I've now officially been a New Yorker for one week. I have found a job, a place to live, and a few decent places to eat. But I want to take this time to talk about the restaurants that I will be hard pressed to replace even here in the Big Apple. I will miss a few Las Vegas places immensely.
Settebello- New Yorkers think their pizza places trump all others. But in my book this Henderson based Neapolitan style pizza joint beats anything I've had here. With their wood fired oven and fresh toppings the pies here are smoky and earthy in a way coal fired and gas ovens just can't match. I may find something to match it here with a little searching, but I don't think I will find a place to beat it.
Aburiya Raku- Japanese restaurants are not exactly rare in New York City, but finding a place of this caliber with a price point to match will not happen here. This robata grill restaurant offers some of the best small plate options I've had anywhere and it does not break the bank. A party of two can easily get out of here full for under sixty dollars sans alcohol. This is the place you must go if you can get off the strip in Las Vegas.
Bluefin Sushi and Roll- Literally a mom and pop place, this standalone sushi place in a strip mall truly stands alone when it comes to quality and value. I can't count the number of times that I visited Bluefin, but it was more often than any other restaurant in Las Vegas. Before I found this tiny sushi bar about a year ago, I spent countless dollars in sub par establishments just trying to find that one place I could call my home away from home. I could probably pay my NYC rent for the next six months with all that dough. Flawless cuts of fish on well made rice and friendly service make this a can't miss local haunt.
Lotus of Siam- It seems there are Thai places on every other block in New York, but I haven't found one to compare to Lotus, yet. Even usually mundane dishes like Pad Thai are an experience not to be missed at this now large establishment in the same mall as the famous Green Door sex club. The service is spotty, but that cannot overshadow the sublime food and wonderful wine list. The execution and recipes here are top flight.
These four places are all Las Vegas Valley originals that are great at their respective cuisine. Sure, being on the East Coast means no In-n-Out, but we have Shake Shack and some other burger joints which are as good, albeit more expensive. There are other places I wish I could have brought with me, but the restaurants listed above are the best at what they do in Las Vegas and could compete with, if not beat, anything out here.
Brian William Waddell is a foodie, beer geek, and author. His numerous blog posts range from food to politics. He also has a book of poetry, Fractured Prose, available here, and is ready to publish his second poetic endeavor.
Showing posts with label Las Vegas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Las Vegas. Show all posts
Friday, October 22, 2010
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
First Food & Bar
Bars with "exciting" food options rarely live up to the hype. On the other hand, a restaurant that puts a large amount of energy into its bar program is something that will excite me almost every time. First Food & Bar is one such place. They put the food first in both name and in execution, but they certainly don't neglect the bar.
The place is loud. Not the patrons, the music. It's loud, but it's supposed to be. It's a rock and roll place for a rock and roll crowd. But all that volume fades to background noise once you receive your food and drink. Then you realize why this is "Food and Bar" rather than "Bar and Grill."
First is not without faults in its food however. When you go, stay away from the entrees. Uninspired execution is present in the main dish section of the menu to a degree that leaves sauces which look beautiful on the plate somehow completely lacking in flavor. The small plates, however, are inspired in concept and deserve all of your attention. From a breakfast on a stick to potstickers that taste like a really good Philly Cheesesteak, I have yet to find a small plate I couldn't recommend. Desserts are not an afterthought for the kitchen and they shouldn't be for you either. Save room for a short stack of fresh made, delectable doughnuts.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late night, First is the top option in my book for Strip dining with a little edge and excitement.
Brian William Waddell is a foodie, beer geek, and author. His numerous blog posts range from food to politics. He also has a book of poetry, Fractured Prose, available here, and is ready to publish his second poetic endeavor.
The place is loud. Not the patrons, the music. It's loud, but it's supposed to be. It's a rock and roll place for a rock and roll crowd. But all that volume fades to background noise once you receive your food and drink. Then you realize why this is "Food and Bar" rather than "Bar and Grill."
First is not without faults in its food however. When you go, stay away from the entrees. Uninspired execution is present in the main dish section of the menu to a degree that leaves sauces which look beautiful on the plate somehow completely lacking in flavor. The small plates, however, are inspired in concept and deserve all of your attention. From a breakfast on a stick to potstickers that taste like a really good Philly Cheesesteak, I have yet to find a small plate I couldn't recommend. Desserts are not an afterthought for the kitchen and they shouldn't be for you either. Save room for a short stack of fresh made, delectable doughnuts.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late night, First is the top option in my book for Strip dining with a little edge and excitement.
Brian William Waddell is a foodie, beer geek, and author. His numerous blog posts range from food to politics. He also has a book of poetry, Fractured Prose, available here, and is ready to publish his second poetic endeavor.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Postrio
I believe Wolfgang Puck to be an exceptional chef. I also believe his restaurant empire has become a little too large and unwieldy to be properly managed. On visits to a few of his outlets in Vegas and elsewhere (Wolfgang Puck Cafe and Chinois to name a couple) I have found the food to be widely inconsistent and just above average at best. But, he makes boatloads of money off of numerous sub-par outlets and the occasional gem, so I don't see a decline coming in the near future. Postrio, however, happens to be one sparkling gem in this restaurant king's crown.
Taking up its fair share of Saint Mark's Square in The Venetian, Postrio has two Italian dining options to compete with that are within 100 feet of its front desk. One of those two, Enoteca San Marco, is one of my favorite lunch spots on the strip, but if I'm there at dinner time Postrio will definitely be the place.
The menu here is fairly new. Wolfgang Puck's corporate site still lists this outpost as a "bar and grill" serving California cuisine with Mediterranean influences. They need to update their site to let people know that this place has come to play with the big boys of authentic Italian cuisine here in Las Vegas. While it does still hold on to some California influences, like a Shrimp Louis or a lobster club sandwich, the more classical Italian dishes truly shine here.
