Endo Edibles

February 28, 2017
6:34 PM
by: Uhockey

Jean Georges Steakhouse [5,] Las Vegas NV

Jean Georges Steakhouse

Ginger Daiquiri – Siete Leguas Reposado Tequila, Fresh Lime Juice, Ginger Syrup, Ginger-Salted Rim

Cheese Lavash, Pretzel, Baguette, Walnut Cherry Bread, European Butter

Crispy Sushi Sampler – Salmon, Tuna, Hamachi, Crispy Rice and Chipotle Mayonnaise

Wagyu Carpaccio – Black Truffle Fritters and Lime Salt

Hamachi Crudo – Rangpur Lime, Mandarin Orange, Cocktail Grapefruit, Radish, Fresno Chile, Bergamot, Rosemary, Ginger

2014 Chateau de Sancerre Blanc

Iceberg Wedge – Blue Cheese and Crispy Bacon

Baby Beets and Pear – Gorgonzola, Walnuts and Herbs

Tomato Salad – Hearts of Palm and Coconut

Crunchy Organic Chicken – Spinach and Buttery Hot Sauce

Roasted Chilean Sea Bass – Miso-Yuzu Glaze, Maitake Mushroom

Double Cut Bone-In Pork Chop – Candied Kumquats, Wild Arugula

Fennel in Forms – Pressure Cooked Puree, Seeds, Braised and Caramelized

2013 Hall Cabernet Sauvignon

USDA Prime Aspen Ridge 18 oz Bone-In Rib Eye

16-Oz Rangers Valley Australia Wagyu Bone-In Dry Aged NY and 6-Oz Filet Mignon

Soy Glazed Short Rib – Granny Smith Apple, Micro Celery, Jalapeño

A5 Certified Kobe Beef – Hyogo Prefecture, Japan

Chimichurri, Housemade Hot Sauce, Soy Miso Butter, Béarnaise and JG Steak Sauce

Braising Greens – Roasted Beets, Bacon, Garlic

Brussel Sprouts – Avocado, Balsamic, Walnuts

Nantes Carrots – Slow Roasted and Basted with Butter, Garlic, Rosemary, Crème Fraiche, Dill

Bread Pudding – Brioche, Fontina Cheese, Hedgehog Mushrooms, Black Trumpet Mushrooms and Black Truffles

Double Espresso on Ice

Vanilla Panna Cotta – Seasonal Citrus, Almond Tuille, Streusel

Salted Caramel Sundae – Fudge, Candied Peanuts, Caramel Popcorn

Market Apple Pie – Maple Pecan Ice Cream

Although endoedibles has never been monetized in any way, one of the best rewards of a site with so many visitors is the friends made over the last ten years of dining and travel, thus when one of my most frequent dining pals and two others decided to make Las Vegas their destination for a mid-week Bachelor party it was with little hesitation that the request for a “great steakhouse” saw reservations made at Jean Georges Steakhouse where Chef Sean Griffin took ‘carte blanche’ to a new level for a three-hour feast would prove difficult for anyone else in Sin City to rival.

Having now sat down to dinner at the Aria’s long-tenured house of Meats four times, the first as a solo and the last just after Christmas with two close friends, it was just past 5:15pm that our quartet presented to the hostess podium where greetings were offered, followed by a quick walk to the left side of the room where a table with great lighting awaited, both Sean and his General Manager stopping by early before the restaurant filled to capacity with convention-goers at 7:00pm, the service nonetheless attentive throughout the night with drinks refilled quickly and plates cleared as they were finished without ever feeling like the table was being watched *too* closely.

Not yet changing up the menu for Spring, though Vongerichten and Griffin’s close relationship with Intuitive Forager Kerry Clasby is always certain to feature the season’s best produce enlivening everything from Salads and Sides to garnishes on the big proteins, it was with a refreshing Ginger Daiquiri that palates were whetted for a trio of shared appetizers to start things off, the Crispy Sushi making a good impression on a trio who’ve all been to Japan largely based on its novelty while Hamachi Crudo amidst winter Citrus was beautifully punctuated by light heat and herbs, the signature Aussie Wagyu draped over Black Truffle Fritters always a menu highlight that packs a whole lot of flavor into each mouthful.

Pouring a glass of Chateau de Sancerre to go with the next two courses, the light florals and fruity finish equally capable of matching lighter proteins and three Salads including a simple but perfect Wedge, Beets plus Pears and Hearts of Palm perched atop Tomatoes, those disinterested in Beef will be heartened to know that Jean-Georges Steakhouse is more than capable of making an impression by way of white Meats, the Crunchy Organic Chicken still a personal pick for best in the city while Miso-glazed Sea Bass is a ubiquitous Jean-George mainstay, the Double Cut Bone-In Pork Chop that Griffin “came up with while messing around in the kitchen” definitely worthy of being added to a future menu whether with Candied Kumquats or some other seasonal Fruit while off-menu Fennel in various forms showed off the ingredient’s versatility in a way that would not be out of place at a place like Blue Hill at Stone Barns or Saison in San Francisco.

Presenting a whole bottle of 2013 Hall Cabernet Sauvignon and decanting it tableside in anticipation of the main event, not much could have prepared the table for just how much meat was about to land on a four-top soon to be overwhelmed, both Griffin and his Sous-Chef carrying out sizable plates along with three servers, the Aspen Ridge Bone-In Rib Eye, Dry Aged Rangers Valley Strip along with its Filet and a Soy Glazed Short Rib all perfectly cooked and showing off the diversity of the kitchen’s sourcing while a few ounces of A5 Certified Kobe Beef from the Hyogo Prefecture happily defined decadence.

Going light on the quintet of Sauces, most of them used on the Rib Eye due to the excessive portion size, it was with a bit more Pretzel Bread requested that excess Béarnaise was sopped up almost like Fondue, a power-move reserved for those with a big appetite that certainly did not lessen the enjoyment of four sides including Braising Greens with Bacon, a Vegetarian-friendly Brussels Sprouts dish featuring Avocado and highlight-reel-worthy Bread Pudding with Black Truffles plus ‘fork and knife” Nantes Carrots rendered soft on the inside beneath a caramelized crust created by long, slow Butter-basting.

Going lighter than most places on dessert, that menu having undergone little change since Chef Lynn’s departure, it was with a Double Espresso on Ice that two old favorites plus one new one landed on the table, the city’s best Apple Pie arriving piping hot in an oval as opposed to circular skillet while the burnt-sugar flavor of a Salted Caramel Sundae was as appealing as ever, the Vanilla Panna Cotta now featuring Seasonal Citrus and an Almond Tuille plus buttery Streusel added for texture.

FIVE STARS: Truly a grand showing this time around, Chef Griffin and his team going above and beyond to make three Angelinos further question their high rent, traffic and frou-frou “steakhouses” like Gwen, Jean Georges Steakhouse continues to shine seven years since opening its doors, the staples always likely to be there in order to please conventioneers but the new items and daily-specials really where the kitchen is at its best.

RECOMMENDED: Tomato Salad, Wagyu Carpaccio, Crunchy Organic Chicken, 16-Oz Rangers Valley Australia Wagyu Bone-In Dry Aged NY, Market Apple Pie. (Also, Pork Chop, Truffle Bread Pudding, Nantes Carrots if available.)

AVOID: The table next to us ordered the Aussie Wagyu cooked Medium-Well. It looked Sad. Don’t do that.

TIP: If available, sit on the left side of the room (looking in) where it curves back towards the front. Music is lower, lighting is better and the bulk of the crowd is displaced at a good distance for conversation. Also, ignore the online menu, it is woefully out of date and lacks prices.

