Cafe Gelato

When you've been eating a lot of junk food, inevitably, your body is craving something healthy.

Luckily, there are several cafes inside the hotel, and it's easy to get something yummy and healthy.

Got a Chia Bowl (que the Ch-Ch-Cha-Chia song)

It has kiwi, mango, flaxseed, shredded coconut, blueberries, over a bed of chia pudding and cocoa nib.  It all mixed together is pretty good.  Not to mention filling.  It is actually a lot for breakfast and to be honest, I wasn't hungry for a good long while.  Then again, we're in Vegas, lots of walking to walk it all off. 

Cafe Gelato

inside Bellagio Hotel

3600 S. Las Vegas Blvd

Las Vegas, NV 89109

https://bellagio.mgmresorts.com/en/restaurants/quick-eats.html

 

The Lock - Speakeasy

We heard alot about speakeasies in Vegas....

... and thank you Instagram listening, they recommended The Lock.  It seems to be one of the more 'true' speakeasy.

Well, I don't know about you, but when you see a giant door with a key on it, it's pretty big clue, right?!

Don't know if you can see it, but on the side, there's a phone.  As everywhere in Vegas, you need to have a reservation.  You pick up the phone and let them know you've arrived, then the mystery door will open.

Once inside, you get to a room full of safes and keys.  Yes, very on the nose.

The hanging keys reminded me very much of Harry Potter where they need to find the right key.  But here, you just have to solve a few puzzle, put together the code, and you can unlock the safe that takes you to the bar. 

There's a 2 drinks minimum.  Drink #1 has to be from this menu, on the QR code.  That's a little disappointing because what they have listed here is more limited than what they have to offer at the bigger bar outside.  

This drink was the Citrus Mango Mocktail - it was too sugary for my taste. 

Then Drink #2 you check off these questions, and the mixologist will whip up something according to what you put on there. 

Now that one is much better.  Maybe because the mixologist is in the mood to be creative.  Or maybe she just have a formula for the stuff I checked off.  I'm not sure, but the 2nd drink was definitely way more delicious than the first one.  That was true for all the drinks in our party.

Had to show this one, it's actually really dark there, but this one actually shimmers.  It tastes align to that of a French 75m but never seen it green before.  This glass is suppose to be a bird, and the cucumber is the tail, and you get a shot glass for it.  

The table has various kinds of games to kill time.  And the servers do check on us occasionally and for the right amount of check-ins.  The whole place has like maybe 10 tables.  Most of the tables against the walls are table for 2, and bigger parties gets the middle.  I would say the largest, sitting together comfortably would be 6-8.  

The whole place does not have a door.  There might be paintings, and they might be doors, but you have to keep your eyes peeled for that. A reservation is a must here, since their seating are limited.

Let's say you didn't have a reservation, but wanted a decent drink.  Their outer bar has funky decorations of oddities and curiosities.  There are bar stools, and cozy tables for bigger parties.  So, even if you don't get in to the speakeasy, the outer bar is just as good.  That said, they also offer Mixology Classe in the afternoon, in case you're looking for something to do.  

The bar is located inside Horseshoe hotel, walk towards the back, there's a set of escalators that goes to their food court.  There's also an arcade across the way and gift shops, the path they have there can get you to Paris Hotel next door. 

The Lock

inside Horseshoe Hotel

3645 S Las Vegas Blvd

Las Vegas, NV 89109

https://thelocklv.com/

 

Milk Bar

Kept walking by Milk Bar, and I'm weak, so we had to stop.

Was just telling my friends about how Christina Tosi documentary on Netflix and how she had her start.

But first, let's look at the offerings... the case might look slim but those are actually for show.  They actually sell the cookies in individually packaged cookies.  They do bake some on-site, but alot of them are pre-made a brought in.

What she is known for is the Crack-pie.  So named because when she served it during her time in restaurant as a dessert chef, she only had a few ingredients, and made this pie.  To which, everyone was eating it and it was so good that they wanted more, and in passing said this is like crack.  

