Where to Eat and Drink in Vegas for G2E

Aside from, "Hey, when are you going to pay me back that $20?", the question I get asked more than nearly anything else, is where to eat and drink in Vegas. For those about to descend upon our quaint, tiny village, I've provided a rather loquacious review of some of my favorite spots, both on and off Strip. To those making their annual, or semi-regular visit, what are some of your go-to places when you're in town?

Bavette’s – Park MGM – With nearly any style of food, there will often be a consensus among Las Vegans for the best version of that food, for better or worse. Steakhouses do seem to be one of the only food/restaurant types that we are generally split on. The Steakhouse at Circus Circus, Barry’s Prime, and Golden Steer often get named as the best. However, for myself, and many of my close friends, our consensus lies with Bavette's, which is just stunningly decorated with a warm and professional staff to boot. Even though this steakhouse originated in Chicago, it feels classic Vegas through and through. Recommended dishes – 20 oz. Dry-Aged Bone-In Ribeye – Best steak in Vegas Smoked Salmon Caesar – I was not expecting this to be as good as it is, with acid, umami, fat, salt, and bitterness perfectly playing off each other, a true sleeper on the menu 10 oz. Double Wagyu Cheeseburger – The three of us who tried this last time agreed this may be the best burger around…anywhere?

Izakaya Tora – (~1 mile southeast of Venetian) – I recently came here with no expectations, and was pleasantly surprised at the selection of dishes, sake, and the prices. The Japanese mesquite used on the grill makes the yakitori stand out immensely. Still relatively new, finding a spot isn’t too hard…yet, so get in before word spreads too much. Recommended dishes – Toro Tartare – The most innovative take on tuna tartare I’ve seen in some time, with the toro’s high fat content providing a silky texture and flavor bomb Pork Belly with Fennel Pollen Yakitori – Italy meets Japan in this out-of-left field crowd favorite Miso Corn Ribs – Save the sauce aka liquid gold for dipping

Cleaver – (~1 mile southeast of Venetian) – Conveniently in the same plaza as Izakaya Tora, this sister restaurant to Herbs & Rye allows us eastsiders the same steaks and chops without having the cross the Las Vegas Strip. The prices have gone up quite a bit, the happy hour specials aren’t what they used to be, but hey, the place still slaps. If that’s not enough, they were just named best U.S. Restaurant bar at Tales of the Cocktail. Recommended dishes – Tomahawk Ribeye – Unfortunately not available for Happy Hour pricing, but the best steak on the menu Spicy Mussels – About as perfect a starter as you can get Steak Tartare - Also no longer available for HH pricing :( Parmesan, mustard, shallots, truffle oil come together on yet another fantastically balanced dish that even without HH, won't break the bank. Shoutout to my great friend Aaron Kessler for reminding me I somehow left this out.

Recommended cocktails – Pina Verde – I can’t stress how much I loathe Green Chartreuse. This is perhaps the only cocktail with it I enjoy, and damn is this a good one Porn Star – Vodka, Vanilla, Passion Fruit, Lime, and Champagne come together in this vodka-based Martini riff. Rumored to have been the most ordered cocktail in the United Kingdom during 2018, just one sip and it’s easy to understand why Polynesian Pearl Diver – A classic tiki drink made with two rums, honey, butter, and other goodness straight from the Tiki Gods

Esther’s Kitchen – (Arts District ~4 miles north of Venetian) – My friends reading this are probably smirking, knowing there was no way Esther’s wasn’t going to make an appearance on this list. There really isn’t more I can say that review after review hasn’t already. Seasonal Italian (not a red sauce joint), pasta made fresh to order, great cocktails from some of the best bartenders around, and world-class service from Chef James Trees. During Covid, the man opened his doors as soon as he could, baking dozens of loaves of bread every day, and allowing those in the community to grab them at no charge, all while keeping his staff employed. Recommended dishes - Bucatini Nero (or whatever Nero pasta is available) – Squid ink, anchovy, olives, and Sungold tomatoes give this dish a unique brininess perfectly balanced with acid from the tomatoes Charcuterie Board – Best in town Lamb Sausage Pizza – It just works, and it works so, so well

Recommended cocktail - Gaspari - This refined take on a Paper Plane goes well with an amazing night out, in addition to nearly everything on the menu

