5 Places I Recently Experienced In Las Vegas And Would Gladly Return To On A Future Vegas Trip
Las Vegas, Nevada may be my favorite city to travel to. It is where I got married, it is where I have seen some of my favorite concerts, it is where I have had some of my favorite meals, and odds are that when I travel there, I know other people who are also in town. When booking plans to travel to Vegas on December 25, 2021, the original plan was to catch a mix of concerts by the likes of KISS and David Lee Roth. And as it turns out, all but one of the concerts we had tickets to was affected by COVID-19.
In turn, my 2 1/2 weeks in Las Vegas was full of new experiences and destinations. Below are 5 destinations I tried out for the first time and would gladly return to for a future trip to Vegas. In addition to my recommendations come additional commentary from Mitch Schneider (legendary publicist and co-founder of the Schneider Rondan Organization) and Katie Mox (co-host of the MSG Networks’ The Betting Exchange and major influencer within the sports-related gambling world).
I may be Vegas-bound again in March 2022, so please let me know if you have any recommendations.
Buddy V’s Ristorante at The Venetian
Buddy V’s is the home-style Italian restaurant of Buddy Valastro, who is arguably best known from TLC’s Cake Boss. The New Jersey native has helmed a casual Italian restaurant, yet some of its seating options offer envious views of the Las Vegas Strip. Valastro’s first restaurant in Las Vegas, Buddy V’s Ristorante is a partnership with veteran restaurateurs Elizabeth Blau and Kim Canteenwalla. Its menu is rooted in both twists on Italian-American favorites, as well as Valastro family favorites like Sunday Gravy, Steak Pizzaiola and Linguine. The renowned baker’s restaurant, of course, also serves an impressive dessert selection including Cannoli, Nutella Cake, and Valastro’s famous Lobster Tail Pastry.
Great food and atmosphere aside, another thing that impressed me about Buddy V’s was that it regularly features live performances by Hazel Payne from GRAMMY-winning group A Taste Of Honey. In turn, it is the sort of spot which you can pop into for a drink and some excellent music if a largely-portioned, full-scale meal is not on the cards for you. Above all, the service for our meal was hands-on and well-timed, as my party felt welcomed yet promptly taken care of.
Love knows no bounds. 🍻 Come by the House of Blues Restaurant & Bar for some burgers and bubbles – open every day. ☀️ pic.twitter.com/fmJl8odmo5
— House of Blues Las Vegas (@HOBLasVegas) January 25, 2022
House Of Blues Restaurant & Bar at Mandalay Bay
When you hear the name “House Of Blues,” your first thought may be about live music. But the House Of Blues Restaurant & Bar at Mandalay Bay offers made-from-scratch, Southern-inspired cooking. The House Of Blues restaurant menu draws its inspirations from across the South, delivering its fair share of iconic dishes, including New Orleans jambalaya and gumbo, Lowcountry shrimp and grits, house-smoked Carolina pulled-pork barbeque, Memphis-style baby back ribs, and Delta fried chicken. The menu also offers signature Southern-inspired recipes, liek the Voodoo Shrimp and Carolina Mess, as well as a wide range of burgers, sandwiches and salads. Meanwhile, the House Of Blues bar is dedicated to showcasing a unique blend of classic and contemporary craft cocktails and spirits alike. In turn, House Of Blues Vegas brings together appealing American food, music and art under one roof.
Beyond that great food and those appropriately-strong drinks — and the previous concerts I had seen at this top-notch Vegas venue — I was very impressed by the restaurant’s on-going beta testing of robot bussers. Nope, not making that up. Excellent, friendly service from the host, waitstaff and manager, then a robot swoops in to help clear your table to the fullest extent. Next time I am in town, it will be a toss-up between going back to this spot or checking out its high-end sister spot in Mandalay Bay known as The Foundation Room, which it bills as offering “elevated nightlife.”
Located in Las Vegas’ Chinatown neighborhood, The Golden Tiki describes itself as “a journey to a wondrous land where boundaries are only limited to one’s imagination.” The vision of Managing Partner Branden Powers — whose experience in the Tiki world dates back 30 years to the Islands lounge in San Diego’s Hanalei Hotel — The Golden Tiki has spared no expense in recreating the classic mid-century tiki bar, as reminiscent of Don the Beachcomber and Trader Vic’s storied establishments. The multi-award winning hand crafted cocktail menu features nostalgic classics and new creations, alongside a massive list of rum selections and craft beer. Featuring the work of renowned artists including Tiki Bosko, Billy the Crud, Thor, Tiki Pete ,Bill Collins, Captain Steve Abernathy and Oceanic Arts, the one-of-a-kind decor also boasts a unique collection of celebrity ‘shrunken heads,’ an astounding array of artifacts, Dancing Hula Girls and Al and Bud’s Oasis, the world’s only adult animatronic bird show. Its earned accolades include top honors from the Food Network, USA Today, Las Vegas Weekly and Yelp; The Golden Tiki has also been featured on Pawn Stars and Ghost Adventures.
