Lagasse’s Stadium has got all the ingredients for a great game day
By Brock Radke
Photos by Big French
Giant pretzel with dipping sauce
Every fan has his or her own football ritual, the way things need to be before kickoff. The game is about to start, and whether your team is involved or not, things are going to get serious. You need a huge television screen. You need an arsenal of flavorful snacks, and plenty of cold drinks. As long as you’re set up, things will never go south, no matter what happens on the field. But without these things, the experience just isn’t the same.
Think about your football needs, and then find the place that transforms them into the ultimate big game experience. Located directly under the hotel lobby at The Palazzo, Lagasse’s Stadium might be revolutionary. It’s a massive shrine to watching sports, complete with a sportsbook, more than 100 high definition screens, a seemingly infinite variety of beer and cocktails, and even an outdoor patio for those who want to check out the Las Vegas Strip while they’re checking on their bets. The “stadium” is real, a huge central space with staggered stadium-style seating focused on a 9-by-16-foot television hosting all the action. And the best part: From here, or anywhere else on the premises, you can order anything from celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse’s menu of kicked-up bar food favorites.
There’s much more to eat than the typical football food you’re used to, but your favorites are here, too, done to a turn. Cheesy spinach and artichoke dip is piping hot with toasted pita bread; crisp, hand-tossed pizzas are stacked with traditional toppings; chili-cheese fries are a beefy masterpiece topped with pico de gallo and sour cream, and chicken wings are meaty and powerfully flavored with your pick of three sauces. Quick, before the first touchdown, grab a giant soft pretzel served with Samuel Adams beer-cheese-jalapeño dipping sauce.
Grilled ribeye
Fun fare doesn’t have to be heavy. Switch it up with the stadium salad, arugula, red onion, toasted walnuts and crumbled goat cheese dressed with a citrus-honey vinaigrette, and feel free to add shrimp, grilled chicken or salmon or prime sirloin for extra satisfaction. Emeril’s New Orleans BBQ shrimp is an iconic dish across the country, and at the Stadium it comes served with rosemary focaccia, perfect for swishing through the plate and picking up every drop of delectable sauce.
When halftime hits, go big. Emeril’s steak bam’wich will squash the strongest hunger, a juicy 8-ounce sirloin on a focaccia roll with blue cheese coleslaw, steak sauce and truffle Parmesan potato wedges. Build your own burger, or indulge in a barbecue pulled pork or oyster po’boy sandwich. Sample more of Lagasse’s New Orleans flavor with a side of Creole mustard slaw or andouille sausage jambalaya.
Your team doesn’t have to win to justify your culinary celebration, so order another round and exalt with one of the huge entrées. Choose from a fried chicken dinner with garlic mashed potatoes, spice-rubbed baby back ribs with jalapeño corn bread, or a grilled ribeye with a stack of onion rings. Save some room for Emeril’s signature banana cream pie, or maybe a classic milkshake with warm chocolate chip cookies. Football food has never been like this. Fortunately, you don’t have to wait for next season for another trip to the Stadium.
The Palazzo
11 a.m.-10 p.m. daily. Extended hours on game days. 702.607.2665
