Where Christina Nasso of Carlo's Bakery Dines When She's Not Baking Buddy Valastro Cakes

Sin City is home to a lot of restaurants and bars, but there are tons of hidden gems that the majority of Las Vegans aren't unearthing. To help guide us to these potential discoveries, we've enlisted some of our city's food players to share their recommendations for a weekly feature dubbed Dining Confidential. Know a chef who wants to share some top dining spots? The tipline is open.

Ever wonder if the pastries at Carlo’s Bakery are the real deal? Christina Nasso, the general manager and head baker and decorator of Cake Boss Buddy Valastro’s bakery at the Palazzo, worked at his original location in Hoboken, N.J., before taking over Cake Boss Cafe in New York City’s Times Square. The Cake Boss himself appointed Nasso to open his very first Las Vegas bake shop, where she runs all operations from the back of house baking to front of house customer service. Nasso went to Connecticut Culinary Institute and while there she became the sous chef for most of the cooking classes. After graduating, she went on to work at Pasticceria Bruno, Baked and Billy’s Bakery.

Here, she shares three of her favorite places to dine when she’s not creating crazy cakes.

Which restaurants do you turn to when you’re not working?
John Cutters, Chicago Brewing Co. and Via Brasil Steakhouse.

What dishes are most memorable? What do you like to order there?
John Cutters: Sunday steak and great beer! Sunday is my day off and that works perfectly with their 50 percent off steaks promotion. Not only are they seasoned and cooked perfectly, but pair that with the soft pretzel and beer cheese app and the great  atmosphere and it’s the perfect chill spot to enjoy a day off and eat well. You can eat outside as well, but I enjoy the dim pub style feel on the inside.

Chicago Brewing Co.: I love their tall cold beers. It’s an affordable place and open 24 hours which is pretty awesome when you get out of work super late and still would like something good to eat. They have excellent appetizers. My husband and I always get the wings and fried calamari. Their filet mignon sliders are a go-to when I know I want something good but not heavy.

Via Brasil Steakhouse: Very comfortable, fill-your-face-with-meat restaurant. It was our first experience at a Brazilian steakhouse and it was amazing. They have an unlimited salad bar, which we obviously ignore. I’m not there for the salad! I love the yucca fries as well as the incredible selection on meat including porter house, prime rib, chicken, sausage, bacon wrapped turkey and lamb chops and lots, lots more. It’s awesome. Best part, they serve grilled mozzarella along with your meats. I’m half Italian and mozzarella is always a "yes."