There’s just something about Las Vegas that keeps us coming back for more. Maybe it’s the delicious restaurants with every kind of food you can possibly imagine. Perhaps it’s the astonishing shows that take your breath away. Or maybe it’s just how alive the city is, beckoning you out onto the streets to watch the fountains at the Bellagio, mingle with people from all over the world or just look at the over-the-top casinos that line the strip. Whatever it is, we find the Vegas is the one place we continue to go back to and we know that no matter how many times we go, there will always be something new for us to experience and recommend to you!
Rice & Co.
Luxor
http://www.luxor.com/restaurants/rice_and_company.aspx
With the motto Eat Rice, Drink Tea, Slurp Noodles, Stay Healthy, Rice & Co. is one of the newest restaurants in the Luxor and an amazing combination of tropically influenced variations of sushi and sashimi, hibachi, teriyaki and Chinese food classics. We dined at Rice & Co. on Friday evening and were taken care of by our incredibly knowledgeable and gracious waiter Jimmy. He walked us through the menu and pointed out staff favorites, things he thought we would enjoy and his own personal faves. I let him know that my dining companion was a newbie to sushi and gave him free reign to pick out things he thought she would enjoy. He returned with a gorgeous assortment of sushi, including tempura shrimp rolls, spider rolls (soft shell crab, cucumber and avocado with a kabayaki sauce) and an avocado roll, all of which were greatly enjoyed by both of us. Of course, if you’re more of a sushi connoisseur, Rice & Co. has plenty of more daring options, including the Fre Kin Gud (eel, avocado, cream cheese with a crab meat and shrimp outer layer and a honey wasabi and spicy mayo sauce), the Sexy Lady (king crab, seaweed salad, tempura and avocado with a spicy tuna, eel and fried parsnip wrapper with samba mayo) and Sea Urchin Uni.
Our next course was a favorite of Jimmy’s, a crab mango salad that he accurately described as ‘like having a picnic under a waterfall) and some of the most interesting and unique drinks we’ve ever tasted. The Lychee-Tini was made of Smirnoff vodka, lychee syrup, fresh lemon juice and agave nectar; the Mexican Samurai was a spicy delight of TY KU SoJu, apple syrup, fresh lemon juice and agave nectar; the Cucumber Smash was made of sake, lemon juice, lime juice, fresh cucumber and agave syrup and the Dragon Limeade (Bacardi light rum, TY KU, citrus liqueur, muddled limes, mint leaves, sugar and club soda). This was followed by the most amazing lobster and lump crab cake (if you’re a fan of crab cakes, you have to try this!).
Dinner was delicious orange peel chicken, Mongolian beef and some stir-fried veggies. The great thing about Rice and Co.’s menu is that you can be as safe or as adventurous as you’d like as there is a wide selection ranging from what you’d find at most Chinese food restaurants to Thai offerings to some dishes unique to the restaurant. Don’t be afraid to bring guests who aren’t that willing to go outside their comfort zone as they will surely be able to find a few dishes that will appeal to them.
After lingering over our drinks (and trying to convince ourselves that we weren’t too full for dessert-which we were) and basking in the gorgeous atmosphere, the manager came over and presented us with an amazing gift bag filled with Asian-inspired goodies like wasabi sesame oil, green tea and rice wine vinegar. We were so impressed with Rice & Co. and definitely recommend it for a romantic date night or a relaxed evening with the girls.
Thunder from Down Under
Excalibur
http://www.excalibur.com/entertainment/thunder_from_downunder.asp
What’s a girl’s weekend in Las Vegas without attending a racy show? We were excited to see what all the hype was about surrounding the Thunder from Down Under: Australia’s Hottest Hunks. Voted the Best Male Strip Show in Las Vegas for 2011, Thunder from Down Under is a fun mix of dance routines, comedy and, of course, hot Australian men taking most of their clothes off. Think of firemen, business executives in suits and all the other stereotypes you can think of when it comes to hunky men along with amusing audience involvement, raunchy jokes and some really good dancing and you’ve got Thunder from Down Under. We got great seats near the stage, but don’t worry if you don’t score VIP tickets as there are no bad seats in the house and the guys take special care to involve all the ladies in the room in the show (and those in the back are closest to the bar!). You’ll laugh, clap, cheer and maybe even get one of the hunky Aussie’s to give you a sweaty hug or even bring you up on stage. This is a show where you can let go and just enjoy it for what it is-no one will judge if you catcall or grab a bulging bicep as it dances by! Where else can you act like that in real life??
