Anne Explores Los Angeles
  • Anne Explores LA
  • Essential Los Angeles Restaurants
  • Where Chefs Eat in Los Angeles
  • Best Tacos in Los Angeles
  • Historic Los Angeles Restaurants
  • Essential San Fernando Valley Restaurants

  Anne Explores LA (and Beyond) 
Los Angeles native doing LA like a tourist
-A Travel + Food Blog- 


Las Vegas for Food & Nature Lovers

12/8/2017

0 Comments

 
I usually dread the thought of visiting Las Vegas. I've been wanting to visit Death Valley for a very long while and wasn't going to wait around for anyone to join me any longer. My stepmom was tired of me talking about it and gave me the push to finally go. I decided to go at it solo.  Traveling solo isn't anything new to me. I love the freedom of not having to compromise for anyone. I've traveled solo for a while now starting when I would visit Europe for work and extend trips before or after to visit a new place. I would meet plenty of people traveling solo along the way which made me feel more confident about it. I met a girl from France many years ago at an airport in the Philippines who told me she traveled the world solo. I thought to myself that one day I'd like to do the same.
Picture
The Zzyxx Rd sign. This sign made me laugh as a child and still puts a smile on my face.
Picture

Seven Magic Mountains

Just after a 3-hour drive from Los Angeles, I arrived at the site of Seven Magic Mountains about 20 minutes before reaching Las Vegas.
Picture
Ugo Rondinone's Seven Magic Mountains art installation outside Las Vegas.
Picture
Tuna, scallop, uni

Kaiseki Yuzu

For my first meal upon arrival I chose Kaiseki Yuzu. The chef has 15 years experience as a kaiseki chef in Japan. You'll have to make the reservation 3 days in advance to experience it so he has enough time to source ingredients. For lunch, I made a special request to serve me omakase. 
Picture
Comforting soup of mixed seafood and vegetables
Picture
Tempura with nuts. I was told to place the sponge soaked in sauce on top of the tempura.
Picture
Sushi roll and assorted nigiri
Picture
To finish the omakase, a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Picture

Pink Box Doughnuts

Part of my short tour was trying their local donuts. I stopped by Pink Box Doughnuts to try a donut. They recommened their version of the cronut.  I ordered a maple cronut. Satisfying, but not quite like the original version by Dominque Ansel.
Picture
Bartender's choice of craft beer.

​Khoury's Fine Wine & Spirits

I stopped by to check out Khoury's selection of drinks. They had some unique craft beer offerings that don't get distribution in Los Angeles. They also had a display of different vintages of Pappy Van Winkle. After some browsing of the craft beer in stock, I did a tasting of their recommend craft beer on tap at their tasting counter.
Picture
I can't help but to think of what just happened in October whenever I passed the Mandalay Bay. I heard that they're having trouble filling their rooms now.
Picture

Thunderbird

I walked into my room for the next couple days and was surprised. It was not what I expected for $22 a night without the $28 resort fee. It was a very clean and modern looking room.  There were some scuffs on the door, but the room felt clean. The bed was firm and comfortable. The blanket wasn't thick enough even with the blanket I brought so I had to turn on the heater. A great option in Downtown (Arts District) for budget travelers who just need a clean room to sleep in at  night. I loved not having to make the long walks from a parking structure to my room. The artwalk is in the area. Velveteen Rabbit, the best cocktail bar is close to the hotel. For beer lovers, there Atomic Liquors and some local breweries just a short drive away.
Picture
Have Knives, Will Travel: Craft cocktail out of barrel. Rittenhouse Rye, calvados, demerara, cherry bark vanilla, Angosturra bitters.

Sparrow + Wolf

I wanted something different for dinner and the place that stood out was Sparrow + Wolf, the highly anticipated restaurant from chef Brian Howard. I made it in for happy hour and was informed that the items are the best of the menu at a discount. The food was inventive and reminded me of the food scene in Los Angeles.  The cocktails were outstanding. My server at the bar was Andrew. He was very attentive and made my experience dining wonderful.
PictureUdon - lamb ragu, taggiasche olives, mint

Picture
Hearth baked bread , cultured butter, sea salt
Picture
Hamachi , miso shmaltz, Meyer lemon, grilled scallion, lychee, rice cracker.
Picture
I asked Andrew to make me whatever he'd like. This cocktail was made with absinthe with added smoke added to nose and taste.
Picture

Sweets Raku

For dessert, I head to Sweets Raku for their set menu of desserts. It's best to sit at the bar and if you're not picky, ask for recommendations.
Picture
ichigo
Picture
crème brûlée
Picture

Death Valley National Park

At around 8 am we headed to Death Valley. I booked tour group online instead of driving out solo.  It was a small group. A couple from Hong Kong and another one from New York City.
Picture
A bad accident we had to pass on the road.
Picture
Picture
Dante's Peak - the wind chill was so bad that my fingers were in pain and so were my ears.
Picture
Zabrieski's Point
Picture
Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes
Picture
Devil's Golf Course
Picture
Picture

Downtown Las Vegas

I headed to Downtown to checkout the Fremont Experience and also grab a bite. As walked over to the main drag I spotted a White Castle. I had a limited amount of time before "the show" started, so I walked in for my first ever White Castle restaurant experience. Back home, it's a guilty pleasure of mine. I first tried White Castle at a pop up on Sunset Boulevard when the movie came out. I've been hooked since. I buy it frozen at the grocery store and pop it in the microwave oven for a snack or light meal.  After White Castle, I headed to the Fremont Experience. It was such a waste of time. It's like CityWalk in Los Angeles and very touristy. You've got a cheesier Strip experience in Downtown. I was better off heading to a Downtown bar or nicer restaurant.
Picture
Ugh. The site of tourists. LOL.
Picture
Picture
Hong Kong Yacht Club: Vodka, lemon, mandarin, lemongrass, longan, 5 spice bitters, soda. Longganisa empanadas: Filipino-style longganisa, green olive, egg, roasted red pepper, chili vinegar crema.

