Eating My Way Through Las Vegas

This past week I went on a business trip to Las Vegas.  While there was certainly more work than play during the trip, I did get to enjoy some pretty fabulous meals along the way.  Unfortunately I do not have any pictures of these said meals (mainly because we were entertaining our client and I didn't want to be the weird girl taking pics of their food) except for a Corona my coworker consumed on our Southwest flight back to Orange County.  Epic blogger fail.

My breakfasts and lunches were pretty standard fare - oatmeal, eggs, salad, sandwiches, etc., but the dinners were definitely something to write home about.

So you'll just have to use your imagination, or visit these locations yourself for a truly foodgasmic experience.

Samba Brazilian Steakhouse at the Mirage

Four Words - All.  You. Can. Eat.  We dined here before catching the Cirque du Soleil Show LOVE at the Mirage (which was beyond amazing), and it was a truly a (meaty) feast.  The restaurant was your typical Churrascaria, which means various meats were presented to you on skewers to enjoy with a wide variety of sides.

The fun part about this restaurant is that they give you a little block that has a red cube and a green cube.  When you are ready for them to come around with the different kinds of meats, you have the green cube facing up.  When you've had enough and cannot stomach another bite you know it's time for the red cube.

Some of the meats that were offered included bacon-wrapped turkey, filet mignon, teryiaki steak, and grilled chicken.  In addition to the meat we were presented with a variety of sides including empanadas, black beans, rice, grilled vegetables, and fried plantains.  I think plantains are quickly becoming a new favorite of mine.  I must figure out how to cook them well at home.

Rare 120 at The Hard Rock Hotel

We only dined on appetizers at this location, but all of them were fantastic.  Lobster quesadillas with goat cheese, ahi tartare with lotus chips, Greek salad, and Kobe beef skewers.  They were small bites but also very satisfying.  The rest of the dinner menu looked enticing as well.

Botero at Encore

This dinner was pretty spectacular.  Not to mention that 10 of us managed to polish off 3 bottles of some of the best red wine I've had in a long time.  It was a Malbec wine which I don't normally drink, but may start drinking after this.

We started with a bunch of delicious appetizers - Caprese Salad, Ricotta Ravioli, Oysters, Ahi Tuna, and Truffle Mac 'n Cheese.  I don't know what it is with me and Truffle Mac 'n Cheese but this combo cannot be beat.  The flavors are rich and decadent, but also not too heavy.  If I could marry Truffle Mac 'n Cheese I would.  For real.

Botero is actually a steakhouse, but after my meat extravaganza at the Mirage a couple of nights prior, I was looking for something lighter.  I finally settled on a soup duo - French Onion with Portabello Mushroom and Acorn Squash with Duck Confit.  Both were excellent although the Acorn Squash was almost a little too rich.  Many of my dining companions enjoyed steak, lobster, halibut, and pasta which all looked enticing.

Sushi Roku at Caesars Palace

I've been to Sushi Roku in Los Angeles, so I knew I was in for a good meal when we decided to go to the Caesars Palace location.  The ambiance of this location definitely trumps the LA one since you get a stunning view of the Las Vegas strip as you dine.  But the food is just as good as in California ;)

Some highlights include: Ahi Tuna on Crispy Rice (I got my fill of Ahi Tuna in Vegas), Soft Shell Crab Rolls, Fresh Scallops, Albacore, Seaweed Salad, and Vegetable Tempura.  We had initially discussed having dessert after sushi, but the sushi left us feeling stuffed (in a good way).

And before we knew it, it was time to pack our bags and hop our flight back home.  But not without a Corona in can.

And I'm spent.