This is a perfect show for a bachelorette party, a girl’s night out or even to go with your significant other (if he’s got a good sense of humor and doesn’t embarrass easily-there were some couples in the crowd!).
Ri Ra
Mandalay Place
http://www.mandalaybay.com/things-to-do/the-shoppes-at-mandalay-place/ri-ra.aspx?ef_id=gDZNAVXCAQAAxUk:20110908195635:s
You don’t have to go to Ireland to get authentic Irish food and entertainment-you need look no further than Ri Ra in Mandalay Place. Crafted in the warm pub style of 19th century Ireland, Ri Ra immerses you in its atmosphere as soon you walk through the door. The furnishings and décor were shipped from Ireland and the majority of the staff is from Ireland as well. Our waiter, Brian, was from Dublin and was not only fun, but also incredibly knowledgeable about the restaurant background, the menu and the activities that go on each night (live music flown in from Ireland!). Although we didn’t get to experience the music as we went to Ri Ra for lunch, we did get to experience the amazing food. Brian helped to guide us through the menu, directing us toward what was most popular at the restaurant and what he personally would suggest. It didn’t take us long to choose the Irish Potato Cakes as appetizers, and this was definitely the right selection. Balsamic glazed and with a savory sour cream sauce, these cakes were absolutely delicious. Our lunch selections were again guided by Brian and were Kilree Chicken (lightly breaded and sautéed with white wine lemon caper butter sauce, mashed potatoes and asparagus) and a phyllo wrapped salmon dish served with mashed potatoes and vegetables that was completely unique and amazing.
Since we weren’t able to experience Ri Ra for dinner, we asked Brian what some of his favorite dinner dishes were and he said he loved the Corned Beef and Cabbage, the Irish Sausage rolls (pastry wrapped ‘bangers’ with a Guinness mustard sauce) were ‘just like home’ and his absolute favorite dish at the restaurant is the Moors and Bay (a 6 oz smoked bacon wrapped filet, Guinness glazed prawns and Irish potato cake). We would definitely like to come back and dine at Ri Ra for dinner and experience their wonderful live entertainment. The atmosphere is perfect for a relaxed lunch as you can bask in the Irish environment and enjoy looking at the authentic décor (and listen to the staff talk as most of them are from Ireland), however, we can only imagine how wild the place gets at night when the music gets going and we can’t even fathom what St. Patrick’s Day would be like!
Ri Ra is a wonderful choice for an exciting night out or just some amazing Irish atmosphere and food. Amazing!
Martini and Wine Tasting Tour
www.nitetours.com
If you’re looking to explore Las Vegas a little bit with someone who knows what they’re doing, consider booking a tour with Nite Tours! In Vegas, Nite Tours offers a club crawl, a show tour and a Sip Happens (martini and wine tasting) tour as well as customized tours. We chose the Sip Happens tour for our trip, which took place in the Venetian/Palazzo. Our group consisted of about 50 people and was hosted by the wonderful Brandon. His enthusiasm, knowledge and infectious personality were perfect for this tour as he kept us all in line and entertained throughout the four plus hours of the tour. We visited Laguna for a champagne toast, Fusion for wonderful watermelon drinks, La Scena for live music and dancing, Salute for dueling pianos and then finally Lavo dance club for those who wanted to party the night away. The tour included tastings at each location, cover charge and some fun information about Vegas throughout the tour. We had a great time not only seeing a few places in the Venetian that we’d never experienced before, but also getting to hang out with the rest of our group. There was a selection of people from young to older and all of them were out to have a good time! One of the best things about this tour is that the stops are so varied. Some of the group really enjoyed the more relaxed atmosphere of Fusion, while others were ready to dance the night away at La Scena and Lavo and yet others were clearly most fond of the piano bar. It also ended at a decent time (11 pm, which is, of course, still very early in Vegas!), so you could choose whether you wanted to stay at Lavo, go back to one of the prior locations or plan something else for the rest of your evening.