It isn't the menu that impresses me most here, or even the very accessible and good wine list, it's the execution of the dishes. Just like a significant other, a restaurant can look great on paper but not be worth the price of admission if the execution isn't there. Pastas are cooked perfectly as are meats, and flavors are bold yet balanced. The Ricotta Gnocchi with Wild Mushrooms and Truffle essence is my new favorite way to eat gnocchi, and that's saying something. My girlfriend has been talking about going back just for the Pumpkin Ravioli with butternut squash and whatever the amazing sauce was that made the whole dish that much better. But the Veal Osso Bucco takes top honors in my book. Served with root vegetables (carrots were a little undercooked, the only slight misstep from a rock solid kitchen) and an amazing rendition of a creamy polenta, the meat and the marrow were perfectly seasoned and cooked.
The menu shows seasonal changes but seems to keep around many of the basic dishes with tweaks to ingredients based on the time of year. This is another positive. And, it means if my girlfriend wants that pumpkin ravioli again she should probably get back soon. If you're smart, you'll get there ASAP too.
Brian William Waddell is a foodie, beer geek, and author. His numerous blog posts range from food to politics. He also has a book of poetry, Fractured Prose, available here, and is ready to publish his second poetic endeavor.
Brian William Waddell is a foodie, beer geek, and author. His numerous blog posts range from food to politics. He also has a book of poetry, Fractured Prose, available here, and is ready to publish his second poetic endeavor.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Ichiza
If you've read my blog before you've heard of Raku, the beautifully sedate space on Spring Mountain just West of Decatur that serves amazing, refined Japanese bar food. If Raku is a 45-year-old Tokyo businessman with years of experience and the clothes and cars to show for it, then Ichiza is his 19-year-old, Tamagotchi playing, anime watching, punk rock listening, fauxhawk wearing nephew. I like to be around both of them, it just depends on my mood and who else is going to be around as to which one I prefer any given night.
Ichiza, located about a mile East of Raku on the second floor of one of the many Asian strip-malls on Spring Mountain, does everything I've tried amazingly well. From the simple but tasty beef tataki to the miso marinated cod, the boiled tripe in a tasty broth to the chicken katsu, everything is cooked wonderfully and has flavors good enough to make this critic swear off French cuisine for good (don't worry, I had my fingers crossed). This place makes me extra happy because they have lightly breaded, deep fried smelt, a hard to find favorite of mine. I even tried their fermented soybeans. Definitely an acquired taste. The deep fried quail eggs garnered what has been my only complaint about their food thus far, with the plastic-like outer part on a couple of the whites (this happens whenever you over fry an egg) of the otherwise delicious eggs.
So where does the contrast with Raku come in? Certainly both do a bang-up job in the food department, but it comes down to one thing: Style. While Raku is warm and inviting in a more sedate and refined way, Ichiza welcomes you with communal tables, a long bar, upbeat music barely audible over the more raucous crowd, and an English speaking waitstaff. The platings at Ichiza cannot touch the delicate grace of those at Raku, but they don't really need to. Ichiza does everything right with the food and has dead solid service so the more rudimentary platings won't bother anyone.
While Raku will probably remain my go-to spot with foreign dignitaries (friends and family) and heads of state (my girlfriend), Ichiza is my new favorite gritty locale for out-of-this-world late-night grub.
Brian William Waddell is a foodie, beer geek, and author. His numerous blog posts range from food to politics. He also has a book of poetry, Fractured Prose, available here, and is ready to publish his second poetic endeavor.
Ichiza, located about a mile East of Raku on the second floor of one of the many Asian strip-malls on Spring Mountain, does everything I've tried amazingly well. From the simple but tasty beef tataki to the miso marinated cod, the boiled tripe in a tasty broth to the chicken katsu, everything is cooked wonderfully and has flavors good enough to make this critic swear off French cuisine for good (don't worry, I had my fingers crossed). This place makes me extra happy because they have lightly breaded, deep fried smelt, a hard to find favorite of mine. I even tried their fermented soybeans. Definitely an acquired taste. The deep fried quail eggs garnered what has been my only complaint about their food thus far, with the plastic-like outer part on a couple of the whites (this happens whenever you over fry an egg) of the otherwise delicious eggs.
So where does the contrast with Raku come in? Certainly both do a bang-up job in the food department, but it comes down to one thing: Style. While Raku is warm and inviting in a more sedate and refined way, Ichiza welcomes you with communal tables, a long bar, upbeat music barely audible over the more raucous crowd, and an English speaking waitstaff. The platings at Ichiza cannot touch the delicate grace of those at Raku, but they don't really need to. Ichiza does everything right with the food and has dead solid service so the more rudimentary platings won't bother anyone.
While Raku will probably remain my go-to spot with foreign dignitaries (friends and family) and heads of state (my girlfriend), Ichiza is my new favorite gritty locale for out-of-this-world late-night grub.
Brian William Waddell is a foodie, beer geek, and author. His numerous blog posts range from food to politics. He also has a book of poetry, Fractured Prose, available here, and is ready to publish his second poetic endeavor.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Where I've Eaten Lately
An amateur food critic is at the mercy of his own pocketbook. Mine has not been very full lately, and, therefore, I haven't been doing too much eating out worthy of comment. I have been a couple places without reviewing them, so I will give them a little shout here.
I've heard for a few years that Pin Kaow, a Las Vegas Thai chain (3 in the valley), is at least serviceable and sometimes better than that. At lunch last week I found their Henderson location to be good at the basics we tried. The Pad Thai is definitely a good rendition, and since they are much closer to me than Lotus of Siam, I will probably be back sooner than later. The other items we tried were all fresh and tasty. The restaurant is nicely appointed and the service is solid (a notable departure from the other Thai place above).
Ping Pang Pong has been the place for dim sum in Las Vegas for as long as I've lived here, but I had never been there until a Mothers Day weekend visit with my parents and girlfriend. Lately there has been a buzz about China Mama and Beijing Noodle No. 9 for some of their dim sum items, but if they truly are better than triple P, I will be surprised (This next month is going to be busy for me on the Asian restaurant front). The dim sum selections are wonderfully executed, other selections are equally tasty, and the service is brisk and adequate.
All of the Green Valley area of Henderson seems to be abuzz about The Cracked Egg's fourth valley location in the Smith's shopping center at Green Valley and the 215. I went and found that, despite my doubts, there was a good reason for all the buzz. No matter what you order be sure to get some of their coffee cake. Fresh, warm and seemingly always with a different thing thrown into the mix (chocolate chips, apples, or cherries for instance), it is worth the trip by itself. Eggs are cooked to order correctly, everything tastes fresh, and service is on par with, if not a little better than, other good breakfast joints.
