Vegan Eats: Putting the VEG in Vegas!

Kansas City BBQ.
A fresh Maine lobster and clam “chowdah.”
Jambalaya from a N’awlins kitchen.
These are just some of the foods I’ve turned down as a plant-loving vegetarian.
At home, I enjoy experimenting with unique recipes and tasting vegetables I once deemed “weird” (seriously, guys, go try fennel. It’s awesome). I also know all the good veg restaurants in my city, including a mom-and-pop Mexican joint that creates mouthwatering vegan tamales as soon as I walk in the door.
I can honestly say that 99 percent of the time, I don’t really feel like I’m missing out on anything because I choose not to eat meat.
The one percent of wistful longing, however, occurs when I’m traveling. Being a vegetarian on the road sucks sometimes, especially if you’re in a city with a signature dish. I once traveled to Philadelphia and stood in line for two hours so my traveling companion could chow down on a real Philly cheesesteak. What did I get out of the deal? Half a basket of greasy fries and a mushed protein bar procured from the bottom of my purse. As my friend moaned in complete bliss (“Dude, you are missing out.”), I pouted a little. Why couldn’t I have such a gastronomic experience on my travels?
But that’s all changing, friends. As interest in the vegetarian and vegan lifestyle grows, so have the menu offerings in many hot destinations. Believe it or not, there’s a whole world (literally!) of plant-based goodness, just waiting to be consumed. At the forefront of this trend is Las Vegas.
Yes. I said Las Vegas. Sin City wants you to eat more vegetables.
I recently went to Vegas with my partner, Neil, for a luxurious vacation after racing a half Ironman in nearby St. George, Utah. These post-race vacations typically involve lots of eating (LOTS of eating), but this time it was different—I didn’t just eat whatever salad was on the menu, “no chicken, please.” This time, I got to have a few gastronomic experiences of my own.

Ronald’s Donuts

Vegan donuts. YOU GUYS. VEGAN DONUTS. I’m not even going to try to use words to describe how happy these made me, because I couldn’t form words in the donut shop, only giggles and rapid clapping like a drunken seal. Yes, it’s about a two-mile walk off the strip, but totally worth it. Use the exercise to justify the consumption of another donut. Or four.

Julian Serrano

Though we dined at Julian Serrano in the stark daylight of 2 p.m., I have to say this place was one of the best dates we had in Vegas. There’s something about the tapas experience—small plates, eating with your hands, tiny but explosive flavors—that lends itself so well to romance. Every plate was fresh and playful, and their use of molecular gastronomy was impressive, yet unpretentious. Try the asparagus, pan tomate and vegetable paella.

Border Grill

This modern Mexican joint in the Mandalay Bay not only offers up plant-based goodness, it celebrates it! Grab a table on Border Grill’s patio and nosh on fresh guacamole while you peruse their special Meatless Monday menu. Don’t miss the quinoa fritters and green corn tamales—both offer bold, unique flavors. Gluten-free? There’s a menu for that, too! When you order, specify whether you’d like your dish to be made vegetarian or vegan—all of their meatless dishes can be prepared either way.

Ferraro’s

Though Ferraro’s is legendary for serving up the best osso bucco in the city, the head chef of this family-owned Italian restaurant came to our table to talk plants. Chef Mimmo has perfected several vegan dishes, including Farro Vedure Stufate e Fagoli, a delicious spin on risotto with farro grain, cannellini beans and sautéed greens. If you’re staying at the Hard Rock Hotel, venture across the street for good eats.

Shibuya

I still have dreams about this Japanese restaurant in the MGM Grand. Though I’ve had vegan sushi before, I’ve never had a full tasting menu. Shibuya offers just that—a full plant-based tasting menu, each course better than the last. The Warm Japanese Mushroom Salad was so savory, even my steak-loving dining companion couldn’t help but admit it was one of the best things he had eaten. Also check out the edamame, chilled tofu salad and the largest sake menu on this side of the Pacific.

Botero

After becoming a vegan, Wynn and Encore owner Steve Wynn mandated all restaurants in his properties offer a vegan menu for plant-based patrons. I’m not talking one vegan item—each restaurant, from the small cafes to the high-end dining experiences, offer a whole vegan menu. Put on your fancy dress and head to Botero in the Encore. The fine-dining vegan menu changes with the seasons to offer the freshest tastes, but one thing is for certain: you won’t be eating a boring old salad. In addition to a fantastic spring onion-curry soup with crispy spinach, I dined on a mock-chicken entrée, rice flour penne, and broccoli with sun-dried tomatoes. Though I thought I was too full to take another bite, I somehow managed to inhale the dessert placed in front of me – a blueberry-ginger tart with lemon sorbet!

To answer your question: Yes, my pants still fit after my Vegas vacay…barely. Thank goodness I’m back home, where I can burn off the calories on my bike and fantasize about my next trip…
What other destinations have you discovered as a gastronomic adventure for vegetarians and vegans? —Susan