We imagine that the other tours the company offers are much of the same. Going with a fun group to a number of different clubs would be amazing, especially if you are just with one or two friends and would rather have a larger group to dance with (not to mention not having to pay cover or wait in what can often be extremely long lines). The show tour would also be fun for a more low-key night as Vegas has some of the best shows the world has to offer and getting to see a selection of them in one night would be wonderful!
Perfect for those who are unfamiliar with Vegas and want to hang out with someone who knows what they’re doing or for groups who want a variety of activities and locations in one night. We can’t wait to try one of Nite Tours’ other tours when we come back!
The Beatles LOVE
by Cirque du Soleil
Mirage
http://mirage.com/entertainment/love.aspx
IIf you’ve been reading our Vegas series, you know that we have an obsession with Cirque du Soleil shows! We’re getting close to having seen all of them that Vegas features and were very excited to add LOVE to our list. The show is an amazing blend of music, acrobatics and, of course, the nostalgia that comes along with the Beatles. There’s not a bad seat in the house as action is going on at all levels in the theater and the beat of the music channels through the speakers in the chair, keeping you involved and immersed in the atmosphere. The show not only showcases the Beatles’ unforgettable music, but also tells some emotionally intense stories. You’ll feel, in turn, sad and nostalgic as well as energized and enthused and you can’t help but be fascinated the spectacular costumes and athleticism that Cirque du Soleil is known for.
Dominic Champagne, who directed and wrote the original concept for the show, explained his vision for LOVE: “I wanted to create a Beatles experience rather than a Beatles story, taking the audience on an emotional journey rather than a chronological one, exploring the landscapes and experiences that have marked the group’s history.” He certainly did so with a number of haunting scenes, plenty of exuberant scenes and a few that will nearly bring a tear to your eye. This is a celebration of not only the Beatles’ amazing music, but also their lives, from their childhood, through their meteoric rise to fame to a melancholy yet joyful finale that makes the entire audience believe in the magic of love.
This is no doubt a show that you will never forget and high on our list of Cirque favorites.
VooDoo Steak
Rio
http://www.riolasvegas.com/casinos/rio/restaurants-dining/voodoo-steak-detail.html
At the very top of the Rio All Suites Casino and Hotel, you will find the VooDoo Lounge, which includes an amazing steak restaurant that we had the pleasure of dining at. With rich, dark hallways lit by the soft glow of candles, and eclectic décor including chairs wrapped in animal prints and walls graced with custom pieces of show-stopping art, VooDoo is certainly a unique experience. Not only is the inside atmosphere fabulous, but with the location of the restaurant, you can look out the windows and see amazing sights of the Las Vegas strip. Our service was impeccable and we were treated like royalty with custom blended Mojitos, a ‘Witch Doctor’ (an oversized bubbling, smoking drink that is out of this world) and an amazing Bayou Seafood Platter that included lobster, shrimp, crab legs, oyster shooters and more. Dinner continued with lobster bisque, a VooDoo “Menage A Trios” (petite filet, lobster tail and grilled shrimp), truffle mac and cheese and more! With the meal winding down and our leftovers packed up and ready to go for us, we were surprised by Adrian, our server, with a huge smile holding our very own Trio Mini Desserts. This included Black and White Mousse Verine, Strawberry Tiramisu, and a Coconut Fried Tart…the perfect size of each guaranteed to please everyone at your table. VooDoo is recommended as much for atmosphere as it is for the food and we promise you won’t be disappointed!