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

http://www.aria.com/dining/restaurants/jean-georges-steakhouse

Posted in Bread Basket, Bread Pudding, Coffee, Dessert, Food, Ice Cream, Jean Georges, Jean Georges Steakhouse, Las Vegas, Nevada, Pork, Sushi, Tasting Menu, Truffle, Truffles

February 25, 2017
3:06 PM
by: Uhockey

Yardbird Southern Table & Bar [14,] Las Vegas NV

Yardbird Southern Table & Bar

Mama’s Buttermilk Biscuits with Honey Butter and Strawberry Jam

Fried Pickles with Housemade Ranch

Low + Slow Smoked Chicken Salad – Hass Avocado, Fried Cornbread, Caper Housemade Buttermilk Ranch Dressing

Smoked & Roasted Bone Marrow – Onion Marmalade, Tomato Jam, Pickled Onions and Okra, Grilled Toasted Country Bread

Buffalo Frog Legs – Creole Remoulade

Chica Arepas – Lime Cream, Radish, Jalapeno, Fresh White Cheese

Whole Lewellyn’s Fine Fried Chicken with Family Style Macaroni & Cheese – Torchio Pasta, Five Artisan Cheeses, Crispy Herb Crust

Loaded Brisket Fries – Bacon Salt, Five-Cheese Sauce, House Smoked Brisket, Diced Pickles and Onions

Southern Chicken Chile Verde – Green and Red Chili Peppers, Creamy Nora Mill Grits, Pulled Smoked Chicken, Charred Tomatoes and Scallions

Skillet Cornbread – Vermont Sharp Cheddar Cheese, Bacon, Jalapeno, Honey Maple Butter

Velvet & Berries – Creamy Red Velvet Cheesecake, Sweet Macerated Berries, Cream Cheese Mousse

Skillet Blueberry Pie – Butter Lattice, Vanilla Ice Cream

Birthday Platter – Chess Pie, Mango Sorbet, Mississippi Mud Pie, Snickerdoodle Ice Cream Sandwich

Entering Yardbird for late Brunch on 2/25/17, a 3:00pm arrival time with two others seeing the group seated amidst a half-filled room that was apparently jammed prior and soon to fill up again, it was as part of an elongated birthday celebration that Chefs Sandra Palomo and Keris Kuwana again rolled out the Red Carpet, the restaurant that has been a favorite for over two years breaking out several items from the “Secret Menu” and some soon-to-arrive specials.

Changed little since opening, save for the staff, Sin City’s steady stream of tourists allowing the restaurant to impress new guests with the same menu week after week, it was admittedly having communicated with the Chefs that no menu was presented after the party got situated in a high-top towards the bar area beneath songs by everyone from B.B. King to The Raconteurs, Chef Palomo soon to take a short break in her busy life to stop by and offer greetings…and the world’s best Biscuits.

Part chuckling after a longtime server inquired as to whether this was the group’s first visit, actually the 14th which marks it the most frequently attended eatery in Endoedibles archives, it was not long after the first buttery cube was slathered with Butter and Jam that two additional plates arrived, the thinly sliced Fried Pickles succeeding where other preparations have failed thanks to the light batter and quality of house-brining, the Low + Slow Chicken Salad introduced by former Chef Todd Harrington as cool and fresh as ever in three portions, the Fried Cornbread forshadowing dinner dishes to be offered later and the creamy Ranch Dressing accompanying both making the American staple a standard-bearer by way of the briny Capers.

Still not cutting corners, most of the recipes taking extra steps to assure their quality including house-made Pickles and Jams plus the decision to smoke Bone Marrow when lesser-kitchens would simply grill it and send it out, it was much to the Child of the group’s surprise that both the creamy spread and a follow-up of Spicy Frog Legs were not only edible, but “awesome,” the typically light eater taking down three pieces from the Amphibian and then seen wiping out the center of a bone with toasted Bread.

Bringing out one member of the opening team at Chica, a second restaurant from 50Eggs slated to open next-door this Spring, it was to the surprise of all that three Arepas soon to be cooked under the direction of Mike Minor were offered, the toasty Cornmeal pockets filled with Fresh Cheese brightened up by Citrus, Radish and a bit of sliced Jalapeno heat.

Already a bit full from Breakfast, and acknowledging that there was little chance of consuming everything the restaurant was served, the Entrée course was truly an embarrassment of riches better suited for six adults than two plus a Child, a perfect golden Bird served whole with a cauldron of Macaroni and Cheese alongside it while the crisp Hand-cut fries were overloaded in Cheese and Brisket plus diced pickles to add some balance, the off-menu Southern Chicken Chile Verde putting Yardbird’s smoker through the paces before Chicken is lightly shredded and cooked down with Green and Red Chili Peppers plus Tomatoes and Charred Scallions before being poured over stick-a-spoon-up-straight Grits.

Unable to put much of a dent in the Cornbread, about 1/3 of the toothsome spoon-bread finished with the Mains plus a few scoops more enjoyed with extra Honey Butter as Dessert, Chef Keris again pulled out all the stops by presenting both old and new favorites to end the meal, a Red Velvet Cheesecake added last-second from memory since she knew one guest loves the stuff while a “Happy Birthday” slate featured a Snickerdoodle Ice Cream Sandwich, the soon-to-debut Mississippi Mud Pie in a Pot and sticky-sweet Chess that continues to make David Chang and Christina Tossi’s ‘Crack Pie’ irrelevant before literally raising eyebrows across the room by way of innumerable still-bubbling Blueberries beneath an all-Butter Lattice in an sizable cast iron skillet.

FIVE STARS: Soon bringing the Southern Table & Bar to Singapore and Beverley Hills while Spring Chicken’s takeover continues to evolve in South Florida, Yardbird has already outlasted neighboring Daniel Boulud and shows no signs of slowing in the face of Sugarcane, the ‘high prices’ complained about in the past suddenly seeming all the more unfounded as Momofuku sells fried Chicken and Caviar for nearly 10x the price while the team in the kitchen remains a passionate group always willing to go the extra mile with a dining experience that continues to benefit from their commitment.

RECOMMENDED: Mama’s Buttermilk Biscuits, Chess Pie, Low + Slow Smoked Chicken Salad, Smoked and Roasted Bone Marrow, Lewellyn’s Fine Fried Chicken, Skillet Cornbread. Southern Chicken Chile Verde and obviously the Pie (if available.)

AVOID: I remain unconvinced by the Macaroni and Cheese, though the same sauce tastes pretty great on the loaded Brisket Fries as a result of the diced Pickles which seem to add a bit of levity to an otherwise hefty dish.

TIP: Brunch till 4 o’clock on weekends where the Biscuits, Fried Chicken and Gravy remain an off-menu special available to all.

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

www.runchickenrun.com

Posted in Bread Basket, Breakfast, Cornbread, Dessert, Food, Ice Cream, Las Vegas, Nevada, Pork, Tasting Menu, Yardbird, Yardbird Southern Table & Bar, Yardbird Southern Table and Bar

February 25, 2017
10:20 AM
by: Uhockey

Mothership Coffee Roasters [5,] Henderson NV

Mothership Coffee Roasters

Nitro-Cold Brew

Vegan Cheesy Tomato Pocket with Shallots, Garlic and Mushrooms

Vegan Almond Shortbread Cookie with Dark Chocolate and Hazelnuts

Gluten Free Vegan Lavender Twinkie

Vegan Kiwi, Raspberry and Cream Galette

Vegan Raspberry Cinnamon Roll

Triple Chocolate Rye Cookie

White Chocolate Butterscotch Pecan Scone

Blood Orange Pound Cake with Toasted Macadamia Nuts

She’s My Cherry Pie

Now open for over a year and a half, the Roastery and Bake-shop owned by Juanny Romero and Joshua Walter of Sunrise Coffee finally finding its audience by little more than word of mouth and selling out almost every day, Saturday at Mothership Coffee Roasters found both Beth Ryan-Small and Sinead Kravetz present in the recently revamped kitchen where the duo now have more room to work their magic, the front of house buzzing with activity of a predominantly ‘hipster’ variety.

Having now done away with hightop bars in favor of more comfortable seating both indoors and on the patio, those wishing to stand still given that option by way of windowside ledges, it was to a short line that patrons were greeted just past ten o’clock this past weekend and with no seats available it was with eyes locked on the pastry case that many waited, a few of the items already gone with replenishment promised shortly.

Still focused on using the best Organic, Fair-Trade Beans and Local Produce available, but taking an additional step by going so far as to make their own Vegan Cheese and Meat-Substitutes in-house, a look at Mothership’s current line-up shows the same fifty-fifty split as prior with a focus on those with dietary restrictions, the re-warmed Vegan Pocket virtually indistinguishable from one made with Butter and Dairy products as Chef Kravetz Cheese sauce paired brilliantly with the flavors of Onion, Garlic and Mushrooms that will make most do a double take to be sure they aren’t eating a traditional Calzone or Pizza Roll.

Fully convinced that Mothership’s carbonated Cold Brew is the best of its kind, whether locally or as far away as Portland or New York, those looking for something sweet will be happy to know that the Chocolate Twist remains while almost every other item has continued to evolve, the Shortbread Cookie made with no animal products as good as any Snickerdoodle in town with a quarter of it also dunked in Chocolate while the soft and subtle Rye Chocolate Chip has been bolstered by two more types of morsels to create a Triple Chocolate puddle at the center of a crispy browned rim.

