Endo Edibles

August 11, 2018
7:58 AM
by: Uhockey

Pink Box Doughnuts [6,] Las Vegas NV

Pink Box Doughnuts

Glazed Old Fashioned Doughnut

Maple Frosted Old Fashioned Doughnut

Vanilla Frosted Birthday Cake Doughnut

Raspberry Filled Sugar Doughnut

Apple Fritter

Lemon Custard Doughnut

Cinnamon Crumb Buttermilk Bar

Blueberry Glazed Cro-Dough

Chocolate Frosted Bavarian Cream Doughnut

Peanut Butter and Jelly Doughnut

Vanilla Frosted Caramel Cheesecake Doughnut

Pink Velvet Unicorn Cake Doughnut

Churro Bar

Triple Chocolate Poomoji Doughnut

Now a fixture around the office, two dozen showing up at least every other week despite the closest outlet being at least twenty minutes away, it was on Saturday morning that a bonus stop was made at Pink Box Doughnuts and although everything ordered had personally been tasted prior the fourteen fried treats still managed to wow two first timers from the Midwest while confirming a local’s belief that no Doughnut shop in the state compares.

At this point going on six years in the business and with no signs of slowing, expansion to northern California and a fourth Las Vegas location on Charleston Boulevard up next, it was just prior to 8am that the 24/7 shop on Lake Meade was found busy as ever, staff up front pleasant while Bakers in back worked fervently to keep up with customer demand including what seemed to be a substantial number of pre-orders.

Worth driving right past Glazed or Donut Mania for, the fully stocked shelves and textures that scream “made fresh” differentiating Pink Box from other novelty shops while only ACE Donuts compares for classics, it was starting off with two Old Fashioned cogwheels that technique and fresh oil were immediately on display beneath sweet Maple, the Birthday Cake requested by someone else seemingly improved from the past and now somehow even lighter than before.

Moving next to Fruit, the yeasty pocket packed with Raspberry Jam always a favorite and another with Lemon Custard far less artificial than that from Glazed just a few days prior, it was in between these that Pink Box’s Apple Fritter accomplished the rare feat of impressing two ladies who typically feel the item is too “greasy” while the Cro-Dough up next again trumped any in the area thanks to cleanly separated layers of lamination.

Never passing on a Pink Box Buttermilk Bar, the depth of penetration achieved by its Glaze attesting to timing and experience while Cinnamon Crumble only adds to the delicate texture, fans of Bavarians should not hesitate to sample owner Roberto Armanino’s version though those looking for something truly outstanding would do even better to pass on Cream or Pudding and go straight for a Doughnut packed with luxurious Cheesecake Filling.

Happy to see PB&J back in the case, Jam from the Raspberry Bismarck filling the cavity below a thick swirl, it seemed only right to round out the morning with three new-classics, the Unicorn really just a cute way to dress Pink Box’s tasty spin on Red Velvet while both the Churro Bar and Poomoji balance novelty with taste, the former admittedly too sweet for some but ideal for those who enjoy Cajeta or Dulce de Leche while the triple Chocolate round may seem ‘gross’ at first, though anyone with hang-ups about eating what is essentially a delicious and creamy cartoon probably has other issues for which they should seek help.

FIVE STARS: While other shops spend time celebrating their “celebrity” and firing founders or scrawling “SOLD OUT” on Windows even though there are Donuts still on shelves Pink Box Doughnuts simply keeps getting better and better with time, the classics now caught up to the novelties and that sort of commitment to quality not something which should be overlooked.

RECOMMENDED: Cinnamon Crumb Buttermilk Bar, Vanilla Frosted Caramel Cheesecake Doughnut, Cro-Dough, Churro Bar, Triple Chocolate Poomoji Doughnut, Raspberry Filled Sugar Doughnut

AVOID: N/A.

TIP: Keep an eye on @pinkboxdoughnuts or @pinkboxdoughnutslv for Specials including news on the new location.

WHAT THE STARS MEAN: 5 World Class, 4 Excellent, 3 Good, 2 Fair, 1 Poor.

www.pinkboxdoughnuts.com

Posted in Breakfast, Dessert, Food, Las Vegas, Nevada, Pink Box, Pink Box Doughnuts, Pink Box Doughnuts Centennial, Pink Box Doughnuts Summerlin Tagged Apple, Apple Fritter, Apples, Bar, Bavarian, Bavarian cream, Bavarian Cream Donut, Bavarian Cream Doughnut, Birthday Cake, Birthday Cake Donut, Birthday Cake Doughnut, Bismarck, Bismarck Donut, Bismarck Doughnut, Blueberries, Blueberry, Blueberry Cro-Dough, Blueberry Glaze, Blueberry Glazed Cro-Dough, Blueberry Glazed CroDough, Bread, Butter, Buttermilk, Buttermilk Bar, Cake Donut, Cake Doughnut, Caramel, Caramel Cheese cake, Caramel Cheesecake, Caramel Cheesecake Donut, Caramel Cheesecake Doughnut, Cheese Cake, Cheesecake, Chocolate, Chocolate Frosted Bavarian Cream Donut, Chocolate Frosted Bavarian Cream Doughnut, Chocolate Frosting, Chocolate Icing, Churro, Churro Bar, Churro Bar Donut, Churro Bar Doughnut, Churros, Cinnamon, Cinnamon Crumb, Cinnamon Crumb Buttermilk Bar, Cinnamon Sugar, Coffee, Cookie, Cookies, Cream, Cro-Dough, CroDough, Cronut, Crumb, Curd, Custard, Dark Chocolate, Dessert, Desserts, Donut, Donuts, Doughnut, Doughnuts, endoedibles, Food, Foodie, Fritter, Frosting, Glaze, Glazed, Glazed Old Fashioned, Glazed Old Fashioned Donut, Glazed Old Fashioned Donuts, Glazed Old Fashioned Doughnut, Glazed Old Fashioned Doughnut Glazed Old Fashioned Doughnuts, Icing, Jam, Jelly, Las Vegas, Lemon, Lemon Curd, Lemon Custard, Lemon Custard Donut, Lemon Custard Doughnut, Lemons, LV, Maple, Maple Frosted Old Fashione, Maple Frosted Old Fashioned Donut, Maple Frosted Old Fashioned Doughnut, Maple Frosting, Michael Uzmann, Nevada, NV, Old Fashioned, Old Fashioned Donut, Old Fashioned Donuts, Old Fashioned Doughnut, Old Fashioned Doughnuts, Pastries, Pastry, PB, PB & J, PB & Jelly, PB and J, PB&J, Peanut, Peanut Butter, Peanut Butter & Jelly, Peanut Butter and Jelly, Peanut Butter and Jelly Donut, Peanut Butter and Jelly Doughnut, Peanuts, Pink Box, Pink Box Doughnuts, Pink Box Doughnuts Summerlin, Pink Velvet, Pink Velvet Donut, Pink Velvet Doughnut, Pink Velvet Unicorn, Pink Velvet Unicorn Cake Donut, Pink Velvet Unicorn Cake Doughnut, Pink Velvet Unicorn Donut, Pink Velvet Unicorn Doughnut, Poomoji, Poomoji Donut, Poomoji Doughnut, Poomoji Triple Chocolate Donut, Poomoji Triple Chocolate Doughnut, Raspberries, Raspberry, Raspberry Filled Sugar Donut, Raspberry Filled Sugar Doughnut, Raspberry Jam, Raspberry Jelly, Roberto Armanino, Sin City, Sugar, Sugar Donut, Sugar Doughnut, Triple Chocolate, Triple Chocolate Poomoji, Triple Chocolate Poomoji Donut, Triple Chocolate Poomoji Doughnut, Unicorn, Unicorn Pink Velvet Donut, Unicorn Pink Velvet Doughnut, Vanilla, Vanilla Frosted Birthday Cake Donut, Vanilla Frosted Birthday Cake Doughnut, Vanilla Frosted Caramel Cheesecake Donut, Vanilla Frosted Caramel Cheesecake Doughnut, Vanilla Frosting, Vegas

August 8, 2018
5:34 PM
by: Uhockey

Andre’s Bistro & Bar [4,] Las Vegas NV

Andre’s Bistro & Bar

Warm Baguette, Butter

Tomato & Burrata Salad – Marinated Heirloom Tomato, Peaches, Burrata Cheese, Sherry Vinaigrette

French Onion Soup – Toasted Bread, Gruyere Cheese

Venison Sausage – Crispy Polenta, Sauteed Spinach, Teardrop Tomatoes, Port-Blackberry Jus

Potato Gnocchi – Baby Squash, Crispy Shallots, Herb Butter

Lobster Roll – Maine Lobster, Blue Crab, Herb Aioli, Toasted Roll, Sweet Potato Fries, Ketchup

Chocolate Walnut Gateau – Chocolate glazed Caramel Walnut Torte, Crème Anglaise

Chocolate Pot de Crème – Oven baked Chocolate Custard, Chantilly Cream, Homemade Vanilla Cookie

Saturday Sundae – Brownie, Vanilla Bean Ice Cream, Hot Fudge, Caramel, Toasted Hazelnuts, Whipped Cream

Although Andre Rochat’s Restaurants have undergone several changes in the past three years with closures, openings and Chef shuffles there are few places in Southwest Las Vegas where guests will feel more welcome than at Andre’s Bistro & Bar, over a year separating dinner on Wednesday from the last visit but Joe Marsco and his team still greeting guests daily inside the former DW Bistro space on South Fort Apache Road.

Now separated from Las Vegas Boulevard long enough that many in the area have likely forgotten fine dining inside The Monte Carlo, opening Chefs Mark and Marty since moved on and Chris Bulen alongside Kevin Lopez manning the stoves, guests entering the space during Happy Hour may be surprised to find the Bar full and dining area buzzing on a weekday, front of house staff as pleasant as ever while the décor is classy enough for date night but relaxed such that one need not necessarily get “dressed up.”

Changing the menu slightly since opening, seven daily specials added but the plate of Housemade Sausages unfortunately gone, it was with several items discounted till Six o’clock that two Appetizers and three Entrees were selected, the Tomato and Burrata Salad tasted during a catered lunch drawing high praise from two recent imports from the Midwest while a $7 Vessel of French Onion Soup was piping hot but weakly flavored in comparison to versions offered at Scotch 80 Prime or Bardot.

Enjoying a crusty Baguette and Butter alongside opening bites, $4 Iced Teas apparently carry-over pricing from The Strip, it was perhaps ten minutes after plates were cleared that three more took their place, Chef’s seasonal Gnocchi in desperate need of seasoning but otherwise light and soft in juxtaposition to Squash while the Lobster and Blue Crab Roll remains a bargain at $18 for quite a bit of freshly picked Meat atop a buttery split-top Roll.

Compelled to eat several Sweet Potato Fries, some of the Valley’s best and even better than Andre’s golden Spuds fried in Duck Fat, it was without hesitation that the daily special from Chef Lopez was ordered and found to be boldly spiced but still funky, a statement applicable to almost every housemade Sausage from Andre’s past or present but even more valid in the case of Venison.

Sharing everything to this point, the Polenta and boozy Blackberry Sauce both worth fighting over last bites, there was no doubt that dinner should end with Dessert, a variety from Tammy Alana unfortunately – or perhaps fortunately depending on how one looks at it – largely unchanged and highlighted by a Chocolate Walnut Gateau though had it been more obvious than a poster near the door a $15 tableside Bananas Foster would have been the table’s choice.

FOUR STARS: Steadily building a following in the Southwest, Chef changes and a very different clientele than in the past yielding a menu of Bistro classics plus several slightly more “American” options, Andre’s remains the best choice for mid-priced Off-Strip French in Las Vegas and for those seeking Happy Hour bargains a veritable steal.

RECOMMENDED: Venison Sausage, Lobster Roll, Sweet Potato Fries, Chocolate Walnut Gateau.

AVOID: French Onion Soup needs much more depth of flavor while Gnocchi saw diners uncharacteristically reaching for the Salt shaker.

TIP: Happy Hour is offered from 3:00p to 6:00p daily.

WHAT THE STARS MEAN: 5 World Class, 4 Excellent, 3 Good, 2 Fair, 1 Poor.

https://www.andresbistroandbar.com/

Posted in Andre's, Andre's Bistro & Bar, Andre's Bistro and Bar, Crab, Dessert, Food, Gnocchi, Ice Cream, Las Vegas, Lobster, Nevada Tagged Aioli, Andre Rochat, Andre's, Andre's Bistro, Andre's Bistro & Bar, Andre's Bistro and Bar, Anglaise, Baby Squash, Baguette, Baked Chocolate Custard, Beef, Beef Broth, Blackberries, Blackberry, Blue Crab, Bread, Broth, Brownie, Brownies, Burrata, Burrata Cheese, Butter, Cake, Cakes, Caramel, Chantilly, Chantilly Cream, Cheese, Chocolate, Chocolate Brownie, Chocolate Brownies, Chocolate Custard, Chocolate glazed Caramel Walnut Torte, Chocolate Pot de Crème, Chocolate Walnut Gateau, Chris Bulen, Cookie, Cookies, Cornmeal, Cow, Crab, Crabs, Cream, Creme, Creme Anglaise, Creme Chantilly, Crispy Polenta, Crispy Shallot, Crispy Shallots, Custard, Dark Chocolate, Deer, Dessert, Desserts, Dumpling, Dumplings, endoedibles, Food, Foodie, French Onion, French Onion Soup, Fries, Fry, Fudge, Fudge Brownie, Fudge Brownies, Gateau, Gateaux, Gnocchi, Gruyere, Gruyere Cheese, Hazelnut, Hazelnuts, Heirloom Tomato, Heirloom Tomatoes, Herb, Herb Aioli, Herb Butter, Herbs, Homemade Vanilla Cookie, Hot Fudge, Hot Fudge Sauce, Ice, Ice Cream, Ice Cream Sundae, Iced Tea, Joe Marsco, Jus, Ketchup, Kevin Lopez, Las Vegas, Lobster, Lobster Roll, Lobsters, LV, Maine Lobster, Maine Lobster Roll, Marinated Heirloom Tomato, Marinated Heirloom Tomatoes, Michael Uzmann, Nevada, NV, Onion, Onions, Oven baked Chocolate Custard, Pasta, Pastries, Pastry, Peach, Peaches, Polenta, Port, Port Wine, Port-Blackberry Jus, Pot de Creme, Potato, Potato Gnocchi, Potatoes, Salad, Salt, Salted Butter, Saturday Sundae, Sauce, Sausage, Sauteed Spinach, Shallot, Shallots, Sherry, Sherry Vinaigrette, Sin City, Soup, Spinach, Split-Top Roll, Squash, Sugar, Sundae, Sweet Potato, Sweet Potato Fries, Sweet Potato Fry, Sweet Potatoes, Tammy Alana, Tart, Tea, Teardrop Tomato, Teardrop Tomatoes, Toast, Toasted Bread, Toasted Hazelnut, Toasted Hazelnuts, Toasted Roll, Tomato, Tomato & Burrata Salad, Tomato and Burrata Salad, Tomatoes, Torte, Vanilla, Vanilla Bean, Vanilla Bean Ice Cream, Vanilla Cookie, Vanilla Cookies, Vanilla Ice Cream, Vegas, Venison, Venison Sausage, Vinaigrette, Walnut, Walnuts, Warm Baguette, Whipped Cream, Wine, Zucchini

August 8, 2018
11:23 AM
by: Uhockey

The Goodwich Catering [2,] Las Vegas NV

The Goodwich South Buffalo Catering

Curry-Malt Vinegar Chips

Street Corn Mac ‘n Cheese – Cotija, Street Corn, Cilantro, Zucchini

Cobb-ish – Seaweed, Noodles, Tomatoes, Avocado, Urban Seed Greens, Cucumbers, Edamame, Tofu, Nuts, Seeds, Ginger Vin

Street Corn Sandwich – Sweet Corn Salad, Pasilla Pepper, Goat Ricotta, Pepperjack, Corn Nuts, Ciabatta

Patty 2.0 – Green Turkey Chorizo, Cilantro, Zucchini, Pepperjack, Aioli, Marble Rye

Jazz Club – MGP Meats, Provolone, Pistachio-Olive Relish,’Nduja, Ciabatta

Mi Bahn – Goodwich Pate, Pickled Vegetables, Foie Spread, Cilantro, Ciabatta

Cheese Bomb – Lots of Cheese, Pasilla Pepper Aioli, Goodwich Hot Sauce, Ciabatta

Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Immediately upping the quality of dining in Southwest Las Vegas it was only a few days after opening that dinner was enjoyed at The Goodwich on South Buffalo, a location less than a mile from the office making Josh Clark’s Sandwich shop with so much more an ideal choice for #supportlocal lunch on Wednesday.

Coordinated with ease by Nichole Hall, an online form plus the budget and a few suggestions crafting what was apparently the new location’s first catering gig, it was straight from the hands of Chef Clark that several trays arrived minutes prior to the designated time, everything still temperature appropriate and displayed nicely with descriptive labeling.

