Carmines Las Vegas

Southwest Explorers appreciates the invitation to attend a blogger event sponsored by Carmine’s NYC at The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace.

Not only did I get to hang with some of my Las Vegas blogger peeps but I also received first-hand knowledge of a fabulous place to dine on the Las Vegas Strip that doesn’t cost a small fortune! {And it’s blogger-friendly with free Wi-Fi, electrical plugs, USB ports and extra charging cords at the bar!}

First, understand that Carmine’s NYC is a family-style restaurant. This means one plate of pasta will feed your entire family! {Okay, not really if your family is more than 10.}

Here is what I am talking about – one platter of pasta is about $30 which sounds like a lot until you realize that the platter will feed your table. Seriously… we had 8 hungry bloggers at our table and we were splitting leftovers to take home. Which by the way, if you want for them to hold yours while you shop… just ask.

This tradition started at their Washington DC restaurant located near the Verizon Center, which is home to the Wizards. You can’t take food into the center to watch the game so Carmine’s NYC decides to hold the food for their guest who dined with them prior to the game.

I loved the private meeting rooms with Wi-Fi, air walls, and flat-screen 52″ TVs for hosting meetings.

They have 4 unique areas within the restaurant that can hold seated events from 30 – 170 persons or a reception event from 30 – 300 persons.

Or, you can buy out the entire restaurant, which will seat 800 or hold 1,000 standing at reception.

Yes, this 28,000 square foot restaurant can hold almost any office party in town.

I missed this the first time I went to the restroom and had to go back with the girls to see {you know, because we travel to the bathroom in packs!}.

They use recycled wine bottle bottoms as part of the frame around the vanity mirrors.

Wine and a bathroom?!

What woman wouldn’t love that, am I right?

Oh wait… the bottles are empty!

Their cocktail menu had “fresh” tasting drinks and I can only report on the drink to the left, which was a variation of a Lemondrop.

I SWEAR the other drink is not mine and I was not double fisting drinks at the event. {For those who know me know that is true because I do not like cucumbers.}

Our HUGE antipasti came out and of course, we started in on that with hungry eyes but the manager came by and told us to pace ourselves as there was much more to come. Boy, was THAT an understatement.

I was thinking the more to come was the two pasta dishes they brought out for us to sample, which was a Penne Alla Vodka and a shrimp pasta {which I didn’t eat since I am allergic to seafood}. I was wrong… after the pasta, they brought out MORE food.

In an attempt to show you how large the portions are I just realized I don’t have photos of the two appetizers or the two entrees… mmm… I guess I was too busy eating or talking to my blogger peeps to take photos. {sorry}

Yes, I saved the best for last and if you go to Carmine’s NYC this is a MUST! Skip all the other food and just dig in with this amazing dessert called the Titanic. This masterpiece is made with bananas, grilled pineapple, strawberries, chocolate flourless cake, vanilla ice cream, chocolate ice cream, whipped cream and topped with 3 chocolate sticks for the steam stacks. AMAZING!

Bottom line: the location, ambiance, food, and price works for this girl and Carmine’s NYC will be seeing me there in the near future. Now to find a bunch of friends to go with me to split that huge dessert. Any takers?