Intrigued by the Lavendar Twinkie, another of Kravetz’s ideas that does not overwhelm with florals thanks to the thick Cream and a drizzle of Dark Chocolate, those expecting a dainty cake will find this firm and moist cake a whole lot more fulfilling than that popularized by Hostess, the Pound Cake sold by the register even more dense but given levity by the Citrus with added texture from toasted Macadamia Nuts.

Ignoring the ignorant comments of people who have claimed the Scones are too heavy, the weight of Chef Beth’s innovative flavors no different than those at Bouchon when accounting for the doubled size, the current version topped in Pecans with center pocketed in White Chocolate and Butterscotch are nonetheless a dish best shared simply based on the size of the pastry, a similar statement applicable to the Vegan Cinnamon Roll that is virtually indistinguishable from one made with eggy Brioche and Butter, this season’s version topped with traditional glaze plus a drizzle of reduced Raspberries.

Rounding out the collection with two Pies, one technically a Galette, even a general ennui for Kiwi’s was overcome when the cooked fruit was placed in the context of a crisp Crust, Raspberries and a non-dairy cream base that tasted slightly nutty, though a true love for Sour Cherries and lame 80’s Music proved even more rewarding in the individually portioned and stuffed-to-bursting She’s My Cherry Pie.

FIVE STARS: Located in a corner of the city rarely seen my Tourists, DTLV Denizens or Summerlin Housewives Mothership Coffee Roasters continues to chug away like the little Engine that Could, no Public Relations firm or real Social Media presence to be noted yet still selling based on the quality and creativity of their products almost every day.

RECOMMENDED: Vegan Cheesy Tomato Pocket, She’s My Cherry Pie, Vegan Raspberry Cinnamon Roll, Triple Chocolate Rye Cookie, White Chocolate Butterscotch Pecan Scone.

AVOID: N/A.

TIP: Now open 7a-6p every day. Additional items made by the same great team available at Sunrise Coffee.

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

https://www.mothershipcoffee.com/

Posted in Breakfast, Coffee, Dessert, Food, Henderson, Las Vegas, Mothership, Mothership Coffee, Mothership Coffee Roasters, Nevada

February 25, 2017
8:06 AM
by: Uhockey

Squeeze In (South Eastern,) Las Vegas NV

Squeeze-In Eastern

Coffee

Zweifel – Apples and Bananas Sauteed in Butter and Honey, folded into an Omelette with Peanut Butter and Bacon (+$1.59) plus Crispy Potatoes and an English Muffin

Salty Sweet Chocolate Covered Bacon

Sophia’s Fluffy Buttermilk Pancakes – Short Stack with Blueberries (+$0.99)

Now featuring two locations in Southern Nevada, the concept out of Truckee California opening its first in July 2016 near the junction of Fort Apache and Tropicana, it was with morning business nearby that a stop was made at Squeeze-In on South Eastern Avenue near Truffles n’ Bacon Café, the restaurant known for the “Best Omelettes on the Planet” and a televised triumph over Bobby Flay showing consistency in the branding, but not in the overall customer experience.

Tucked into the back corner of a shopping plaza next to a Vegan Café, the shopping center jumping that morning thanks to a Tent Sale from a nearby Home Goods vendor, it was just past eight in the morning that two aliens were passed en route to the door, a smiling hostess greeting patrons and offering seating amidst a room decorated in kitsch and guest comments written in Sharpie on the wall.

Not the sort of restaurant going all-in on the Artisan idea, but rather the sort of place with a colorful menu built on classic diner food updated with some twists, it was with particular items plus a $10 “Egghead Club” discount voucher that a seat was taken along the back window, the hostess inexplicably placing a loud family with a father who smelled like a freshly sparked joint directly behind me only a minute later despite plenty of room to spare.

Already having made decisions, a cup of Coffee poured and refilled only after verbal requests throughout the morning, it was shortly after seating that a three-part order was placed to the response of “you must be hungry,” the music playing overhead ranging from Pop to Classic Rock at a level that never grew too loud with Free Wi-Fi providing available to those who arrive during longer wait times, though there was barely time to log-in before Breakfast plates began arriving.

Taking the valued step of offering Pure Maple Syrup at a supplementary charge, though this uncommon local practice had already caused some to be brought from home, it was with all three dishes deserved simultaneously that photos were snapped and items dressed to taste, the Chocolate covered Bacon arriving ice-cold with a squeeze of Whipped Cream and Berries that were added to the Short-Stack, the flavor of the Pork mostly lost amidst the coating, and mostly detectable in the lightly saline finish.

Focusing next on the Pancakes, the body not quite as fluffy as the Jack Johnson inspired version tasted in August, it bears mention that for ninety-nine cents the amount of Blueberries present in the Batter was greater than one might expect even though the cup of Butter was quite small, the portion size of a dish entitled Zweifel far more substantial as three whole Eggs are folded around an admixture of softened Fruit, Honey and a creamy Peanut Butter with the addition of at least two chopped slices of Bacon providing a textural variance that was actually quite pleasant, the eggs admittedly lost in the background and almost acting as a ‘wrap’ in this instance while the Spuds were crisp and not oily, though something besides High Fructose Corn Syrup-laden Smucker’s would have been nice to have for the toasted English Muffin.

THREE STARS: Lacking the friendly and efficient customer service of the location on the West Side, but still providing a decent breakfast at a fair price, Squeeze-In on Easterm provides yet another alternative to the Egg & I’s, Cracked Egg and Baby Cakes of Sin City with a focus on Omelettes that come in an almost infinite array of possibilities.

RECOMMENDED: Zeifel with Bacon.

AVOID: Chocolate covered Bacon is a gimmick. The same flavor could be replicated with a sprinkle of Salt.

TIP: Yelp! Check-Ins yield a free Cocktail with Entrée Purchase while the Egghead Club offers discount vouchers based on Birthdays, Anniversaries and Points accumulated from visits.

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

http://www.squeezein.com/las-vegas-nv/

Posted in Breakfast, Coffee, Dessert, Food, Las Vegas, Nevada, Pancakes, Pork, Squeeze In, Squeeze In (Eastern), Squeeze In (South Eastern)

February 24, 2017
5:31 PM
by: Uhockey

Ferraro’s Restaurant & Wine Bar [3,] Las Vegas NV

Ferraro’s Restaurant & Wine Bar

Garlic Focaccia, White Roll, and Herb Olive Oil

2011 Damilano Barolo Lecinquevigne

2011 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico

Romani – Roman Style Truffle Gnocchi, Roasted Royal Trumpet Mushroom, Parmigiano

Paninio Calabrese – Housemade Sausage, Caciocavallo Cheese, Rosalba’s Pickled Eggplant and French Fries

2015 Sella & Mosca La Cala Vermentino di Sardegna

Fresh Burrata – Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Pickled Peppers, Mushrooms, Rosalba’s Pickled Eggplant / Lardo – Pickled Onions and Fennel

Polipo Siciliano – Marinated Octopus, Capers, Black Olive, Potato

Polenta Aosta – Creamy Polenta, Truffle Pulled Short Ribs, Mixed Exotic Mushrooms

Trippa Satriano – Tripe in Spicy Tomato Sauce

2014 Rivera Preludio No 1 Chardonnay Castel del Monte

2011 Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona Brunello di Montalcino

Spaghettini Aglio e Olio – Olive Oil, Roasted Garlic, Red Pepper, Parmigiano

Risotto Lombardo – Mascarpone Cheese Risotto, Chestnut Honey, Arabica Coffee Powder

Bucatini Corti Amatrice – Thick Short Spaghetti, Traditional Roman Sauce, Guanciale, Tomato, Pecorino, Red Pepper Flakes

Cappelletti Vaccinara – Filled Housemade Pasta with Braised Oxtail, Celery, Sunchokes, Roasted Onion Reduction

Pappardelle Mimmo – Long Wide Pasta with Scallops, Lobster, Asparagus, Butter, Sage, Truffle

Pappardelle Cinghiale – Long Wide Pasta, Wild Boar Ragu

2014 Malvira Roero Arneis D.O.C.G.

2014 Le Macchiole Bolgheri Rosso

Brasato – Braised Short Ribs, Truffle Roman Gnocchi, King Mushroom, Castelmagno Cheese Fondue

Polletto Arrosto – Herb Marinated, Pan-Roasted Chicken, N’duja, Potatoes, Sweet Peppers, Lemon-Almond Gremolata

Paleo Pasta Pomodoro – Housemade Almond Flour, Arrowroot, Tapioca and Egg Pasta, Tomato Sauce

2008 Castello di Meleto Vin Santo del Chianti

Double Espresso on Ice

Tiramisu – Lady Fingers, Mascarpone Cheese, Espresso

Rosalba’s Cookies – Lemon, Amaretto, Chocolate, Hazelnut, Wedding Cookies

Pistacchio Passion – Layered Pistacchio Cream, Cream Cheese Custard, Whipped Cream on Walnut Crust

Sfogliatella – Crisp Pastry, Citrus Ricotta

In a city happier to implode and rebuild than to invest in the future there are few Icons, those classic places from which locals reminisce of great times that can still be visited today, yet even as tourists willingly spend $70 for burned Lasagna and a lot of theatrics imported from New York on the Strip the name Ferraro remains relevant, a look at the new menu from Chef Francesco Di Caudo adding modernity to the classics and keeping the restaurant vibrant after more than thirty years in the business.

