I always do a bit of culinary research on a city before I visit, even if I’ve been there several times before… and Las Vegas is no exception. Vegas is the kind of town I can’t wait to visit, love the glitz and glamour for two days, and then I count down the minutes until I can cash out and fly home. This past trip I tried some exceptional places and these were my foodie faves.
Ferraro’s Ristorante is an off-strip family-owned treasure with a fabulous menu and friendly service. The Polpette (Homemade Italian Meatballs) were fork-tender and delish, and the Ferraro Salad with pistachios, sunflower seeds, shaved carrots, Parmigiano Reggiano, spring mix, and balsamic dressing hit big. The best dish on the menu however was the Branzino (Mediterranean Seabass). I went all in on the crunchy hazelnut crust, guanciale, butternut squash, tarragon, and white wine over delicious garlicky sautéed spinach. I’ve never tasted fish this tender in my life. This entree was five stars.
Miami Slice is located in the shiny new Fontainebleu Hotel. Known in South Florida for its insatiable fans that wait on huge lines at their OG location, this branch is yet undiscovered, but when you have an insider tip, you share. (You’re welcome!)
I went straight for the Leeks On Bacon Slice with garlic confit cream, mozzarella, tender leeks, and insanely crispy bacon. The result was a delicious triangle of salty umami perfection with a drizzle of olive oil and some curly shavings of parm. We’re talking serious jackpot material here.
I also sampled the La Salsera Slice because it looked gorgeous, but the heavy vodka sauce, red sauce, and ribbons of pesto completely drowned the bread. And with no cheese except a sprinkling of parm to offset the tang, sadly I found this a losing handheld. The classic Margherita De La Casa Slice was good, but nothing to write Miami about. I’m happy to stick on the LOB slice next time and not press my luck.
Komodo, another Miami transplant, is also located inside the Fontainebleu. The interior is moody with splashy red flower accents everywhere. It’s a great place to experience with great friends as you indulge your tastebuds sampling their trendy Asian menu.
After trying quite a few of their sharably outstanding savories like the super crispy Korean Fried Chicken with wasabi lemon pepper, hot honey and scallions, the incredibly addictive Wagyu Beef Dumplings with chili ponzu, and the silky Chilean Sea Bass with saikyo miso, the most magical item at Komodo was their Green Beans with sweet soy, and crispy shallots. Yep, you heard that right. A bean captured my soul and made me swoon. The glaze on those suckers was just divine.
The last stop on my Vegas adventure was Sushi Samba at The Venetian Resort. This Latin fusion spot serves exceptional food like their Green Bean Tempura, Grilled Spicy Shishito Peppers, and Tiger Maki with king crab, shrimp tempura, wasabi mayo, beetroot yogurt, and eel sauce.
But the most fun thing on the Sushi Samba menu was the cook your own Japanese Wagyu. This Kobe Ishiyaki dish offered fanned out tender slices of authentic Kobe beef with a myriad of dipping sauces to try and spices to sample. Two smoking hot stones were our shared cooktop. This platter was interactive, cool, and yummy all at once.
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