Brief, jam-packed trips to Las Vegas are our specialty and our most recent visit was just as memorable as our numerous adventures over the years. When in Las Vegas, no matter how long you plan to stay, it’s a must to see a show and try a new dining experience. Staying true to this formula, we spent our valuable leisure time doing exactly that!
Britney: Piece of Me | Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino
www.caesars.com/planet-hollywood | (855) 234-7469
Planet Hollywood shows are notorious for featuring the biggest names in the entertainment industry, and mega pop star Britney Spears is the latest to bring her talents and extraordinary showmanship to the stage. In her first year as a Las Vegas headliner, Britney: Piece of Me has become the Vegas strip’s hottest show and we were definitely first in line to get in on a piece of the action!
While Britney performs all her infectious dance songs, as well as tracks from her latest album, her show isn’t simply a recreation of her memorable music videos. Instead, her intense performances are way more electrifying in person with stunning costumes and impressive sets that boldly transition from scenes that are dreamlike and glamourous to ones that are edgy and daring.
With state-of-the-art light and sound effects, the venue has a nightclub feel and transforms itself many times through the different acts of the show from a beautiful winter wonderland (our personal favorite!) to an explosion of color to a dark, sultry number. The Axis in Planet Hollywood houses the world’s largest indoor projection screen, resulting in an explosive theatrical experience that launches the show well past merely being a great concert. Britney: Piece of Me is a sexy, action-packed Vegas show from start to finish but as barely anyone in attendance remained seated for the show, be prepared to dance the night away!
Table 10 | Located at The Palazzo
www.emerilsrestaurants.com/table-10 | (702) 607-6363
Table 10 is a charming mix between casual and fine dining, with a noticeable nod to the New Orleans roots of legendary chef and restaurateur Emeril Lagasse. Located inside The Venetian’s Grand Canal Shoppes at The Palazzo, Table 10 is a breath of fresh air with a classic sidewalk café that moves into a dining area featuring contemporary industrial décor with a splash of color. The menu highlights a variety of modern American cuisine as well as options for culinary favorites inspired by the Big Easy.
Table 10’s menu highlights a relatively newer tasting option, where you pick four items to try at a great price point with an option for an added wine pairing. We chose the Chicken & Andouille Sausage Gumbo, Emeril’s New Orleans BBQ Shrimp, Candied North Country Farms Bacon, and Emeril’s Banana Cream Pie. While everything was delicious, we were especially impressed by an entire dish composed of bacon— between the thickness and flavor we’ve never tried anything like this before and it was amazing! We ordered a few additional items that we just couldn’t resist trying, including the Beet Salad and the Whole Lobster. These were both equally impressive in presentation and taste, with vibrant colors and good-sized portions true to Table 10’s style. Take it from someone in our party who loves beets—“this is hands-down the best dish incorporating beets that I’ve ever tried, it’s delightful!” As far as the lobster, it’s a full two pounds of the steamy, rich delicacy that’s presented ready-to-eat with none of the messy work to worry about in getting to the good stuff. Overall, Table 10 really shined with its rich flavors, easygoing atmosphere, and reasonable pricing.
Carmine’s | Located at The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace
www.carminesvegas.com | (702) 473-9700
Carmine’s is a southern Italian family-style restaurant that has locations spanning the upper east coast all the way to the Bahamas and most recently, Las Vegas in 2013. The restaurant concept is designed to bring guests “wow factor”sized portions (which makes it a perfect fit for Las Vegas, where everything is over the top!) combined with a warm, inviting atmosphere that makes any meal feel like an opulent Italian
American wedding feast. Perfect for large groups, Carmine’s boasts an impressive 27,000 sq. ft. restaurant that features nine private dining
rooms. While the sheer size may seem overwhelming, once you get situated there’s an intimate ambiance that sets Carmine’s apart as
a place where you can take a break from fast-paced Las Vegas to slow down and enjoy each other’s company as well as plenty of delicious fare.
As a group of six we ordered a variety of items, but in retrospect we could have dialed that down as we really didn’t grasp the generous size of the portions until they were right in front of us (take it from us, they are enormous!). However, on the other hand, if we had it all to do over again it would have been a hard decision as to which ones we would have excluded—the dishes were all a big hit! This included the Calamari, the biggest heaping plate of Antipasto Salad that we’ve ever laid eyes on, Shrimp Scampi, Chicken Marsala, a Pasta Platter that combined four different items, and for dessert, a unique flourless torte with fresh mixed fruit, vanilla and chocolate ice cream, and topped with fresh whipped cream. All of the dishes were served tableside and our service throughout the entire meal was exceptional. Our group thoroughly enjoyed sharing this memorable dining experience together at Carmine’s, and our only piece of advice is to plan your day or evening around a food coma because you won’t be able to resist taking those extra “few” bites! In fact, we’ve already decided that we must return specifically for the salad and dessert—which says a lot as these usually aren’t the dishes that stand out but they really are that incredible!
Yet again Las Vegas has shown us a great time, which isn’t surprising at all. Albeit a brief stay, we covered the staples of incredible dining and world-class entertainment and couldn’t be happier with our choices in those areas. We’ll come back soon Vegas, that’s for sure!