A long way from the days in front of Dino’s Lounge, creativity never for lack but ingredients from Urban Seed and Michael’s Gourmet Pantry allowing flavors to really shine, it was from five Sandwiches and three Sides that attendees were left to choose, the Curry-Malt Vinegar Chips immediately garnering praise for their crispness and big flavors while the “Cobb-ish” Salad surprised some with hidden Rice Noodles though every last Leaf, Seed and Nut was gone by the end of the day.

Taking some chances with a crowd that ranges from nineteen year olds to physicians with more than two decades of experience, an immense tray of Macaroni and Cheese dressed up like Elotes making a good impression on a wide range of races thanks to familiar flavors and varied textures, it was surprising that a meatless Sandwich similarly themed was gone within minutes, a light touch of heat playing well off the Sweet Corn while Corn Nuts added crunch between pillowy pieces of Ciabatta.

Told by Josh that change was already underway, an entirely new neighborhood making their likes and desires known as business grows, it seems likely that a Sandwich entitled “Cheese Bomb” will remain as a carryover from downtown thanks to the gooey blend of Provolone, Pepperjack and Cheddar while the Patty 2.0 served on toasted Marble Rye should also stick around as it is just as delicious as the Goodwich original, though less heavy thanks to spicy ground Turkey substituted for Beef and Zucchini replacing the Onions.

Taking inspiration from two classic Sandwiches to finish, Jazz Club riffing on New Orleans’ famous Muffuletta with Cold Cuts from J Michael Stamm plus Housemade Relish and a smear of Calabrian Sausage, those looking for a truly decadent way to enjoy the afternoon would be wise to invest $16 in Clark’s “Mi Bahn” that features housemade Pickles and chunky Pate beneath a thick layer of Duck Liver Mousse…and of course who could forget about a Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie or three?

N/A: Making it blog policy to not ‘rate’ places based on catering alone this is now the second time that The Goodwich has arrived STACKED RITE and right on time with a broad selection of Sandwiches and Sides to impress a highly varied audience.

RECOMMENDED: Curry-Malt Vinegar Chips, Street Corn Mac ‘n Cheese, Street Corn Sandwich, Mi Bahn, Jazz Club, Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies.

AVOID: N/A.

TIP: 11a-10p daily with specials featured on Social Media, www.thegoodwich.com/catering for catering.

WHAT THE STARS MEAN: 5 World Class, 4 Excellent, 3 Good, 2 Fair, 1 Poor.

www.thegoodwich.com

Posted in Catering, Dessert, Foie, Foie Gras, Food, Las Vegas, Michael's Gourmet Pantry, Nevada, Pork, The Goodwich, The Goodwich South Buffalo, Urban Seed Tagged Aioli, Avocado, Avocados, Bahn Mi, Beef, Bread, Brown Butter, Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie, Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies, Butter, Calabrian Chiles, Calabrian Chili, Calabrian Sausage, Carrot, Carrots, Catering, Cheddar, Cheddar Cheese, Cheese, Cheese Bomb, Cheese Bomb Sandwich, Chip, Chips, Chocolate, Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Chip Cookie, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Chocolate Chips, Chorizo, Ciabatta, Ciabatta Bread, Cilantro, Cobb-ish, Cobb-ish Salad, Cold Cuts, Cookie, Cookies, Corn, Corn Nut, Corn Nuts, Cotija, Cotija Cheese, Country Pate, Cow, Cucumber, Cucumbers, Curry, Curry-Malt Vinegar Chip, Curry-Malt Vinegar Chips, Dark Chocolate, Dessert, Desserts, Duck, Duck Liver, Duck Liver Mousse, Edamame, endoedibles, Foie, Foie Gras, Foie Gras Mousse, Foie Mousse, Foie Spread, Food, Foodie, Ginger, Ginger Vin, Glass Noodle, Glass Noodles, Goat Ricotta, Goat Ricotta Cheese, Goodwich Hot Sauce, Goodwich Pate, Green Turkey Chorizo, Greens, Ham, Hot Sauce, Jazz Club, Jazz Club Sandwich, Josh Clark, Joshua Clark, Las Vegas, Liver, Liver Mousse, Lots of Cheese, LV, Mac & Cheese, Mac n' Cheese, Macaroni & Cheese, Macaroni 'n Cheese, Macaroni and Cheese, Malt Vinegar, Marble Rye, Marble Rye Bread, MGP, MGP Meats, Mi Bahn, Mi Bahn Sandwich, Michael Uzmann, Michael's Gourmet Pantry, Mortadella, Mousse, Muffuletta, N'duja, Nevada, Nichole Hall, Nichole Hegge, Noodle, Noodles, Nut, Nuts, NV, Olive, Olives, Pasilla, Pasilla Pepper, Pasilla Pepper Aioli, Pasilla Peppers, Pasillas, Pastries, Pastry, Pate, Patty, Patty 2.0, Patty 2.0 Sandwich, Pepper, Pepperjack, Pepperjack Cheese, Peppers, Pickle, Pickled Vegetables, Pickles, Pig, Pistachio, Pistachio-Olive Relish, Pistachios, Pork, Potato, Potato Chip, Potato Chips, Potatoes, Provolone, Provolone Cheese, Relish, Rice, Rice Noodle, Rice Noodles, Ricotta, Ricotta Cheese, Rye, Rye Bread, Salad, Salami, Sandwich, Sandwiches, Sauce, Sausage, Sea Weed, Seaweed, Seed, Seeds, Sin City, Street Corn, Street Corn Mac & Cheese, Street Corn Mac ‘n Cheese, Street Corn Sandwich, Sugar, Sweet Corn, Sweet Corn Salad, Swiss Cheese, The Goodwich, The Goodwich Catering, The Goodwich South Buffalo, The Goodwich South Buffalo Catering, Tofu, Tomato, Tomatoes, Turkey, Turkey Chorizo, Urban Seed, Urban Seed Greens, Vegas, Vegetable, Vegetables, Vin, Vinegar, Zucchini

August 8, 2018
7:13 AM
by: Uhockey

Glaze Doughnuts [2,] Las Vegas NV

Glaze Doughnuts

Yeast Doughnut with Strawberry Glaze, Sprinkles

Blueberry Cake Doughnut

Old Fashioned Doughnut

Maple Bar

Islander Doughnut with Taro Glaze, Coconut

Cinnamon Glaze Twist

El Jefé Doughnut with Horchata Glaze, Churro

Lemon Filled Doughnut

Bar None Doughnut with Chocolate Wafers, Peanuts, Caramel

Red Velvet Cake Doughnut

Chocolate Cake Doughnut

Cherry Bomb Doughnut with Cream Cheese Frosting, Graham Cracker, Chocolate Glaze, Cherry Filling

Bavarian Cream Doughnut with Chocolate Glaze

Now approaching three years in business, a lone visit on opening day finding limited options that were reportedly due to a “rush,” it was on the positive words of a Strip Restaurant Sommelier that a return visit was planned to Glaze Doughnuts on Fort Apache Road, the decision to pre-order for work proving wise not only for time’s sake but because once again the early morning did not find much ready.

Family owned and operated from the start, Dominic Sang bringing family recipes from a Texas Doughnuttery to Sin City in October 2015, guests entering Glaze will notice little has since changed about the shop save for a banner announcing 3rd place in the 2017 Best of Las Vegas competition, the décor still fairly bland save for a clever fact sheet confirming what connoisseurs already knew about Canadians while service remains unhurried but pleasant.

Unchanged in terms of prices despite adding several new flavors, Yeast or Cake Classics just a dollar and maxing out at $2.25 for “Fancy” Doughnuts that range from Fritters to those with housemade Toppings, it was with $21.38 exchanged for a Baker’s Dozen that a still-warm box was transported two miles, two doctors presumably from the nearby hospital also stopping in early but limited to the mundane few options available in a half-full case.

Doing away with Social Media discounts or Cheaper-by-the-Dozen deals enticing diners elsewhere, the prices something that fans of Dunkin may not realize to be a deal assuredly such when compared to other ‘small batch’ shops across America, it was staring simple with Homer Simpson’s favorite Strawberry Glazed Ring attested to good frying times and fresh Oil while Blueberry Cake with a supple crumb and plenty of Fruit flavor also performed well.

Not particularly fond of Glaze’s Old Fashioned, a thin pour and wide hole making it all crisp while too much surface area covered in Sugar subdued any sourness, it was returning to the fluffy leavened base that a Maple Bar showed much better than Canada’s go-to from Tim Horton’s, the “Islander” up next dialing up texture by way of freshly toasted Coconut atop faintly purple Frosting.

Finding most of Glaze’s Icings more subtle than memory serves, the Cinnamon Twist in particular almost savory thanks to a hefty shake coating the top, those looking for another refined option would be well advised to phone in a request for El Jefé, the Caramel-filled Churro not quite as well incorporated as it is at Pink Box but the Rice Milk Glaze exceptional.

Passing up the Raspberry filling from visit one for Lemon, a mistake as the former tastes far less artificial, it was from another $2.25 fancy titled Bar None that great textures and flavor were found, the Snickers Bar no doubt an inspiration and a good one at that while the naked Red Velvet also offered with Cream Cheese Frosting was moist and Cakelike but not oily in the least.

Also tasting Chocolate Cake, the acrid linger of competitors nowhere to be found and the Cocoa nicely balanced by plain Glaze, it was with two additional filled selections that tasting concluded, the “Cherry Bomb” a good idea with lots of complexity that would be better if the filling weren’t so cloying while the Bavarian Cream is probably the best of its kind in Sin City and a steal for just $1.50.

FOUR STARS: Improved from prior but still inexplicably unready to do business an hour after opening one wonders if Glaze might be better with a bit more preparedness, because for those willing to invest the time and effort the product itself compares favorably to some of the Valley’s best.

RECOMMENDED: Bavarian Cream, Cinnamon Glaze Twist, El Jefé, Bar None, Red Velvet Cake.

AVOID: Lemon Filled, Old Fashioned.

TIP: Online Ordering is available but Monthly Specials, El Jefé and Bar None are not listed on the check-sheet so consider e-mailing glazedoughnutslv@gmail.com to be sure.

WHAT THE STARS MEAN: 5 World Class, 4 Excellent, 3 Good, 2 Fair, 1 Poor.

www.glazedoughnutslv.com

Posted in Breakfast, Food, Glaze Doughnuts, Las Vegas, Nevada Tagged Bar None, Bar None Donut, Bar None Donuts, Bar None Doughnut, Bar None Doughnuts, Bavarian cream, Bavarian Cream Donut, Bavarian Cream Donuts, Bavarian Cream Doughnut, Bavarian Cream Doughnut with Chocolate Glaze, Bavarian Cream Doughnuts, Blueberries, Blueberry, Blueberry Cake Donut, Blueberry Cake Donuts, Blueberry Cake Doughnut, Blueberry Cake Doughnuts, Bread, Butter, Cake, Cake Donut, Cake Donuts, Cake Doughnut, Cake Doughnuts, Cakes, Caramel, Cheese, Cherries, Cherry, Cherry Bomb, Cherry Bomb Donut, Cherry Bomb Donuts, Cherry Bomb Doughnut, Cherry Bomb Doughnuts, Cherry Filling, Chocolate, Chocolate Cake, Chocolate Cake Donut, Chocolate Cake Donuts, Chocolate Cake Doughnut, Chocolate Cake Doughnuts, Chocolate Glaze, Chocolate Wafer, Chocolate Wafers, Churro, Churros, Cinnamon, Cinnamon Glaze, Cinnamon Glaze Twist, Cinnamon Sugar, Cinnamon Twist, Coconut, Coconut Flake, Coconut Flakes, Coconuts, Cracker, Crackers, Cream Cheese, Cream Cheese Frosting, Cream Cheese Icing, Dark Chocolate, Dessert, Desserts, Dominic Sang, Donut, Donuts, Doughnut, Doughnuts, El Jefé, El Jefé Donut, El Jefé Donuts, El Jefé Doughnut, El Jefé Doughnut with Horchata Glaze and Churro, El Jefé Doughnuts, endoedibles, Filling, Food, Foodie, Frosting, Glaze, Glaze Doughnuts, Graham, Graham Cracker, Horchata, Horchata Glaze, Icing, Islander Donut, Islander Donuts, Islander Doughnut, Islander Doughnut with Taro Glaze and Coconut, Islander Doughnuts, Las Vegas, Lemon, Lemon Filled Donut, Lemon Filled Donuts, Lemon Filled Doughnut, Lemon Filled Doughnuts, Lemon Filling, Lemon Gel, Lemons, LV, Maple, Maple Bar, Michael Uzmann, Milk, Nevada, NV, Old Fashioned, Old Fashioned Donut, Old Fashioned Donuts, Old Fashioned Doughnut, Old Fashioned Doughnuts, Pastries, Pastry, Peanut, Peanuts, Red Velvet, Red Velvet Cake, Red Velvet Cake Donut, Red Velvet Cake Donuts, Red Velvet Cake Doughnut, Red Velvet Cake Doughnuts, Rice, Rice Milk, Shredded Coconut, Sin City, Sprinkle, Sprinkles, Strawberries, Strawberry, Strawberry Glaze, Sugar, Sugar Glaze, Taro, Taro Glaze, Toasted Coconut, Twist, Vanilla, Vegas, Wafer, Wafers, Yeast, Yeast Donut, Yeast Donuts, Yeast Doughnut, Yeast Doughnut with Strawberry Glaze and Sprinkles, Yeast Doughnuts

August 4, 2018
4:00 PM
by: Uhockey

Alexxa’s Bar [2,] Las Vegas NV

Alexxa’s Bar

Bubbly Sangria – Sparkling Wine, Peaches, Strawberries, Orange

Summer Fling Sangria – Riesling, Basil, Strawberry, Raspberries, Orange

Blanco Sangria – Albarino, Citrus Fruit, Peach Schnapps, Blueberries, Orange

Prime Rib Pierogi – Bacon, Caramelized Shallots, Ricotta, Horseradish Sour Cream

Calabrese Salami – Stone Ground Mustard, Parmesan, Pickled Vegetables, Garlic Flatbread

Baby Ganoush – Roasted Eggplant, Olive Oil, Warm Pita, Pistachio

Crispy Mac & Cheese – Smoky Bacon Barbecue

Heirloom Tomato Salad – Avocado, Smoked Blue Cheese, Red Onion, Mango Vinaigrette

Chicken Sausage Flatbread – Fig Jam, Goat Cheese, Fresh Herbs

Crispy Broccolini – Citrus Reduction, Chili

Mussels & Bay Scallops – Jasmine Rice, Lime Coconut Broth, Herb Salad

Baked Branzino – Pea Risotto, Smoked Tomato Romesco Sauce, Mascarpone

Iced Coffee

Bananas Foster Bao Bun Ice Cream Sandwich – Bruleed Banana, Caramel Fosters Sauce, Banana Ice Cream, Cinnamon Sugar

Peanut Butter Cheesecake – Peanut Butter Caramel, Oreo Crust, Chocolate Ganache, Candied Peanuts

Carrot Cake Pancakes – Spice Batter, Carrots, Walnuts, Cream Cheese Frosting, Syrup

Butterscotch – Pot de Crème, Salty-Sweet Brioche Muffins

Churro Bites – Cinnamon Sugar, Whiskey Caramel, Hexx Chocolate

Originally visited late February it was in hopes of a better developed concept that three diners sat down inside Alexxa’s Bar on Saturday, the menu only changed slightly in the interim but music less obtrusive and the service matching HeXx’s move for move despite both places doing big volume.

Now past the six month mark and serving Tapas from 2pm till late, earlier hours still acting as overflow seating to HeXx’s ever-popular Brunch and in some ways better for those seeking more space to spread out, it was just prior to 4pm that guests were greeted by Peter Varela, a face last seen at Salute but previously known to Chefs Matt Silverman and Piekarski from Summerlin stalwart Vitner Grill.

Truly an impressive remodel, no semblance of the former Candy Shop remaining as the DJ Booth stands ready for nighttime opposite a well-appointed bar lined in Sangria, it was with three of Alexxa’s Beverage of choice that things started off, both the “Bubbly” and “Blanco” easy sipping refreshers while the Summer Fling went one step further by adding a bright herbal layer.

Happy to see Manager Ari Stotland assisting the Alexxa team before the end of his shift, Chefs Carlos Buscaglia and Miranda Prince also on-site preparing for Dinner, it was passing on all but one favorite from visit one that five new items arrived in short succession, an opening volley of ‘Baby’ Ganoush, thinly sliced Salumi alongside house-pickled Vegetables and Dumplings plump with Prime Rib all sized to share with the latter particularly noteworthy for its succulence and restrained use of Horseradish.

At times fun and occasionally taking on ‘fine dining’ ideas, four fried orbs of Macaroni and Cheese assuredly the former but far less greasy than what one might find at the average Bar, it was an admitted surprise to all that Alexxa’s Heirloom Tomato Salad offered a complex mélange of sweetness tinged in acid across a wide range of textures, the Chicken Sausage Flatbread to finish every bit as delicious as memory served and its base perhaps even better thanks to a crisp break and springy chew.

