Double Down Saloon | 4640 Paradise Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89169
Tony and compatriot Michael Ruhlman begin their Hunter S Thompson fever dream with a Schlitz and “ass juice” at “The Happiest Place on Earth.”
Bouchon at the Venetian | 3355 S Las Vegas Blvd #10101, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Bourdain and Ruhlman eat at Thomas Keller’s Vegas outpost, sampling the likes of house-marinated olives, Rillettes aux Deux Saumons (salmon rillettes), beignets de brandade de morue, chicken, and steak frites—containing French fries that Tony is envious of.
Nathan’s Famous at New York New York | 3790 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Tony orders a hot dog to try to enjoy fake New York.
Beauty Bar | 517 Fremont St, Las Vegas, NV 89101
Cocktail & a manicure
Peppermill Fireside Lounge | 2985 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Tony and crew stop by for enormous “soccerball-sized” Scorpion cocktails as well as a selection of apps, including nachos and what looks like either mozzarella sticks or chicken tenders.
Mesa Grill at Caesar’s Palace | 3570 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Having been critical of Bobby Flay, Bourdain and Ruhlman swing by his restaurant in Vegas and end up enjoying themselves and the food. Well, minus the smoked chicken and black bean quesadilla. Also had: Bobby Flay’s signature tuna tartare, roasted garlic and tiger shrimp tamale, and, of course, steak.
Mermaid Lounge | 3333 Blue Diamond Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89139
A drink and a dancing mermaid show.
Wynn Buffet | 3131 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Since he’s writing about buffets but doesn’t want to go to one, Tony orders a buffet’s-worth of room service. Included in his order are spaghetti Bolognese, Hainanese chicken rice, kung pao chicken, Maine lobster, baked Alaska, buffalo chicken wings, and creamed spinach.
Mermaid’s Casino | 32 East Fremont Street, Las Vegas, Nevada 89101
*CLOSED* Tony swings by for 99-cent deep-fried Twinkies and Oreos and regrets it afterwards. As of 2016, however, you will not be able to feel that same regret.
Ryan Travels and Eats 