Finding two interesting and lively dining venues that mix people watching with great cuisine is in demand for diners who want to see if they can spot a celebrity or just someone sporting the trendiest Las Vegas outfit. Trevi Italian at Caesars Palace Resort and Casino and Tom’s Urban both have excellent dining spaces that allow for fabulous dining and the never boring entertaining pastime of Las Vegas people watching.

We began our quest to see both locations and started in the center of the Forum shops at Caesars Palace.  TREVI Italian restaurant is named after the Fontana di Trevi in Rome, one of the most famous fountains in the world. Legend holds that if visitors to the fountain throw a coin into the water, they are ensured a return trip to Rome. Looming statues of Neptune and Poseidon seemingly watch over the hundreds of visitors as they traverse through this iconic property. TREVI Italian Restaurant gives diners the option of dining AL Fresco around the fountain in a quaint courtyard atmosphere or finding their table within the elegant and classic dining venue.

Heirloom burrata with prosciutto

Located in the heart of The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace, TREVI Italian Restaurant serves up authentic and approachable Italian favorites with Executive Chef Jose Navarro at the helm. Looking over the menu we noticed their specialties feature an array of brick oven fired pizzas, including a deep-dish lasagna and Italian sausage and signature entrées and pasta selections that include chicken marsala, rigatoni Bolognese and many more.

 

We decided to explore many of the new menu items that Chef Jose Navarro has masterfully created. We began with Salmon Agnolotti Primavera on a bed of asparagus, peas, summer vegetables and citrus-mascarpone fondue.  The Steak Tagliata’s presentation on the plate was unique; this herb-marinated sirloin is accompanied by a crispy potato cake topped with arugula salad, rainbow carrots, and radish and lemon vinaigrette.  A favorite of ours was chef’s roasted chilean sea bass, served with corn-asparagus hash, rainbow carrot salad and corn nage. Of course for a real Italian experience one must try the chicken and spinach ravioli, made with San Marzano tomatoes, parmesan and micro basil to give you a real authentic Italian experience. For a big FINI we just had to indulge with TREVI’s house-made gelato, with a flavor for every occasion and season, made daily.

 

Chilean seabass

If in the mood for some summer libations, TREVI is the place to be. We sampled all of the new cocktails beginning with the Lemon Sorbettini, made with New Amsterdam Citron Vodka, sparkling wine and lemon sorbetto; then moving onto the Mela Mule made with Grandma’s Apple Pie Moonshine, Fever-Tree Ginger Beer, pomegranate juice and lemon juice. the Pineapple-Ginger Mojito composed of Bacardí Pineapple Rum, Reàl Ginger Syrup, pineapple juice, lime and mint and the Apple Blossom mixed with Grandma’s Apple Pie Moonshine, ginger ale, Bol’s Elderflower liqueur and fresh lime juice where all great choices for quenching  our thirst on this hot Vegas day.

 

Xiang Xiang crispy duck wings

Just a mile down the strip located at the NYNY is another great place for people watching while enjoying a great meal that is literally on the Las Vegas Strip. Tom’s Urban has rolled out their Summer menu just in time for the tourists to stay well fed and hydrated while braving the Las Vegas heat. Located right on Las Vegas Blvd. adjacent to the Team Mobile Arena, Tom’s Urban is the perfect place to “Eat, Drink and Screen” your way into the Las Vegas vibe.  We started with Xiang Xiang crispy duck wings with a hoisin glaze that combined spicy deeply flavored duck with the cooling accompaniment of Asian peanut slaw and side of crispy Brussels sprouts intermingled with a soy sauce based vinaigrette and red peppers. To cool and quench our thirst we tried the Tai Chi Chi , one of the coconut rum based cocktails made with RumHaven coconut water rum, lime juice, ginger syrup and a dash of bitters that doesn’t include any Chai but taste like it and better yet claims to have no calories and with the Prime Rib Philly Cheese Steak Au Jus coming up next we felt a little less guilty when this gastronomic wonder made it’s culinary entrance. This decadent sandwich should come with a warning that drowsiness may occur while trying to digest this popular menu item that touts ¾ of a pound of thinly sliced prime rib served “Philly” style topped with creamy havarti cheese and a judicious riddling of horseradish cream all stuffed into a buttered brioche bun alongside the warm demi-glace dipping sauce for mandatory dunking.

Prime Rib Philly Cheese Steak Au Jus

With a varied and interesting menu item and great happy hour menu offerings starting at 4 P.M. Monday through Friday and reverse happy hour 11-2 a.m. Sunday through Thursday along with daily brunch and T.V. screens that can be seen from every seat in the house, there is literally something for everyone at this unique dining space. For more information go to: www.tomsurban.com