Added the aforementioned Mitch Schneider: “If I didn’t already live in Las Vegas, I’d move here for The Golden Tiki alone. Arguably the best bar on planet Earth, it’s a dazzling multi-colored tropical kitsch paradise shot through with owner Branden Powers’ punk rock sensibility, right down to its priceless display of shrunken heads of geniuses like Charles Bukowski, John Waters and Divine. And then you have the smart and fun DJ Professor Rex Dart, who masterfully hopscotches across multiple genres and eras while giving you a valuable musical lesson.”
Noted Katie Mox: “The Golden Tiki is a dream for those of us who love a classic Tiki Bar a la The Disneyland Hotel’s Trader Sam’s. Flaming drinks, great appetizers — try the tater tots — and enchanting decor make this a must stop for some ‘off the strip’ fun.”
Resorts World’s Famous Foods Street Eats
With more than 40 food and beverage experiences to explore, Resorts World Las Vegas offers more globally-inspired dishes than any other destination on the Strip. There is plenty more than meets the eye with its Street Eats section, which at first glance looks like a traditional food court, yet turns out to be a well-curated collection of quick serve outposts from top chefs. Ah Chun Shandong Dumpling, for example, serves traditional Shandong dumplings and hand-pulled noodle dishes made fresh daily. Kuru Kuru Pa Yakitori was created by GRAMMY-nominated DJ and producer Steve Aoki and his restaurateur brother Kevin Aoki, offering a variety of yakitori, kushiyaki and yaki onigiri along with a selection of signature drinks and mochi. Geylang Claypot Rice was founded over 40 years ago, is one of Singapore’s favorite claypot eateries and has earned a Michelin star. Tiger Sugar is a Taiwanese bubble tea shop best known for its famous Black Sugar Boba Milk. Absolutely something for everyone in this zone, no matter their palate or dietary needs.
Added Katie Mox: “My favorite part of this property — besides that it is completely cashless — is the unique sports book. The Dawg House sports book has all the bells and whistles of most books, except it also has a stage! This is a great spot for the casual bettor who enjoys some live entertainment while they sweat out their bets.”
Located in the heart of Downtown Las Vegas, The Plaza Hotel & Casino recently celebrated its 50th anniversary. Known to many movie buffs as “Biff’s Hotel” — think Back To The Future 2 — The Plaza was at one point the largest hotel and casino in the world; it has also been seen in other films, like The Stand, Casino, Pay It Forward and Diamonds Are Forever, beyond music videos by Ma$e, Monster Magnet and Starship. Now the home of top-rated Oscar’s Steakhouse, it also offers a 70,000-square-foot pool deck and more pickleball courts than any other hotel in Vegas. And if that combination of history, luxury and comfort is not enough, it is the only Vegas hotel I can think of with a podcast.
Contributed Katie Mox: “Okay, so it’s not The Plaza Hotel in New York City, but Oscar’s Steakhouse is a MUST! Dine on delicious steak and sip craft cocktails while the bright lights of Vegas shine down on you through the glass dome ceiling overlooking Fremont Street. You’ll really feel like a high roller!”
Feature Image of The Plaza Hotel & Casino Las Vegas by Mitch Schneider
TweetAbout the Author
Darren Paltrowitz Darren Paltrowitz is a New York resident with over 20 years of entertainment industry experience. He began working around the music business as a teenager, interning for the manager of his then-favorite band Superdrag. Since then, he has worked with a wide array of artists including OK Go, They Might Be Giants, Mike Viola, Tracy Bonham, Loudness, Rachael Yamagata, and Amanda Palmer. Darren's writing has appeared in dozens of outlets including the New York Daily News, Inquisitr, The Daily Meal, The Hype Magazine, All Music Guide, Guitar World, TheStreet.com, Businessweek, Chicago Tribune, L.A. Times, and the Jewish Journal. Beyond being "Editor At Large" for The Hype Magazine, Darren is also the host of weekly "Paltrocast With Darren Paltrowitz" series, which airs on dozens on television and digital networks. He has also co-authored 2 published books, 2018's "Pocket Change: Your Happy Money" (Book Web Publishing) and 2019's "Good Advice From Professional Wrestling" (6623 Press), and co-hosts the world's only known podcast about David Lee Roth, "The DLR Cast."
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