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Foodie Survival Guide to NAB

Babette • April 9, 2010 •

Covering NAB (the National Association of Broadcasters) is hard work, and you’re bound to get hungry amid all the great sessions and exhibits.

So if you’re heading to Las Vegas April 10-15, check out the not-so-obvious restaurant and bar picks curated by the BakeSpace.com community.

While it’s packed with great meal, snack and bar suggestions, this guide is by no means a definitive list for all things food-related in Vegas. So please feel free to add your own suggestions (simply post a comment) to let the rest of us know where to go, what to order, and why.

And because you’ll be on the run during NAB, don’t forget to download and print your own pocket guide version of the NAB Foodie Survival Guide.

Breakfast

EURO STYLE: BOUCHON (Venetian) – Cute French place, great decor & order the Boudin Blanc
BUFFET: WYNN – Get the Fluffy French Toast
LATE RISERS (BRUNCH): MESA GRILL (Ceasers) – You will love the Blueberry coffee cake & SIMON (Palms) – if you’re still there on Sunday, they have a great Rock & Roll Brunch – PJs allowed
ROOM SERVICE: WYNN – order the Eggs Benedict

Lunch

STRIP BURGER – Blue Cheese Burger w/Bacon
BLT BURGER (Mirage) – Turkey Burger
SILK ROAD (Vdara Hotel in City Center) - Mini Burgers – dress is more business casual
PAMPAS (Planet H) – Try the garlic fries w/ aoli from the calamari appetizer
CAPRIOTI - try the Bobby sandwich (they have many locations on in Vegas)
OLIVES (Bellagio) – Todd English’s restaurant. Mediterranean type food, open lunch and dinner.

Dinner

THE COUNTRY CLUB (Wynn) : If you’ve got business to do
FLEUR DE LYS (Mandalay Bay): If you can afford it.
MON AMI GABI (Paris): Super romantic!
FIREFLY (The Plaza, Downtown) – Tapas & a great view
SUSHI ROKU (Ceasers Forum Shops) – Great sashimi, but also try the popcorn rock shrimp tempura with spicy miso glaze
POSTRIO’S (The Venetian) – New concept menu, nice atmosphere, order the Bass
NORA’S ITALIAN CUISINE: LOCAL SECRET – Baked Ziti or Frutti de Mare (off the strip)

Drinks

LIFE CHANGING: BESO (City Center) – The fruit-flavored martinis are super fresh!
MAKE AN IMPRESSION: PARASOL (Wynn) - Order the Asian Equation Cocktail
WEIRD, BUT GOOD: DOUBLE DOWN SALOON - Try the Ass Juice Cocktail (yes, it’s real)
ALL YOU CAN DRINK: BATTISTA’S HOLE IN THE WALL - Order house wine with dinner & free refills

Old School

BATTISTA’S HOLE IN THE WALL: Bacon wrapped turkey & lamb drizzled w/ balsamic vinegar
BINIONS’ CAFE: Burgers & Bean Soup w/Cornbread 24/7
PEPPERMILL FIRESIDE: Order a Scorpion & breakfast 24/7 – Celebrity central. There is free parking in front. Breakfast is awesome, but late night at the Fireside bar inside is killer!
GOLDEN GATE HOTEL (Fremont Street, across from Union Plaza) – Order the shrimp cocktail

Late Night

HOT WINGS: HOOTERS – .25 cent hot wings after 1 am
GIRLS & HANGOVER FOOD: THE HARD ROCK
CROWD PLEASER: FIRST FOOD (Palazzo) – Mojito Lamb Chops to Tortilla Soup
WOOD FIRE PIZZA: STRATTA (Wynn)
CELEBRITY HANGOUT: PEPPERMILL FIRESIDE is a must!

Treats

CUPCAKES: RETRO BAKERY – Butterscotch Cupcakes are worth the 18 mile drive to North West Vegas (closes at 6pm, but they deliver!)
ICE CREAM: SERENDIPITY 3 (Caesars)- $9 Frozen Hot Chocolate & ENOTECA SAN MARCO (Venetian) Gelato
DESSERT: FIREFLY TAPAS KITCHEN – Banana-Nutella Sandwiches, RARE 120 (Hard Rock) – dessert sampler
CHOCOLATE: FRANCOIS PAYARD CHOCOLATIER (Caesars) -truffles & STRIP HOUSE (Planet Hollywood) – order the 24 layer chocolate cake
PASTRIES & COFFEE: JEAN-PHILIPPE MAURY PATISSERIE (Bellagio)

Off the Strip

GET DIRTY: ELLIS ISLAND BBQ – Ribs $ 2 beer
SEAFOOD: HOT N JUICY CRAWFISH (off Spring Mountain near Jones) – for all those that love crawfish, shrimp, and crab New Orleans Cajun style, this place is a MUST! This place is an “eat with your hands – no utensils or plates” type of place. Also try the cornmeal & fried catfish.
BREAKFAST: HASH HOUSE A GO GO – Any hash or scramble (coffee also good)
THE OMELET HOUSE (Charleston/Rancho) – Heard from @TheStripPodcast that the drive is “totally worth it for the hot pumpkin bread.” Also, they have killer soups!
LOW CARB BREAKFAST: JAMMS RESTAURANT (closes at 3 pm)
NORA’S ITALIAN CUISINE: LOCAL SECRET – Baked Ziti or Frutti de Mare (off the strip)
INTERNATIONAL: RAKU (Japanese), LOTUS OF SIAM (Thai – lunch until 2 pm) and we highly recommend to make a reservation, NAMASTE INDIAN CUISINE – (Great buffet under $10, but ends at 3 pm)

Eating at the Conference?
Brad Dick, Editorial Director at Broadcast Engineering suggests, “The food at the convention center rates average. Breakfast selections are often better than lunch, and it’s less busy. I prefer the International Food Market in the South Hall to Banners. If the weather is nice, you might try the outside barbecue.”

Download our “Pocket Guide to NAB Food“

Special thanks to…

To all our friends, fans and members who helped us put together this list… thank you!
@cmpartygirl, @wordymouth, @inhabitdesigns, @bellyitch, @joscarson, @katmanalac, @fearlessbean, @shetakesthecake, @datatv, @RetroBakery, @Cheap_eats, @MrsWheelbarrow, @requinn, @darlakrusee, @keeponrunnin, @fieldsofcake, @MiaCucina. @dinnerwithdavid, @KatManalac, @wrapstar, @christine426, @alanajoy, @ddh77, @abbiebassett, @mrtraincom, @courmetfury, @startupdotcom, @whynnlasvegas, @thestrippodcast, @cirena, @robmader, @tastinglasvegas, C.McAllister, C. Godinez, H. Hilton, J. Martin, D. Mendoza, M. Milliren, G. Witham & J. Conlin.