I have, no pun intended, heard mixed reviews of Mix at The Hotel at Mandalay Bay since before I moved to town. I now know the reason why. The restaurant itself is beautiful. From the view to the sedate yet surprisingly beautiful dining room, you can't go wrong with the ambiance here. The service matches the restaurant itself in its elegance and near perfection. The problem is, I don't go to restaurants for the ambiance. It helps, no doubt, when wooing a member of the opposite sex or a prospective client, but when I go to eat, I go to eat. I found the food to be haphazardly executed. The menu is well stocked with great combinations but the things I tried were not executed at close to the level that befits the price tag.
I guess I haven't been eating that poorly really. Throw in a couple requisite late night trips to Raku and the past month has provided some adequate, and sometimes superb, victuals. The next month and a half should hold Wazuzu, China Mama, Beijing Noodle No. 9, wherever I eat in Los Angeles, and of course a little Raku. Looks tasty.
Brian William Waddell is a foodie, beer geek, and author. His numerous blog posts range from food to politics. He also has a book of poetry, Fractured Prose, available here, and is ready to publish his second poetic endeavor.
I've heard for a few years that Pin Kaow, a Las Vegas Thai chain (3 in the valley), is at least serviceable and sometimes better than that. At lunch last week I found their Henderson location to be good at the basics we tried. The Pad Thai is definitely a good rendition, and since they are much closer to me than Lotus of Siam, I will probably be back sooner than later. The other items we tried were all fresh and tasty. The restaurant is nicely appointed and the service is solid (a notable departure from the other Thai place above).
Ping Pang Pong has been the place for dim sum in Las Vegas for as long as I've lived here, but I had never been there until a Mothers Day weekend visit with my parents and girlfriend. Lately there has been a buzz about China Mama and Beijing Noodle No. 9 for some of their dim sum items, but if they truly are better than triple P, I will be surprised (This next month is going to be busy for me on the Asian restaurant front). The dim sum selections are wonderfully executed, other selections are equally tasty, and the service is brisk and adequate.
All of the Green Valley area of Henderson seems to be abuzz about The Cracked Egg's fourth valley location in the Smith's shopping center at Green Valley and the 215. I went and found that, despite my doubts, there was a good reason for all the buzz. No matter what you order be sure to get some of their coffee cake. Fresh, warm and seemingly always with a different thing thrown into the mix (chocolate chips, apples, or cherries for instance), it is worth the trip by itself. Eggs are cooked to order correctly, everything tastes fresh, and service is on par with, if not a little better than, other good breakfast joints.
I have, no pun intended, heard mixed reviews of Mix at The Hotel at Mandalay Bay since before I moved to town. I now know the reason why. The restaurant itself is beautiful. From the view to the sedate yet surprisingly beautiful dining room, you can't go wrong with the ambiance here. The service matches the restaurant itself in its elegance and near perfection. The problem is, I don't go to restaurants for the ambiance. It helps, no doubt, when wooing a member of the opposite sex or a prospective client, but when I go to eat, I go to eat. I found the food to be haphazardly executed. The menu is well stocked with great combinations but the things I tried were not executed at close to the level that befits the price tag.
I guess I haven't been eating that poorly really. Throw in a couple requisite late night trips to Raku and the past month has provided some adequate, and sometimes superb, victuals. The next month and a half should hold Wazuzu, China Mama, Beijing Noodle No. 9, wherever I eat in Los Angeles, and of course a little Raku. Looks tasty.
Brian William Waddell is a foodie, beer geek, and author. His numerous blog posts range from food to politics. He also has a book of poetry, Fractured Prose, available here, and is ready to publish his second poetic endeavor.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
One Lunch at Serendipity 3 Las Vegas
There's a movie I've never seen which purportedly borrows its name from the original New York outpost of this new Las Vegas restaurant. That isn't what made me go. I had been to the New York location a couple times for dessert and knew it was a can't miss spot for sundaes and their famous "Frrrozen Hot Chocolate." Now I also know it's a very good choice for lunch on The Strip.
The sandwiches show some creativity and are definitely not your usual deli creations. Sometimes the combinations have a little too much going on for one sandwich, such as "A Summer Bries" which has sliced apples, brie, smoked turkey, and a cranberry mayo (The New York version is listed online with a Russian dressing rather than the mayo, and I think that would play better here as the apples and brie clashed with the cranberry mayo) all on a raisin pumpernickel bread.
The thing to get here, non-dessert wise, is definitely the Steakhouse Steak Sandwich "Oscar Style." Two nicely cooked, nicely seasoned, tender steaks topped with asparagus, crab leg meat, and a nice Bearnaise all on a baguette. Not a little six inch baguette, a full 18 or so inches of sandwich is what you're getting into here, a lunch for three to be sure. I haven't tried every steak sandwich in town, but I would be surprised to find one better than this, and, since a small family can share it, at $25 it's a steal.
Someday, I will put in my two days notice to go get their $1,000 Golden Opulence Sundae, but until then I'll settle for the sinful ultra-chocolaty goodness of their Frrrozen Hot Chocolate and their other, non-bankruptcy inducing, sundaes. Oh, and that unbeatable steak sandwich.
Brian William Waddell is a foodie, beer geek, and author. His numerous blog posts range from food to politics. He also has a book of poetry, Fractured Prose, available here, and is ready to publish his second poetic endeavor.
The sandwiches show some creativity and are definitely not your usual deli creations. Sometimes the combinations have a little too much going on for one sandwich, such as "A Summer Bries" which has sliced apples, brie, smoked turkey, and a cranberry mayo (The New York version is listed online with a Russian dressing rather than the mayo, and I think that would play better here as the apples and brie clashed with the cranberry mayo) all on a raisin pumpernickel bread.
The thing to get here, non-dessert wise, is definitely the Steakhouse Steak Sandwich "Oscar Style." Two nicely cooked, nicely seasoned, tender steaks topped with asparagus, crab leg meat, and a nice Bearnaise all on a baguette. Not a little six inch baguette, a full 18 or so inches of sandwich is what you're getting into here, a lunch for three to be sure. I haven't tried every steak sandwich in town, but I would be surprised to find one better than this, and, since a small family can share it, at $25 it's a steal.