Originally visited in 2015, a longtime omission from visits to Las Vegas based on rumors that the food had become dated, visit number three to the storied Restaurant and Wine Bar on Paradise came several months after the last, including a trip to Italy, little having changed in terms of the décor or top-tier service while Chef Di Caudo has now had nearly eighteen months to hone in on local’s expectations, the tasting served in four courses ranging from Happy Hour bites to elegant handmade Pastas and perfectly cooked Proteins plus Desserts that provided a truly unexpected treat.

Admittedly friendly with the ownership, both Gino and Mimmo stopping by to say hello during the course of the night, it was with deference to the kitchen plus a few requested plates that the meal began just past 5:30pm on a Friday, four tender morsels of Gnocchi arriving with the fragrance of Truffles beneath roasted Mushrooms as a welcome from the kitchen and followed by an ‘Ora Sociale’ Sandwich worthy of worth seeking out as crusty Bread is pressed around Spicy housemade Sausage, piquant Cheese, and the Ferraro family’s famous Pickled Eggplant.

Gifted complimentary Wine pairings throughout the evening, many of the Vintages unfamiliar to the table but nicely explained and obviously well thought-out, the first proper course of the evening was a collection of Antipasti including the classic Octopus, Olive and Caper dish that had impressed on a prior visit plus Fresh Burrata, Sliced Lardo and pickled Condiments – the Eggplant again a highlight though the Mushrooms and Peppers were no slouch either for refreshing the palate between bites.

Enjoying the Sardinian White with Meat, Cheese nd Octopus while both Barolo and the fruitier Amarone were well suited to Ferraro’s unparalleled Tripe and a plate of Polenta topped with shredded Short Rib and Mushrooms, Chef Di Caudo’s Primi course was a true embarrassment of riches with six tasting portions sent out simultaneously, a sip of Chardonnay refreshing the palate in anticipation of the al dente Spaghettini Aglio e Olio that found greatness in simplicity while the “Pappardelle Mimmo” delivers a whole lot of Seafood per bite, including both a nicely caramelized Scallop and snappy chunks of Lobster.

Offering up more wide ribbons of Pasta beneath a chunky Ragu of Wild Boar alongside another meaty plate of tender tubes filled with Oxtail in a pool of Onion Juice with Sunchokes in various forms, Di Caudo raises the bar for Rice in Sin City by way of “Risotto Lombardo” that sees the grains softened slightly in Mascarpone and Chestnut Honey with a dusting of Coffee Powder while the Bucatini Corti Amatrice presents Pasta with a good tooth but proper ‘give’ mixed with Pork Jowl, Tomatoes and Red Pepper Flakes.

Already feeling the effects of so many bold flavors and a bit too much wine, Secondi did not slow down in terms of the quality of the food or the portion of the pours, a 2014 Malvira Roero Arneis proving to be one of the most memorable Whites in recent memory and a perfect complement to the pan-toasted Chicken bolstered by Calabrian Sausage, Sweet Peppers and Lemon while the Brasato featured elements from two prior plates in bold combination, the Gluten-free Pasta sent out merely to show off a texture that is virtually indistinguishable from the Pappardelle and available with one of three choices of Sauce.

Not really the sort of place to reinvent the wheel in terms of dessert, everything from the classic Tiramisu to the Ricotta Cake setting a city-wide standard for classic quality, it was as a great surprise that the table was treated to two oven-fresh Sfogliatelle with crisp coils shattering around creamy Citrus, Mimmo’s favorite Pistacchio Passion as light and creamy as it was the last time while Rosalba’s Cookie Plate should be required eating on every guest’s agenda.

FIVE STARS: Always good, but now climbing to the upper echelon of Las Vegas Italian food with the likes of Portofino and Fiamma, Ferraro’s continues to prove that the best don’t remain great by doing the same thing over and over or by blowing things up to reinvent, but rather by continued improvement with a focus on quality and the guest’s overall enjoyment.

RECOMMENDED: Paninio Calabrese, Rosalba’s Pickled Eggplant, Trippa Satriano, Spaghettini Aglio e Olio, Risotto Lombardo, Polletto Arrosto, Sfogliatelle, Rosalba’s Cookies.

AVOID: The fries served with the Panino seemed out of place. They weren’t bad, but at a place like Ferraro’s something else would seem more appropriate, even if it is Happy Hour.

TIP: Wild Boar Pappardelle, Lardo and Sfogliatelle were all off-menu/nightly specials and may not be available on a given night. Check online for the new Vegan menu, as well.

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

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Posted in Bread Basket, Coffee, Dessert, Ferraro's, Ferraro's Restaurant, Ferraro's Restaurant & Wine Bar, Ferraro’s Restaurant and Wine Bar, Food, Italian, Las Vegas, Lobster, Nevada, Pork, Tasting Menu, Tiramisu, Truffle, Truffles, Vacation

February 24, 2017
11:20 AM
by: Uhockey

Pierogi Café, Las Vegas NV

Pierogi Café

Fried and Boiled Pierogis – Meat, Potato, Sweet Cheese, Spinach and Feta

Prune Paczki

Lemon Paczki

Chocolate Frosted Custard Paczki

Raspberry Paczki

Opened in the Fantastic Indoor Swapmeet towards the end of 2016, the simple concept of Housemade Dumplings and a few Polish standards such as Sausage and Cabbage Rolls anchoring a menu that also features daily Soups and a few outsourced breakfast Pastries, Pierogi Café has been a source of intrigue due to both the concept and its location for months, recent Social Media posts about Paczki for Fat Tuesday finally the impetus for a lunch-time visit.

Owned by a Polish immigrant who moved to Las Vegas due to family health issues several years ago, it was after a long time in the healthcare field that the idea to open her own restaurant came to fruition and after a bit of decision-making the opportunity presented itself in the most unlikely of places, a store with an exterior facing door at the large shopping center on the corner of Oakey and Decatur.

Recently adding proper signage, nothing fancy but enough to do the job, it was just past 11:20a that a knock on the door listing an opening time of 10:00am was unlocked, the odd policy that all patrons must pay a buck and enter through the Swap Meet on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays no doubt a deterrent to some since the counter cannot be seen from the exterior, though it appears many regulars – all of them Polish – have already learned the trick.

Perusing the menu temporarily before placing an order, the ladies behind the counter agreeing to slightly change the Mixed Plate so that four flavors could be tasted instead of three, it was with a 50/50 split of Fried versus Boiled that the order was prepared in a small kitchen behind the scenes, the pop-n’-crackle of cooking oil heard as four Polish Doughnuts that turned out to be imported from California were packed in a Styrofoam Clamshell.

Taking a seat amidst ethnic nick-knacks, two elderly women from Chicago entering and beyond excited at the prospect of fresh Pierogis, it was not long before a plate of Dumplings was sat down with a small rectangle of Granulated Sugar at the center, instructions to dip the Sweet Cheese pockets into it happily followed after taking a bite to taste one in its natural state, the inhomogenous filling’s texture a lot like Ricotta with the light sweetness of Mascarpone.

Not terribly impressed by the Potato version, neither the fried nor boiled versions flavorful at all without adding on some caramelized onions a la carte, the Pork-based meat filling was obviously more flavorful, though likely to be benefitted by a bit of Pepper or spice in the mixture while the Spinach & Feta proved an undeniable favorite that tasted great boiled, but even more textural and rich when fried.

