Industry Insiders Dish on Their Favorite Vegas Dining Spots

Aside from the normal business conversations at the annual ICSC RECon, it seems like the two most asked questions during the conference are “Where are you staying?” and “Where did you go  dinner?” This second question is the most important to me because I love hearing food ‘stories’. To help me plan my one “escape meal” during RECon, I asked some of my foodie friends about their favorites.

John Crossman, President of Crossman & Company, is always sharing some great sushi restaurants on his Instagram account. He said his favorite sushi in Vegas is the Uni and Sea Urchin at Sushi Roku at The Forum Shops at Caesars. His other favorite restaurant is Lotus of Siam, which has a nondescript location in a strip center and is also the winner of a James Beard Award --- and is on my personal Vegas restaurant bucket list.

Our Vice President of National Accounts and Retention, Mike Conway, recommends the guacamole at Javiers at the Aria. He also enjoys the Chicken Wings at Gilley’s Saloon at Treasure Island. Fred Reynolds, our Phillip Edison’s Director of Redevelopment loves the Gigot d’Agneau (roasted leg of lamb) at “America’s Best Chef” Thomas Keller’s Bouchon at The Venetian. I have had the pleasure of dining at Keller’s French Laundry restaurant, and this entrée is now on “my list”. 

Tim O’Connell, the Assistant Vice President of Corporate Branding and Communications at RPAI makes it a point to have the Black Alaskan Cod with Miso and Rock Shrimp Tempura with spicy ponzu at Nobu at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, which has become a RECon tradition for us and our marketing network. 

Stuart Shapiro, Phillips Edison’s Regional Vice President of Leasing usually visits Piero’s for their chicken parmesan or osso buco on Saturday night before the show. He says that this restaurant, which is off the strip, is where the movie Casino was filmed and is a classic Vegas establishment.  Stuart’s favorite steakhouse is STK at Cosmopolitan. He says they have great food and really fun environment.

My Las Vegas friend, Wendy Albert, the Senior Director of Marketing for Miracle Mile Shops, is my go-to foodie. For fine dining, she recommends the signature menu at Guy Savoy. You can’t go wrong with this chef with three Michelin Stars! Their 10-course meal with amuse-bouche in between each course and the bread, cheese and dessert cart add to the experience. One of my RECon food goals is to try one of her casual food recommendations which include:

• District One Kitchen & Bar – Pho Tai Rib Eye in spicy broth (with veggies added)
• Nora’s Italian Cuisine – Crazy Alfredo (fettucine alfredo with chicken, sausage, shrimp, porcini mushrooms, roasted bell peppers, sun dried tomatoes and jalapenos)
• Yardbird – Fried Chicken

The last time I was in Vegas, my UBER driver recommended Gordon Ramsay Fish & Chips at The Linq. Their fish and natural sea salt chips, served “dirty” with truffles, parmesan and chives with a side of Sriacha Aioli Sauce, was amazing - delicious for quick dining. Other Vegas favorites of mine include the Karaage Chicken bun at David Chang’s Momofuku at Cosmopolitan, and the olives stuffed with anchovy and piquillo and ‘Ferran Adria’ liquid olives at Jose Andres’ Jaleo at The Cosmopolitan. To end the show, a quick stop at Shake Shack tops off my trip.

So it’s off to Las Vegas I go with fork in hand. Follow me (@goodfoodieutah) on Instagram to share your love of food. I would love to hear your favorites to add to my growing food bucket list. See you in Vegas!