Next maxing a few choices from the HeXx side, Brunch to Dinner transition at four o’clock allowing a pair of new plates to debut, suffice it to say that Chef Buscaglia has set a high mark for what can be accomplished with Bay Scallops by way of a dish placing dozens alongside steamed Mussels in fragrant Coconut Broth while his Branzino managed to thrill even those typically leery of most Fishes thanks to delicate Flesh and crisp Skin that each play well off creamy Rice and nutty Romesco.

Rarely passing on Crispy Broccolini and even less often on Piekarski’s Carrot Cake Pancakes that remain Sin City’s best Flapjack by far, a fluffy stack of four slowly enjoyed as part of Dessert, those looking for additional sweetness will never go wrong ordering Chef Miranda’s Cheesecake built on Peanut Butter and HeXx Chocolate though if stomach space is limited a better option may just be her Butterscotch Pot de Crème or the recently debuted Bananas Foster Ice Cream Sandwich served on Cinnamon-Sugar dusted fried Bao.

FIVE STARS: Previously seeing the thorny differentiation from HeXx as problematic a second look at Alexxa’s Bar suggests otherwise because even though the typical tourist may not know that each exists as separate entities that may not be such a bad thing when both are serving equally great food with service to match.

RECOMMENDED: Summer Fling Sangria, Chicken Sausage Flatbread, Prime Rib Pierogi, Heirloom Tomato Salad, Churro Bites, Butterscotch Pot de Crème (Alexxa Side only but add Crispy Broccolini, Carrot Cake Pancakes, Mussels & Bay Scallops and Bananas Foster from HeXx if possible)

AVOID: N/A.

TIP: Alexxa’s Bar Food Menu starts at 2pm daily.

WHAT THE STARS MEAN: 5 World Class, 4 Excellent, 3 Good, 2 Fair, 1 Poor.

www.alexxasbar.com

Posted in Alexxa, Alexxa’s Bar, Breakfast, Coffee, Dessert, Food, Hexx, Hexx Kitchen + Bar, Ice Cream, Las Vegas, Nevada, pancake, Pancakes, Pork Tagged Albarino, Alexxa, Alexxa’s Bar, Almond, Almonds, Ari Stotland, Avocado, Avocados, Baba Ganoush, Baba Ghanoush, Babaganoosh, Babaganoush, Baby Ganoush, Bacon, Baked Branzino, Banana, Banana Ice Cream, Bananas, Bananas Foster, Bananas Foster Bao Bun Ice Cream Sandwich, Bao, Bao Bun, Bao Buns, Barbecue, Barbeque, Basil, Batter, Bay Scallop, Bay Scallops, BBQ, Beef, Blanco, Blanco Sangria, Bleu Cheese, Blue Cheese, Blueberries, Blueberry, Branzino, Bread, Brioche, Brioche Muffin, Brioche Muffins, Broccolini, Broth, Brulee Bananas, Bruleed Banana, Bruleed Bananas, Bubbly, Bubbly Sangria, Butter, Butterscotch, Cake, Cakes, Calabrese Salami, Candied Peanut, Candied Peanuts, Caramel, Caramel Fosters Sauce, Caramelized Shallot, Caramelized Shallots, Carlos Buscaglia, Carrot, Carrot Cake, Carrot Cake Pancake, Carrot Cake Pancakes, Carrots, Carrots. Carrot, Cauliflower, Cheese, Cheese Cake, Cheesecake, Chicken, Chicken Sausage, Chicken Sausage Flatbread, Chili, Chili Pepper, Chili Peppers, Chilis, Chocolate, Chocolate Ganache, Churro, Churro Bites, Churros, Cinnamon, Cinnamon Sugar, Citrus, Citrus Fruit, Coconut, Coconuts, Coffee, Cookie, Cookies, Cow, Cream, Cream Cheese, Cream Cheese Frosting, Cream Cheese Icing, Crispy Mac & Cheese, Crispy Mac and Cheese, Crust, Dark Chocolate, Dessert, Desserts, Donut, Donuts, Doughnut, Doughnuts, Eggplant, Eggplants, endoedibles, Fig, Fig Jam, Figs, Fish, Flatbread, Food, Foodie, Foster Sauce, Fosters Sauce, Fresh Herbs, Fried Bao, Fried Bao Bun, Frosting, Fruit, Ganache, Garlic, Garlic Flatbread, Goat Cheese, Heirloom Tomato, Heirloom Tomato Salad, Heirloom Tomatoes, Herb, Herb Salad, Herbs, Hexx Chocolate, Horseradish, Horseradish Sour Cream, Ice, Ice Cream, Ice Cream Sandwich, Iced Coffee, Icing, Jasmine Rice, Las Vegas, Lemon, Lemons, Lime, Lime Coconut Broth, Limes, LV, Macaroni, Macaroni & Cheese, Macaroni 'n Cheese, Macaroni and Cheese, Mango, Mango Vinaigrette, Mangos, Maple, Mascarpone, Mascarpone Cheese, Matt Piekarski, Matt Silverman, Matthew Piekarski, Matthew Silverman, Michael Uzmann, Miranda Prince, Muffin, Muffins, Mussel, Mussels, Mussels & Bay Scallops, mustard, Nevada, NV, Oil, Olive, Olive Oil, Olives, Onion, Onions, Orange, Oranges, Oreo, Oreo Cookie, Oreo Cookies, Oreo Crust, Oreos, Pancake, Pancakes, Parmesan, Parmesan Cheese, Pastries, Pastry, Pea, Pea Risotto, Peach, Peach Schnapps, Peaches, Peanut, Peanut Butter, Peanut Butter Caramel, Peanut Butter Cheese Cake, Peanut Butter Cheesecake, Peanuts, Peas, Pepper, Peppers, Peter Varela, Pickle, Pickled Vegetables, Pickles, Pierogi, Pierogis, Pig, Pistachio, Pistachios, Pita, Pizza, Pork, Pot de Creme, Prime Rib, Prime Rib Pierogi, Prime Rib Pierogis, Raspberries, Raspberry, Red Onion, Red Onions, Reduction, Rice, Ricotta, Ricotta Cheese, Riesling, Risotto, Roast Eggplant, Roasted Eggplant, Romesco, Romesco Sauce, Salad, Salami, Salty-Sweet Brioche Muffin, Salty-Sweet Brioche Muffins, Sandwich, Sangria, Sauce, Sausage, Scallop, Scallops, Schnapps, Sea Bass, Shallot, Shallots, Sin City, Smoked Blue Cheese, Smoked Tomato Romesco Sauce, Smoky Bacon, Smoky Bacon Barbecue, Smoky Bacon Barbeque, Sour Cream, Sparkling Wine, Spice Batter, Spices, Stone Ground Mustard, Strawberries, Strawberry, Sugar, Summer Fling, Summer Fling Sangria, Syrup, Tomato, Tomato Salad, Tomatoes, Vanilla, Vegas, Vegetable, Vegetables, Vinaigrette, Walnut, Walnuts, Warm Pita, Whiskey Caramel, whisky, Whisky Caramel, Wine

August 4, 2018
8:00 AM
by: Uhockey

Cinnamon’s, Las Vegas NV

Cinnamon’s

Coffee and Ice Water

Cookies for a Cause Lemon Cookie

Kalua Pig Benedict Half-Order – House-roasted Pork, English Muffin, Poached Egg, Scratch Hollandaise, Country Tots

Hawaiian Sweet Bread French Toast – Butter, “Maple Syrup”

Cinnamon’s Carrot Pancakes Short Stack – Fresh Carrots, Spices, Pineapple, Raisins, Cream Cheese Topping

Guava Chiffon Pancakes Short Stack – Buttermilk Pancakes, Duo of Guava Sauces, Whipped Cream

Told early on by trusted palates that Cinnamon’s was merely average it was some eighteen months after opening that a visit was finally scheduled, the presence of fellow Flapjack lovers in the house an impetus to finally check out the Hawaiian import that some publication apparently decided serves the eight best specialty Pancake in the United States.

Located at 7591 West Washington Avenue in the space previously occupied by Chef Marc’s Parma, the layout similar but more open and less personal in its décor, guests entering Cinnamon’s will quickly find themselves face-to-face with a hostess podium, this early Saturday fairly quiet with most guests lined along the north wall.

Playing light pop music overhead that is neither distracting nor necessary, the deli cases where Sgrizzi used to keep Salami and Salads now containing branded apparel and Lemon Cookies with proceeds benefitting The Animal Society, it was after sitting at a sizable banquet that a pleasant server named Alyssa stopped by to take orders, the $3.25 bottomless Coffee so smooth that no Cream or Sweetener is necessary kept full without a need for reminder throughout the morning.

Offering several island favorites plus items specific to Nevada, Pistachio Pancakes but one example, it was instead from daily specials and Cinnamon’s favorites that five items were ordered, the $3 Cookie for a cause big, flexible and warm with plenty of Butter plus a delicate Citrus finish.

Able to order most items in half-portion, the prices adding up to a bit more than full-size plates but allowing greater variety, it was less than ten minutes after requests were made that four large plates arrived along with dishes for sharing, the house-roasted Pig offering a succulent first bite beneath a nicely poached Egg and tangy Hollandaise though the Tots tossed with Onions and Peppers were a little overcooked.

Moving on to sweeter things, Pure Maple Syrup brought from home used to slick Hawaiian Bread French Toast that would have achieved better texture with more time in Custard, it was from here that 2 x 2 short stacks were tasted, the daily special Carrot not really all that special save for rare bites featuring Fruit while the famous Guava Chiffon were medium-fluffy and light in Buttermilk which allowed one to focus more attention on the sweet and sour Sauce that tastes a lot like the liquefied interior of a Guava-Cheese Pastry.

THREE STARS: In a city with plenty of great Breakfast and Brunch joints Cinnamon’s is yet another face in the crowd save for fame gathered in Hawaii, the Guava Sauce worth a visit but not enough to prompt repeat patronage though the service team is certainly above average when compared to places like Babystacks, Egg & I or The Cracked Egg.

RECOMMENDED: Guava Chiffon Pancakes, Lemon Cookie

AVOID: Hawaiian Sweet Bread French Toast, Fake Maple Syrup.

TIP: Specials change daily and Mini-Pancake Samplers available weekdays with Malasadas also offered on Tuesdays only.

WHAT THE STARS MEAN: 5 World Class, 4 Excellent, 3 Good, 2 Fair, 1 Poor.

www.cinnamonsvegas.com

Posted in Breakfast, Cinnamon's, Coffee, Food, French Toast, Las Vegas, Nevada, pancake, Pancakes, Pork Tagged Benedict, Bread, Butter, Buttermilk, Buttermilk Pancake, Buttermilk Pancakes, Carrot, Carrot Pancake, Carrot Pancakes, Carrots, Chiffon, Cinnamon, Cinnamon's, Cinnamon’s Carrot Pancakes, Cinnamon’s Carrot Pancakes Short Stack, Coffee, Cookie, Cookies, Cookies for a Cause, Cookies for a Cause Lemon Cookie, Country Tots, Cream, Cream Cheese, Cream Cheese Frosting, Cream Cheese Icing, Cream Cheese Topping, Duo of Guava Sauces, Egg, Egg Yolk, Egg Yolks, Eggs, Eggs Benedict, endoedibles, English Muffin, Fake Syrup, Food, Foodie, French Toast, Fresh Carrots, Frosting, Guava, Guava Chiffon, Guava Chiffon Pancake, Guava Chiffon Pancakes, Guava Chiffon Pancakes Short Stack, Guava Sauce, Hawaiian Sweet Bread, Hawaiian Sweet Bread French Toast, Hollandaise, hollandaise sauce, House-roasted Pork, Ice, Ice Water, Icing, Kalua Pig, Kalua Pig Benedict, Kalua Pig Benedict Half-Order, Las Vegas, Lemon, Lemon Cookie, Lemon Cookies, Lemons, LV, Michael Uzmann, Nevada, NV, Onion, Onions, Pancake, Pancakes, Pepper, Peppers, Pig, Pineapple, Pineapples, Poached Egg, Poached Eggs, Pork, Potato, Potatoes, Raisin, Raisins, Roast Pork, Roasted Pork, Sauce, Scratch Hollandaise, Short Stack, Sin City, Spice, Spices, Sugar, Syrup, Tater Tots, Toast, Tot, Tots, Vegas, Water, Whipped Cream, Yolk, Yolks

August 1, 2018
11:28 AM
by: Uhockey

Good Pie Catering, Las Vegas NV

Good Pie Catering

Good Balls – Homemade Beef and Pork Meatballs, Marinara Sauce, Fresh Parm, Fresh Parsley

Good Garlic Knots – Roasted Fresh Garlic, Garlic Confit, Garlic Oil, Mozzarella, Garlic Chips, Fresh Grated Grana Padano, Fresh Parsley, served with Marinara Sauce

Good House Salad with Urban Seed Greens and Balsamic Vinaigrette

Good Calzone – Mozzarella, Pecorino, Fresh Mozzarella, Ricotta, Grana Padano Cheese, Ham, Fresh Parsley, Side of Marinara Sauce

The Good Good Grandma Style – Mozzarella, Fresh Mozzarella, Grana, Tomato Sauce, Sausage, Artichoke Hearts, Oregano

Good White Detroit Style – Mozzarella, Fresh Mozzarella, Pecorino, Garlic Oil, Fresh Whipped Ricotta, Shaved Parm, Fresh Parsley

Good Shrooms Brooklyn Round – Mozzarella, Fresh Mozzarella, Pecorino, Garlic Oil, Caramelized Onions, Wild Mushrooms, Shaved Parm, Fresh Parsley

Good Cheese Gluten Free Detroit Style – Mozzarella, Fresh Mozzarella, Grana, Tomato Sauce, Basil

Grandma’s Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

When Vincent Rotolo unveiled Good Pie on National Pizza Day 2018 locals lined up, the man from New York responsible for opening at least three other Pizzerias finally with a place of his own and a story to tell plus what is undeniably the best slice in DTLV.

Now celebrating six months in business and steadily gaining accolades along with popularity, both unprecedented for any prior occupant of Pawn Plaza, it was on Wednesday that a second delivery order was brought nearly fifteen miles to Spring Valley for lunch, a fellow dressed in Gold & Silver Pawn Shop swag arriving precisely on time and making three trips up the elevator and back down stairs seem effortless.

Already impressed by Rotolo’s work after three visits to the flagship in 725 South Las Vegas Boulevard’s back corner, the Pizzaiolo’s worry about transporting items so far and compromised quality unfounded both the first time and now, it was with all items unboxed and many guests starting with tender Meatballs that others delved into Pizza, Good Pie’s signature Good Good drawing admiration from two who’d never seen a Grandma Pie even before they took a crisp yet nicely leavened bite.

Still supporting Urban Seed for Salads, the “House” from Good Pie not your average Iceberg but far better with crisp Greens, Tomatoes and tangy Balsamic Vinaigrette, it was nearly six hours later that Garlic lingered in the air from Knots that juxtapose golden outsides against soft coils, though the “Good White” served as a thick and crispy Detroit Square no doubt contributed to the aroma while simultaneously brightening the smiles of those who had an opportunity to sink their teeth into fluffy pools of Ricotta atop housemade Garlic Oil.

Not particularly happy to share six slices of Chef Rotolo’s award-winning Gluten-Free Pie, the Cheese lattice and levity not just stunning when hot but also rewarmed twelve hours later in a toaster, those seeking more familiar shapes were treated to mixed Mushrooms and Caramelized Onions atop locally unmatched New York-style Slices while two Calzones also performed well with added Ham amidst five types of Cheese before all but one guest on a diet finished up by way of a soft-centered Chocolate Chip Cookie built from The Goodwich’s Batter.

N/A: Making it blog policy to not ‘rate’ places based on catering alone this is now the second time that Good Pie has been timely, crowd pleasing and not far from what can be found in store, all three a testament to Vincent’s skills and ideally the sort of thing he can continue to build upon as Good Pie’s name and reputation spreads.

RECOMMENDED: Detroit Style Good Time, The Good White Grandma Pie and Gluten Free Pies were all hits when catered while this visit was highlighted by the Knots and Upside Down Grandma Slice.

AVOID: N/A.

TIP: Open 11am daily with online or phone orders available, delivery offered via Postmates within a 5-mile radius unless you ask nicely.

