KIWI-TINI @ tommy bahama’s
Town Square Las Vegas
Is it possible to visit Las Vegas and not indulge in food and drink? As foodies, we LOVE Vegas. This past weekend we dined at the BEST of the BEST – Alain Ducasse, Pierre Gagnier, and Joel Robuchon among others. We were obviously leaning French this trip! Is there a city where one can find so many of the world’s top chefs? It’s Vegas, baby!
In addition to dining at the crème de la crème, how about some just plain ol’ fun? On the patio at Tommy Bahama’s…in the open air bar at Mon Ami Gabi with views of the strip…relaxing on the couches at Morels with their unmatched cheese bar…high atop the strip at Mix with views from the 64th floor…and at Red Square where we contemplated purchasing the requisite bottle of vodka, to don fur coats and enjoy the beverage in the vodka vault at minus 5 degrees. Alas, as we had dinner reservations later that night at Joel Robuchon at 9 PM, so we sipped a glass of Veuve instead. Maybe next time?
To make a Tommy Bahama Kiwi-tini:
- 2 parts White Sand Rum
- 1/2 Kiwi
- 1 part simple syrup
- 1 part pineapple juice
Slice a wheel from the kiwi for garnish. Peel the remaining fruit, then place in a blender for 3 seconds only (any longer and the seeds will grind). Put all ingredients into a shaker with ice. Shake 20 times and pour into martini glass. Garnish with kiwi wheel.
…and to accompany the kiwi-tini…
Crispy coconut encrusted jumbo shrimp, papaya-mango chutney, Asian slaw
Fresh Ahi tuna, soy and sesame oil layered with guacamole, flatbread and tortilla strips
Cheers!
After enjoying a cocktail at Tommy Bahama’s restaurant, you can visit the Tommy Bahama Store under the same roof. What’s Vegas without a little shopping spree too? Don picked up some jaunty shirts while Kristy surprised me with a gift of adorable cast iron pineapple place card holders! Thanks Kristy!
FRENCH MARTINI @ mon ami gabi
Paris Las Vegas Hotel and Casino
I am going to share a best kept secret, it’s the front bar at Mon Ami Gabi. Guests wait for well over an hour for a table in the front of the restaurant, overlooking The Strip and the world-renowned Bellagio Fountains. You enter the restaurant through the casino, where the hostess asks your seating preference – if you prefer a table in the front room your name will be added to the list. BUT, you can simply walk through the restaurant to the front bar, and there may be seats there…no one tells you this. In fact, every time we go we get an immediate seat at the bar. And it is the place to be for people watching,view of the fountains, it’s great fun and full of energy!
View of Caesar’s Palace from our seats at the front bar.
- 1 part Grey Goose Citron Vodka
- 1/2 part Chambord Black Raspberry Liqueur
- 2 parts Pineapple Juice
- Champagne
- Lemon Zest or Black Raspberries
Shake vodka, Chambord, and juice with ice. Strain into martini glass, top with a splash of Champagne. Garnish with lemon zest or raspberries.
Ooh La La!
BLOODY MARY @ mon ami gabi
Paris Las Vegas Hotel and Casino
The bartender pours your choice of vodka over ice and sends you off to the Bloody Mary Bar.
To make my Vegas Bloody Mary:
- Belvedere vodka
- Chilled tomato juice
- Fresh grated horseradish
- Worcestershire sauce
- Cholula hot sauce
- Celery salt
Garnish
- Large Pickle
- Jalapenõ stuffed olive
On a skewer
- baby corn
- pickled green bean
- green olive
- pickled asparagus
- caper berry
- pepperoncini
Now that you’ve had your vegetables, be sure to try their Frites as a bar snack!
FRENCH PRESS ILLY COFFEE @ silk road
Vdara Hotel & Spa, City Center
TIME FOR BREAKFAST
On the suggestion of our new friends Meg & Chuck, whom we met while dining at Twist, my brother Don, sister-in-law Kristy, and I enjoyed a delightful breakfast at Silk Road. From the eclectic contemporary decor to the French Press Illy Coffee to the innovate and refreshing breakfast menu by Chef Martin Heierling, Silk Road is our new choice over any hotel coffee shop or breakfast buffet.
Ham & Cheese Beignets
Eggs, Eggs, Eggs
Silk Road’s Signature Breakfast Dish
Poached, Fried & Scrambled Eggs with Bacon, Spinach and Garnishes
Morning Sliders
Grilled Tenderloin, Tomato Confit, Fried Egg, Vermont Cheddar & Bacon on Brioche Buns
WINE & CHEESE @ morel’s french steakhouse & bistro
The Palazzo
Relax in the lounge and try the marinated olives and a cheese platter.
Morels cheese platter is served with fig & nut bread, honeycomb, and date & walnut cake.
RED WINE & CHOCOLATE @ mix
Mandalay Bay THEhotel
CHOCOLATE/PRALINE BUSH
salty caramel mousse, feuilletine pralines
Mix has the city’s best views of the Strip, located on the 64th floor at the top of THEhotel. Mix is the vision of Alain Ducasse, the restaurant features contemporary and classic French and American dishes, as well as signature dishes from his restaurants in Paris and Monte Carlo. (more from Mandalay Bay here)
Adjacent to Mix Restaurant is the Mix Lounge…
dancing and balconies with awesome views of The Strip.
VEUVE CLICQUOT & VODKA @ red square
Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino
The 25 foot long bar is made of ice to keep your vodka well-chilled…
Wow, what a trip! Looks like one of the best places for foodies, for sure! I have actually never been to Las Vegas, but I sure need to go! Great post.
You have just confirmed what I have always thought about Vegas…….way over the top delicious!! I would love to go!!!
Wonderful photos..my mom moved 2 years ago to Vegas, and she having the time of her life.
I just hope to go and visit soon!
Hi Sandra – my mom just retired and is moving there in a few months too!
LL
Wow!!! You have some absolutely gorgeous photos!!! Looks like an amazing trip! I agree, Vegas is foodie heaven!
That looks like my kind of weekend! We ran away to Christmas for Vegas a couple of years ago- it was insanely over the top. I think my favourite was Joel Robuchon- the petit fours trolley there is out of this world- for a vicarious glimpse- there’s a photo and some descriptions here http://www.eat-tori.com/2008/12/christmas-in-vegas.html
It always annoys me when people put down Vegas. It is so much more than gambling. The food is spectacular, the shows are a delight and it’s such fun to sightsee.
Leave it to Tommy Bahama’s to come up with this divine kiwi drink!
It was fun imbibing with you at 9 a.m. I try to not make that a habit but there are exceptions. But I enjoyed the egg sliders very much so feel a wee bit virtuous that my morning is not all alcohol.
Love love love this post!! Vegas is so much fun 🙂 And I loved seeing the French Martini!
I very much enjoyed the Bellagio the last time I was there – the cafe by the pool is fab!
I missed seeing you in SF this weekend and said so on my blog…however, it looks like you didn’t miss us all that much! What delicious looking drinks and food.
We were tickled pink to see such amazing photos of the Vegas Bloody Mary featuring a pickle garnish! You were mentioned on Twitter and Facebook with our compliments for a great post!