, but their Sea Foam Margarita keeps us coming back basically every time we go to Vegas. It’s a very good margarita with a unique molecular twist: ‘sea foam’ (a salty, airy foam that sits on top of the margarita itself). We usually order it by the pitcher, which comes out as a pitcher of the margarita, and a small bowl of the We usually try to make it for a late lunch or early dinner before a night out. Not cheap by any stretch, but in our opinion, worth the spend.
WEBSITE: https://www.chinapoblano.com/
GRAND LUX CAFE
The Venetian (3355 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109)
The Palazzo (3325 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109)
So, they’re owned by the Cheesecake Company, and definitely has some aspects of big food chains that you’ll recognize. That said, their food and drinks are both pretty good, and fairly reasonably priced. They serve most of breakfast all day, and it’s a solid place for brunch. We always like to order the cookies at the beginning of the meal (because they’re baked to order) to take home at the end of the meal.
WEBSITE: https://www.grandluxcafe.com/
GOLDEN STEER
308 W Sahara Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89102
A throw-back Vegas institution, this Italian steakhouse just oozes Old-Vegas. Old booths, myriad tables, and dressed-up waiters, it’s a dining experience that can be hard to find these days. They have a business-casual dress code (though it’s loosely enforced). If you want a solid steak or the old-school Italian Steakhouse vibe, it’s worth a trip.
WEBSITE: https://www.goldensteerlasvegas.com/
STARBOARD TACK
2601 Atlantic St, Las Vegas, NV 89121
Really great Tiki Drinks. A bit of strip, which is great if you want something different, but not particularly convenient if you’re coming from the Strip. The dangerous part is that their drinks are so tasty you’ll suck them down quickly. Be cognizant of their strength. Very low-key sailor vibe. They do food as well, but we haven’t had enough of it to give a fair review. If you want a tasty drink, check ‘em out.
WEBSITE: Yelp Review Page
GOLDEN TIKI
3939 Spring Mountain Road, Las Vegas, NV 89102
DOLE WHIP!!! They have legit Dole Whip and it’s so delightful on a hot vegas evening. Fun, over-the-top tiki bar with solid drinks and, if I haven’t mentioned it yet, DOLE WHIP! More like Disney Tiki than a place like Frankie’s, but it’s a fun atmosphere and an enjoyable experience (especially if you like Tiki).
WEBSITE: https://www.thegoldentiki.com/
DOUBLE DOWN SALOON
4640 Paradise Road, Las Vegas, NV 89169
Our friend Robert turned us onto it, and well, it’s an experience, that’s for sure. Lots of live music, running the gammut (check their website to see what’s coming up). They also have a drink they delightfully refer to as ‘Ass Juice,’ which is a combination of the last bits of various bottles of liquor over the night. You can also buy a shot glass shaped like a toilet to remember the time you did this. It’s disgusting. It shouldn’t be missed. They also have a couple of pinball machines in the back corner (or they did as of the last time we were there).
WEBSITE: https://doubledownsaloon.com/
Fun
PINBALL HALL OF FAME
1610 E Tropicana Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89119
If you like (or love) pinball or arcade games, you pretty much have to make it out here. Back when you could only get taxis by phone, it could be a gamble to take one out there (because it might take several calls and an hour or two to get one to come out). Now with Lyft and Uber, it’s a much safer bet if you don’t have a car. This place has one of the biggest pinball machine collections in the world, running the gamut from the oldest to the newest machines. They also have a collection of old arcade games (ever play Super Mario Brothers on an arcade machine?). We try to make it every time we’re in town.
WEBSITE: http://pinballmuseum.org/