As we walked into VooDoo, we couldn’t help but feel like we were walking into a witch doctor’s lair. The hallways are rich and dark, lit only by soft lighting and candle glow. After being greeted, we continued to notice the eclectic décor of antique chairs wrapped in animal prints and the walls graced with custom pieces of show stopping art making us want to take a second glance. We were amazed again at the beautiful view from our table, don’t think there was a bad seat anywhere as you could easily look out and see forever. Our service yet again was fabulous, waters filled, napkin in laps, and a sinfully wonderful breadbasket brought over immediately. We decided to sample several of their house classics from the bar including the custom blended Mohito served with fresh mint, lime and a real stick of sugar cane for stirring. We dared to ask what the “Witch Doctor” was expecting an explanation, but within moments, we had an oversized bubbling and smoking concoction served up starring us in the face. It’s more of a conversation piece than anything as we notice the tables around us shortly began ordering the same for their wicked pleasure. As we began scanning the menu, our eyes quickly stopped on the Bayou Seafood Platter. It arrived shortly in an iced down platter heaping with fresh Main lobster, citrus poached shrimp, king crab legs, fanny bay oyster shooters soaking in a shot glass of vodka and hot sauce. This truly is a meal in itself for seafood lovers. Next to our delight we sampled their Lobster Bisque filled with Main lobster and topped with a creamed apple salad. An artful presentation as well as a vacation for taste buds. We had a few moments until main dishes arrived. Being able to stare out at the city lights in Sin City is one of the most enchanting opportunities you’ll experience; it’s truly like nowhere else. It wasn’t long before the rest of our meal arrived. Being from cattle country, we felt it was our duty and honor all the same to sample the beef in Vegas. So, being lovers of surf and turf, we went for the VooDoo “Ménage A Trios” a 6oz premium petite filet, half cold-water lobster tail and grilled Mexican white shrimp. The side we chose to compliment was the Ragout of morels, asparagus, fingerling and bacon. The other choice was the 14 oz Rio Signature Prime New York sharing the plate with a 1/2-pound of Alaskan King Crab Legs and we chose the Cajun shoestring fries to tag along. Not that we needed it, but we decided too we couldn’t resist the Truffle Mac and cheese… to share of course. Being able to be honest, we must say the steaks were an excellent choice with the filet and king crab legs winning the crown, or in Vegas, should maybe say Championship Belt. With the meal winding down and our leftovers packed up and ready to go for us, we were surprised by Adrian, our server, with a huge smile holding our very own Trio Mini Desserts. This included Black and White Mousse Verine, Strawberry Tiramisu, and a Coconut Fried Tart…. the perfect size of each guaranteed to please everyone at your table.
Penn & Teller
Rio
http://www.pennandteller.com/
Considered the most eccentric and off-beat magicians in Las Vegas as well as the world, Penn and Teller have been performing together since 1975 and we got the chance to see them during this trip. Their constantly creative, innovative shows are an absolute delight to watch and by the end of the performance, we almost felt like they were good friends of ours. This is a crowd pleaser for all ages with the perfect mix of comedy and amazing magic. They certainly put their own spin on magic by showing you the tricks of the trade for some parts, but then astonishing you with other tricks that you’ll never be able to figure out. A true Vegas classic and perfect for any occasion or group!
Nove Italiano
Palms Casino Resort
http://www.palms.com/dining/las-vegas-nove-italiano-restaurant/
We were excited to visit the elegant Nove Italiano in Palms Casino Resort for our last meal of the trip. Located in The Palms, Nove Italiano features classic Italian fare with contemporary accents, including a selection of seafood crudos, freshly made pastas, bistecca florentina and fresh fish prepared by Executive Chef Geno Bernardo. The dazzling atmosphere is anchored by dramatic handcrafted LED Swarovski chandeliers and again, the view of Las Vegas from the windows is breathtaking.