Someday, I will put in my two days notice to go get their $1,000 Golden Opulence Sundae, but until then I'll settle for the sinful ultra-chocolaty goodness of their Frrrozen Hot Chocolate and their other, non-bankruptcy inducing, sundaes. Oh, and that unbeatable steak sandwich.
Brian William Waddell is a foodie, beer geek, and author. His numerous blog posts range from food to politics. He also has a book of poetry, Fractured Prose, available here, and is ready to publish his second poetic endeavor.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Sunday Brunch at ENVY Steakhouse
I have come to the conclusion that very few cities really know how to put on a killer brunch. Buffet brunches seem the norm in the places that don't understand what brunch is really all about. And since I've never lived in a city that understands brunch, like New York or New Orleans do, I've had my fair share of buffet brunches, some good, some bad, and all lacking the relaxing, sit and enjoy atmosphere that befits a Sunday afternoon. ENVY Steakhouse does a pretty good job with their brunch buffet, and at $25 ahead with all you can drink champagne, mimosas, Bloody Marys, and wine it's one brunch buffet where you can definitely justify the price (especially if you're comfortable drinking like you did in your college days).
They call it "Mimosas & Music" and they certainly have both covered. The mimosas are served at a station at the back of the restaurant, and the music is served up by pianist Wes Winters. He puts on a good lounge act and nearly drowns out the din of clanging plates and serving utensils that is omnipresent at a buffet. My dinner visit to ENVY gave me a picture of a hip yet romantic little spot that would excel as a place for an anniversary. The view at brunch is not quite the same. The natural light flooding in through the floor-to-ceiling windows did enough to transform the normally sedate and candlelit dining room without the decidedly older clientele. Drop by Denny's at 4:00 PM and you'll have a pretty complete picture of the clientele at this brunch.
Enough about ambiance, on to the important stuff: Food. If you've been to a decent brunch buffet you won't be surprised by anything you see here. The usual omelet station, common Belgian waffle station, bacon, sausage, well above average cheese blintz, normal french toast, pedestrian pancakes, bland "breakfast potatoes," and better than expected eggs Benedict make up the breakfast selections.
A tastier-than-most-buffet-prime-ribs prime rib gets the action started on the lunch oriented leg of this journey and is joined by perfectly cooked shrimp with a well put together cocktail sauce, long but unfortunately lean crab legs, an assortment of average little "sandwiches" on toast points, an overly soggy tomato and mozzarella "salad," very fishy smoked salmon, bagels, and a nicely stocked but, given the volume, poorly presented (if anyone from ENVY reads this, the stone is nice for intimate gatherings, but should be augmented with individual plates and utensils for each different cheese when so many are partaking) cheese platter.
The desserts were, overall, the most disappointing thing in the restaurant. Although the bread pudding held up well and was tasty, the little cakes were mostly over sweet, and the mousses were so bad that I had to call my father the chef to ask what could have gone so wrong.
I know, I've been hard on them, but it's only out of love. On the night of one of their monthly wine dinners this place supplied me with one of the better meals I've had and I want their brunch buffet to live up to those high standards. Most of the complaints I have about this meal are specific to buffets, and especially buffets which must cater to the, "Hold the salt, please," geriatric segment of our population. But others just point to a restaurant trying to turn a buck in this brutal, business devouring economy. Although, I'm pretty sure they didn't make much money on me after two mimosas, a Bloody Mary, and three glasses of wine. I know they are better than this, and that is what bothers me the most.
Brian William Waddell is a foodie, beer geek, and author. His numerous blog posts range from food to politics. He also has a book of poetry, Fractured Prose, available here, and is ready to publish his second poetic endeavor.
They call it "Mimosas & Music" and they certainly have both covered. The mimosas are served at a station at the back of the restaurant, and the music is served up by pianist Wes Winters. He puts on a good lounge act and nearly drowns out the din of clanging plates and serving utensils that is omnipresent at a buffet. My dinner visit to ENVY gave me a picture of a hip yet romantic little spot that would excel as a place for an anniversary. The view at brunch is not quite the same. The natural light flooding in through the floor-to-ceiling windows did enough to transform the normally sedate and candlelit dining room without the decidedly older clientele. Drop by Denny's at 4:00 PM and you'll have a pretty complete picture of the clientele at this brunch.
Enough about ambiance, on to the important stuff: Food. If you've been to a decent brunch buffet you won't be surprised by anything you see here. The usual omelet station, common Belgian waffle station, bacon, sausage, well above average cheese blintz, normal french toast, pedestrian pancakes, bland "breakfast potatoes," and better than expected eggs Benedict make up the breakfast selections.
A tastier-than-most-buffet-prime-ribs prime rib gets the action started on the lunch oriented leg of this journey and is joined by perfectly cooked shrimp with a well put together cocktail sauce, long but unfortunately lean crab legs, an assortment of average little "sandwiches" on toast points, an overly soggy tomato and mozzarella "salad," very fishy smoked salmon, bagels, and a nicely stocked but, given the volume, poorly presented (if anyone from ENVY reads this, the stone is nice for intimate gatherings, but should be augmented with individual plates and utensils for each different cheese when so many are partaking) cheese platter.
The desserts were, overall, the most disappointing thing in the restaurant. Although the bread pudding held up well and was tasty, the little cakes were mostly over sweet, and the mousses were so bad that I had to call my father the chef to ask what could have gone so wrong.
I know, I've been hard on them, but it's only out of love. On the night of one of their monthly wine dinners this place supplied me with one of the better meals I've had and I want their brunch buffet to live up to those high standards. Most of the complaints I have about this meal are specific to buffets, and especially buffets which must cater to the, "Hold the salt, please," geriatric segment of our population. But others just point to a restaurant trying to turn a buck in this brutal, business devouring economy. Although, I'm pretty sure they didn't make much money on me after two mimosas, a Bloody Mary, and three glasses of wine. I know they are better than this, and that is what bothers me the most.
