Whether you’re planning a much-needed date night with your significant other or you’re making plans with some friends, it’s always a challenge deciding where to go for dinner. Not that Las Vegas has any shortage of dining options — quite the opposite, actually. That’s why so many locals often resort to dining at the same restaurants over and over again rather than trying someplace new, as the sheer number of options can be a bit overwhelming.
However, with Finger Licking Foodie Tours, Vegas foodies don’t have to settle on just one spot for dinner.
The sister company of Las Vegas’ award-winning guided group food tours, Lip Smacking Foodie Tours, Finger Licking Foodie Tours invites parties of two to 15 people to book their own self-guided food tour at one of six delectable dining destinations found off-Strip. Guests will be e-mailed an itinerary that includes scheduled stops at three noteworthy (and diverse) restaurants located near one another — like Echo & Rig, El Dorado Cantina, and Ada’s Wine Bar at Tivoli Village or Borracha Mexican Cantina, Bottiglia Cucina & Enoteca, and Hank’s Fine Steaks & Martinis at Green Valley Ranch Resort — and spend anywhere from 40 minutes to an hour at each place sampling some of its signature cuisines.
“Dining at one restaurant is just a typical night out,” said Donald Contursi, a longtime Las Vegas food server who created Lip Smacking Foodie Tours and Finger Licking Foodie Tours as an easier way for people to experience some of the city’s top restaurants. “Dining with immediate seating and VIP service at three different restaurants in one outing is a true night to remember.”
While Finger Licking Foodie Tours initially began in 2020 as a way to give people the option of still going on a food tour during the pandemic without sitting at a table with a large group of people they didn’t know, Contursi noted that about 65 percent of the company’s business now comes from Las Vegas locals.
“Locals love our self-guided tours because it allows them a relaxed way to discover new establishments that may turn into new favorites that they end up frequenting regularly,” Contursi stated. “Both Tivoli Village and Green Valley Ranch are just minutes from the Strip but feel a world away. Both boast fantastic restaurants, too. These tours are perfect for date night, special celebrations, or just a laidback TGIF outing to explore new neighborhood restaurants with ease.”
Many factors go into curating Finger Licking Foodie Tours’ list of participating restaurants, including making sure that the staff at each location is attentive, professional, and welcoming, so diners get the full VIP treatment. Of course, the food must be phenomenal as well. Each restaurant typically showcases three dishes known for satisfying customers and critics alike, such as Borracha’s flavorful Chili Relleno and Echo & Rig’s palate-pleasing Portobello Fries served with herb aioli. Guests can also add a pre-selected signature cocktail at each stop for an additional $50 per person.
While the tasting menus at each eatery are designed for guests to share, the portions are still pretty generous. Guests are encouraged to come hungry and may even want to ask for some doggy bags along the way so they can save some room for the final stop on their tour.
Finger Licking Foodie Tours’ 2-and-a-half-hour Green Valley Ranch Resort tour is offered Wednesday through Monday at 4:30 p.m. and costs just $125 per person; its 2-hour Tivoli Village tour is available daily at 4:30 p.m., 5:00 p.m., and 5:30 p.m. and priced at $99 per person. Self-guided tours of downtown Las Vegas, the Arts District, Chinatown, and Virgin Hotels Las Vegas are also offered. Whatever tour locals decide on, they’re in for an unforgettable experience that’s well worth every penny.
“It would be near-impossible for someone to organize an experience like this on their own,” Contursi concluded. “With our tours, you enjoy a variety of signature dishes curated specially for you. Gratuities are also included in the ticket price, so there’s no fumbling with a tab or gratuities at the end. All you have to do is relax and enjoy. It’s as easy as that.”