Starboard Tack

Since I had the three mini sliders at White Castle, I head to Starboard Tack for drink and to try their longanisa empanadas. None of the cooks or owners are Filipino, but they were inspired by the Philippines with their islander themed bar and added a couple items on the menu, and are serving dessert from Magnolia Ice Cream of the Philippines. I was told that this is one of the very best bars in Las Vegas along with Velveteen Rabbit and Herbs & Rye.
Picture

Grand Canyon National Park

I left the Thunderbird at 4:30 am and headed out to meet my group tour bus at 5 am to make the 4.5 hour drive to Grand Canyon National Park.  We spent only an hour at the Grand Canyon before heading back to Vegas with a quick stop over to Hoover Dam. Not a fan of group tours. I am a fan of not having to drive down there myself. I slept most of the way through.
Picture
Hoover Dam
Picture
Picture
Ikageso kushi age (fried calamari)

Kyara Izakaya

​For my last meal before hitting the road, I chose another Japanese restaurant visited by local top chefs after work. Vegas chefs (Sparrow + Wolf, Black Sheep, Joël Robuchon) are fans of this izakaya. A food writer described Kyara as "the love child of Ichiza and Raku." I would visit this place on a regular basis because of their extensive menu of popular and esoteric Japanese food. It's also an affordable option in Vegas catering to locals. ​
Picture
hotate kushi (grilled scallops)
Picture
Kushi Mori (assorted skewers) - shoniku / negima / butabara shishito / shiitake / tamanegi / tomato
Picture
Gobo (burdock) chips
Picture
Oysters of the day from Washington State: Goose Point and Shigoku
Picture
Grilled shishamo filled with roe
Picture
Matcha affogato. Not many housemade desserts on the menu. There was only the tofu mousse.
On this trip, I discovered that I don't hate Las Vegas as much as I thought I did -- as long as I experienced it on my own terms. 

The locals are kind and there is a lot more to Las Vegas than the Strip. A long time ago, I met a local bartender who told me why he enjoys living in Las Vegas. It's something I hear all the time. The cost of living and being close to nature. People are able to buy property which is something that is no longer attainable for many people living in Los Angeles.

If you enjoy nature, there are many beautiful places to visit such as Red Rock Canyon and the more local favorite -- Valley of the Fire State Park.  For me, it was being able to visit two national parks back-to-back as day trips; both places that attract people to visit the US from around the world.

I much enjoyed my stay in Las Vegas avoiding the Strip and avoiding the kind of people that the Vegas Strip typically attracts. The whole Vegas Strip scene feels cheap, dirty, and full of skanky people.  Even the locals told me to stay far away from that Strip as possible for a better experience.
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Hello, I'm Anne.

    I was born and raised in Los Angeles, and I love exploring Los Angeles like a tourist. I have as much fun in my hometown as I do traveling in another country. I live to eat (good food) and travel!

    I hope my adventures will inspire you to travel, eat well, and live life without any regrets.

    Categories

    All
    Albuquerque
    Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest
    Anthony Bourdain
    Arizona
    Asador Etxebarri
    Baja California
    Bakersfield
    Best Barbecue In LA
    Best Filipino Restaurants
    Big Sur
    Bodie Ghost Town
    Cabo San Lucas
    Ceviche In Los Angeles
    Chai Thung
    Channel Islands
    Charleston
    Crawford's
    Desert Cities
    Eastern Sierra
    East Jesus
    Ensenada
    Essential Portland
    Essential Restaurants In Los Angeles
    Essential Restaurants In Manila
    Essential Restaurants In The San Fernando Valley
    Fall Foliage
    Fallingwater
    Filipino Food
    Filipino Restaurants In LA
    Fried Chicken
    Guerneville
    Healdsburg
    Here's Looking At You
    Highway 395 For Fall Foliage
    Idyllwild
    Japanese Cuisine
    June Lake Loop
    Kentucky
    La Michoacana
    L'Antica Pizzeria Da Michele
    LA Rose Cafe
    Los Angeles Public Libraries
    Louisville
    Maestro Restaurant
    Majordōmo
    Marshall
    Mazatlan
    Mexico City
    Mi Ranchito Veracruz
    Must Try Filipino Dishes
    New Mexico
    Northern California Road Trip
    Orcutt Ranch
    Palm Desert
    Palm Springs
    Paso Robles
    Pennsylvania
    Pizza
    Puerto Vallarta
    Redbird
    Road Trips
    Salton Sea
    Salvation Mountain
    San Francisco
    San Rafael
    Santa Cruz
    Santa Fe
    Schulman's Grove
    Slab City
    Snapshots
    Sonora Pass
    Sushi
    Texas
    Tijuana
    Utah
    Valle De Guadalupe
    Virginia
    West Virginia
    Where Chefs Eat In Los Angeles
    Yosemite National Park

    Archives

    January 2023
    October 2022
    August 2022
    October 2021
    April 2021
    October 2020
    September 2020
    May 2020
    January 2020
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    April 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    October 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    April 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    October 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2014

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Anne Explores LA
  • Essential Los Angeles Restaurants
  • Where Chefs Eat in Los Angeles
  • Best Tacos in Los Angeles
  • Historic Los Angeles Restaurants
  • Essential San Fernando Valley Restaurants