Brian William Waddell is a foodie, beer geek, and author. His numerous blog posts range from food to politics. He also has a book of poetry, Fractured Prose, available here, and is ready to publish his second poetic endeavor.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
The Bar Round 2
I can't help but be skeptical about the food at bars in this valley. Most are suspect at best and many only survive on being close to the neighborhoods where gamblers live (allowing them to stumble home in their free-well-drink stupor). Even the better, more consistent places are joints I rarely frequent before 11:00 pm, and then only because of a good deal on a late night menu. The Bar at Bermuda & St. Rose has a few things I would actually go in for during normal dining hours.
The biggest draws are their beer (especially the bottled list) and wine lists which each hold some real gems without price gouging. That being said, they do have some good solid bar and comfort food with some twists thrown in. Their mini-corn dogs are silly but tasty, and their Angry Mac & Cheese (a breaded, deep fried cube of macaroni in a jalapeno spiked cheese sauce) is a fun and delicious way to clog your arteries. In the entree column, the Meatloaf and the Philly Cheese Steak were both pleasant surprises to my taste buds. Since my last visit they have cut some of the more adventurous, outside the box (read: disaster on a plate) items from their menu.
The best news is that this place was doing well before, and now that M Resort has opened just down the street they are doing even better.
Brian William Waddell is a foodie, beer geek, and author. His numerous blog posts range from food to politics. He also has a book of poetry, Fractured Prose, available here, and is ready to publish his second poetic endeavor.
The biggest draws are their beer (especially the bottled list) and wine lists which each hold some real gems without price gouging. That being said, they do have some good solid bar and comfort food with some twists thrown in. Their mini-corn dogs are silly but tasty, and their Angry Mac & Cheese (a breaded, deep fried cube of macaroni in a jalapeno spiked cheese sauce) is a fun and delicious way to clog your arteries. In the entree column, the Meatloaf and the Philly Cheese Steak were both pleasant surprises to my taste buds. Since my last visit they have cut some of the more adventurous, outside the box (read: disaster on a plate) items from their menu.
The best news is that this place was doing well before, and now that M Resort has opened just down the street they are doing even better.
Brian William Waddell is a foodie, beer geek, and author. His numerous blog posts range from food to politics. He also has a book of poetry, Fractured Prose, available here, and is ready to publish his second poetic endeavor.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Sinatra
According to some publications, Italian cuisine is at its worst right here in the United States. Sinatra does very little to dissuade me in regards to this statement. While not even near the worst representations of the oft misrepresented cuisine (see Olive Garden, Macaroni Grill, Maggianos, and, my least favorite in town Zeffirino), for the dollars you spend here you would be better off in at least three other Italian restaurants within a mile of this one.
About a month ago I made some "fearless predictions" on a certain other Las Vegas food blog about the Encore restaurants, and I am sticking to my prediction (here among the comments) that Sinatra will be the first of the five to change its stripes (not including Switch, which changes its decor more often than anyone changes underwear).
Among the failings of Sinatra are a pedestrian menu and a dining room which feels more like that of a cruise ship than any cozy Italian place that old blue eyes himself would frequent. The food itself could use a little more attention also, my lobster risotto was all a touch overcooked and under-flavorful, the Osso Bucco "My Way" was sOsso, and the New York Steak was lacking in everything but proper temperature. The black cod was, overall, the best of the bunch and the only thing worth the freight. Appetizers were good, but very little wowed anyone at the table, and at these prices nearly every bite should wow you. The service seems average, but it is really too early to judge wholly because the training hasn't sunk in yet for most of the staff and there will be a great deal of turnover in the coming months (this is normal for a new restaurant).
Unless they take the shackles off of Chef Theo Schoenegger and let him do his own thing, I'll be absent from Sinatra, unless dragged there, for the remainder of its time in that space. I do believe this is a chef that can do much more than this place allows.
Brian William Waddell is a foodie, beer geek, and author. His numerous blog posts range from food to politics. He also has a book of poetry, Fractured Prose, available here, and is ready to publish his second poetic endeavor.
About a month ago I made some "fearless predictions" on a certain other Las Vegas food blog about the Encore restaurants, and I am sticking to my prediction (here among the comments) that Sinatra will be the first of the five to change its stripes (not including Switch, which changes its decor more often than anyone changes underwear).
Among the failings of Sinatra are a pedestrian menu and a dining room which feels more like that of a cruise ship than any cozy Italian place that old blue eyes himself would frequent. The food itself could use a little more attention also, my lobster risotto was all a touch overcooked and under-flavorful, the Osso Bucco "My Way" was sOsso, and the New York Steak was lacking in everything but proper temperature. The black cod was, overall, the best of the bunch and the only thing worth the freight. Appetizers were good, but very little wowed anyone at the table, and at these prices nearly every bite should wow you. The service seems average, but it is really too early to judge wholly because the training hasn't sunk in yet for most of the staff and there will be a great deal of turnover in the coming months (this is normal for a new restaurant).
Unless they take the shackles off of Chef Theo Schoenegger and let him do his own thing, I'll be absent from Sinatra, unless dragged there, for the remainder of its time in that space. I do believe this is a chef that can do much more than this place allows.
Brian William Waddell is a foodie, beer geek, and author. His numerous blog posts range from food to politics. He also has a book of poetry, Fractured Prose, available here, and is ready to publish his second poetic endeavor.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Raku
I have known for some time that I needed to get to Raku, a small, dark Japanese restaurant in a forgotten mini-strip mall on the north side of Spring Mountain Road just past Decatur. I finally tried to get there a couple weeks ago, a disappointing event well chronicled in one of my previous posts. I finally got in the door last night.
Have you ever gone to a movie, show, or meal that you so badly wanted to be amazing, after hearing everyone rave about it, and had it live up to every last bit of praise you heard before and even surpass your own lofty expectations? For me there are Braveheart, Avenue Q, and now, Raku which all fit that mold.
I am by no means an expert on Japanese food or restaurants so I cannot say first hand that this is a truly authentic Japanese restaurant. I can, however, say that at one point during my visit there were ten guests in the restaurant and only three of us were not native Japanese speakers. Among the guests was the sushi chef who has probably made me more sushi than anyone else, and later, purported frequent Raku diner and praise-singer Chef Paul Bartolotta came in to partake.