WHAT THE STARS MEAN: 5 World Class, 4 Excellent, 3 Good, 2 Fair, 1 Poor.

www.goodpie.com

Posted in Catering, Dessert, Food, Good Pie, Italian, Las Vegas, Nevada, Pizza, Pork Tagged Artichoke, Artichoke Heart, Artichoke Hearts, Artichokes, balsamic, Balsamic Vinaigrette, Balsamic Vinegar, Basil, Beef, Beef Meatball, Beef Meatballs, Bread, Brooklyn Pizza, Brooklyn Round, Brooklyn Style, Brown Butter, Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie, Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies, Calzone, Caramelized Onion, Caramelized Onions, Catering, Cheese, Chip, Chips, Chocolate, Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Chip Cookie, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Chocolate Chips, Confit, Cookie, Cookies, Cow, Crust, Dark Chocolate, Delivery, Dessert, Desserts, Detroit Pie, Detroit Style, Detroit Style Pizza, Dressing, DTLV, endoedibles, Fennel, Food, Foodie, Fresh Grated Grana Padano, Fresh Mozzarella, Fresh Mozzarella Cheese, Fresh Parm, Fresh Parsley, Fresh Whipped Ricotta, Fresh Whipped Ricotta Cheese, Garlic, Garlic Chip, Garlic Chips, Garlic Confit, Garlic Knot, Garlic Knots, Garlic Oil, Gluten, Gluten Free, Gluten Free Detroit Style, Gluten Free Pizza, Good Balls, Good Calzone, Good Cheese, Good Cheese Gluten Free Detroit Style, Good Garlic Knots, Good Good, Good House Salad, Good Pie, Good Pie Catering, Good Shrooms, Good Shrooms Brooklyn Round, Good White, Good White Detroit Style, Grana, Grana Padano Cheese, Grandma Pie, Grandma Pizza, Grandma Slice, Grandma Square, Grandma Style The Good Good, Grandma’s Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie, Grandma’s Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies, Grated Grana Padano, Greens, Ham, Homemade Beef and Pork Meatballs, House Salad, Italian, Knot, Knots, Las Vegas, Lettuce, LV, Marinara, Marinara Sauce, Meatball, Meatballs, Michael Uzmann, Mozzarella, Mozzarella Cheese, Mushroom, Mushrooms, Nevada, NV, Oil, Onion, Onions, Oregano, Parm, Parmigianino-Reggiano, Parmigiano Cheese, Parmigiano Reggiano, Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese, Parsley, Pastries, Pastry, Pawn Plaza, Pecorino, Pecorino Cheese, Pig, Pizza, Pork, Pork Meatball, Pork Meatballs, Ricotta, Ricotta Cheese, Roasted Fresh Garlic, Roasted Garlic, Salad, Sauce, Sausage, Shaved Parmesan, Shaved Parmesan Cheese, Shaved Parmigiano, Shaved Parmigiano Cheese, Sin City, Sugar, The Good Good, The Good Good Grandma Style, The Good White, Tomato, Tomato Sauce, Tomatoes, Urban Seed, Urban Seed Greens, Vegas, Vinaigrette, Vince Rotolo, Vincent Rotolo, Whipped Ricotta, Whipped Ricotta Cheese, Wild Mushroom, Wild Mushrooms

August 1, 2018
7:01 AM
by: Uhockey

Rosallie [16,] Las Vegas NV

Rosallie Le French Café

Cinnamon Roll

Almond Croissant

Almond Pear Tart

Peanut Butter Croissant, Dark Chocolate, Dried Raspberries

Three months removed from Rosallie, though catering has twice impressed colleagues since, it was based on a discussion a week prior that Jonathan Pluvinet decided to try something a little different on Wednesday, his recipe for Peanut Butter Croissants translated from Florida to Las Vegas and even better than imagined as layers of lamination cradled freshly ground Nuts without suffering a bit of sog while the flavor of Jelly was replicated by dehydrated Raspberries stuck to the surface by Dark Chocolate.

Every bit as charming as in the past with General Manager Christophe found working alongside one additional Baker at 7:00am it was in addition to the daily special that an all new Tart was offered featuring tender baked Pears atop the same housemade Almond Paste that fills Rosallie’s world-class Viennoiserie, the toastiness of this particular specimen even better than usual while Cinnamon Rolls previously topped on Cream Cheese Frosting were not quite the same with drizzled Icing, though the wispy texture still outpaces any in Las Vegas.

FIVE STARS: From the moment Rosallie opened its doors a new era was born for French Pastry in Las Vegas and although many have opened since none have managed to catch up, let alone surpass what Jonathan continues to make look easy.

RECOMMENDED: Almond Croissant, Peanut Butter Croissant, Almond Pear Tart.

AVOID: N/A

TIP: 7a-6p daily. Call ahead for pre-orders and consider Yelp! online delivery if you can’t make it to the store.

WHAT THE STARS MEAN: 5 World Class, 4 Excellent, 3 Good, 2 Fair, 1 Poor.

www.rosallie.com

Posted in Breakfast, Croissant, Croissants, Dessert, Food, Las Vegas, Nevada, Rosallie, Rosallie 'Le French Cafe' Tagged Almond, Almond Croissant, Almond Croissants, Almond Pear Tart, Almond Pear Tarts, Almonds, Bakery, Bread, Breakfast, Butter, Cake, Cakes, Chocolate, Cinnamon, Cinnamon Roll, Cinnamon Rolls, Confectioner's Sugar, Cream, Croissant, Croissants, Dark Chocolate, Dessert, Desserts, Dried Raspberries, Dried Raspberry, endoedibles, Food, Foodie, Icing, Jonathan Pluvinet, Las Vegas, LV, Michael Uzmann, Nevada, NV, Pastries, Pastry, Peanut, Peanut Butter, Peanut Butter Croissant, Peanut Butter Croissants, Peanuts, Pear, Pears, Raspberries, Raspberry, Roll, Rosalle 'Le French Cafe', Rosallie Le French Cafe, Sin City, South Rainbow, Sugar, Tart, Tarts, Vanilla, Vegas, Viennoiserie, Viennoiseries

August 1, 2018
5:30 AM
by: Uhockey

Carson Kitchen [13,] Las Vegas NV

Carson Kitchen

Iced Tea

EinstÖk Arctic Pale Ale

Cheese & Crackers – Piquillo Pub Cheese, Lavash

Pork Wings – Buffalo Bleu Beurre Blanc

Evening Prayer – St. George Citrus Vodka, Chareau Aloe Liqueur, Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin, Contratto Bianco

Plum & Pecorino – Candied Almond, Rosemary Date Vin

Crispy Chicken Skins – Smoked Honey

Peach Panzenella – Tomato, Zucchini, Tomato Peach Vin

Everything Bagel Flatbread – Smoked Salmon, Cream Cheese Mascarpone, Capers, Pickled Onions

Imagining Beaches in Bigfork, MT – Novo Fogo Chameleon Cachaça, Whistling Andy Hibiscus Coconut Rum, Lime, Cointreau, Luxardo Maraschno

Black Kale & Watermelon – Manchego, Walnut, Lemon Mint Vin

Wild Mushroom Flatbread – Tikka Masala, Smoked Mozzarella, Spicy Tomato

Machu Peach-U – Smith & Cross Jamaica Rum, Giffard Crème de Pêche, Barso Pisco, Lemon, Lime, Bar Keep Saffron Bitters, Egg White

Red Radish – Baby Bok Choy, Miso Honey Butter, Cashew

Sugar Snap Peas – Smoked Paprika Butter, Harrisa Cream

Chicken Thighs Alabama – White Barbeque

Lamb Spiedies – House Giardiniera, Garlic Aioli, Spicy Tots, Ketchup

The Family Jewel – Tattersall Barreled Gin, Dolin Sweet Vermouth, Génépy de Alpes, Regan’s Bitters #6

Peach Upside-Down Cake – Crafthaus Zitrone, Whipped Mascarpone

Bourbon Fudge Brownie – Brown Butter Bacon Ice Cream

Making it a seasonal tradition to sit down at Carson Kitchen and taste the new menu it was alongside three others that a hot and humid – relatively speaking – night saw the Restaurant half-full, Scott Simon in the kitchen and Matthew Harwell watching over servers that seem to change frequently but never miss a beat.

Still the best reason to be eating downtown even as competition has mounted, Kerry Simon’s dream as executed and carried on by Cory Harwell never shy to try new things and challenge diners with big flavors or new ingredients, Summer 2018 sees some twelve new plates join classics such as Chicken Skins, Bacon Jam and other ideas since copped by others elsewhere, the bar program also introducing four new Cocktails from which both the creamy Machu Peach-U and cumbersomely-named but equally complicated “Imagining Beaches in Bigfork, MT” warrant attention.

Perhaps the biggest wholesale menu change in years, the Trout Rillettes of Spring giving way to a jar of chunky Cheese topped in Peppers that is good but not on par with what The Goodwich is doing by way of their Baa-mento in terms of creaminess or Crackers, it was in follow-up that “Pork Wings” impressed thanks to crisp cubes that visually look laminated by fat and taste great without being overwhelmingly hot.

Always impressing with Produce, the “gastro-pub” feel of a place with exposed ceilings and cement floors making this fact all the more noteworthy, it would be difficult to suggest one new Salad over the other if forced to decide between refreshing Plums & Pecorino or Peach Panzenella though the later certainly eats more hearty thanks to housemade Croutons, a personal distaste for Mint unfortunately making Black Kale & Watermelon a distant third place though no one else at the table seemed to enjoy chewing and chewing and chewing to be rewarded by a rare piece of Fruit or Nut either.

Changing up both Flatbreads for the Summer, the “Everything” idea spreading across the nation from Donuts to Choux to Metro Pizza’s off-menu Instagram favorite making Carson Kitchen’s enjoyable but less unique, those looking for something truly special would be better off ordering six crisp slices of Mushroom Tikka Masala punched up by Tomatoes marinated with fire, another spicy Veg-friendly dish featuring Snap Peas served like Edamame also recommendable.

Rare to pass up the aforementioned Chicken Skins when dining as a group, a still-iconic dish at any time during the feast, fans of Chicken who’ve somehow had enough of Cory’s Secret Sunday Sandwich should be thrilled to see boneless Thighs brought back with Alabama-style Sauce, each bite developing in waves with a creamy Citrus finish while the Upstate New York icon of Lamb Spiedies unfortunately sees Protein buried and indistinguishable beneath too many of Chicago’s famous pickled Vegetables.

Rounding out savories with “Red Radish,” another smart Farm & Garden dish that follows the semi-sweet line of thinking from Winter’s Caramel Creamed Corn, it was once again that Dinner at Carson Kitchen had to end with the best Brownie in Sin City, but not before also enjoying the fresh and fruity Peach Upside-Down Cake that eats far lighter than most might imagine.

FOUR AND A HALF STARS: Taking on immense flavors and reinterpreting some classic dishes Summer at Carson Kitchen falls a bit short at times by being too aggressive, though as usual the vast majority of plates both new and old set a high standard while service and setting are hip yet comfortable…save for those backless metal stools.

RECOMMENDED: Machu Peach-U, Pork Wings, Crispy Chicken Skins, Peach Panzenella, Plum & Pecorino, Wild Mushroom Flatbread, Red Radish, Chicken Thighs Alabama, Peach Upside-Down Cake, Bourbon Fudge Brownie.

AVOID: Black Kale & Watermelon needs more of everything but Mint and Kale, Lamb Spiedies need less Giardiniera, The Family Jewel needs a tougher man than this one.

TIP: In case you didn’t already know, Reservations for 6+ are available online via Resy or Gather while smaller parties remain Walk-in only.

WHAT THE STARS MEAN: 5 World Class, 4 Excellent, 3 Good, 2 Fair, 1 Poor.

www.carsonkitchen.com

Posted in Carson Kitchen, Dessert, Food, Ice Cream, Las Vegas, Nevada, Pork, Tasting Menu Tagged Aioli, Alabama White Sauce, Ale, Almond, Almonds, Aloe, Arctic Pale Ale, Baby Bok Choy, Bacon, Bacon Ice Cream, Bar Keep, Bar Keep Saffron Bitters, Barbecue, Barbeque, Barreled Gin, Barso Pisco, BBQ, Beer, Beurre Blanc, Bitters, Black Kale, Black Kale & Watermelon, Bleu Cheese, Blue Cheese, Bok Choy, Bourbon, Bourbon Fudge Brownie, Bread, Brown Butter, Brown Butter Bacon Ice Cream, Brownie, Brownies, Buffalo Bleu, Buffalo Bleu Beurre Blanc, Buffalo Sauce, Butter, cachaça, Cake, Cakes, Candied Almond, Candied Almonds, Caper, Capers, Carrot, Carrrots, Carson Kitchen, Cashew, Cashews, Cauliflower, Chareau, Chareau Aloe Liqueur, Cheese, Cheese & Crackers, Chicken, Chicken Skin, Chicken Skins, Chicken Thigh, Chicken Thighs, Chicken Thighs Alabama, Chocolate, Chocolate Fudge, Citrus Vodka, Cocktail, Cocktails, Coconut, Coconuts, Cointreau, Contratto Bianco, Cory Harwell, Cracker, Crackers, CraftHaus, CraftHaus Brewery, Crafthaus Zitrone, Cream, Cream Cheese, Cream Cheese Mascarpone, Crème de Pêche, Crispy Chicken Skins, Crouton, Croutons, Dark Chocolate, Date, Dates, Dessert, Desserts, Dolin, Dolin Sweet Vermouth, Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin, DTLV, Egg, Egg White, Egg Whites, Eggs, EinstÖk, EinstÖk Arctic Pale Ale, endoedibles, Evening Prayer, Everything Bagel, Everything Bagel Flatbread, Flatbread, Food, Foodie, Fudge, Fudge Brownie, Fudge Brownies, Garlic, Garlic Aioli, Génépy de Alpes, Giardiniera, Giffard, Giffard Crème de Pêche, gin, Harrisa, Harrisa Cream, Hibiscus, Honey, House Giardiniera, Ice Cream, Iced Tea, Imagining Beaches in Bigfork MT, Irish Gin, Jamaica Rum, Kale, Kerry Simon, Ketchup, Lamb, Lamb Spiedies, Las Vegas, Lavash, Lavash Bread, Lemon, Lemon Mint Vin, Lemons, Lime, Limes, Liqueur, Luxardo, Luxardo Maraschno, LV, Machu Peach-U, Manchego, Manchego Cheese, Maraschno, Mascarpone, Mascarpone Cheese, Matt Harwell, Matthew Harwell, Michael Uzmann, Mint, Mints, Miso, Miso Honey Butter, Mozzarella, Mozzarella Cheese, Mushroom, Mushrooms, Nevada, Novo Fogo Chameleon, Novo Fogo Chameleon Cachaça, NV, Onion, Onions, Pale Ale, Panzenella, Panzenella Salad, Paprika, Pastries, Pastry, Pea, Peach, Peach Panzenella, Peach Upside-Down Cake, Peaches, Peas, Pecorino, Pecorino Cheese, Pepper, Peppers, Pickle, Pickled Onion, pickled onions, Pickled Vegetables, Pickles, Pig, Piquillo, Piquillo Pepper, Piquillo Peppers, Piquillo Pub Cheese, Piquillos, Pisco, Pizza, Plum, Plum & Pecorino, Plums, Pork, Pork Belly, Pork Wings, Pub Cheese, Radish, Radishes, Red Radish, Red Radishes, Regan's Bitters, Regan's Bitters #6, Rosemary, Rosemary Date Vin, Rum, Saffron, Salmon, Scott Simon, Sin City, Smith & Cross, Smith & Cross Jamaica Rum, Smoked Honey, Smoked Mozzarella, Smoked Mozzarella Cheese, Smoked Paprika, Smoked Paprika Butter, Smoked Salmon, Snap Pea, Snap Peas, Spicy Tomato, Spicy Tomatoes, Spicy Tots, Spiedies, Squash, St George Citrus Vodka, St. George, Sugar, Sugar Snap Pea, Sugar Snap Peas, Sweet Vermouth, Tasting Menu, Tater Tots, Tattersall, Tattersall Barreled Gin, Tea, The Family Jewel, Thigh, Thighs, Tikka Masala, Tomato, Tomato Peach Vin, Tomatoes, Tots, Upside-Down Cake, Vegas, Vermouth, Vin, Vodka, Walnut, Walnuts, Watermelon, Watermelons, Whipped Mascarpone, Whipped Mascarpone Cheese, Whistling Andy, Whistling Andy Hibiscus Coconut Rum, White Barbeque, Wild Mushroom, Wild Mushroom Flatbread, Wild Mushrooms, Zitrone, Zucchini, Zucchini Squash

July 28, 2018
2:00 PM
by: Uhockey

Jerry’s Famous Coffee Shop [2,] North Las Vegas NV

Jerry’s Famous Coffee Shop

Sourdough Bread

Cinnamon Roll with Cream Cheese Icing

Cream Cheese Danish

Blum’s Famous Coffee Crunch Cake

Milk Cake

Jamaica Tres Leches Cake with Yellow Cake layered with Jamaica Cream

Butterfinger Bundt Cake

“Nascar Cake” with Cheesecake, Red Velvet, Chocolate and Vanilla Cake layered with Chocolate Mousse

Nutella Cheesecake

In a city where tourism is the name of the game and South Las Vegas Boulevard thus reigns supreme there are occasional instances where a Chef who moved past the hustle and bustle has continued to push the envelope, the latest former B&B Pastry Chef Douglas Taylor who has taken the reins at Jerry’s Nugget and turned its “Famous Coffee Shop” and Bakery into a destination for those seeking the sort of Cakes and Pastries sold elsewhere at nearly twice the price and in less variety.