China Mama – Chinatown (2 miles west of Venetian) - Minus the understandable wait times, China Mama just always manages to put a smile on my face. It is somewhat a greatest hits of Sichuan food along with dishes for those mainly familiar with Americanized Chinese dishes. A great spot for those unfamiliar and looking to explore regional Chinese food, as well those who want a more “authentic” culinary experience, but perhaps have party members not quite ready to take the foray into more hardcore Sichuan dishes. Recommended dishes - Wontons in Pepper Sauce – Come on, you’re in a Sichuan restaurant, how do you NOT order this? Fried Lamb with Cumin – Yes, there are better versions in town, but it’s still soooo good. If you have never had lamb cooked with Sichuan spices, you are in for a real treat Mama’s Special Pan Fried Pork Buns – The pan fry provides a crisp laciness that is a textural delight Mapu Tofu – Perfect for vegetarians in your party

Black Sheep – Just to be clear, this requires a slight drive, 11 miles southwest to be exact, according to the Google. While those in the know of the Vegas restaurant scene are familiar with this Vietnamese-inspired spot from Chef Jamie Tran, it is more than understandable those traveling for a convention would not be aware. Cozy and meticulously designed, this spot punches way above its weight. Recommended dishes – Salmon Skin Tacos - A personal top 10 dish I’ve ever eaten, fried salmon skin serves as a shell that is filled with salmon belly tartare, peppers, micro cilantro, and tobiko. Grilled Octopus – With Octopus, for me, it’s 90% texture. Crisped rice served alongside a perfectly cooked tentacle makes this a dish you’d be doing yourself a disservice not ordering Braised Pork Jowl – The best pork jowl I’ve personally had outside of Thailand

Stay Tuned Burgers – (Inside Hard Hat Lounge, ~4 miles NW of Venetian) Bobby Meader started his pop-up smash burger concept during the Pandemic and has been crushing it ever since. A simple menu consisting of smash burgers (with a vegan option available) and tater tots. He takes pride with the in-house pickles, along with every single aspect of the burger making process. Sure, I may be biased as I’ve known Bobby since he was a server at Esther’s Kitchen years ago. However, myself, and countless others are so proud to see what this guy has done over the past few years, catapulting himself to the top of the local smash burger scene. Serving daily from noon-2am, it’s the perfect spot after your late-night mixer to soak up those 6 vodka-sodas you swore you weren’t going to have. Single Smash Burger w/Tater Tots – Bobby, you’ve created magic

Bagelmania – (~1 mile Northeast of Venetian) You won’t have to look far on a search for bagels/breakfast to find Bagelmania. If you ask most people in Vegas, the best local bagels tend to come from either here or Bagel Café, which is a far drive out in Summerlin. I’m going to go out and a limb and say this is the only place in the world where you can grab bagels and lox, amazing donuts (supplied by local outfit Pinkbox), a Dr. Brown’s Cel-Ray Soda, a cocktail with Hennessy & Manischewitz, all while playing video poker at their bar counter. Recommended dish – Grandall’s Foxy Loxy – Nova, tomato, red onion & capers; opt for chive cream cheese and untoasted pumpernickel bagel

Sugarcane – Venetian/Palazzo – If you have been to G2E, you know Sugarcane, whether you’ve actually been inside, or just walked by it 20 times each day you’re on the floor. Invited to a mixer a few years back here, I was surprised at just how consistent, high quality, and inexpensive (relatively speaking) the food was. A favorite spot for buyouts, if you can sneak in here at some point, give it a shot, you won’t be disappointed. Recommended dishes – Pig Ear and Papaya Salad; Duck and Waffle Recommended cocktail – Banana Rum Old Fashioned – The sum of its parts, a fun and inventive variation that I can’t wait to have again next week

Electra – Palazzo. For my friends who know my bougie cocktail ways, they’re probably surprised to see this. I don’t know why, but I just like this spot. The energy, the décor, the vibrant staff, and that crazy circular metal corner booth, it’s just fun, and a great spot to catch a primetime NFL game as well. Recommended drink – Disgruntled Mai Tai. The shot of Underberg takes this over the top, and is to me, hands down the best Mai Tai variation I’ve had outside of the original 1944 recipe

Liquid Diet – (Arts District ~4 miles north of Venetian) Arguably the hippest new cocktail bar in Vegas, boozehounds and cocktail snobs fill this small, tucked away joint in the Arts District. Recommended cocktails - The Horseradish shot, Vindaloo shot, Appletini (made with in-house Granny Smith cordial), and Key Lime Pandan

Downtown Cocktail Room – (~5 miles north of Venetian) Dark, sexy, a quintessential downtown lounge just a few feet? from the southeast corner of one of the most iconic Las Vegas cross streets, Las Vegas Blvd. and Fremont. A menu that changes somewhat regularly, with drinks varying in complexity as noted on their menu, will keep everyone from the novice to the cocktail aficionado delighted.