I tried to order a good mix of the more "mundane" dishes and the more "bizarre" dishes. Among the "mundane" were a delicate house-made tofu, a nice-but-didn't-knock-my-socks-off oysters three ways, a perfectly grilled salmon served with roe, and a tasty grilled rice ball. The "bizarre" were Kobe beef liver sashimi which, not surprisingly, tasted like liver, a strange-to-me-although-not-really-that-strange dried tatami sardine salad, and a delightfully tender perfectly grilled Kurobota pork cheek.
This is a place that I could go to every day, and never tire of the food. The service is very friendly, although only one of the two servers understood at least half of what I said. Any previous complaints I had read about food taking too long have either been rectified, or those people are just too impatient.
Raku will probably survive in its current location because it is a destination kind of place where location can help but won't really hurt, but I need everyone to go there and tell them they need to move to the East side of town or at least open a second outlet there so I can get there more frequently.
Brian William Waddell is a foodie, beer geek, and author. His numerous blog posts range from food to politics. He also has a book of poetry, Fractured Prose, available here, and is ready to publish his second poetic endeavor.
Have you ever gone to a movie, show, or meal that you so badly wanted to be amazing, after hearing everyone rave about it, and had it live up to every last bit of praise you heard before and even surpass your own lofty expectations? For me there are Braveheart, Avenue Q, and now, Raku which all fit that mold.
I am by no means an expert on Japanese food or restaurants so I cannot say first hand that this is a truly authentic Japanese restaurant. I can, however, say that at one point during my visit there were ten guests in the restaurant and only three of us were not native Japanese speakers. Among the guests was the sushi chef who has probably made me more sushi than anyone else, and later, purported frequent Raku diner and praise-singer Chef Paul Bartolotta came in to partake.
I tried to order a good mix of the more "mundane" dishes and the more "bizarre" dishes. Among the "mundane" were a delicate house-made tofu, a nice-but-didn't-knock-my-socks-off oysters three ways, a perfectly grilled salmon served with roe, and a tasty grilled rice ball. The "bizarre" were Kobe beef liver sashimi which, not surprisingly, tasted like liver, a strange-to-me-although-not-really-that-strange dried tatami sardine salad, and a delightfully tender perfectly grilled Kurobota pork cheek.
This is a place that I could go to every day, and never tire of the food. The service is very friendly, although only one of the two servers understood at least half of what I said. Any previous complaints I had read about food taking too long have either been rectified, or those people are just too impatient.
Raku will probably survive in its current location because it is a destination kind of place where location can help but won't really hurt, but I need everyone to go there and tell them they need to move to the East side of town or at least open a second outlet there so I can get there more frequently.
Brian William Waddell is a foodie, beer geek, and author. His numerous blog posts range from food to politics. He also has a book of poetry, Fractured Prose, available here, and is ready to publish his second poetic endeavor.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
The Bar Round 1
Went to the Bar @ Bermuda & St. Rose last night. So far I'm impressed by the meatloaf (yes, the meatloaf), the truffled mac & cheese, the bottled beer list as well as the wine list. The chefs platings are nice, if not uber-creative. As far as I've seen, for a place called the Bar, these guys are trying to do something a little different with their food offerings while still letting you pig out on buffalo wings and their good mini corndogs. Whether the different, more foodie friendly, items are worth stepping inside for has yet to be seen, as the highlights have generally been minor riffs on mundane bar or comfort food. The ownership is almost always on site and do a good job of getting around to everyone. The front of the house seems to be well managed, I hope the food can match up to the service. I'll be back there soon so I can render a more enlightened final verdict.
Brian William Waddell is a foodie, beer geek, and author. His numerous blog posts range from food to politics. He also has a book of poetry, Fractured Prose, available here, and is ready to publish his second poetic endeavor.
Brian William Waddell is a foodie, beer geek, and author. His numerous blog posts range from food to politics. He also has a book of poetry, Fractured Prose, available here, and is ready to publish his second poetic endeavor.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
When my parents come to town...
...we eat well. My father, the director of a culinary school, and mother, a nurse who eats very well and is well traveled, were in town for much of this past weekend. Whenever we are together, the conversations start and finish with the time and location of our next meal, and the stuff in between is usually about what we just ate. Their plane from New York arrived a couple hours late on New Years Eve, so we were unable to go to Settebello for our NYE dinner as we had hoped. They showed up at my house at 11:50 PM, we sat down for the countdown and some Segura Viudas Cava from Valley Cheese and Wine, then headed to Black Mountain Grill for some late night grub. Please keep in mind, BMG is not a place I go during normal hours, but their 22oz Cowboy Steak is big, meaty, and cooked correctly, and at about $13 on their late night menu, is one of the best deals around. After a satisfying meal, we returned to my house, exchanged gifts, and decided against breakfast the next morning.
So it was Bouchon for brunch. Good choice. My "Chicken and Waffles" was wonderful, with a beautiful chasseur sauce for the chicken and some very good syrup for the more savory waffle preparation. The pastry basket was deliciously decadent. My dads mussels were perfectly cooked, and I can't even remember what anyone else had because I was so engrossed in my own dish.
We then wandered up through the Palazzo and Wynn to the brand new Encore, gandering at the restaurants along the way. After trying for a couple hours to get through to Raku by phone (which I will expand upon later), we decided to do Settebello for dinner. Settebello is Neapolitan pizza. It is very good pizza, and one of my favorite places to go, bar none. My parents enjoyed it and the sour red ale my dad and I shared was a pricey but worthy complement.
While dining that evening, we decided on Lotus of Siam for lunch, once again opting out of breakfast. If you haven't been to Lotus, you are truly missing out. The service is spotty at best, but who really cares when the food is delightful at worst. The Pad Thai makes my girlfriend swoon, and I can't think of a dish I couldn't recommend to any human with a working jaw (I may even recommend some of the soups to those without).