Admittedly a bit disappointed that the Paczki were made elsewhere, the Doughnuts remembered from a Childhood in Northwest Ohio nowhere to be found in Las Vegas otherwise, the quartet served at Pierogi Café through Tuesday are hit n’ miss largely as a result of the unbalanced filling process that saw little more than a teaspoon of Raspberry Gel piped into one while the traditional Prune and Custard versions were crisp on the outside, springy with Eggs amidst the crumb and densely filled.

THREE AND A HALF STARS: Appreciating the limitations of the space, as well as those intrinsic to a place focusing on one item, Pierogi Café would be well advised to dial in the execution on everything they are doing and then expand slowly while admitting up front that many of their items are made elsewhere.

RECOMMENDED: Spinach and Feta, Sweet Cheese Pierogis, Prune Paczki.

AVOID: Potato Pierogi.

TIP: Open Weds-Mon. Closed Tuesday. M, W, R is free entry below the sign while F, Sa, Su costs a buck by way of the Fantastic Indoor Swapmeet Main Entrance. OPEN 2/28/17 for Fat Tuesday and Paczki available until then.

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

https://www.facebook.com/pierogicafe

Posted in Dessert, Food, Las Vegas, Nevada, Pierogi Café, Pork

February 18, 2017
5:29 PM
by: Uhockey

Lotus of Siam [2,] Las Vegas NV

Lotus of Siam

White Rice

Crispy Duck Pad Kee Mao

Chicken Pad Kee Mao

Sour Isaan Sausage

Crispy Duck with Panang Curry

Nam Kao Tod

Tom Kha Gai

Beef Spicy Fried Rice

Spicy Catfish with Basil Leaves

Nam Prik Noom

Kang Hoh

Chicken Kang Ka Noon

Already the rare recipient of a Las Vegas Beard Award, Chef Saipin Chutima named Best Chef: Southwest in 2011, Lotus of Siam was recently nominated as a semi-finalist for Best Restaurant, a surprising recognition that occurred in the two-weeks between making a reservation for twelve and the actual 5:30pm Saturday that the group sat down for the meal.

Having visited the unassuming icon of Thai food that rose to national attention in the mid-2000s only once prior, a lunch reconnecting with a local restaurant General Manager and his girlfriend at Christmas 2012 seeing a limited number of plates amidst a dining room that was completely packed, arrival prior to opening over four years later saw a line for walk-ins of 30+ circumvented by a simple phone-call and credit card on-hold, the group seated promptly at a lengthy table with water soon poured and a Wine list offered.

Having performed due-diligence this time, the sizable menu navigated beforehand with a choice of ten different plates in orders of one or two, depending on portion, it was after a brief exchange with the server that a hand-written list was annotated to spice-level five with requests for a slow roll-out, the plan originally going smoothly but soon deteriorating into a flood of plates that saw several miss out on various dishes as they circulated the table.

More pricey than Thai anywhere else in town, though the ingredient quality is undeniably high, it was at a Hot Pot of Tom Kha Gai spewing fire that all gazed as it was presented near room’s center, the smooth flavor of Coconut and boiled Chicken blending with Lemongrass and light heat an elegant way to start while the Northern dip of Green Chilies was little more than a tiny portion of Salsa crafted primarily from roasted Jalapenos, several Garlic Cloves and Sesame.

Watched over by photographss of famous folks who’d stopped in, everyone from Joe Montana to past-Presidents smiling and signed behind glass, plates of Sour Isaan Sausage and Nam Kao Tod trailed the Soup and Dip by approximately fifteen minutes, two orders of the former enough to offer a small slice of snappy Meat with a deep, yet pleasant, funkiness to everyone while the latter was a great suggestion from someone who’s visited the restaurant frequently, slices of Cabbage and Peanuts served alongside a deep-fried Rice Ball studded with Pork amidst earthy aromatics and the unmistakable flavor of Fish Sauce.

At this point only 5:55pm, the restaurant completely full and two-deep at the bar with a line still snaking from the door, a flurry of servers soon saw the table packed with two plates of Drunken Noodles, a small mound of Spicy Rice plus filleted Catfish in Basil and Crispy Duck with Panang Curry, the fried rice no different than that at any Chinese restaurant on Spring Mountain Road and thus no more compelling than a steamer of the white stuff while the Pad Kee Mao was oily and not particularly flavorful beyond the Soy and Fish Sauce, an upcharge of $27.95 for Duck compared to the $12.95 Chicken really not justified as the flavor of each was drowned out.

Impressed by the meaty Catfish, though a whole-animal preparation would have been more price-appropriate than the small filets of a fish that is generally quite cheap, Duck in Panang Curry righted many of the faults found in the other dishes with great crispiness and rosy flesh amidst the robust sauce of Coconut, Peppers plus light notes of Sugar and Citrus that was so good that it commanded a second plate.

Rounding out the evening by 6:40, the staff vigorously working to turn the table, Northern dishes of Kang Hoh and Kang Ka Noon each furthered the rumor that LoS’s best plates are found on the back page of the menu, the Dry Pork Curry a spicy little number with big fermented flavors while the crunchy rounds of Jack Fruit were not dissimilar from Artichokes in taste or texture amidst a vibrant, acidic Curry that was good on its own and even better when mellowed by the White Rice used to sop it up.

THREE STARS: Exiting Lotus of Siam at $30/each after Tax and 18% Gratuity, not accounting for those who chose to drink wine, it would be hard to say that anyone had eaten their fill while some actually reached out to say they did not even have a chance to sample several of the plates, a combination of rushed service and small portions paired with some truly average dishes leaving me in no rush to return before delving further into Las Vegas’ less-famous Thai places.

RECOMMENDED: Nam Kao Tod, Crispy Duck with Panang Curry, Chicken Kang Ka Noon, Sour Isaan Sausage, Tom Kha Gai

AVOID: Spicy Fried Rice, Duck Drunken Noodles, Nam Prik Noom.

TIP: There is a reason the website does not list prices, and why servers push Prawns and Duck as the proteins of choice on plates where diners are given the option. Unless dining solo, do your research and ask about portion sizes.

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

http://lotusofsiamlv.com

Posted in Food, Las Vegas, LoS, Lotus of Siam, Nevada, Pork

February 18, 2017
2:00 PM
by: Uhockey

Yogurtland – West Lake Mead Boulevard, Las Vegas NV

Yogurtland – West Lake Mead Boulevard

Samples – Hershey’s Chocolate Milkshake, Coconut, Peanut Butter Cup, Double Cookies and Cream, Rocket Pop Sorbet

Yo Frappe, Salted Caramel Pecan, Birthday Cupcake Batter with Brownie Chunks, Cheesecake Bites, Caramel, Marshmallow Sauce, Whipped Cream

Impressed by a lone visit to the Flamingo location, the all-natural ingredients including antibiotic and hormone free Milk rich in active cultures admittedly a surprise to someone who typically assumes chains to focus on nothing but the bottom-line, business in the area of West Lake Mead Boulevard and I-95 proved ample reason to stop in for another taste at a different location, the layout now familiar and the counter again featuring nothing but fun ingredients and smiling faces.

Presumably America’s favorite Fro-yo, the 200+ flavors rotating in and out of stores depending on date or season, the California-based company is currently promoting a series of flavors celebrating the Hershey company as well as their own birthday, an online search available to tell patrons which flavors can be found at each shop while the topping bar and price-by-the-ounce format allows for an almost limitless degree of customization.

Doing a fair bit of sampling by way of little paper thimbles, the Hershey choices including a lightly-malted Chocolate flavor and a one that really did liken Peanut Butter Cups quite closely, those with fond memories of Rocket or “Bomb” Pops will be transported back to childhood by the Citrus Sorbet, though eating a full bowl might prove a challenge.

Chilly and raining outdoors, not exactly “Ice Cream Weather” in a city that can top 110°F during summer, comforting flavors proved a bit more tempting than they may otherwise during February, the special Birthday Cupcake Batter a spot-on riff of Yellow-Cake mix while two different versions of Salty Caramel were also tasty, the Pecan-tinged option indistinguishable from the Praline tasted last time while “Yo Frappe” targeted millennials by way of light Cocoa and Espresso flavors.

FIVE STARS: Achieving its goals and continuing to impress crowds, everything from fat-free to vegan choices plus good ingredient sourcing making it hard to believe anyone would have difficulty finding a favorite, Yogurtland is the rare ‘chain’ that seems as focused on its execution as the almighty dollar and although it still is not “health food,” the option is certainly there to dine deliciously, yet less indulgently, for those looking to do so.