Not new to Jerry’s Nugget, a 2014 trip to sample a slice of Cake celebrating fifty years of business even then showing the Bakery to be far better than most would guess, it was around 2:00pm that two guests entered the aged Casino’s front doors where one armed bandits keep watch, the Coffee Shop perhaps one quarter full with a group in back celebrating a birthday and the Cake and Pie cases up front fully stacked.

Enticed by Chef Taylor’s social media stream, something the folks handling Jerry’s Public Relations would be wise to harness as it seems their attempt to bait “influencers” at Contento fell flat despite good word of mouth, it is by a vast array of colors and designs that eyes are greeted when peering at Cake after Cake and Pie after Pastry, the servers all pleasant and accommodating with surprisingly strong knowledge of items including those listed as weekly or even daily specials.

Charging $5-6 per slice and additionally offering housemade Loaves of Bread it was upon making tough decisions that nine items were carefully boxed and subsequently bagged, most surviving the twelve mile trip home unscathed and bites of an untoasted Sourdough slice showing good technique while the first Pastry sampled was a heavily frosted Cinnamon Roll with caramelized bits at the center and soft curls that improved from good to great when heated.

Moving next to another Breakfast Pastry, the Cream Cheese Filling of Doug’s Danish unsweetened and cooked like Custard inside a laminated Bun awash with Butter, it would be hard to say where a better Danish might be found in Las Vegas aside from perhaps Bouchon at twice the cost while a slice of Cake inspired by Chef Taylor’s recent trip to Southern California also worked in subtle ways with delicate Cream and Cake featuring a soft crumb juxtaposing crunchy housemade Honeycomb.

Attempting to move light to heavy, the “Milk Cake” baked like a Bundt visually judged correctly to be not far from Tres Leches with intentionally burnt Sugar Glaze overlying a sopping wet sponge, it was next the special actually labeled “Tres Leches” which was less moist but equally delicious that tickled the palate, three actual “Milks” not counted but made irrelevant by virtually weightless Frosting perfumed with Hibiscus.

Charged $45 including tax and tip for the lot, not “cheap” but certainly not overpriced compared to Freed’s or Peridot Sweets for what amounted to almost an entire Cake, it was beneath Ganache with a shiny surface that “Nascar Cake” offered four layers divided by Milk Chocolate Mousse, the flavors all marrying nicely with two bites never the same while a second Bundt chock-a-block full of Butterfinger chunks and topped with melted crumbs of similar tasted precisely as childhood recalls of the Candy Bar but with less intense sweetness.

Taking the position that Coffee is a far better palate refresher than Milk during the tasting, a stance not shared by others involved, it was with thick Nutella Cheesecake atop a crumbly Chocolate Crust that all stood smiling at the end, many bites left for later that evening and the fact that this Cheesecake was entirely different in terms of weight and richness from that in the Nascar showing Chef Taylor is not taking shortcuts even though the average Coffee Shop patron might not be all that critical or discerning.

FOUR AND A HALF STARS: Marred only by location and a Casino that is in need of a serious ventilation upgrade the quality of Douglas Taylor’s Cakes are on par with any in Sin City while an obvious drive to do new things offers plenty of impetus for return visits as often as one may be in the mood for something sweet.

RECOMMENDED: Cream Cheese Danish, Milk Cake, Nascar Cake, Jamaica Tres Leches Cake, Butterfinger Bundt Cake, Nutella Cheesecake.

AVOID: Getting expectations up for specific items listed online as selections change daily.

TIP: Follow @douglas.taylor4 on Instagram for daily temptation and even occasional videos on technique, or visit Jerry’s Famous Coffee Shop 24/7 to see what is new.

WHAT THE STARS MEAN: 5 World Class, 4 Excellent, 3 Good, 2 Fair, 1 Poor.

www.jerrysnugget.com/dining/jerrys-famous-coffee-shop

Posted in Dessert, Food, Jerry's Famous Coffee Shop, Jerry's Nugget, Las Vegas, Nevada, North Las Vegas Tagged 3 Milks, 3 Milks Cake, Blum’s, Blum’s Famous Coffee Crunch Cake, Bread, Bundt, Bundt Cake, Bundt Cakes, Burnt Sugar, Burnt Sugar Frosting, Burnt Sugar Icing, Butter, Butterfinger, Butterfinger Bundt Cake, Butterfinger Candy, Cajeta, Cajeta Caramel, Cake, Cakes, Candy, Candy Bar, Caramel, Cheese, Cheese Cake, Cheesecake, Chocolate, Chocolate Cake, Chocolate Crust, Chocolate Ganache, Chocolate Mousse, Cinnamon, Cinnamon Roll, Cinnamon Roll with Cream Cheese Icing, Coffee Crunch Cake, Cream, Cream Cheese, Cream Cheese Danish, Cream Cheese Frosting, Cream Cheese Icing, Crunch Cake, Crust, Danish, Dark Chocolate, Dessert, Desserts, Doug Taylor, Douglas Taylor, endoedibles, Food, Foodie, Frosting, Ganache, Glaze, Hazelnut, Hazelnuts, Hibiscus, Hibiscus Tea, Honey, Honey Comb, Honeycomb, Icing, Jamaica, Jamaica Cream, Jamaica Tres Leches Cake, Jamaica Tres Leches Cake with Yellow Cake layered with Jamaica Cream, Jerry’s Famous Coffee Shop, Jerry’s Nugget, Las Vegas, LV, Michael Uzmann, Milk, Milk Cake, Milk Chocolate, Milk Chocolate Mousse, Mousse, Nascar Cake, Nevada, North Las Vegas, Nutella, Nutella Cheese Cake, Nutella Cheesecake, NV, Pastries, Pastry, Red Velvet, Red Velvet Cake, Roll, Rolls, Sin City, Sourdough, Sourdough Bread, Strawberries, Strawberry, Sugar, Tea, Three Milks, Three Milks Cake, Tres Leches, Tres Leches Cake, Vanilla, Vanilla Cake, Vegas, Yellow Cake, Yellow Cakes

July 28, 2018
11:52 AM
by: Uhockey

PUB 1842 [3,] Las Vegas NV

PUB 1842

Sangria, Summer Shandy, Bellini, BBQ Mary

Barrel Aged Old Fashioned, Dorsey, Pink Elephant, Cucumber Mule

1842 Nachos – Pork Chili Verde, Shredded Cheddar, ‘Merican Cheese Sauce, Pico de Gallo, Black Bean Relish, Fresno Chiles, Crema, Green Onions

BBQ Chicken Drumsticks – Carolina BBQ Sauce, Celery Sticks, Blue Cheese Dressing

Hot Soft Pretzels – ‘Merican Beer Cheese, Poached Egg, Crumbled Bacon, Chives

The Pig & The Waffle – Cheddar Chive Cornbread Waffle, Carolina BBQ Pulled Pork, Two Over Easy Eggs, Chipotle Crema

Smoked Brisket Hash – Fried Potatoes, Jalapenos, Red Bell Peppers, Caramelized Onions, BBQ Aioli, Two Over Easy Eggs

Sweet Potato – Maple-Chipotle Cream Cheese, Pecan Streusel, Sea Salt

Ribs, Pulled Pork & Brisket Sampler – Baked Beans, Cabbage Slaw, Jalapeno Corn Bread

Monte Cristo – Country Ham, Roasted Turkey, Smoked Gouda Cheese, Swiss Cheese, Raspberry Chipotle Compote

Campfire S’mores Bar – Devil’s Food Cake, Toasted Marshmallow, Graham Cracker Crust

Last visited in early 2016, the Sin City smoked Meats scene dramatically improved since that time by Big B’s Texas BBQ, it was lured in by an all-new Brunch menu that four guests sat down inside Michael Mina’s PUB 1842 on Saturday, Tony Schutz having moved up the ladder to toque STRIPSTEAK in the interim but Chef Isaiah Utter still showing Las Vegas Boulevard that when done right “Bar Food” can be innovative…though like many casino Restaurants it comes at a price.

Surprisingly now in its sixth year of business but still sort of under-the-radar given its location, a turn past Emeril’s in The District not far from Grand Garden Arena, it was minutes prior to noon that a table just inside the door was found with a placard labeled “RESERVED,” an unnecessary accommodation during the off-season for most sports as the space would never even reach 1/8 capacity over the course of ninety minutes.

Greeted promptly by new staff, both male and female managers professional yet pleasant while a young server named Miguel showed the sort of skill that would be well suited to a Steakhouse or next-tier Restaurant such as Bardot, it was from a menu of old favorites and new creations that Brunch would begin a slow roll-out, eight Cocktails served in two “flights” starting things off with both a fizzy Sangria and the Fruit-forward Dorsey favored by those imbibing.

Served family-style in two courses, the first comprised of sticky Chicken Legs with thick Blue Cheese dipping Sauce plus a pair of favorites available all the way back during visit number one in October 2013, suffice it to say that no Pretzel in the Valley has yet to trump PUB 1842’s that comes ready to be dredged in Beer Cheese floating a poached Egg and Bacon while layers of Nachos laid out like abstract art also perform as strong today as when initially devoured in full rather than half-size portion.

Not at all a “cheap” Restaurant, even Michael Mina’s ingredient quality and skilled staff seeing it difficult to justify prices more than double that of some competitors, it was momentarily suspending reality that $28 Hash landed in Cast Iron and impressed by way of crisp yet succulent Beef amidst Peppers and Onions plus tender Potatoes, the two-Egg topping helping to meld flavors here but on the other hand muting them in the case of Pulled Pork and smoky Cream atop a fluffy Waffle that would have been nice to taste without all the sog-inducing additions.

Given the opportunity to next sample Brisket, Pulled Pork and Ribs as smoke and fire intended, the shredded Pig again sweeter than preferred and perhaps one reason to consider the aforementioned Waffle more successful than on first bite, it would be tough to name better Ribs in recent memory than those Utter sent out while the fatty Brisket goes neck and neck with Big B’s for best in the area, though the mom n’ pop location in Henderson still easily takes the title for Beans.

Remembering a time when some of Mina’s Restaurants served complimentary Cornbread instead of one small Muffin meant to be shared it was assuming the Waffle was as delicious that a side of Sweet Potatoes showed just how good PUB 1842 can be at its best, the textures and flavors all complex and complimentary just as they were in the lone Dessert titled “Campfire S’mores” while the $21 Monte Cristo had all the right elements but too much Batter and frying time that led to it being even heavier than usual.

THREE STARS: Somehow even more expensive than memory serves it is not so much that PUB 1842 has diminished in quality as it is that others have caught up, nearly every dish save for the Pretzels available elsewhere either better, cheaper or both though the service and setting both continue to set a high standard.

RECOMMENDED: Sangria, Dorsey, Hot Soft Pretzels, Smoked Brisket Hash, Sweet Potato, Ribs.

AVOID: BBQ Mary, Monte Cristo, Pulled Pork.

TIP: Boisterous around the bar, with dozens of televisions and a rock n’ roll soundtrack, those looking for a more sedate experience are encouraged to sit on the makeshift ‘patio’ overlooking The District where keg-tables and booths both seem to be in high demand.

WHAT THE STARS MEAN: 5 World Class, 4 Excellent, 3 Good, 2 Fair, 1 Poor.

www.michaelmina.net/restaurants/las-vegas/pub-1842/

Posted in Breakfast, Cornbread, Dessert, Food, Las Vegas, Michael Mina, Michael Mina's Pub 1842, Nevada, Pork, Pub 1842, PUB1842, Waffle, Waffles Tagged 1842 Nachos, Absolut, Absolut Lime Vodka, Aioli, American Cheese, Aperol, Apple, Apples, Bacon, Baked Beans, Bar, Barbecue, Barbeque, BBQ, BBQ Aioli, BBQ Chicken Drumsticks, BBQ Mary, BBQ Sauce, BBQ Spice, Bean, Beans, Beef, Beef Brisket, Beer, Beer Cheese, Bellini, Bitters, Black Bean, Black Bean Relish, Black Beans, Blackberries, Blackberry, Blackberry Liquor, Bloody Mary Mix, Blue Cheese, Blue Cheese Dressing, Bourbon, Brisket, Brisket Hash, Bulleit Bourbon, Butter, Cabbage, Cabbage Slaw, Cake, Campari, Campfire S’mores Bar, Caramelized Onion, Caramelized Onions, Carolina BBQ, Carolina BBQ Pulled Pork, Carolina BBQ Sauce, Celery, Celery Sticks, Cheddar, Cheddar Cheese, Cheddar Chive Cornbread Waffle, Cheese, Chicken Drumstick, Chicken Drumsticks, Chicken Leg, Chili, Chili Pepper, Chili Peppers, Chili Verde, Chilis, chipotle, Chipotle Crema, Chipotle Pepper, Chipotle Peppers, Chipotles, Chive, Chives, Chocolate, Chocolate Cake, Cinzano Bianco, Citrus, Cocktail, Cocktails, Coleslaw, Compote, Corn Bread, Cornbread, Cornbread Waffle, Country Ham, Cow, Cream, Cream Cheese, Crema, Crown Royal, Crown Royal Regal Apple, Crumbled Bacon, Crust, Cucumber, Cucumber Mule, Cucumber Soda, Cucumbers, Dark Chocolate, Dessert, Desserts, Devil's Food, Devil’s Food Cake, Dorsey, Dressing, Drumstick, Drumsticks, Egg, Egg Yolk, Egg Yolks, Eggs, endoedibles, Food, Foodie, Fresno Chile, Fresno Chiles, Fried Chicken, Fried Potato, Fried Potatoes, gin, Ginger, Ginger Beer, Graham, Graham Cracker, Graham Cracker Crust, Graham Crackers, Green Onion, Green Onions, Ham, Hash, Honey, Hot Soft Pretzels, Isaiah Utter, Jack Daniels, Jack Daniel’s Whiskey, Jalapeno, Jalapeño Corn Bread, Jalapeno Cornbread, Jalapeno Pepper, Jalapeno Peppers, Jalapenos, Juice, Lamarca Prosecco, Las Vegas, Leg, Legs, Lemon, Lemon Juice, Lemons, Lime, Lime Juice, Limes, LV, Maple, Maple Syrup, Maple-Chipotle, Maple-Chipotle Cream Cheese, Marshmallow, Marshmallows, Metz Road Pinot Noir, MGM, MGM Grand, Michael Mina, Michael Mina's PUB 1842, Michael Uzmann, Mint, Mint Sprig, Monte Cristo, Monte Cristo Sandwich, Mr Q, Mr Q Cucumber Soda, Nachos, Nevada, NV, Old Fashioned, Onion, Onions, Orange, Orange Bitters, Oranges, Orgeat, Orgeat Syrup, over easy egg, Over-Easy Eggs, Pastries, Pastry, Peach, Peach Bitters, Peaches, Pecan, Pecan Streusel, Pecans, Pepper, Pepperoncini, Peppers, Pickle, Pickles, Pico de Gallo, Pig, Piineapples, Pineapple, Pineapple Juice, Pink Elephant, Pinot Noir, Plymouth Gin, Poached Egg, Poached Eggs, Pork, Pork Chili Verde, Pork Rib, Pork Ribs, Potato, Potatoes, Pretzel, Pretzels, Prosecco, PUB 1842, PUB1842, Pulled Pork, Raspberries, Raspberry, Raspberry Chipotle Compote, Red Bell Pepper, Red Bell Peppers, Red Wine, Relish, Rib, Ribs, Ribs & Pulled Pork & Brisket Sampler, Roasted Turkey, S'mores, Salt, Sampler, Sangria, Sauce, Sea Salt, Shredded Cheddar, Sin City, Skyy, Skyy Citrus Vodka, Slaw, Smoked Brisket Hash, Smoked Gouda, Smoked Gouda Cheese, Streusel, Sugar, Summer Shandy, Sweet Potato, Sweet Potatoes, Swiss, Swiss Cheese, S’mores Bar, The Pig & The Waffle, Toasted Marshmallow, Toasted Marshmallows, Tomato, Tomatoes, Turkey, Vegas, Vodka, Water, whiskey, whisky, White Bread, White Peach, White Peach Purée, White Peaches, White Wine, Wine, Yolk, Yolks, ‘Merican Beer Cheese, ‘Merican Cheese, ‘Merican Cheese Sauce

July 25, 2018
6:09 PM
by: Uhockey

Greek Delights, Las Vegas NV

Greek Delights

Saganaki – Flamed Greek Cheese, Pita

Falafel

Gyros Combo Plate – Flame Broiled Beef and Lamb / Spanakopita with Spinach, Feta, Ricotta / Greek Salad / Zante Fries / Tzatziki Sauce / Pita

Hummus – Chickpeas, Lemon, Garlic, Olive Oil, Pita

Baklava

As a proponent of locally owned eateries it is always difficult when such a place disappoints, but on Wednesday evening alongside two others Greek Delights managed to do so in unprecedented fashion that almost seemed intentional it was so egregious.

