Sincerely, anywhere I have to travel for work, after I get the necessary elements squared away for all the work needs, the next thing I am doing is checking out where I want to eat! Have I mentioned… I love food?!
Well lucky for me, one of the aerospace conferences I attend has been held in Vegas for a few years (and I am going to be VERY upset when/if they move it) so the foodie in me gets super excited about the post-work extra-curricular food fun that can be had!
Initially I’d planned on going out a day or 2 early just to take in more restaurants… but alas my schedule just didn’t allow it so I had to make the most of the time I had… and boy oh boy I did!
Let me share with you my faves from this latest Vegas extravaganza… (but let me also say shame on me I wasn’t think of this blog when eating so I didn’t do a great job of pictures… I will work to continue to improve on that!)
Stanton Social Prime
Last year when I was in Vegas for this conference I saw signs inside Caesars that this place was “coming soon” and I literally happy danced. (Had I been anywhere else people would have looked at me funny but since I was in Vegas no one even bat an eye. Lol!)
Stanton Social was my favorite restaurant in NYC but sadly it closed during pandemic. It’s a Chris Santos creation and I’m a huge fan of his. The NYC version was a small plates concept for food and every time I went I was obsessed with all of it!
I looked up what the Prime meant because that element was new and it said that in addition to the small plates it would also have prime steaks. Yum!!
Needless to say when I found out it was indeed open this trip I booked a table!!!
The restaurant has a very chill but refined vibe to it. When my friend and I were seated the server came by immediately and was very friendly. The cocktail list is superb. We each selected a cocktail and perused the menu in general.
My friend knew I was excited about this restaurant and allowed for me to order for us… challenge was there were so many things I wanted to have but there were only 2 of us!
The absolute given that we had to have were the French onion soup dumplings. If I’d had to pick one thing that I considered to be the signature dish of the Stanton Social in NYC, it would have been this so of course I ordered this… and it did not disappoint.
These flavor bombs covered in ooey gooey cheese are sincerely one of my favorite things I’ve ever eaten anywhere! I could have eaten the whole serving but I politely held back and only devoured my half.
Next up I ordered the black truffle ribeye cheesesteak sliders which I also remembered from my visit to the original location. DELISH!!!! Melt in your mouth good. And then to give us some balance with a veggie we had the miso-glazed crispy eggplant which honestly was so tasty I could have eaten it all.
The service was fantastic - attentive but not overbearing. The noise level was low which is great for conversation.
If you are in Vegas - definitely don’t miss visiting here! Your taste buds will thank you!
https://www.caesars.com/caesars-palace/restaurants/stanton-social-prime
Bugsy & Meyers Steakhouse
One evening a group of us had show tickets for an event in the Flamingo. We knew we’d be tight on time between the conference and the show likely so I knew we couldn’t venture too far. Luckily there’s a fantastic steakhouse right in the Flamingo - Bugsy & Meyers. I’d been there before so knew it was a solid choice but upon a bit of investigation I was excited to learn that a speakeasy had opened as part of this establishment called The Count Room. I’m a big fan of speakeasy concepts so I asked for our group to be seated in there. We were in luck and got in!
They had the full regular restaurant menu which was perfect for us because we were all hoping to get a good steak (and yes, it is great steak!) but loved the more private venue and the ambiance that went with it!
They have a great selection of food and a wonderful wine list. I highly recommend this venue for the food and the atmosphere.
https://www.caesars.com/flamingo-las-vegas/restaurants/bugsy-and-meyers
Beauty & Essex
Ever had to walk through a pawn shop to get to a restaurant? Well that’s the entrance to Beauty & Essex which is another of Chris Santos’s restaurants. (And yes it is a working pawn shop!)
This one too started in NYC and I had visited the OG but this would be my first time to visit the Vegas one. Another small plates concept I knew it would be a fun evening for a group of friends. To me, sharing foods is such a great way to spend time and it’s always a great conversation piece.
Also, the entry is a great conversation started as was apparent as our group met up to go to dinner and was surprised by the pawn shop. (We did all love that there was some Star Wars items available for sale!)
Once inside the actual restaurant - Very hip decor and the energy is vibrant. There is a great wine and cocktail list as well as scotches and bourbons galore!
The menu has so many options it may be difficult to select what you want to have so having a bunch of people and everyone selecting an option is a great way to try a variety of things.
One thing you MUST get – the grilled cheese, smoked bacon, and tomato soup dumplings. Beyond DELISH comfort food that is served in an elevated fashion.
Our group had a blast at this restaurant. I was the only one who had been there previously but I can tell you that everyone who was part of our party will visit again in the future!
Might I suggest you signup for Tao Rewards if you are going to visit here and definitely make a reservation – a place like this is always busy!
https://taogroup.com/venues/beauty-essex-las-vegas/
While I know there are TONS of out of this world amazing food options in Las Vegas, these are 3 you definitely will find are worth checking out next time you visit! And say hi to the awesome folks at the Pawn Shop at Beauty & Essex even if you don’t eat there – they are absolutely stellar!