Next, we went over to Town Square and had some frozen yogurt at Yogurtland. I don't usually review such things. Why start now. After about 3:30 I started trying to call Raku once again. They were still not answering. I understood the day before being closed New Years Day, but they had no voice mailbox message saying they would be closed for any extended period of time. For that matter, they had no message stating their normal hours or when they do answer the phones to take reservations. I know they normally open at 6:00 so we headed over about then. We got there to find a sign on the door stating they were closed through January 4th. Thanks. Glad you waited until I got there to tell me. So, since my girlfriends brother and sister-in-law were in town also and staying at Red Rock, we headed over to Hachi for what turned out to be an excellent meal. Some things about the place were a bit weird to me, like the 10 course menu including the amuse and edamame as courses. To me, edamame in this case is like the bread throughout a coursed meal, it should be a given (this does not include the ridiculous bread courses at some places which edamame could never hope to match in variety). And I have never seen a place count their amuse as a course. Nonetheless, the food was very well executed and presented and I wholeheartedly recommend Hachi.
My parents took us back home, and we once again decided against breakfast. We just aren't morning people. It was fun while it lasted but my parents left Vegas around noon the next day, a little too early for us to catch another lunch. Hopefully they'll come back soon so I can justify another such adventure.
Brian William Waddell is a foodie, beer geek, and author. His numerous blog posts range from food to politics. He also has a book of poetry, Fractured Prose, available here, and is ready to publish his second poetic endeavor.
So it was Bouchon for brunch. Good choice. My "Chicken and Waffles" was wonderful, with a beautiful chasseur sauce for the chicken and some very good syrup for the more savory waffle preparation. The pastry basket was deliciously decadent. My dads mussels were perfectly cooked, and I can't even remember what anyone else had because I was so engrossed in my own dish.
We then wandered up through the Palazzo and Wynn to the brand new Encore, gandering at the restaurants along the way. After trying for a couple hours to get through to Raku by phone (which I will expand upon later), we decided to do Settebello for dinner. Settebello is Neapolitan pizza. It is very good pizza, and one of my favorite places to go, bar none. My parents enjoyed it and the sour red ale my dad and I shared was a pricey but worthy complement.
While dining that evening, we decided on Lotus of Siam for lunch, once again opting out of breakfast. If you haven't been to Lotus, you are truly missing out. The service is spotty at best, but who really cares when the food is delightful at worst. The Pad Thai makes my girlfriend swoon, and I can't think of a dish I couldn't recommend to any human with a working jaw (I may even recommend some of the soups to those without).
Next, we went over to Town Square and had some frozen yogurt at Yogurtland. I don't usually review such things. Why start now. After about 3:30 I started trying to call Raku once again. They were still not answering. I understood the day before being closed New Years Day, but they had no voice mailbox message saying they would be closed for any extended period of time. For that matter, they had no message stating their normal hours or when they do answer the phones to take reservations. I know they normally open at 6:00 so we headed over about then. We got there to find a sign on the door stating they were closed through January 4th. Thanks. Glad you waited until I got there to tell me. So, since my girlfriends brother and sister-in-law were in town also and staying at Red Rock, we headed over to Hachi for what turned out to be an excellent meal. Some things about the place were a bit weird to me, like the 10 course menu including the amuse and edamame as courses. To me, edamame in this case is like the bread throughout a coursed meal, it should be a given (this does not include the ridiculous bread courses at some places which edamame could never hope to match in variety). And I have never seen a place count their amuse as a course. Nonetheless, the food was very well executed and presented and I wholeheartedly recommend Hachi.
My parents took us back home, and we once again decided against breakfast. We just aren't morning people. It was fun while it lasted but my parents left Vegas around noon the next day, a little too early for us to catch another lunch. Hopefully they'll come back soon so I can justify another such adventure.
Brian William Waddell is a foodie, beer geek, and author. His numerous blog posts range from food to politics. He also has a book of poetry, Fractured Prose, available here, and is ready to publish his second poetic endeavor.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
The Fat Greek, or My Lunch with John Curtas.
A few weeks ago I "won" lunch with Las Vegas food critic extraordinaire John Curtas. After only one swing and a miss this humble food professional/critic was able to connect with the globe trotting attorney/Iron Chef Judge for a home run of a meal. We dined al fresco at The Fat Greek (NW Corner of Flamingo and Decatur, way in the back). The weather was wonderful, the food much better than expected, and the company knowledgeable and ready to eat. John normally talks enough for two, so generally you can sit back and listen to a man who has eaten in more restaurants, in this town alone, than I probably have in my life. We spoke of life (as it relates to food), food, business (of food), food, and even love (of food). And, most importantly, we also spoke of what was on the plate in front of us. The place does a better job than most at bringing Greek food to the masses. I say this because masses of Greek restaurants are unforgivably horrible. It was a good lunch, with mostly fresh ingredients and pleasant service. It is family run, which is always a plus in my book. So if you have a hankering for what is as close to a true Greek flavor as you can find in Las Vegas, Fat Greek may be the place for you.
Brian William Waddell is a foodie, beer geek, and author. His numerous blog posts range from food to politics. He also has a book of poetry, Fractured Prose, available here, and is ready to publish his second poetic endeavor.
Brian William Waddell is a foodie, beer geek, and author. His numerous blog posts range from food to politics. He also has a book of poetry, Fractured Prose, available here, and is ready to publish his second poetic endeavor.
Monday, October 6, 2008
L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon
The following is an old review from December of 2005. The price of the Discovery menu has increased, but, according to all those I know who have gone since, this restaurant is still definitely worth the increased ticket price.
The Restaurant: L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon.
Location: MGM Grand across from the KA showroom.
Menu Decouverte (Discovery Menu) for 1 price: $95 plus drinks and tip.