Located on North Rancho Drive and now open for five months, a former Food Truck turned dine-in and set up inside another former Restaurant without much thought given to décor, guests entering Greek Delights will immediately note a concise menu hanging above an open kitchen with counter-style ordering, the woman behind the register pleasant but pithy while cooks went about tasks preparing items for take-out.

Doing better business than one might expect in such a location, drivers from Grubhub and Doordash both arriving over the course of 45 minutes in addition to three more couples, it was after first being told that Rice Pudding was unavailable that $4.50 was refunded for sold-out Loukoumades, a fifteen minute delay with small flies buzzing amidst air conditioning that could not keep up further setting the scene.

Uncertain how Pita and presumably ready-made Hummus could take so long, though when still-touchable cast-iron containing lots of Lemon and undercooked Kefalograviera arrived it was assumed to be in allowing this to act as an Appetizer, it was after finishing the $9 plate that four a la carte Falafel were presented visibly dripping with Oil, a thick Garlic Sauce additionally added to further compromise both taste and texture.

Not at all amused at this point, expediting clearly in favor of take-out, it was with a plate of room temperature Gyro Meat atop limp Fries which carry a $2.00 surcharge for crumbled Feta that another underwhelming arrived, the Spanakopita a lone highlight thanks to flaky Phyllo while Hummus that finally arrived was average and served with too little Bread for such a portion.

Forced to request Tzatziki listed as part of the combo thrice, the final time at the counter producing one small container, it was with Baklava already on the table at the same time as Hummus that a bite laced in low expectations was taken, not one bit of crunch found and the bottom sopping wet though the Walnuts and Cinnamon were at least plentiful.

ONE AND A HALF STARS: I’ll preface comments with: 1) No one got sick. 2) Most of the food was edible. 3) Portions are large and prices are low…but beyond that Greek Delights managed to undercook Saganaki, serve Falafel dripping with grease, deliver Hummus AFTER cooked items, charge $2 extra for Fries that were limp and cool to touch, forget Tzatziki twice and serve the soggiest Baklava ever witnessed while simultaneously being sold out of Loukoumades and Rice Pudding.

RECOMMENDED: Spanakopita.

AVOID: Baklava, Falafel, Fries.

TIP: Those who still wish to test their luck can find a discount on Groupon.

WHAT THE STARS MEAN: 5 World Class, 4 Excellent, 3 Good, 2 Fair, 1 Poor.

www.greekdelightslv.com

Posted in Bread Basket, Dessert, Food, Greek Delights, Las Vegas, Nevada Tagged Baklava, Beef, Bread, Butter, Cheese, Chick Pea, Chick Peas, Chickpea, Chickpeas, Cinnamon, Cow, Cucumber, Cucumbers, Dessert, Desserts, Dough, Egg, Eggs, endoedibles, Falafel, feta, Feta Cheese, Flame Broiled Beef, Flame Broiled Lamb, Flamed Greek Cheese, Food, Foodie, Fries, Fry, Garlic, Greek, Greek Cheese, Greek Delights, Greek Salad, gyro, Gyro Combo Plate, Gyros, Gyros Combo Plate, Honey, Hummus, Kefalograviera, Kefalograviera Cheese, Lamb, Las Vegas, Lemon, Lemons, LV, Michael Uzmann, Nevada, NV, Oil, Olive Oil, Onion, Onions, Pastries, Pastry, Phyllo, Phyllo Dough, Pita, Pita Bread, Pitas, Potato, Potatoes, Ricotta, Ricotta Cheese, Saganaki, Saganaki Cheese, Salad, Sauce, Sheep, Sin City, Spanakopita, Spinach, Sugar, Tomato, Tomatoes, Tzatziki, Tzatziki Sauce, Vegas, Walnut, Walnuts, Yogurt, Zante Fries

July 25, 2018
11:20 AM
by: Uhockey

Purple Potato Catering [2,] Henderson NV

Purple Potato Catering

Lipa Salad – Greens, Black Beans, Cabbage, Corn, Cherry Tomatoes, Avocado, Cilantro, Pickled Red Onion, Pickled Jalapenos, Smoked Maple Coconut, Toasted Pumpkin Seed Dressing, Lemon

Ahi Tuna – Cucumber, Lemon, Lima Beans, Herbs

Ham and Cheese Sandwich – Smoked Ham, Gruyere, Tomato, Lettuce, Mustard Aioli, Wheat Berry Bread

Cheesesteak – Roast Beef, Provolone, Onion, Bell Pepper, Hoagie

PBJ – Peanut Butter, Housemade Strawberry Jam, Banana, Pain de Mie

Ube Monster Cookie with Peanuts

Matcha Monster Cookie with Chocolate Chips

Ube Coconut Custard

Caramel Almond Bars

Purple Potato Oreo

Ube Leche Flan Layer Cake

Fortunate to have a bounty of excellent local catering options from Henderson to Centennial it was on Wednesday that Ramir Bolanos DeCastro’s Purple Potato was once again selected to feed the office, a good reception in May that has since seen at least one pharmaceutical company #supportlocal with far greater frequency replicated and even improved upon by an entirely different spread than previous.

Still located at 10090 South Eastern Avenue but happy to set-up on either side of The Strip, both per-diner prices and delivery costs better than most even though Purple Potato’s ingredient quality dramatically outshines the likes of Panera or Café Rio, it was ten minutes before the 11:30am requested arrival that a man brought platters, bowls and trays plus utensils, DeCastro’s all-new Desserts making up almost half the order which delighted second shift workers that typically find sweets picked over.

Sticking to an all-natural philosophy despite vibrant colors and big flavors, the fresh cubes of Ahi Tuna that were popular last time again going quickly whether as presented or tossed in a complex mix of Lettuces, Beans, Tomatoes and pickled flavors kissed by smoky sweetness, it was also quite quickly that Purple Potato’s modified Cheesesteak was gone, the typically Vegan offering requested with real Beef not sloppy like those in Philadelphia but instead a nice balance of flavors between halves of a Whole Wheat Hoagie.

Not yet making all Breads on-site but nonetheless responsible for all the recipes it was atop toothsome Wheat Berry Loaf that Purple Potato next provided lean slices of smoked Ham painted with the light taste of Mustard, the PBJ to follow perhaps “childish” as one suggested but actually quite delicious thanks to housemade Jam and freshly ground Peanuts with thin slices of Banana on fluffy Bread.

Turning attention now to sweet stuff, one guest’s assertion that “all that dye” would cause Gastrointestinal upset proving again that most Doctors know little about things outside their field, it was finding both styles of Monster Cookie still slightly warm that bites of one proceeded the other, Ramir’s Ube version tasting a lot like Peanut Butter and still molten in the middle while Matcha Chocolate Chip was subtly bitter but a great choice for those who prefer not eat so much Sugar.

Happy to see those who thought Purple Potato was “too healthy” last time at least delighted by Desserts, small Custard cups topped in shredded Coconut compared favorably to Flan, it was on the heels of golden Caramel Almond Bars not unlike Financiers that the Purple Potato “Oreo” and Ube Leche Layer Cake each impressed a diverse group as the first replicated its namesake Sandwich Cookie well in terms of taste while the jiggly slices performed better than the sum of their already excellent parts when both purple and beige were taken in a single bite.

N/A: Making it blog policy to not ‘rate’ places based on catering alone this is now the second time that Chef Ramir’s quick, casual and healthy fare has managed to impress a broad demographic of diners and although not everyone will ever enjoy ‘everything’ the beauty of such a place is the ability to customize precisely as one likes.

RECOMMENDED: Lipa Salad, Ahi Tuna, Cheesesteak, Ube Monster Cookie, Purple Potato Oreo,
Ube Leche Flan Layer Cake.

AVOID: N/A.

TIP: 8:00a to 7:00p M-F and 8:00a to 3:00p Weekends, now offering Brunch as well as plated Desserts on-site.

WHAT THE STARS MEAN: 5 World Class, 4 Excellent, 3 Good, 2 Fair, 1 Poor.

www.purplepotatolv.com

Posted in Dessert, Food, Henderson, Las Vegas, Nevada, Pork, Purple Potato, Purple Potato by Chef Ramir, Purple Potato by Yonaka Tagged Ahi, Ahi Tuna, Aioli, Almond, Almonds, Avocado, Avocados, Banana, Bananas, Bean, Beans, Beef, Bell Pepper, Bell Peppers, Black Bean, Black Beans, Bread, Butter, Cabbage, Cake, Cakes, Caramel, Caramel Almond Bar, Caramel Almond Bars, Caramel Bar, Caramel Bars, Cashew, Cashews, Catering, Cheese, Cheesesteak, Cheesesteak Sandwich, Chef Ramir, Cherry Tomato, Cherry Tomatoes, Chip, Chips, Chocolate, Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Chips, Cilantro, Coconut, Coconut Flake, Coconut Flakes, Coconuts, Cookie, Cookies, Corn, Cow, Cream, Cucumber, Cucumbers, Custard, Dessert, Desserts, Dressing, endoedibles, Fish, Flan, Food, Foodie, Greens, Gruyere, Gruyere Cheese, Ham, Ham and Cheese Sandwich, Henderson, Herb, Herbs, Hoagie, Hoagie Roll, Housemade Strawberry Jam, Jalapeno, Jalapeno Pepper, Jalapeno Peppers, Jalapenos, Las Vegas, Layer Cake, Layer Cakes, Lemon, Lemons, Lettuce, Lima Bean, Lima Beans, Lipa Salad, LV, Maple, Maple Syrup, Matcha, Matcha Monster Cookie, Matcha Monster Cookie with Chocolate Chips, Matcha Monster Cookies, Michael Uzmann, Monster Cookie, Monster Cookies, mustard, Mustard Aioli, Nevada, NV, Onion, Onions, Oreo, Oreo Cookie, Oreo Cookies, Oreos, Pain de Mie, Pain de Mie Bread, Pastries, Pastry, PB&J, PBJ Sandwich, Peanut, Peanut Butter, Peanut Butter & Jelly, Peanut Butter and Jelly, Peanuts, Pepper, Peppers, Pickle, Pickled, Pickled Jalapenos, Pickled Red Onion, Pickles, Pig, Pork, Potato, Potatoes, Provolone, Provolone Cheese, Pumpkin Seed, Pumpkin Seeds, Purple Potato, Purple Potato by Chef Ramir, Purple Potato by Yonaka, Purple Potato Catering, Purple Potato Oreo, Purple Potato Oreos, Ramir Bolanos DeCastro, Ramir DeCastro, Red Onion, Red Onions, Roast Beef, Salad, Sandwich, Sandwiches, Sin City, Smoked Ham, Smoked Maple, Smoked Maple Coconut, Strawberries, Strawberry, Strawberry Jam, Strawberry Jelly, Sugar, Syrup, Toasted Pumpkin Seed Dressing, Tomato, Tomatoes, Tuna, Ube, Ube Coconut Custard, Ube Leche Flan, Ube Leche Flan Layer Cake, Ube Leche Flan Layer Cakes, Ube Monster Cookie, Ube Monster Cookie with Peanuts, Ube Monster Cookies, Vegas, Wheat, Wheat Berry, Wheat Berry Bread, Whole Wheat, Whole Wheat Bread

July 25, 2018
8:29 AM
by: Uhockey

Lulu’s Bread and Breakfast [5,] Las Vegas NV

Lulu’s Bread & Breakfast

Butter Croissant

Nutella Croissant

Pain au Chocolat

Raisin Custard Danish

Cream Cheese Danish

Carrot Cake

When it was announced that a colleague would be leaving the office his affinity for Carrot Cake immediately warranted calling in a favor, Chris Decker and John Arena setting aside a slice of Metro’s textbook version in addition to several Pastries from Lulu’s Bread & Breakfast.

First visited in 2013 for Pastries prior to house-hunting and since becoming a frequent destination for Breakfast or Pizza at Metro next-door, the hour round-trip drive universally proving justified but on this day left to delivery, it was just past 8:30am that items arrived on a nicely arranged platter, just five staff partaking in pieces of eight items that began with a fluffy Butter Croissant followed by another that had been sliced in half and filled with a big spoonful of Nutella.

Moving next to another laminated Pastry piped with two tubes of Chocolate, the Powdered Sugar making a mess of black scrubs and probably more properly enjoyed over a plate or table, it was with lesson learned that a Cream Cheese Danish was carefully savored for each delicious and creamy bite while seated, the spiral filled with Raisins and Custard rightfully saved for last and even better than when tasted in June thanks to a lighter bake that left some parts still jiggly.

FIVE STARS: Although John and Chris may indeed be Pizza Guys there is no way to make a good Pie without understanding Bread and whether laminated, Pretzel or the housemade Loaves given to every table at Metro Pizza these two do it right.

RECOMMENDED: Cream Cheese Danish, Raisin Custard Danish, Nutella Croissant.

AVOID: N/A but be aware that Carrot Cake is actually from Metro’s menu beginning at 11am…unless you ask really nicely.

TIP: 7a-3p daily, though best items do occasionally sell out early on weekends.

WHAT THE STARS MEAN: 5 World Class, 4 Excellent, 3 Good, 2 Fair, 1 Poor.

www.lulusbreadandbreakfast.com

Posted in Breakfast, Croissant, Croissants, Food, Las Vegas, Lulu's Bread & Breakfast, Lulu’s Bread and Breakfast, Nevada Tagged Bread, Butter, Butter Croissant, Butter Croissants, Cake, Carrot, Carrot Cake, Carrots, Catering, Cheese, Chocolate, Chocolate Croissant, Chris Decker, Cinnamon, Cream, Cream Cheese, Cream Cheese Danish, Cream Cheese Frosting, Cream Cheese Icing, Croissant, Croissants, Custard, Danish, Dark Chocolate, Dessert, Desserts, endoedibles, Food, Foodie, Frosting, Hazelnut, Hazelnuts, Icing, John Arena, Las Vegas, Lulu's, Lulu's Bread & Breakfast, Lulu's Bread and Breakfast, LV, Metro, Metro Pizza, Metro Pizza Centennial, Metro Pizza North, Metro Pizza on Sky Pointe, Michael Uzmann, Nevada, Nut, Nutella, Nutella Croissant, Nutella Croissants, Nuts, NV, Pain au Chocolat, Pastries, Pastry, Raisin, Raisin Custard Danish, Raisins, Sin City, Sugar, Vegas, Viennoiserie, Viennoiseries

July 21, 2018
9:01 PM
by: Uhockey

CJ’s Italian Ice & Custard [2,] Las Vegas NV

CJ’s Italian Ice & Custard

Samples: Cherry Italian Ice, Strawberry Italian Ice, Black Cherry Italian Ice, Tangerine Italian Ice

Swedish Fish Italian Ice, Vanilla Custard

Having driven by CJ’s Italian Ice & Custard at least five hundred times since visiting in July of 2016 a return finally seemed in order on Saturday, post-dinner with the family finding a line snaking outside the door for frozen Confections on a night when temperatures continued to hover around 100ᵒF at nine o’clock.

Still locally owned and operated by Ohio State alumnus Jon Goldberg, the employee tip-jar showing a quiet bit of Buckeye pride on the West side of South Durango, those entering CJ’s in 2018 will notice little has changed in terms of décor over the years despite a menu overhaul and embrace of Social Media, eyes on current trends most recently seeing a flood of curated Instagram photos including Boba, Chamoy and cones in a variety of shapes and colors.

No doubt an easily overlooked space considering its location and size, the drive-thru Taco joint sharing a wall at 3555 South Durango Drive also busy on this particular night, it was after perhaps ten minutes of steady progress and a few tastes that guests reached the queue’s front, ladies opting to go light with Fruit-flavored Italian Ice while just over $4 netted this writer two layers of Vanilla Custard divided by a packed dip of Swedish Fish.

Again limited in terms of Soft Serve, just standard Chocolate, Vanilla and Twist available fresh but several others offered in take-out pints, it was after marveling at the natural flavors of Black Cherry, Tangerine plus ripe Strawberries but flashing past “Cherry” more like “ICEE” that the creamy swirl of Eggs, Milk, Water and Sugar gave way to a taste identical to the gummy Candy not tasted in years, a reminder that no matter how artificial something may be the power of nostalgia remains strong.

FOUR STARS: Still offering better frozen Custard than Luv-It or Shake Shack plus an unparalleled array of housemade Ice it is good to see CJ’s has continued to thrive while also modernizing, the friendly service and fair prices undoubtedly part of the appeal though one still hopes for a time when smaller take-out containers might be offered so other unique Custards can be tasted without inevitably leaving some in the freezer to lose texture.

RECOMMENDED: Vanilla Custard, Strawberry Italian Ice, Black Cherry Italian Ice.

AVOID: Cherry Italian Ice.

TIP: Frequent Customer Punch-Cards will yield every 7th item free while Social Media check-ins will score 10% off the current order, plus there is a $20 Food Challenge that may just be worth the effort on variety alone.

