Your First Meal in Vegas

You have traveled for hours, perhaps days. You have arrived via car, plane, and if your crazy, by foot. You have braved lines, traffic, jerks, and a taxicab ride that you swear added more grey hairs while you watched. Yes, you have braved much, and your journey is finally about to pay off. You have arrived in Las Vegas. Now that your travel is over, and you have tipped the belhop to bring your bags to your room, its time for only one thing: Food.

Rest at ease, as the Casino Snob guides you into the first of many meals you will enjoy during your stay in Vegas.

First off, while you are certainly STARVING at this point, do yourself and everyone around you a favor, and take a quick shower. Trust us, your companions, and the wait staff will thank you.

Now that you are all cleaned up, and you've put on some comfortable clothing, lets see what you're looking for in your first meal in Vegas.

Simplicity - You have endured much to arrive here, and the first thing you need to do is take a mental break. Deciding which kind of "flan" to have, or which skewer of meat to try first, should not even enter the equation. You need a straightforward meal, which incidentally, wont take a decade to prepare.

Stamina - If you are in for a long weekend, as most Vegas visitors are, you need to consider food that will provde you with good stamina. If you have never been, Vegas in three days takes five days of "mortal" time. You will be embarking on a tear of fun that needs to be properly fueled. You will want to look for a meal that is not too large, but provides some fat, some carbohydrates, some salt, and some protein.

Style - The first meal will be a memorable one. Try to choose a place that is different from home. We find its important to let go a little bit at the first meal, as it helps set your mind and body to Vegas time. Get yourself a nice drink, perhaps a local beer, or a cocktail, and be sure to sit back, relax and enjoy it. Now is the time to begin to soak in the feel of the town.

Savings - This is not the time to head to the fanciest place in town, and blow your money on a grand feast, thats for the end of your trip. For now, try to find something that fits your price range, and make sure it doesn't eat into your entertainment budget! At the same time, do remeber the style point. This is not the time to hit McDonald's, this is the time to welcome yourself to Vegas.

So.. where does the Casino Snob head?

There are several locales that we can recommend for your first meal in vegas. Note that the time you arrive will affect availability, and the price ranges of the locations listed vary, so decide what makes sense for you and your crew.

Victorian Room at the Barbary Coast -- We're fond of Chicken Fingers, fries and a vegetable. They provide you with a quick boost, and they lay the groundwork for the long weekend ahead. The Victorian Room is inexpensive, friendly, and most important: open 24 hours. While it may lack some style, no matter when you arrive, the Victorian Room can give you your first boost with a minimum of fuss.

Wolfgang Puck Bar and Grill at the MGM Grand -- Its american cuisine, but with a touch of style. Wether its the Italian Aausage and Sweet Onion Pizza, or its the Roasted Turkey and Brie with Honey Mustard, it will be a comfort food, but with a twist to make it a bit more interesting. While we reccommend eating light on the first meal, you may want to return for the Ricotta Gnocchi with Sweet Fennel Sausage Bolognese.

La Salsa at Luxor -- This little mexican grille will give you a tasty kick start to your time in Vegas. First off, get yourself a margarita here. And be sure to get the top shelf margarita. It will taste better, and the "margarita by the yard" is dumb. Drink in hand (or on table) its time to get some grub. We reccommend the fajitas (for 2) or the California Burrito (for 1). If you're a bit more daring.. try the Enchiladas Suizas, the salsa verde is tasty.

808 at Caesar's Palace -- This is for those of you who are looking for a closer-to-fine-dining experience as soon as you arrive. The food is polynesian in flavor, and the wine is excellent. If you like fish, we recoomend the Sesame Crusted Mahi Mahi, the ginger has a nice calming effect after a long trip. If you prefer your protein less oceanic, then you'll want to sample the Griled Hunan style Lamb Chops. We found the plum sauce to be surprising and delightful.

In the end, the best advice we have is to find a locale that is not too far from your accomodations, though don't feel it has to be a restaurant in your hotel complex. Be sure to aim for a fortifying meal, not too big, not too pricy, and with something a little different from your ordinary cuisine. Most importantly, take your time, have a drink, and soak in what will surely be the first of many enjoyable experiences you will have in Las Vegas.

July 30, 2006

Your First Meal in Vegas