RECOMMENDED: Birthday Cake Batter, Coconut, Yo Frappe, Brownie Chunks, Marshmallow Sauce.

AVOID: Trying to guess on weight, the well-filled small cup with all those toppings more plenty to satisfy a sweet tooth for $4.53.

TIP: The online flavor finder shows a pretty significant variance amongst the city’s ten franchises. Those interested in a specific flavor are advised to take a peek.

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

https://www.yogurt-land.com/

Posted in Coffee, Dessert, Food, Ice Cream, Las Vegas, Nevada, Yogurtland, Yogurtland Lake Mead Blvd, Yogurtland Lake Mead Boulevard, Yogurtland – West Lake Mead Blvd, Yogurtland – West Lake Mead Boulevard

February 18, 2017
11:06 AM
by: Uhockey

Due Forni [4,] Las Vegas NV

Due Forni

Due Forni Roma – house made sausage, nueske’s bacon, mozzarella, san marzano tomato, peppers

Meatballs – free range turkey, san marzano tomato, parmigiano

Pizza Bread – neapolitan style

Smoked Pork – garlic bread, calabrian peppers, onion, melted fontina

Short Rib Hash – crispy potato, caramelized onions, egg

Memphis Mafia Bread Pudding – reese’s peanut butter cups, banana, pecans, smoked bacon, gelatology gelato

Once deemed worthy of a trip from the Strip by Rental Car, and since opening and shuttering a second location in Austin, Texas’ loss is Sin City’s gain as Carlos Buscaglia is finally back full-time to focus on Due Forni on Town Center Drive, the product never really suffering in the interim, though likely to benefit with one of the city’s most underregarded Chefs now spending less time in transit and more creating new plates or spending time with his family nearby.

Now celebrating over six years making Summerlin’s best Pizza, the signature two-oven format spinning out crispy Roman or pliable Neapolitan Pies with the sort of char that has more than once made patrons assume them to be wood, it was actually Carlos’ Instagram shots of two new items that enticed a party of three to escape the rain on Saturday, Brunch just past eleven o’clock finding the restaurant quiet with only Chef Buscaglia and one server present for the first half-hour.

A place equally accessible to children as it is traveled gourmands, the well-priced Wine list frequently cited by local Oenophiles as one of the city’s best deals, it was briefly after seating in front of a Television showing Sports that an order was crafted, the restaurant’s eponymous Pizza cooked up crisp with a light char but good foldability quick to arrive with a sauce of pure Tomatoes plus a little seasoning providing the backdrop to smoked Bacon and aromatic house-ground Sausage.

Speaking with Carlos about new ideas, the possibility of Meatballs becoming Bovine-based soon prompting an order, one questions that direction given the deep flavor and springy texture of a current rendition made from Turkey, the unannounced decision to charge $3 for puffy Pizza-bread to soak up the Cheese and Sauce understandable, but something that should probably be included even if it needs to be figured into the hot skillet’s menu cost.

Taking a look at one of the Brunch plates, a smoky Short Rib Hash finding shredded Beef ever-so-slightly crisped next to diced Spuds and Caramelized Onions beneath two over-easy Eggs, those looking for something new are encouraged to consult the Happy Hour menu, the description of “Smoked Pork – Garlic Bread, Calabrian Peppers, Onion, Melted Fontina” doing no justice to a skillet of Garlic Knots as soft as Parker House Rolls topped in glazed Pork Belly and a dollop of Cheese blended with bright heat plus onions cooked sweet and soft.

Tempted by more food, but knowing better than to overdo it with plans for dessert, Due Forni’s monthly Bread Pudding achieves a new level of success by way of the “Memphis Mafia” clearly created with The King as an inspiration, the lightly browned top slowly melting a ball of Gelatology Vanilla Gelato into custard-infused Bread intermingling with Pecans, Peanut Butter Cups, Bananas and Bacon.

FOUR AND A HALF STARS: Limited only by its kitchen and nearby clientele, the former featuring only the ovens plus a simple stove while the latter is notoriously renowned to line up at Bonefish Grill or PF Changs, Due Forni continues to shine with the sort of creativity rarely seen even in the Strip’s upscale Italian eateries with the bill tallying nearly half the cost.

RECOMMENDED: Smoked Pork, Due Forni, Memphis Mafia.

AVOID: Touching the skillets. We were warned four times.

TIP: Brunch will be ending soon, per Chef Buscaglia, with an 11:00am to 6:00pm Happy Hour Menu leading up to dinner. Full menu and specials soon to be announced.

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

http://dueforni.com/

Posted in Bread Basket, Bread Pudding, Breakfast, Dessert, Due Forni, Food, Gelatology, Ice Cream, Italian, Las Vegas, Nevada, Pizza, Pork

February 17, 2017
6:51 PM
by: Uhockey

Niu Gu [2,] Las Vegas NV

Niu-Gu

Bean Curd Noodles with Peppers and Sesame Oil

Fish Soup with Shrimp Ball and Goji Berry, Bok Choy

Niu-Gu Beef Rib

Xiao Long Bao

Spicy Fried Lobster

Garlic Crab

Black Pepper Beef Tenderloin with Mushrooms

Squid Ink Fried Rice

Napa Cabbage with Egg Yolk Sauce

Now nearing its one year anniversary, still a secret to some though the word has seemingly caught on with local Chinese families looking for a fine-dining experience without driving to The Strip, dinner at Niu-Gu has seen Chef Jimmy Li retool his menu to focus on bold traditional dishes created from top-tier ingredients, some of the newer items subtle and tuned to Asian sensibilities though few of any ethnicity will be complaining of a lack of flavor.

Receiving more attention thanks to a recent article about Joe Muscaglione’s expertly sourced Tea selection, a well-priced list provided in traditional service to those interested, it was after pleasant greetings from the staff that a party of four was seated at room’s center, the decision to defer a menu to Chef Li with Carte Blanche yielding some old favorites plus new plates, the Tea selected by Mr. Muscaglione mellow with lightly sweet notes that performed well with both mild and spicier dishes.

Not particularly busy for a Friday, though a large Asian family soon arrived and ordered a substantial amount of food that looked great, it was with a dish of Noodles made from sliced Bean Curd that the evening got underway, the vibrant Peppers not especially hot and offering a crisp contrast to the springy Noodles while a follow-up of Fish Broth was cloudy and rich with an elegant Shrimp Ball and Goji Berry offering a dynamic juxtaposition of flavors.

Happily receiving Jimmy’s signature Beef Rib next, the meltingly soft restaurant-namesake without doubt one of the best pieces of Beef in a city that has no lack of competition, the Soup Dumplings deserve no less praise in a place where restaurant-goers frequently complain of a lack in quality, each delicate pocket twisted tight and plump with pork broth as smooth as the sort found in Ramen Tonkotsu-style.

Specially requesting a whole Crab, and seeing it proceeded by a spicy Fried Lobster with a light batter clinging to Shell and sweet Flesh, those interested in seeing a truly authentic showstopper should assuredly call in advance to inquire about Market Prices far less abrasive than those found on Las Vegas Boulevard as Jimmy and his team present the Crab shell-on and soaked in Garlic plus sliced Ginger, the process of eating it well worth the effort as the best bits of Meat are tucked into the knuckles where the cooking juices penetrate most deeply.

Rounding out the evening with Peppered Beef and Mushrooms given the premium treatment by way of Prime Beef Tenderloin and dried Chilies, the two accompanying sides were a bit hit and miss as the Squid Ink Fried Rice was little less crisp or flavorful than would have been ideal while the sliced Cabbage with Egg Yolk Sauce was unexpectedly excellent, even the youngster in the group eating his fair share as the slick Sauce provided a salty balance to the pungent Crucifer.

FOUR STARS: Challenged by its small footprint amidst several of Chinatown’s best, the plaza containing Chada Thai and China Mama notorious for its parking challenges, Niu-Gu has done well at carving out its niche as a fine dining destination, Chef Jimmy’s cooking and Joe’s unanticipated role as one of Sin City’s Tea experts making this one of the rare spots in town that challenge their Strip-based counterparts at a fraction of the price.

RECCOMMENED: Niu-Gu Beef Rib, XLB, Garlic Crab, Black Pepper Beef and Mushrooms, Napa Cabbage with Egg Yolk Sauce.