We arrived at Nove around 6 pm and were graciously escorted to our table with a beautiful view of the city. The sun was still up, so we were able to enjoy the view of the mountain range that surrounds Vegas. Our service was incredible. Several of the staff arrived at our table immediately to make certain we were taken care of before questions were even asked. Extra settings were removed, water filled, napkins placed in our laps and an elegant basket of artisan bread including focaccia, ciabatta and a very unique garlic parmesan twisted breadstick with a nice crunch arrived at once. We were served a celebratory glass of champagne to start the night, followed by a rich glass of red wine from their wide selection. Next to arrive was a wide variety of appetizers, including a sampling of Italian cured meats, specialty cheese and crackers and a companato bruschetta. We noticed how much the fresh herbs made an impact on the breads and commented to the manager, who informed us that all their ingredients are custom selected fresh from local farmers markets. We continued to notice the difference it made with each dish that arrived. The next appetizer we got to experience was the Shrimp Francaise, labeled “The Best You Ever Had” and it truly was one of the best appetizers we’d experienced. It was comprised of jumbo shrimp in a light egg better, drizzled in a butter emulsion infused with lemon and basil. Be sure to save room to dip your bread in the leftover sauce like we did! The Nove Spaghetti was next, an eye-catching mixture of lobster, shrimp, crab, scallops and calamari nestled in a bed of black and white pasta covered in a light basil red sauce. It was marvelous, with just the right amount of spice.
The main course arrived shortly after, which was an off menu item just in for the season: baby Kona Kampichi, which is very similar to yellow tail, and was fabulous. We enjoyed the moment as our server, Cesar, explained the fish and delicately removed each filet from the bone and placed on our plate for us to enjoy. It was truly unique and a must try for those who enjoy a dish from the surf. We almost didn’t want to write about it because it’s likely you won’t be able to order it any other season. But don’t worry, we’re confident this wonderful restaurant will plenty of other delicious specials for you to experience!
After the meal we sat a moment longer as we enjoyed watching the daytime sun fade into a sparkling sea of city lights. We were pleasantly surprised with our window having a custom fireplace. It gave a subtle glow as we continued to look past into the depth of the city. Just as we felt lost in the city lights, we were graced with a Nove classic, their strawberry canola served with our own personal “stuff your own” cream pouch and countless toppings including, but not limited to, chocolate slivers, caramel sauce, toffee and nuts. A perfect way to end a perfect meal. As we left, we were again stunned by the elegant yet modern oversized crystal chandeliers. As darkness fell, they began to jump out yet compliment the grandiose room and its magnificent view. Nove Italiano is recommended for a quiet, impressive dinner with your significant other or, in our case, a good friend!
Tips for our Readers Visiting Las Vegas
–A city block in Vegas is much farther than you’d believe so plan accordingly with your time and attire. Plan to carry a tote and pack some comfy shoes just in case.
–We suggest choosing a show in the same casino as your meal. Most meals in Vegas take several hours, as they like to entertain you as well. This way you do not have to be in a rush and we noticed later in the evening, there tends to be lines for cabs.
–We suggest if you are traveling on a budget or if you just want to keep some of your dollars local, hit up the grocery store before you leave and grab some snacks and a bottle of your favorite beverage. In Vegas you can walk around with drinks so it’s smart to make a roadie, virgin or a splash of sin.
–Make sure you break down your larger bills into $1s …You will need them for tips, as everyone in Vegas deserves, and certainly expects, at least ONE.
–If you like to gamble, make sure you don’t pass up Fremont Street in ‘old’ Las Vegas. The gambling is cheaper, you can easily walk to all of the casinos and it’s a fun experience as it’s quite different from the newer, slick and modern Strip. Buses are available to Fremont Street as well as, of course, cabs.
–Sleep in and don’t go out until later! There’s no reason to get up at 7 am in Las Vegas unless you want to be one of the first out to the pool! The nightlife doesn’t really get started until midnight or so, so expect to be up until four or five am if you’re interested in that. Our Vegas timeline was much different than our normal Lincoln timeline (dinner at 8 or 9 pm versus 5 or 6, shows at 10 pm and nightlife after that).