WHAT THE STARS MEAN: 5 World Class, 4 Excellent, 3 Good, 2 Fair, 1 Poor.

http://www.cjsitalianice.com/

Posted in CJ’s, CJ’s Italian Ice, CJ’s Italian Ice & Custard, CJ’s Italian Ice and Custard, Dessert, Food, Ice Cream, Las Vegas, Nevada Tagged Black Cherries, Black Cherry, Black Cherry Italian Ice, Cherries, Cherry, Cherry Italian Ice, CJ’s, CJ’s Italian Ice, CJ’s Italian Ice & Custard, CJ’s Italian Ice and Custard, Cream, Custard, Dessert, Desserts, Egg, Eggs, endoedibles, Food, Foodie, Frozen Custard, Ice Cream, Italian Ice, Jon Goldberg, Las Vegas, LV, Michael Uzmann, Nevada, NV, Sin City, Strawberries, Strawberry, Strawberry Italian Ice, Sugar, Swedish Fish, Swedish Fish Italian Ice, Tangerine, Tangerine Italian Ice, Tangerines, Vanilla, Vanilla Custard, Vanilla Frozen Custard, Vegas

July 21, 2018
6:26 PM
by: Uhockey

I. C. China Bistro, Las Vegas NV

I.C. China Bistro

Fried Rice Noodles, Sweet and Sour Sauce

Thai Tea

BBQ Sliced Pork, Barbecue Sauce, Sesame Seeds

Fried Rice, Chicken, Egg, Carrots, Bean Sprouts, Green Onion

Beef with Broccoli, Black Mushrooms, Carrots, Garlic Brown Sauce

Pan Fried Chow Mein, Crispy Lo Mein Noodles, Pork, Zucchini, Broccoli, Onions, Cabbage, Mushrooms, Carrots, Brown Sauce

Pan Fried Chow Mein, Crispy Lo Mein Noodles, Chicken, Zucchini, Broccoli, Onions, Cabbage, Mushrooms, Carrots, Brown Sauce

White Rice

Szechuan Pork, Bell Peppers, Mushrooms, Onions, Spicy Szechuan Sauce

General Tso’s Chicken, Chili Peppers, Green Onion, Sweet and Spicy Sauce

Roasted Duck, Plum Sauce

Orange Peel Chicken, Orange Sauce

Honey Walnut Shrimp, Honey Glazed Walnuts, Rice Crisps, Mayonnaise Sauce

Cheese Wontons, Sweet Cream Cheese

Fortune Cookie

So new that the “Grand Opening” sign still hangs it was as a group of ten that I.C. China Bistro was visited on Saturday, the former Paradise India updated in terms of décor with the Buffet removed and tables added but the overall upscale feel maintained despite serving Americanized Chinese Food in the middle of a Strip Mall.

Family owned and operated by 20+ year industry veterans and proudly purporting the use of local ingredients across a menu not dissimilar to the likes of Panda Express or Mark Pi’s, a 6:30pm arrival finding the space at most 15% full, it was having e-mailed in advance due to the party size that waiters and waitresses nonetheless scrambled last minute to arrange seats – a little bit of coaching along the way eventually yielding satisfactory results and beverages offered subsequently.

Priced not much higher than the average Food Court Chinese when accounting for portion sizes, one plate per person yielding more than enough Food for eight adults and two children, it was with Hot Tea, Thai Tea and Water poured that three complimentary plates of fried Noodles were served alongside Sweet & Sour Sauce, the rest of the order sent out as readied by the kitchen and generally creating a good flow to the evening.

Playing nondescript Country Music overhead, an unexpected choice to be sure, it was as conversation flowed that Dinner began with two sizable Appetizers of Roast Pork beneath sweet and sticky Sauce flecked in Sesame Seeds, the pair easily making it around the table twice before being finished and followed quickly by a mountain of Fried Rice with Chicken and subtle salinity for just $11.

Ordering diversely with a focus on items best fitting the concept, an earthy Beef and Broccoli dish with Fungus and garlicky Brown Sauce closest to what one might find at a more “authentic” venue on Spring Mountain Road, it was to the disappointment of most that a request for “Hong Kong Style” Noodles instead brought forth crispy Lo Mein beneath a Vegetable medley and Pork or Chicken, the flavors and textures fine for what it was but odd that the veteran crew would not be aware of the difference.

Soaking up some of the better Sauces with White Rice, specifically the Garlic Brown one and that from General Tso’s Chicken soon to arrive, it was with approximately a 10:1 ratio of Peppers to Protein that Szechuan Pork fell flat despite barely registering a tingle on the tongue, the fried Bird only slightly hotter but not all that crispy in comparison to a plate soaked in Orange Sauce that was actually quite good despite being quite sweet as a result of just enough grated Zest.

Topping out prices with $20.95 Roasted Duck, a nearly whole Fowl for which Plum Sauce had to be requested as the Waitress worried aloud that “some guests think it’s already too salty,” it was largely a two man job that saw cumbersome Bones picked from textures and flavors on par with most local Dim Sum spots while the Honey Walnut Shrimp and complimentary Cheese Wontons offered as “Dessert” were both crispy and sweet though at $15.95 the former should have used larger specimens which would have led to a better amount of Crustacean beneath the Batter.

TWO AND A HALF STARS: Realizing upscale “Food Court” Chinese is a backhanded compliment that is nonetheless what guests will find at I.C. China Bistro and although the space itself is clean and attractive the hit and miss nature their menu makes one mighty suspicious of all those “Five Star” low-count Yelp! reviews.

RECOMMENDED: Beef with Broccoli, Orange Peel Chicken, Chicken Fried Rice.

AVOID: Szechuan Pork, General Tso’s Chicken, expectations that this “veteran” staff actually knows their way around the sort of Chinese Food you can find cheaper in Chinatown.

TIP: Yelp! Check-ins score 10% off though the local mailer offers 20%.

WHAT THE STARS MEAN: 5 World Class, 4 Excellent, 3 Good, 2 Fair, 1 Poor.

www.icchinabistro.com

Posted in Food, I. C. China, I. C. China Bistro, I.C. China, I.C. China Bistro, Las Vegas, Nevada, Pork Tagged Barbecue, Barbecue Sauce, Barbeque, BBQ, BBQ Sauce, BBQ Sliced Pork, Bean Sprout, Bean Sprouts, Beef, Beef with Broccoli, Bell Pepper, Bell Peppers, Black Mushroom, Black Mushrooms, Broccoli, Brown Sauce, Cabbage, Carrot, Carrots, Cheese, Cheese Wonton, Cheese Wontons, Chicken, Chili, Chili Pepper, Chili Peppers, Chilis, Chow Mein, Cookie, Cookies, Cow, Cream Cheese, Crisp, Crisps, Crispy Lo Mein, Crispy Lo Mein Noodle, Crispy Lo Mein Noodles, Duck, Duck Sauce, Ducks, Egg, Eggs, endoedibles, Food, Foodie, Fortune Cookie, Fortune Cookies, Fried Rice, Fried Rice Noodle, Fried Rice Noodles, Garlic, Garlic Brown Sauce, General Tso’s, General Tso’s Chicken, Green Onion, Green Onions, Honey, Honey Glazed Walnut, Honey Glazed Walnuts, Honey Walnut Shrimp, I. C. China, I. C. China Bistro, Las Vegas, Lo Mein, Lo Mein Noodle, Lo Mein Noodles, LV, Mayonnaise, Mayonnaise Sauce, Michael Uzmann, Mushroom, Mushrooms, Nevada, Noodle, Noodles, NV, Onion, Onions, Orange, Orange Chicken, Orange Peel, Orange Peel Chicken, Orange Sauce, Orange Zest, Oranges, Pan Fried Chow Mein, Pepper, Peppers, Pig, Plum, Plum Sauce, Plums, Pork, Rice, Rice Crisps, Rice Noodles, Roast Duck, Roasted Duck, Sauce, Sesame, Sesame Seed, Sesame Seeds, Shrimp, Sin City, Sliced Pork, Spicy Szechuan Sauce, Sugar, Sweet and Sour, Sweet and Sour Sauce, Sweet and Spicy, Sweet and Spicy Sauce, Sweet Cream Cheese, Szechuan Pork, Szechuan Sauce, Tea, Thai Tea, Vegas, Vegetable, Vegetables, Walnut, Walnut Shrimp, White Rice, Wonton, Wontons, Zest, Zucchini

July 21, 2018
11:08 AM
by: Uhockey

Metro Pizza on Sky Pointe [6,] Las Vegas NV

Metro Pizza

Iced Tea

House Bread, Butter

Garlic Knots, House Marinara

“The 718” Calzone fried with Whipped Ricotta, Meatball, Fresh Mozzarella, Marinara

18-hour Pan Risen Detroit Style

Sesame Crust, Sausage, Feta, Pepperoncini, Mike’s Hot Honey

Sriracha Marinated Tomato, Jalapeno Bacon, Herb Sauce, Avocado, Ranch Dust

Chorizo, Sweet Corn, Cotija Cheese, Chipotle Crema

Carrot Cake, Cream Cheese Icing, Caramel, Whipped Cream

Coconut Gelato

In a city with many excellent Restaurants but few world-renowned Chefs the name John Arena remains a sort of secret to locals despite being highly regarded globally amongst Pizzaiolos, the man who sold his first Pie at the age of 13 before moving West and virtually building Sin City’s Pizza culture still operating Metro Pizza today and remaining as dedicated to the craft as he has ever been.

As much a part of Las Vegas’ history as any other eatery, multiple locations from McCarran to Centennial calling Metro Pizza on Sky Pointe Drive home-base for over five years, it was with a July dust storm on the horizon that three locals stopped in to taste what John and Chris Decker have been working on most recently, one soon to join the menu and others likely to never be seen by a wide audience despite being as innovative as anything being dubbed “Neo-Brooklyn” or “Artisan” elsewhere.

Open at 11am daily and on this particular Saturday acting as overflow seating for Lulu’s Bread and Breakfast, both John and Chris on the line alongside a member of the Evel Pie team there to soak up knowledge and share ideas, it was with Beverages poured and housemade Bread served that an order of Garlic Knots were delivered, a gentle pull unraveling fluffy insides perfect for sopping up Marinara that was also poured alongside Metro’s underappreciated “718” Calzone which puffs up beautifully after a quick swim in the fryer and eats lighter than any baked version witnessed to date.

Playing iHeartRadio Pop a little louder than usual but graciously switching to Motown after about twenty minutes, seating for over three hundred guests no doubt difficult to gauge in terms of volume throughout the ebbs and flows of service, it was as Rihanna wrapped up that John presented what at first appeared to be a Lasagna, though in reality an 18-hour pan-rise of just 10oz of Dough had instead yielded four springy rectangles that ate almost impossibly light at the center of a cheesy lattice.

Always experimenting with new Flour blends, Toppings and duration of fermentation, Chef Decker next presenting his “Las Vegas” Pie atop Metro’s traditional base, it was with the spice of Sriracha and Peppers mellowed by Avocado added after the bake still lingering that taste buds transitioned to the sweet-heat of Mike’s Hot Honey and Citrus amidst Sausage and Feta, a Crust flecked with Sesame Seeds creating textural contrast and umami that has rightfully won the creation an upcoming permanent place on the menu.

At this point packing up limited leftovers despite not being finished, one last Pizza from Chef Arena arriving with a faultless Crust showing the results of decades of practice paired to the sort of imagination that many lose over time, suffice it to say that in the hands of Arena and Decker almost anything can *be* Pizza and in the case of Mexican Street Corn with Chorizo anyone given the chance to experience it should partake without question.

Finishing up with “Cake and Ice Cream,” the Coconut Gelato previously recommended by Decker as an Affogato even more luxurious solo, it remains an understated fact that Metro’s old-school Carrot Cake is one of the best in Las Vegas, the Caramel and Whipped Cream garnish irrelevant in the setting of three moist layers packed with Nuts, Spices and shredded Vegetables divided by ribbons of tangy Frosting.

FIVE STARS: Serving Las Vegas for 37+ years and continuously evolving the concept while slowly growing the brand it would be difficult to say anyone has contributed more to Sin City’s love of Pizza than John Arena, and although any brand featuring more than one space may suffer from inconsistency Metro sets a high standard by rewarding their old customer base with predictable greatness while Chris Decker’s creativity looks towards a new era and without ever neglecting the basics – the same synopsis as always since it warrants repeating.

RECOMMENDED: Both the Garlic Knots and 718 Calzone can be found on the daily menu and warrant a taste while anything one can do to secure the 18-hour Detroit Style or Street Corn Pizza is also worth the effort.

AVOID: Missing out when Chris posts something delicious on Instagram (@everythingbutanchovies) as the item is usually only available that day in limited quantities.

TIP: Those interested in learning from one of the best should consider calling 702-256-3719 to schedule a seat at one of John’s monthly Pizza classes for just $25.

WHAT THE STARS MEAN: 5 World Class, 4 Excellent, 3 Good, 2 Fair, 1 Poor.

http://metropizza.com/

Posted in Bread Basket, Dessert, Food, Ice Cream, Italian, Las Vegas, Metro Pizza, Metro Pizza Centennial, Metro Pizza Sky Pointe, Nevada, Pizza, Pork Tagged 18-hour Pan Risen Detroit Style, Avocado, Avocados, Bacon, Bread, Butter, Cake, Calzone, Caramel, Carrot, Carrot Cake, Carrots, Cheese, chipotle, Chipotle Crema, Chipotle Pepper, Chipotle Peppers, Chipotles, Chorizo, Chris Decker, Citrus, Coconut, Coconut Gelato, Coconuts, Corn, Cotija, Cotija Cheese, Cream, Cream Cheese, Cream Cheese Frosting, Cream Cheese Icing, Crema, Crust, Dessert, Desserts, Detroit Style, Detroit Style Pizza, endoedibles, feta, Feta Cheese, Food, Foodie, Fresh Mozzarella, Fresh Mozzarella Cheese, Frosting, Garlic, Garlic Knots, Gelato, Herb, Herb Sauce, Herbs, Honey, House Bread, House Marinara, Ice Cream, Iced Tea, Icing, Italian, Jalapeno, Jalapeno Bacon, Jalapeno Pepper, Jalapeno Peppers, Jalapenos, John Arena, Knots, Las Vegas, LV, Marinara, Marinara Sauce, Meatball, Meatballs, Metro, Metro Pizza, Metro Pizza Centennial, Metro Pizza North, Metro Pizza on Sky Pointe, Mexican Street Corn, Mexican Street Corn Pizza, Michael Uzmann, Mike’s Hot Honey, Mozzarella, Mozzarella Cheese, Nevada, NV, Pastries, Pastry, Pecorino, Pecorino Cheese, Pepper, Pepperoncini, Peppers, Pig, Pizza, Pork, Ranch, Ranch Dust, Ricotta, Ricotta Cheese, Sauce, Sausage, Seed, Seeds, Semolina, Semolina Bread, Sesame, Sesame Crust, Sesame Seed, Sesame Seeds, Sin City, Sriracha, Sriracha Marinated Tomato, Street Corn, Street Corn Pizza, Sugar, Sweet Corn, Tea, The 718, The 718 Calzone, Tomato, Tomatoes, Vanilla, Vegas, Whipped Cream, Whipped Ricotta, Whipped Ricotta Cheese

July 19, 2018
5:45 PM
by: Uhockey

The Goodwich (South Buffalo,) Las Vegas NV

The Goodwich South Buffalo

Baa-mento Cheese – Sheep & Goat Pimento Cheese, Gluten Free Cracker, Celery, Radishes

Burrata – Peaches, Nuts & Seeds, Spiced Honey, Basil, Baguette

Tomato Ciabatta – Heirloom Tomatoes, Aioli, Smoked Salt, Olive Oil

RU Chicken – Crispy Chicken, Yellow Buffalo Sauce, Saffron Slaw, Pepper Jack, Sesame Bun

BLTG – Goodwich Bacon, Lettuce, Heirloom Tomato, Cheddar Grits, Ciabatta

Tater Tots – Harissa, Ketchup

Candied Carrots – Pink Peppercorn Honey, Walnuts, Herbs

Peach Skillet Pie – Almond Streusel

Originally a silver box in front of Dino’s Lounge it did not take long for Joshua Clark’s The Goodwich to develop a following and move to Soho Lofts, but by opening a second location in the booming Southwest it seems the concept is ready to take a big step forward in becoming more than just Sandwiches and instead one of the area’s most inspired Chef-driven Restaurants.

Located at the corner of Buffalo and Warm Springs in a complex also featuring Burgers and Sushi Burritos, a number of local businesses including St. Rose Dominican Hospital providing an “if you build it they will come” customer base for any place willing to go the extra mile, Thursday night found The Goodwich only approximately 1/4 full minutes to 6:00pm, manager Nichole Hall greeting familiar faces and first timers though the fact that no menu is yet officially posted online probably does the place no favors in the case of those unfamiliar and unadventurous.