AVOID: The Lobster Meat unfortunately got a little tough during the cooking process while the Fried Rice could have been slightly more crisp. Also, desserts have been eliminated completey due to slow sales.

TIP: The offering of Jimmy’s XLB comes at the conclusion of an exclusivity clause at China Mama and are well worth visiting Niu-Gu for, in and of themselves.

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

http://niugurestaurant.com/

Posted in Crab, Food, Las Vegas, Lobster, Nevada, Niu Gu, Pork, Tasting Menu

February 17, 2017
11:32 AM
by: Uhockey

Mt. Everest India’s Cuisine, Las Vegas NV

Mt. Everest India’s Cuisine

Butter Naan

Palak Paneer, Sweet Rice, Pakora, Vegetable Samosa, Aloo Baingan, Raita

Goat Curry, Tandoori Chicken, Malai Kofta

Chili Chicken, Yellow Dal, Chicken Tikka Masala

Mango Chutney

Gajar Halwa

Kheer

Located on West Sahara Avenue and easily overshadowed as it sits low in the Mariana’s Supermarket parking lot, Mt. Everest India’s Cuisine has been serving Las Vegas a wide variety of Northern Indian specialties since 2009, the full dinner menu replaced by an $11.99 lunch buffet 7-days a week from eleven o’clock until 3pm.

Family owned and operated, the space essentially a fifty-seat box with limited lighting thanks to heavy curtains, those entering Mt Everest will pick up the scent of Cumin and Turmeric before even opening the street-facing front door, a staff member tucked into a hostess booth to the right offering greetings while one of two young men offer a choice of seating options.

A simple operation a lunch, Televisions displaying Indian Music Videos providing entertainment above steamer trays containing approximately two-dozen choices, it is with a basket of Butter Naan that the meal starts as diners gather plates and small bowls, the majority of the protein centered around Chicken though a look at the dinner menu shows a much greater variety including Lamb and Seafood.

Admittedly a little underwhelmed by the Naan, the two wedges provided flatter than that found elsewhere and a bit dry when taken on their own, the Bread nonetheless proved serviceable for scooping up tangy Raita or creamy Spinach with small chunks of springy Cheese mixed in, the vibrant orange Rice as fluffy as Basmati with a hint of Nuts and light Sugar that went very nicely with the baked Eggplant and Potato dish as well as the spicier flavors to follow.

Finding Potato and Onion Samosa’s downright addictive while similarly flavored Pakora came across a bit too oily, Goat Curry was a welcomed sight that packed a lot of heat around tender bone-in chunks of Meat that proved to be worth the effort, the Tandoori Chicken varying from piece to piece in terms of moistness while the Malai Kofta ate something like big Gnocchi in a base rife with Onions and Tomatoes in a creamy base.

Drawn to the Chili Chicken against better judgement, the fear of indigestion at work looming, it was surprising how well Mt. Everest’s Chefs managed to balance the Peppers with pungent notes of Garlic and Ginger, the Yellow Dal scooped up with Naan clearly the source of a lot of the Turmeric mentioned earlier while ubiquitous Tikka Masala featured big slices of Chicken Breast bathed in a sauce milder than many with a notable linger of Coconut.

Finishing off the rest of the Naan with Mango Chutney, the Jelly-like spread also a nice addition to Rice Pudding served room temperature with restrained Sugar, those looking for something sweeter should turn their attention to the hot tray of Gajar Halwa tucked amidst the savory items, the natural sweetness of ground Carrots ramped up by Fruit, Nuts and Cardamom – basically liquid Carrot Cake without the flour.

THREE AND A HALF STARS: Admittedly no expert on ethnic Buffets of any sort, the low prices that attract many raising suspicion about ingredients, Mt. Everest executes the majority of its dishes well while offering a good variety at a fair price, the intrinsic limitations of serving from steamer trays mitigated by a good crowd that sees items replenished frequently.

RECOMMENDED: Chili Chicken, Malai Kofta, Goat Curry, Vegetable Samosa, Gajar Halwa.

AVOID: Leg pieces of Tandori Chicken were really dry, as was the Naan. Pakora were oily.

TIP: Buffet Lunch 11-3, Dinner Menu 5-10 daily.

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

http://www.everestcuisine.net

Posted in Bread Basket, Buffet, Dessert, Food, Mount Everest, Mount Everest India, Mount Everest India’s Cuisine, Mt. Everest, Mt. Everest India Cuisine, Mt. Everest India’s Cuisine

February 11, 2017
1:50 PM
by: Uhockey

Andre’s Bistro & Bar [2,] Las Vegas NV

Andres Bistro & Bar

Vesta Coffee

French Baguette with Vermont Butter

House Baked Pastries – Butter Croissant, Pain au Chocolat, Almond Danish, Raspberry Streudel, Apricot-Cream Pastry with Vermont Butter, Strawberry and Yuzu-Apricot Jam

Beignets – Powdered Sugar

Brown Sugar Glazed Bacon – a Rasher

Charcuterie Board – Duck Rillette, Speck, Andre’s Signature Liver and Pistachio Pate with Eggplant Caviar, Fig Jam, House Mustard, Onions and Pickles

Vegetable Quiche – Red Pepper, Spinach, Goat Cheese served with Green Salad

Andre’s Burger – Imported Swiss Cheese, Red Onion Marmalade, Truffle Mayonnaise, Seasoned French Fries

Smoked Salmon Benedict – House Smoked Salmon, Poached Eggs, Hollandaise with Breakfast Potatoes and Sauteed Onions

Croque Madame – Country Ham, Gruyere Cheese, Bechamel Sauce, Fried Egg, Seasoned Fries

Lobster Roll – Maine Lobster, Fine Herbs, Toasted Roll with Duck Fat Fries

Belgian Waffles – Liege-style with Maple Cream, Macerated Berries, Pure Maple Syrup

Chicken & Waffles – Buttermilk Fried Chicken, Brussels-style Waffle, Country Gravy

Waiting two weeks before returning to assess Brunch, bringing one from an outstanding Dinner plus her son and another local French restaurant owner to a four-top banquet that would eventually need a sideboard, dining during the off-hour of 2:00pm on Saturday found Andres Bistro & Bar sparsely populated and brightly bathed in sunlight, the music turned down and the food equally delicious.

Serving the weekend’s favorite meal both Saturday and Sunday from ten o’clock to 3:30pm, a brief Happy Hour then bridging 150 minutes into a Dinner menu that begins at half-past four, Andre’s early offerings see several plates from weekday Lunch as well as a few Dinner favorites joined by Eggs, Pastries and Griddles, the Coffee from DTLV’s Vesta available as Espresso, Lattes or via bottomless mug.

Ordering a la carte with additional items sent out from a tight kitchen where Marty Red DeLeon Lopez and Jon VanHusen could clearly be seen working as the door flopped open, it was after brief greetings from several familiar faces that the feast got underway, House Baked Pastries from Tammy Alana highlighted by Raspberry Streudel and an Apricot-Cream Danish that resembled Sunny-side Eggs while the oilless Beignets were lighter than those in New Orleans with about a half-cup less Powdered Sugar dusted on top.

Happily indulging in more Carbohydrates, the Warm Baguette on par with that at Bardot and upgraded by way of lightly salted Butter plus two types of Housemade Jam, savories started out with six slices of smoky-sweet Bacon cooked just shy of crisp plus a daily trio of Charcuterie, the imported Speck just fine but far more flavor found in the creamy Rillettes and Chef Rochat’s Liver-forward Pistachio and Pork Pate.

Unfortunately unable to smoke Salmon in-house, those folks at the Health Department always happy to ruin a good time, Andre’s Smoked Salmon Benedict nonetheless hits all the right notes with soft-poached Eggs atop toasted English Muffins, the sliced Potatoes and Sauteed Onions a very worthy addition that finds favor with even those who generally ignore them, a similar statement applicable to either the Duck Fat or Seasoned French Fries served with Sandwiches.

Offering two styles of Quiche, the Vegetable version this-week featuring Red Bell Peppers, Spinach and Goat Cheese in a high, fluffy Custard on an all-Butter Crust with a clean edge, Andre’s Burger offers a good grind on a soft Roll with all the standard fixings upgraded, the Cheese a sharp imported Swiss with Onions reduced to Marmalade and Mayonnaise Truffled.