However, few years later, I think people were thinking there's real crack in there, and they had to change its name.  They now dub Milk Bar Pie.  Now, should you really want to try it, there's 2 ways, one you can order from their site, they do ship nationally.  The other is that you can try that recipe yourself.  You can find her recipe on Bon Appétit or there are the Pie and more recipe on their website.

In case you're not sure where they are.  Just find the Momofuku, Milk is typically next to one.  Whether in Vegas or NY.  

Milk Bar

inside Cosmopolitan Hotel

3708 Las Vegas Blvd S

Las Vegas, NV 89109

702-698-2662

https://milkbarstore.com/

 

Beauty & Essex

Wandering around Cosmo in Vegas?  Go up to the third floor, there are a couple secret restaurants. 

One of them is Beauty & Essex.  On the onset, it looks like a fancy pawn shop.  It does have some guitars, jewelry, and some records.

As you check-in, you have to go to the secret door to do that.  

Not a very good picture, but here's a Garnet Gimlet - which is strawberry, basil, lime and ginger ale.  Very good mocktail for Dry January.

For starter, this is Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup.  I have to say, whoever invented this dish, bravo!  It's something we all know and love.  They have it with light toast, good cheese and some bacon on top, soaked in the tomato soup.  The entire bite, and yes, each spoonful is just one bite, is full, flavorful, and delectable.  Whoever put this on the menu, they are geniuses.  They know theVegas types likes to be bougie, but also brought some homey to the mix. 

Next up! We were saying that we're lacking some veggie, so in come a salad.  Didn't expect it to be this huge pile of greens and what-nots but it was a very nice surprise.  It has pancetta, pecan, goat cheese, kale, slices of apple, cranberries.  It was like a circus act trying to grab a mini pile without this big pile falling over.  But once we do, it was yummy.  Highly recommend. 

Then, we got the scallop in brown butter sauce, apple slaw on top, the scallop, butternut squash puree as base, little mushrooms.  The idea was to take entire thing in one bite to take in all the flavors.  But I'd say this one fell short compares to the other dishes. 

In the spirit of having more veggies, we got some broccolini.  It has some chili crisp on top, which makes it spicier than my liking.  

Now, the truffle Mac & Cheese is a whole different story.  It is so good that I want to marry it.  Not necessary because of the truffle oil that they used, which by the way, for extra $25 they can shave real truffle on anything you want.  But the noodles, truffle butter, and 3 kinds of cheeses.  So yes, it's all nice, ooey and gooey.  That's a MUST GET!

As all good Vegas' places goes, reservation is key.  Since we are 2 hours behind, that makes our dinner time a tad earlier than the locals.  That's to our advantage because getting an early reservation is very easy to do.   We had an excellent server, very aware of our party size, the dishes best serve for how many people, how many bites.  On top of that, she was great at keeping the energy.  That made our night super fun.

Beauty & Essex

inside Cosmopolitan Hotel

3708 Las Vegas Blvd S.

Las Vegas, NV 89109

702-737-0707

https://taogroup.com/venues/beauty-essex-las-vegas/

 

Bar Centro

After you walk around a bunch, you probably want to rest your feet some.

We decided to sit down and grab some coffee.

Besides pastry and coffee, they do have a full bar and other food as well. 

It's great after a day of shopping to grab a snack.  Got the palmier dipped in chocolate, I mean, who doesn't like that?!

Also grabbed a cup of Ginger Spice Chai for the afternoon pick-me-up.

Totally did not know but this is also ran by Jose Andres, no wonder the bites and drinks are not the run of the mill cafe type.  It is delicious and our feet thanked us for giving them a break.

Bar Centro

inside Shops at Crystals 

3720 Las Vegas Blvd

Las Vegas, NV 89158

https://www.thebazaar.com/location/the-bazaar-bar-centro-las-vegas-nv/

 

Ding Tai Fung - Vegas

Went back to Ding Tai Fung for lunch in Vegas.

It was weird this time that when we arrived, whether you have a reservation or not, they make you go to the big line, then they have a staff that filter and checks you in and send you to another area to wait.

While you wait, you can watch them make your dumplings. 

Got the honey lemonade, it was zingy-er than I expected.  But it's a good drink to start.

