Chowhound: Satisfying Your Holiday Sweet Tooth in Las Vegas
By now you’ve let your diet go and you’re indulging in all things colorful, fragrant and fancy. It’s the holiday season, also known as the “sweetest time of the year.” Sure, Vegas gets a few stars for top notch dining, nightlife and entertainment, but this place is also sprinkled with sugar. Some of the most delightful sweet spots lie right here...in the middle of the desert.
Payard Patisserie at Caesars Palace
Stroll through Caesars Palace and it’s likely that you’ll be stopped in your tracks by a place that looks good enough to eat. It’s Payard Pâtisserie & Bistro headed up by award-winning Pastry Chef, François Payard. The location itself looks like a delicious ribbon of chocolate and what’s inside puts Willy Wonka’s doing to shame. Feast your eyes on handmade chocolates, rich truffles, candies, macaroons and more. Here’s the place to score chocolate gifts and authentic French pastries. And if you have a little time to spare, stop off in the bistro for made-to-order crepes, handmade ice cream, life-changing chocolate waffles and quite possibly the most outstanding brioche French Toast in Vegas.
Jean Phillipe Patisserie at Aria
Jean-Phillippe Patisserie: It’s where modern design meets confectionery art. The futuristic black-white and chrome cafe seats 85 sugar-loving patrons and serves up a wealth of sweet delights. Did we mention this place has a chocolate fountain? Here is where you’ll find house-made gelato and extravagant cakes. And for sweets that you won’t find in any gift shop set your sights on things like the chocolate cocoa truffles, petite caramels, cognac truffles, vanilla nougat bars, fruit filled candies and fruit flavored marshmallows. Jean-Phillipe doesn’t stop at candies and the like, the patisserie is also home to impressive collection of tea cakes, biscotti, palmiers and cookies.
Serendipity 3 at Caesars Palace
On the hunt for deep fried Oreos? Done. Stop off at Serendipity 3, the NYC gone LV, spot that’s known for outlandish eats and over-the-top desserts. Build your own sundae with melted marshmallows and tons of hot fudge, get lost in a slice (or two) of apple cobbler. There’s cheesecake, whipped cream covered waffles and beyond. Try it all. But don’t leave without ordering Serendipity 3’s most famous treat: Frrrozen Hot Chocolate, a rich and tasty blend of 20 types of chocolate all done up into one mind-numbing treat.
Sweet Surrender at The Palazzo
Cupcakes and candy are the name of the game at The Palazzo’s Sweet Surrender. You’ll let them take you away in licorice handcuffs and lead you to this confectioners palace where you’ll find walls and walls of gorgeously packaged chocolate treats. After you’ll filled your grasp with lollipops, opt for one of Sweet Surrender’s famous cupcakes in flavors like Red Velvet, Lemon Strawberry, Carrot, Chocolate Ganache, Coconut, Chocolate Fudge and more. And should you be feeling like a high- roller (this is Vegas after all), opt for the Decadence D’Or, Sweet Surrender’s exclusive $750 cupcake that’s complete with Tahitian Gold Vanilla Caviar, Louis VXIII icing and edible gold flakes.
Bouchon Bakery at The Venetian
Macaroons for breakfast? Sure, why not start your day off with a taste of cassis? For happenings like this you ought to head over to Bouchon Bakery, made famous by celebrate chef, Thomas Keller. The Las Vegas spot is headed up by Pastry Chef Scott Wheatfill. And between the walls of the kitchen magic is made in the form of Nutter Butter cookies, handmade toffee, sweet peanut butter cups and delightful little chocolates, French style tarts and flaky pastries. Tres magnifique!