Again sticking to the “STACKED-RITE” philosophy of local-seasonal ingredients and familiar concepts formatted to a mature palate it was shortly after sitting at a banquette paralleling the bar that choices were debated, bottled Iced Tea poured for two and seven savories selected, though at least a dozen more including “Land, Sea, Earth” daily specials called out.

Not yet with a liquor license but in the process, a temporary BYO opportunity offered for those so inclined, it was as Pop and Rock from the 70s and 80s played overhead that things got started, the $5 Tomato Ciabatta an absolute bargain that shows off Clark’s sourcing by being simple but beautiful while $9 each for Burrata amidst Granola and Organic Peaches or housemade Pimento Cheese that bests almost anything one will find in the South are also a deal.

Moving on to more substantial things but intent to see variety over a sizable Steak or piece of Fish it was next in two Sandwiches that appetites were entrusted, a misprint on the menu thankfully finding RU Chicken on a fluffy Sesame Bun instead of Ciabatta and singing as light spice met aromatic Slaw while the BLTG was compromised by Bacon that did not seem cooked quite well enough, those the textural interplay of crisp Lettuce and juicy Tomatoes with thick Grits was unexpected yet excellent.

Matching Carson Kitchen Tot for Tot, the Harissa selected instead of simple Salt and Pepper pleasing even those sensitive to spice, it was in a side of Candied Carrots that The Goodwich last showed signs of its evolution, the piquant Honey finding its foil in Walnuts with a fresh herbal linger, the sweetness prominent enough that some may consider it for Dessert though that task seemed much better suited for a Peach Pie served in cast iron that will soon be offered with housemade Soft Serve.

FOUR STARS: Admittedly judging an incomplete product, but having done so at locally owned Restaurants including The Stove last week, The Goodwich is off to a great start in the Southwest and in a few weeks should have initial kinks worked out, artwork completed, an Ice Cream maker, Alcohol License and locals lining up for a Restaurant that immediately ups the quality of dining in the Southwest.

RECOMMENDED: Tomato Ciabatta, Baa-mento Cheese, RU Chicken, Candied Carrots

AVOID: Bacon on the BLTG was a bit underdone and too much toasting time on the Almond Streusel left a faint bitter finish on some bites of Pie.

TIP: 11a-10p daily with specials featured on Social Media.

WHAT THE STARS MEAN: 5 World Class, 4 Excellent, 3 Good, 2 Fair, 1 Poor.

www.thegoodwich.com

Posted in Dessert, Food, Las Vegas, Nevada, Pork, The Goodwich, The Goodwich South Buffalo Tagged Aioli, Almond, Almond Streusel, Almonds, Baa-mento Cheese, Bacon, Baguette, Basil, BLTG, BLTG Sandwich, Bread, Buffalo Sauce, Bun, Buns, Burrata, Burrata Cheese, Butter, Cabbage, Candied Carrots, Carrot, Carrots, Celery, Cheddar, Cheddar Cheese, Cheddar Grits, Cheese, Chicken, Ciabatta, Ciabatta Bread, Cracker, Crackers, Cream, Crispy Chicken, Dessert, Desserts, endoedibles, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Food, Foodie, Fried Chicken, Gluten, Gluten Free, Gluten Free Cracker, Gluten Free Crackers, Goat Cheese, Goodwich, Goodwich Bacon, Grits, Harissa, Heirloom Tomato, Heirloom Tomatoes, Herb, Herbs, Honey, Josh Clark, Joshua Clark, Ketchup, Las Vegas, Lettuce, LV, Michael Uzmann, Nevada, Nichole Hall, Nichole Hegge, Nut, Nuts, Nuts & Seeds, NV, Oil, Olive Oil, Peach, Peach Pie, Peach Skillet Pie, Peaches, Pepper, Pepper Jack, Pepper Jack Cheese, Peppers, Pie, Pig, Pimento, Pimento Cheese, Pink Peppercorn, Pink Peppercorn Honey, Pink Peppercorns, Pork, Potato, Potatoes, Radish, Radishes, RU Chicken, RU Chicken Sandwich, Sadwiches, Saffron, Saffron Slaw, Salt, Sandwich, Sauce, Seed, Seeds, Sesame, Sesame Bun, Sesame Seed, Sesame Seeds, Sheep & Goat Pimento Cheese, Sheep Cheese, Sin City, Skillet Pie, Slaw, Smoked Salt, Spiced Honey, Streusel, Sugar, Tater Tots, The Goodwich, The Goodwich South Buffalo, Tomato, Tomato Ciabatta, Tomatoes, Tot, Tots, Vegas, Walnut, Walnuts, Yellow Buffalo Sauce

July 19, 2018
11:26 AM
by: Uhockey

BBQ Mexicana Catering, Las Vegas NV

BBQ Mexicana Catering

Chips, Tomatillo Salsa, Smoky Chipotle Salsa

Border Guacamole – Hass Avocado, Jalapeño, Red Onion, Cilantro, Lime

Mexican Cobb Salad – Mesquite Smoked Chicken, Quinoa, Corn Relish, Pickled Vegetables, Black Beans, Heirloom Tomatoes, Queso Fresco, Hard Boiled Egg, Chipotle Bacon Blue Cheese Dressing

Smoked Hibster Bowl with Tofu – Cilantro Lime Rice, Habanero Bbq Sauce, Charred Corn Relish, Quinoa, Cowboy Caviar, Smoked Almonds

Brisket Lover Bowl – Slow Smoked Brisket, Barbacoa Sauce, Chile Lime Broccolini, Cowboy Caviar, Guacamole, Cilantro Coleslaw, Red Rice, Pickled Vegetables

Burnt Ends Burrito – Slow Smoked Brisket, Chipotle Coleslaw, Housemade Chips, Manchego Cheese, Bbq Mole Sauce

Chicken Avocado Burrito – Mesquite Smoked Chicken, Housemade Chips, Avocado, Red Rice, Black Beans, Avocado Cream

Tres Leches Bites with Cajeta, Blueberries, Strawberries

Rice Pudding with Citrus and Mint

Impressed by the Cuisine of Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger several times over it was placing trust in their newest concept headed by Mike Minor that lunch was catered on Thursday, Destiny Hampton again assisting in creating the menu and delivering a wide array of choices from BBQ Mexicana.

Open now for just a few weeks as a Monday through Friday lunch window at Mandalay Bay, the top quality sourcing of Border Grill combined with Chef Minor’s considerable smoking and braising skills, BBQ Mexicana focuses on the traditions of Mexico while also serving as a brick and mortar venue for ideas Mike developed while operating Truck U Barbeque.

Offering Beef, Chicken, Pork and even smoky Tofu in a variety of Bowls and Wraps with grab-n-go convenience, prices appropriate to ingredient quality and portions that will leave most sated for less than $20, it was after everything was delivered and laid out on-time that guests had their go at housemade Chips, Guac and fresh Salsa, many immediately also grabbing up Desserts from Border Grill that went quickly the first time and all universally impressed by Tres Leches as well as Rice Pudding that remains Las Vegas’ best.

Turning next to the new ideas from Minor, Milliken and Feniger, a collection of items that are healthy by design but full of flavor, those seeking the lightest option are probably best off looking at Salads offered with or without Meat, the Mexican Cobb one of three and immediately compelling even without Dressing thanks to a blend of toasty Grains with sweet Corn and Vegetables both pickled and fresh.

Next addressing two Bowls, those leery of Tofu unable to tell the difference between BBQ Mexicana’s firm cubes and Chicken on a blind taste test, one would be hard pressed to decide whether the base featuring Rice with thinly sliced Almonds or Chile Lime Broccolini beneath Brisket and Barbacoa Sauce was better, the fact that all which remained from either were a few grains indicating the staff could not make up their mind either.

Finishing up with several halved Burritos, the cutting done on-site maintaining heat and structural integrity for delivery, it was as expected that Minor’s famous Burnt Ends Burrito went first to the sound of universal praise for being rich but not too heavy thanks to Slaw where Rice normally resides while the Chicken-Avocado version also had its fans and a lot less heat for those who are sensitive to such.

N/A: Making it blog policy to not ‘rate’ places based on catering alone it seems BBQ Mexicana offers everything fans of Too Hot Tamales and Chef Minor might expect while Destiny and her team continue to offer the sort of Catering experience others should aspire to match.

RECOMMENDED: Chips and Guacamole, Smoked Hibster Bowl with Tofu, Brisket Lover Bowl, Burnt Ends Burrito, Tres Leches, Rice Pudding.

AVOID: N/A.

TIP: BBQ Mexicana is only open M-F 11a-4p, but use http://www.bordergrill.com/catering/event-catering/ to arrange catering if work schedule conflicts.

WHAT THE STARS MEAN: 5 World Class, 4 Excellent, 3 Good, 2 Fair, 1 Poor.

www.mandalaybay.com/en/restaurants/bbq-mexicana.html

Posted in BBQ Mexicana, BBQ Mexicana Catering, Border Grill, Border Grill at Mandalay Bay, Border Grill Catering, Catering, Dessert, Food, Las Vegas, Nevada, Pork Tagged 3 Milks, 3 Milks Cake, Almond, Almonds, Arroz, Arroz con Leche, Avocado, Avocado Cream, Avocados, Bacon, Barbacoa, Barbacoa Sauce, Barbecue, Barbeque, BBQ, BBQ Mexicana, BBQ Mexicana Catering, Bbq Mole Sauce, BBQ Sauce, Bean, Beans, Beef, Black Bean, Black Beans, Blue Cheese, Blueberries, Blueberry, Border Grill, Border Grill at Mandalay Bay, Border Grill Catering, Border Guacamole, Brisket, Brisket Lover Bowl, Broccolini, Burnt Ends, Burnt Ends Burrito, Burrito, Cabbage, Cajeta, Cajeta Caramel, Cake, Cakes, Carrot, Carrots, Catering, Charred Corn, Charred Corn Relish, Cheese, Chicken, Chicken Avocado Burrito, Chile, Chile Lime Broccolini, Chiles, Chili Pepper, Chili Peppers, Chip, chipotle, Chipotle Bacon Blue Cheese Dressing, Chipotle Coleslaw, Chipotle Pepper, Chipotle Peppers, Chipotles, Chips, Cilantro, Cilantro Coleslaw, Cilantro Lime Rice, Cinnamon, Citrus, Cobb, Cobb Salad, Coleslaw, Corn, Corn Relish, Cow, Cowboy Caviar, Cream, Dessert, Desserts, Destiny Hampton, Dressing, Egg, Eggs, endoedibles, Food, Foodie, Guacamole, Habanero, Habanero Bbq Sauce, Habanero Pepper, Habanero Peppers, Habaneros, Hard Boiled Egg, Hard Boiled Eggs, Hass Avocado, Hass Avocados, Heirloom Tomato, Heirloom Tomatoes, Housemade Chips, Jalapeno, Jalapenos, Las Vegas, Lime, Limes, LV, Manchego, Manchego Cheese, Mary Sue Milliken, Mesquite, Mesquite Smoked Chicken, Mexican, Mexican Cobb, Mexican Cobb Salad, Michael Uzmann, Mike Minor, Mint, Mole, Mole Sauce, Nevada, NV, Onion, Onions, Pastries, Pastry, Pepper, Peppers, Pickled Vegetables, Pickles, Pig, Pork, Pudding, Queso Fresco, Quinoa, Radish, Radishes, Red Onion, Red Onions, Red Rice, Relish, Rice, Rice Pudding, Salad, Salsa, Sauce, Sin City, Slaw, Slow Smoked Brisket, Smoked Almond, Smoked Almonds, Smoked Brisket, Smoked Chicken, Smoked Hibster Bowl, Smoked Hibster Bowl with Tofu, Smoky Chipotle Salsa, Strawberries, Strawberry, Sugar, Susan Feniger, Three Milks, Three Milks Cake, Tofu, Tomatillo, Tomatillo Salsa, Tomatillos, Tomato, Tomatoes, Too Hot Tamales, Tres Leches, Tres Leches Bites, Tres Leches Cake, Vanilla, Vegas, Vegetables, White Bean, White Beans

July 19, 2018
7:25 AM
by: Uhockey

Munch Box Catering [2,] Las Vegas NV

Munch Box Catering

Coffee

Scrambled Eggs

French Toast

Buttermilk Pancakes

Sausage and Bacon

Home Fries

Strawberries, Honeydew, Grapes

Blueberry Bagel, Cheddar Bagel, Plain Cream Cheese, Strawberry Cream Cheese

Scrambled Eggs, Wheat Bagel

Buttermilk Pancakes, Strawberries, Strawberry Cream Cheese, 100% Maple Syrup

Sesame Seed Bagel

Having previously been impressed by catering from Avo Jabourian’s Munch Box in June it was at the start of a fairly big day that the office decided to entrust the Restaurant with Breakfast, an arrival time of 7:30am easily met and the spread again showing well across a variety of items.

Opting for Buffet-style service in this case as opposed to an item-by-item order, portions sized to fit increments of five attendees at approximately $10 each, it was with large trays of several Breakfast favorites laid out alongside condiments that guests arranged plates, the fact that everything arrived and remained temperature appropriate for at least an hour ideal for staggered start times.

Overall fairly standard across the offerings, Coffee and Scrambled Eggs as good as any local diner while Bacon cooked up crisp alongside tender Sausage links that were snappy with a touch of sweetness amidst Pepper, it was in an effort to recreate Munch Box’s “Everest” that many seemed to stack a plate, the slightly smaller Pancakes just as fluffy as prior while seared Potatoes were golden, nicely salted and entirely oilless.

Again not as impressed by French Toast as Pancakes, the former fine but little more than egg-washed Bread from a skillet, it was after tasting a few Bagels that Avo admits are delivered instead of homemade that attention returned to Pancakes, the house-blended Strawberry Cream Cheese and Berries from a plethoric Fruit Tray as good as the sum of its ingredients but better thanks to 100% Pure Maple Syrup included as promised on the menu.

N/A: Making it blog policy to not ‘rate’ places based on catering alone Munch Box again outperformed several highly-regarded local Restaurants in terms of timeliness and customer service while simultaneously providing good Food at a fair price – exactly what a good caterer should do and the sort of thing that had yet another Pharmaceutical Representative free to go about his business while the Staff was fed better than any chain.

RECOMMENDED: Pancakes, Cheddar Bagel, Sausage, Home Fries.

AVOID: N/A.

TIP: Delivery available via EZ Cater, Grubhub or Yelp! with most items priced below $10 and cheap delivery costs.

WHAT THE STARS MEAN: 5 World Class, 4 Excellent, 3 Good, 2 Fair, 1 Poor.

www.munchboxvegas.com

Posted in Breakfast, Coffee, Food, French Toast, Las Vegas, Munch Box, Munch Box Catering, Munch Box Fort Apache, Nevada, pancake, Pancakes, Pork Tagged 100% Maple Syrup, Avo Jabourian, Bacon, Bagel, Bagels, Blueberries, Blueberry, Blueberry Bagel, Bread, Butter, Buttermilk, Buttermilk Pancake, Buttermilk Pancakes, Catering, Cheddar, Cheddar Bagel, Cheddar Cheese, Cheese, Cinnamon, Coffee, Cream, Cream Cheese, Egg, Eggs, endoedibles, Food, Foodie, French Toast, Fruit, Fruit Salad, Grape, Grapes, Home Fries, Home Fry, Homefries, Homefry, Honeydew, Las Vegas, LV, Maple, Maple Syrup, Melon, Melons, Michael Uzmann, Munch Box, Munch Box Catering, Munch Box Fort Apache, Musk Melon, Nevada, NV, Pancake, Pancakes, Party Platter, Pepper, Peppers, Pig, Plain Cream Cheese, Pork, Potato, Potatoes, Salad, Sausage, Sausage Link, Sausage Links, Scrambled Egg, Scrambled Eggs, Seed, Seeds, Sesame, Sesame Seed, Sesame Seed Bagel, Sesame Seed Bagels, Sesame Seeds, Sin City, Strawberries, Strawberry, Strawberry Cream Cheese, Sugar, Syrup, Toast, Vegas, Wheat, Wheat Bagel, Wheat Bagels

Glaze Doughnuts [2,] Las Vegas NV

Rosallie [16,] Las Vegas NV

Carson Kitchen [13,] Las Vegas NV

Jerry’s Famous Coffee Shop [2,] North Las Vegas NV

PUB 1842 [3,] Las Vegas NV

Greek Delights, Las Vegas NV

Lulu’s Bread and Breakfast [5,] Las Vegas NV

CJ’s Italian Ice & Custard [2,] Las Vegas NV

Metro Pizza on Sky Pointe [6,] Las Vegas NV

The Goodwich (South Buffalo,) Las Vegas NV

BBQ Mexicana Catering, Las Vegas NV

Munch Box Catering [2,] Las Vegas NV

Archives

Recent Posts

By City

Blogs I Love

Archives

Recent Posts

By City

By Popularity

Blogs I Love