The Skinny: Amazing. That one word easily sums up the entire experience of sitting at the bar at L'Atelier. In a location that abuts the super fancy, extremely high-end Joel Robuchon at the Mansion, this tiny, maybe forty seat workshop is not to be outdone by its big brother. The menu consists entirely of small portion choices, a sort of French inspired tapas bar, if you will. The best bang for your buck is definitely, as usual, the tasting menu, or in this case, the Discovery Menu. This ninety-five dollar choice is a bargain considering seven of the nine courses can be purchased a la carte for a total of $114. However, when dealing with cuisine of this magnitude, money should be no object. From the amuse-bouche (a vegetable fondant topped with an avocado cream) through the two featured desserts (Les Airelles: a chestnut confit topped with a cranberry milkshake; Le Chocolat: a chocolate pot de crème of sorts) the flavors and textures were all delightfully well balanced and spot on. The service was solid and not at all below expectation for an establishment of this caliber. There is a bonus for true foodies and culinarians: The seats at the bar allow full view of the kitchen and the masterful workings within. Of course, what would my review be without some mention of alcohol? I had a Mango Mojito, which was good, but not in my top three. I would recommend sticking with a glass of wine or two from their fine selection. One other warning, this experience is not recommended for anyone who cannot understand how textures and flavors can work together to create not something that just makes you say “That’s yummy”, but instead transcends and transports with its combinations.
Brian William Waddell is a foodie, beer geek, and author. His numerous blog posts range from food to politics. He also has a book of poetry, Fractured Prose, available here, and is ready to publish his second poetic endeavor.
The Restaurant: L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon.
Location: MGM Grand across from the KA showroom.
Menu Decouverte (Discovery Menu) for 1 price: $95 plus drinks and tip.
The Skinny: Amazing. That one word easily sums up the entire experience of sitting at the bar at L'Atelier. In a location that abuts the super fancy, extremely high-end Joel Robuchon at the Mansion, this tiny, maybe forty seat workshop is not to be outdone by its big brother. The menu consists entirely of small portion choices, a sort of French inspired tapas bar, if you will. The best bang for your buck is definitely, as usual, the tasting menu, or in this case, the Discovery Menu. This ninety-five dollar choice is a bargain considering seven of the nine courses can be purchased a la carte for a total of $114. However, when dealing with cuisine of this magnitude, money should be no object. From the amuse-bouche (a vegetable fondant topped with an avocado cream) through the two featured desserts (Les Airelles: a chestnut confit topped with a cranberry milkshake; Le Chocolat: a chocolate pot de crème of sorts) the flavors and textures were all delightfully well balanced and spot on. The service was solid and not at all below expectation for an establishment of this caliber. There is a bonus for true foodies and culinarians: The seats at the bar allow full view of the kitchen and the masterful workings within. Of course, what would my review be without some mention of alcohol? I had a Mango Mojito, which was good, but not in my top three. I would recommend sticking with a glass of wine or two from their fine selection. One other warning, this experience is not recommended for anyone who cannot understand how textures and flavors can work together to create not something that just makes you say “That’s yummy”, but instead transcends and transports with its combinations.
Brian William Waddell is a foodie, beer geek, and author. His numerous blog posts range from food to politics. He also has a book of poetry, Fractured Prose, available here, and is ready to publish his second poetic endeavor.
BOA Steakhouse
The Restaurant: BOA Steakhouse
Location: Top floor of the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace Las Vegas
Dinner for 1 price: $72 plus tip
The Skinny: Very good food in hefty portions. The menu is Surf & Turf and features Kobe beef (Wagyu or American Kobe, specially raised hybrids of Angus and Kobe beef) for some of the steak options. I started with a Pomegranate Mojito. I could have had 6 of those things they were so good. Still, I am more impressed with the blueberry mojito at Spago and the Lavender mojito at Parasol Down in the Wynn. I went for the Market Menu which featured a choice of salads, entree and sides, and came with crème brulee for dessert. I had the Chop Chop Salad which consisted of chopped artichokes, salami, chick peas, olives, tomatoes, pine nuts, and provolone cheese. It wasn't a huge salad, but it was certainly filling and could be used as an entree for lighter eaters or someone saving room for dessert. For the entree I had the Kobe Flat Iron Steak. Very good meat, well seasoned, and the Cabernet sauce I chose for dipping was perfect. The sides for me were the fries, which apparently were sprinkled with a touch of truffle oil, and the mushrooms which were also wonderful, especially dipped in the cabernet sauce. By the time I got through all of this I was fairly full. The crème brule was nice, no more, no less. All in all this was an enjoyable meal; service was well above what I expect at this mid-range type Strip restaurant. The price is typical Strip (unfortunately) but the portions are typical steakhouse (fortunately). The meal I had would have left a light eating couple content. So, I recommend making this an entree only kind of place unless you split the Market Menu. The entrees with two sides are sufficient, then walk down the strip and find dessert elsewhere.
Brian William Waddell is a foodie, beer geek, and author. His numerous blog posts range from food to politics. He also has a book of poetry, Fractured Prose, available here, and is ready to publish his second poetic endeavor.
Location: Top floor of the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace Las Vegas
Dinner for 1 price: $72 plus tip
The Skinny: Very good food in hefty portions. The menu is Surf & Turf and features Kobe beef (Wagyu or American Kobe, specially raised hybrids of Angus and Kobe beef) for some of the steak options. I started with a Pomegranate Mojito. I could have had 6 of those things they were so good. Still, I am more impressed with the blueberry mojito at Spago and the Lavender mojito at Parasol Down in the Wynn. I went for the Market Menu which featured a choice of salads, entree and sides, and came with crème brulee for dessert. I had the Chop Chop Salad which consisted of chopped artichokes, salami, chick peas, olives, tomatoes, pine nuts, and provolone cheese. It wasn't a huge salad, but it was certainly filling and could be used as an entree for lighter eaters or someone saving room for dessert. For the entree I had the Kobe Flat Iron Steak. Very good meat, well seasoned, and the Cabernet sauce I chose for dipping was perfect. The sides for me were the fries, which apparently were sprinkled with a touch of truffle oil, and the mushrooms which were also wonderful, especially dipped in the cabernet sauce. By the time I got through all of this I was fairly full. The crème brule was nice, no more, no less. All in all this was an enjoyable meal; service was well above what I expect at this mid-range type Strip restaurant. The price is typical Strip (unfortunately) but the portions are typical steakhouse (fortunately). The meal I had would have left a light eating couple content. So, I recommend making this an entree only kind of place unless you split the Market Menu. The entrees with two sides are sufficient, then walk down the strip and find dessert elsewhere.
Brian William Waddell is a foodie, beer geek, and author. His numerous blog posts range from food to politics. He also has a book of poetry, Fractured Prose, available here, and is ready to publish his second poetic endeavor.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)