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Plant-Based Eating in Las Vegas

Sharon Palmer

Check out Sharon Palmer’s guide to plant-based eating in Las Vegas. 

I spent the weekend in Las Vegas as an extension of a presentation I was invited to make at the Food Service Systems Management Education Council conference. I had an amazing experience sampling all of the plant-based menu options in Vegas, so follow along with my best bites.

Greening the Desert

On the drive out from LA, we passed by the solar electric generating system in the desert. Quite impressive. With so much sunshine and wide open space, it’s a natural energy fit.

Yucca Fries, China Poblano, Las Vegas

We had lunch at China Poblano, Jose Andres’ casual restaurant in the Cosmopolitan Hotel, which is a blend of authentic Mexican and Chinese foods and flavors. These yucca fries were such a fun start.

Happy Budha Vegetable Spring Rolls, China Poblano

There are lots of small plate options on the menu, so we shared some vegetable rolls, which were so fresh and crisp, filled with cucumber, carrots, jicama, mushrooms, and more.

Shenyang Squash Salad, China Poblano

This zen salad had chilled, thin slices of butternut squash, with daikon, and pickled wood ear mushrooms.

Joel Robuchon L’Atelier

As a very special treat, we made a visit to French chef Joel Robuchon’s L’Atelier. This is the second one we’ve been to; the first being the one in Paris. It was a very sophisticated meal to remember. Fabulously, they had a vegetarian and vegan menu, which made it great to find plant-based options. We decided upon the chef’s tasting menu.

Joel Robuchon L’Atelier

My first course was a bright chilled carrot soup with microgreens. So pretty!

Joel Robuchon L’Atelier

This was one of my favorite courses: three types of lotus root (those are pickled in hibiscus flower in the bottom) with avocado pearls and a tiny mini zucchini with the flower. A miracle!

Joel Robuchon L’Atelier

Here we have a cauliflower risotto with radishes and pea flowers.

Joel Robuchon L’Atelier

Smoked tofu, with crispy kale and baby bok choy—so savory and delicious!

Joel Robuchon L’Atelier

My dessert was this smooth and silky crème with berries and gold (it was vegan, too).

VegeNation

It was also really fun stopping by the hot spot VegeNation, which I have been hearing fabulous things about. This plant-based restaurant has fresh, hip, delicious food, in a thought-provoking space.

Buffalo Cauliflower, VegeNation

We started with this amazing Buffalo Cauliflower. You know I’m obsessed with this dish, and order it whenever I find it on the menu. It didn’t disappoint.

Dumplings, VegeNation

There were so many delicious dishes on the menu, it was hard to decide on one thing. These little savory dumplings—filled with shitake and mushrooms—were fabulous.

Out of Africa, VegeNation

We also tasted the African yam stew, which was a sweet-spicy blend of yams, okra, peanuts, and chickpeas. Fabulous!

Thai Curry Vegetable Bowl, VegeNation

Comfort in a bowl, with this vegetable curry in a coconut broth.

Veggie Burger, VegeNation

We sampled their housemade burger, with black beans, walnuts, mushrooms and toppings.

VegeNation

Love the motto here!

VegeNation

Chalkboards abound at this hotspot—even in the restroom.

Harvest, Las Vegas

For our last dinner in Vegas, we stopped at Harvest, which is an elegant, farm to table restaurant at the Bellagio Hotel. We started with their baked naan, which was served with a beet green pesto.

Salad, Harvest

Talk about fresh from the farm. What a gorgeous salad, filled with beets, radishes, and greens and a wonderful olive oil.

Mushroom Grain Risotto, Harvest

This entrée was so hearty and satisfying—filled with wheat kernels and savory mushrooms.

Foodservice Systems Management Education Council Meeting

It was a true pleasure meeting the members of FSMEC during my presentation on culinary inspiration for plant-based menu strategies. An inspirational group helping to further improve the healthful offerings in foodservice systems.

For more plant-based eating guides, check out:

Plant-Based Eating in Walla Walla, WA
Plant-Based Eating in the Big Island, Hawaii
Plant-Based Eating in New York City
Plant-Based Eating in Austin

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