We got the Crab & Pork Xiao Long Bao to start.  Pretty delicious with good crab essence, just wish more soup comes out of the dumplings. 

Then we got shrimp and pork shui mai. It is definitely more flavorful than the XLB.

Got some green beans with garlic.  Being super healthy in a trip of over-indulgence. 

We got the Veggie fried rice there's bits of mushroom in there.  Nice balance. 

For dessert, we got the red bean buns, nice and warm and delicious.  Great way to close out lunch.

Tip for here, just as I said before, anything worth going will need a reservation.  We booked ahead of time and we get in front of the walk-ins.  That serves well especially right at the opening time.  Also, if you're not familiar with the casino, be sure to arrive early to find the place.  This is somewhat hidden on the casino floor just be sure you have extra time. 

Ding Tai Fung

inside Aria

3730 Las Vegas Blvd

Las Vegas, NV 89158

https://dtf.com/en

 

Tea Lounge at Waldorf Astoria

 We went back to Waldorf for tea, of course, we were back for the view.

I will say, they move the lounge while the true lounge is being worked on, but the view is not too shabby.

 And it's $64 per person and everyone gets their own pot of tea.  The beauty of that is that you each order a pot and you can share to taste other tea. 

Tea set is just as pretty.  It came with jam, clotted cream, and lemon curd. 

Tea set is presented in this tier holder. 

You have the savory sandwiches tier.

The Scone Tier - there is a plain scone and blueberry scones, so nice and warm.  Goes well with the clotted cream. 

and dessert tier - there are pecan tart, peppermint dome, gingerbread macaron, and eggnog choux.

There are salmon sandwich with marble rye and mayo.  Curry Chicken Salad, and Egg Gougere in a puff pastry.

Of course we have to have our Prochetta with multi-grain bread and mayo.

It is such a nice set. Obviously make a reservation, there are 3 seating times and each of those times have 3 time slots, so you got many options.

 I will say since they are borrowing the bar, the seating is not just exclusive to the tea lounge.  But the servers still tries for an excellent service.  As you arrive, you just go up to the 23rd floor and that's where the tea is. 

Tea Lounge at Waldorf Astoria

3752 Las Vegas Blvd

Las Vegas, NV 89158

https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/laswdwa-waldorf-astoria-las-vegas/dining/

Le Thai

 When in Vegas, I'd like to go downtown.  It's very kitsh, stereotypical Vegas there.

But that's where they still have alot of the neon signs.  Mind you, the Neon Museum's bone yard is not far, should you have time to do a side trip off Strip. 

It's been 4 years since I've been to Le Thai.  But true to all good places in Vegas, a reservation guarantees an easier in, than walk-up.

First off, we got the Chicken Skin, I think we all liked the sauce and it's truly more like chicken meat chunk with skin, than chicken skin by itself.  

Then we got the Papaya Salad, it's green papaya (not the orange one you have in mind).  It comes with peanuts, Thai chili, carrot, tomato, lime.  It came with a little sticky rice.  You can opt to make it a tad more spicy with a kick, but it's still good either way.  The texture is nice and crunchy. 

We also got the Awesome Flat Noodle with tofu, it has green scallion, noodles, bean sprouts, and stir fry them together.  

Of course we got their famous Short Rib Fried Rice.  It is so flavorful, the meat is top notch, it's no wonder this dish is the best seller in the shop.  So much so that they have T-shirts and Baseball cap for sell. 

We also got the 3 color curry, it's a blend of red, yellow, and green curry, that way it's not too spicy, but has enough flavor.  Of course, I love my curry over rice, it was soooo good.  We added chicken for some protein.  It was delicious.

The place is located right outside of Fremont Street, so before and after meal, you can take a walk, watch the Fremont Street acts, and the light show.  The place is lively no matter if you are in it or right outside of it. 

As mentioned before, having a reservation makes life easier for all food worth having in Vegas.  I will say, this shop, does do confirm, and re-confirm.  That does tell you that they're so popular that they want to make sure the tables are available when you get there.  So don't ignore the texts the day of, when they ask you to re-confirm. 

Le Thai

523 Fremont St

Las Vegas, NV 89101

702-778-0888

https://lethaivegas.com/