August 24, 2012
I’m currently in full detox mode—drinking herbal tea and pounding lemon water after my whirlwind trip to Las Vegas. Though I was there for an apparel trade show, today it feels like I was really there to eat myself ugly. Sitting here in my office downloading all my photos from my camera, I realize I only snapped three apparel images and the rest are all food— oops.
We enjoyed some incredible meals, guzzled stupendous wine and are still feeling it a few days out. It’s always a dilemma when traveling to great cities to balance the stellar old standbys and still fit in new, buzz-worthy restaurants. Combine a short trip with the often staggering price of the bill, and my expectations skyrocket; I can get a little nit-picky. So, here are my favorites:
This larb was the best ever
For the last 10 years, we always make the Lotus of Siam our first stop. It’s way off the Strip in the most hole-in-the-wall area, but it is so worth the fifteen minute trip. It’s simply the most amazing Thai food (even better than what I had in Thailand), with a dreamy wine list— which is a total surprise, given its strip mall location. Often, you’ll see major chefs and sommeliers eating there, which is always a good sign.
On a heat scale of 1 to 10, this is a 65
The sushi here is beautiful, amazingly-fresh with incredible rice to match (how can you ignore the rice when it’s your last name?). It’s a big, funky restaurant with a huge sushi bar, but the stand out here is remarkable food and the incredible sake list. Fish is flown in daily from all over the world. I can’t wait to eat here again.
Shishito peppers with sesame and micro greens
We like to close out our Vegas indulgences with a lunch stop at Emeril’s Delmonico. Walking in, it feels like we are going to visit an old friend—it’s always comfortable dining, with the best staff and we feel instantly at home. Bonus, it’s the best hangover food in the world. It has a quintessential New Orleans exuberance and warmth partnered with elegant, terrific food. Everything is a little over-the-top, be it the 30,000 bottle wine cellar, the massive top-notch steaks, truffle-laced potato chips—but all of it is well chosen and delicious.