Stuffing a toasted Roll with generous chunks of Lobster and serving up Ham and Cheese on medium-thick Brioche beneath creamy Bechamel plus a golden Egg, a mound of the aforementioned French Fries served with each, Brunch concluded in two completely different styles of Waffle, the thinner one topped with a brined Chicken Breast coated in Batter and bathed in peppery Country Gravy while the “Belgian Waffles” are the only freshly-made Liege-style versions served at a proper Restaurant in Sin City, and every bit as good as those found overseas with pockets of Pearl Sugar caramelized beneath Macerated Berries and Maple Cream.

FOUR AND HALF STARS: Shedding the traditional French concept just a touch at Brunch as well as Dinner, though certainly no more so than Bardot, Bouchon or Mon Ami Gabi, Andre’s Bistro & Bar shows no signs of cutting corners or dumbing things down for those choosing to visit mid-day as opposed to night, the music lower and sunlight plentiful with prices just a fraction of the great restaurants targeting tourists to the East.

RECOMMENDED: Belgian Waffles, Beignets, Charcuterie Board, Smoked Salmon Benedict, Croque Madame, Breakfast Potatoes.

AVOID: Shrinking the size renders both the Butter Croissant and Pain Au Chocolat a bit dry compared to larger versions. Lunch/Brunch Dessert menu lacks compared to dinner.

TIP: The Happy Hour Menu offers $1 off Draught or Bottled Beers and cuts two bucks from Cocktails or Wine by the Glass, approximately a dozen plates also offered at a noteworthy discount, including the $7 Burger which is essentially fast-food price for quality not found at Shake Shack, Five Guys or In-n-Out.

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, Bread Basket, Breakfast, Coffee, Croissant, Dessert, Food, Las Vegas, Lobster, Nevada, Pork, Truffle, Truffles, Vesta, Vesta Coffee, Vesta Coffee Roasters, Waffle, Waffles

February 11, 2017
8:32 AM
by: Uhockey

Rosallie [8,] Las Vegas NV

Rosallie

Double Espresso on Ice

Hot Chocolate with Dark Chocolate Truffle

Tuxedo Strawberry

Almond Croissant

Madeline

Walnut Pie with Whipped Cream

Frosted Financier

Apricot Croissant

Mixed Berry Pinwheel

Acknowledging a friendship with Chef Pluvinet, but this time drawn to Rosallie by a nine-year old’s suggestion that he wanted to visit “the place with the awesome Hot Chocolate,” Saturday once again saw Las Vegas’ best French Bakery teaming with activity, all the usual suspects present and accounted for along with three all-new Pastries.

Upgrading Le French Café further with a free Charging Station, the Wine Cellar now complete with affordable glasses and bottles from a variety of regions, it was once again at a cozy four-top that a party of two sat down after making some choices, the stereo playing pleasant French tunes while the windows featured hand-painted hearts acknowledging the upcoming week’s Valentine’s Day celebration.

Enjoying Rosallie’s house-blend Espresso over Ice while the youngster carefully navigated a mountain of Whipped Cream atop smooth Cocoa accompanied by a dense Dark Chocolate Truffle, it was at Jonathan’s behest that breakfast began with a dipped-Strawberry affixed with a heart, fruit flavors continued by the fresh-off-the-baking-sheet duo of a lightly frosted Apricot Croissant that should be on everyone’s to-eat list plus a triple-Berry Pinwheel that was toasty on the ends and buttery-soft at the middle.

Rounding out the meal with a reference standard Almond Croissant, classic Walnut Pie and a Madeline that has finally achieved Ducasse-quality, the final new item was presented as a Bundt-shaped round described by the server as a Tea Cake, though those knowledgeable will immediately identify both the texture as well as the flavor as that of a Financier with an unnecessary net of Icing added to make its delicate Almond flavor more accessible to the American palate.

FIVE STARS: Still the best place in town for Almond Croissants, Pain au Chocolat, Linzers or Walnut Pie, and continually experimenting with new ideas or tweaking old recipes to achieve equally high standards, Rosallie reigns as the best in its genre even as the competition grows and with dinner service soon to come the pursuit of perfection shows no signs of stopping.

RECOMMENDED: Hot Chocolate, Almond Croissant, Apricot Croissant, Walnut Pie.

AVOID: Left to my own devices the Financier would be served without Frosting, though the current version certainly is not bad.

TIP: Keep an eye on Social Media for Specials such as the Heart-shaped Raspberry Linzers and Nutella Cookies available for Valentine’s Day, or stop by to check out the selection for yourself and pick up a jar of Rosallie’s housemade Strawberry Preserves while you’re at it.

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

Home

Posted in Breakfast, Coffee, Croissant, Dessert, Food, Las Vegas, Madeline, Nevada, Rosallie, Rosallie 'Le French Cafe'

February 10, 2017
6:24 PM
by: Uhockey

Libertine Social, Las Vegas NV

Libertine Social

Apple Cobbler – Azzurre Gin, Ginger Syrup, Cloudy Apple Juice, Fresh Lemon and Cucumber Juices

Milano – Effen Blood Orange Vodka, Aperol, Fresh Lemon Juice, Simple Syrup, Chilled Prosecco, Egg White

Nostra Rosa – Campari, Bulldog Gin, Conintreau, Fresh Lemon Juice, Blood Orange Puree, Agave Nectar, Chilled Seltzer Water, Egg White

Scotch Olives – Lamb Sausage and Feta

Modern Fried Egg – American Sturgeon Caviar, Corn Pudding and Brioche

King Crab Salad – Watercress Vichyssoise

Parmesan Churros

Grilled and Chilled Prawns – Soft Polenta, Chorizo Vinaigrette

Foie Gras Mousse – Moustarda and Country Toast

House Baked Pretzel – Cheddar/Raclette Fondue, House Mustard

Warm Crab Dip – Spinach and Preserved Lemon

Sweet Potato Agnolotti – Sage, Brown Butter, Pear and Pecan Pesto

Cavatelli – Braised Lamb, Crushed Tomato, Parmesan and Whipped Ricotta

Caramelized Fennel and Sausage Flatbread – Camembert, Desert Honey and Rosemary

Barbecued Rainbow Carrots – Kohlrabi Puree

Australian Wagyu Skirt Steak – Chimichurri, Salsa Verde, Grilled Padron Peppers, Lime, Black Truffles

Whole Roasted Sea Bass – Olive/Caper Vinaigrette and Grilled Lemon

Roasted Fingerling Potatoes – Pancetta, Farm Egg, Shaved Country Ham

Double Espresso – Ice

Black and Tan Pudding – Chocolate, Butterscotch, Spice Whip, Caramel Corn

Hot Apple Pie – Apple, Quince, Cardamom Whip, Honey Ice Cream

Manhattan – Rye Whiskey Bread Pudding, Vanilla/Maraschino Cherry Ice Cream

Impressed by Shawn McClain since his Green Zebra days back in Chicago, a meal at Sage shortly after it opened confirming that his elegant simplicity could indeed translate to the Las Vegas market (though Five-50 Pizza later proved to be a half-baked Money Grab,) rumors of Libertine Social at Mandalay Bay being the first Casino restaurant in ages to challenge Gastro-Pub conformity by way of ingredients and technique finally lured me in almost exactly six months after it’s opening August 8th 2016 opening.

Not immune to the advertising or PR push, an invite to the grand-opening by Kerry Clasby politely declined as 2016 was dedicated to supporting more longstanding restaurants both on the Strip and in the community, it was as a party of two that dinner on Friday was enjoyed amidst spacious confines where guests are invited to sit at the bar, lounge or dining room in back, a plethora of decorations ranging from street signs to old-LPs decorating the walls as music plays forgivingly lightly.

Certainly a spectacle, the outdoor patio and well-stocked bar both showcasing design as low lighting generates an intimate feel despite the restaurant’s size, the menu and kitchen at Libertine Social are the responsibility of Executive Chef Jamaal Taherzadeh, his modern American cuisine ranging from fun to seriously technique-oriented while vegetables from the Intuitive Forager Farmers Markets stand unparalleled on their own, or when used to enhance the flavor of everything from Pastas and Flatbreads to roasted Meats.

Well celebrated for Cocktails crafted by Tony Abou-Ganim, the classics perhaps a bit pricey given their nearby ubiquity while the Fizzes, Draught, Barrel-Aged and Bottled lists all show a lot of thought, those fond of Gin are encouraged to take a look at the refreshing Apple Cobbler with a clean Cucumber finish while Vodka fans will undoubtedly be delighted by a frothy Milano that is Spirit-forward and bright with a whole lot of Citrus.

Partially deferring to Chef Taherzadeh and adding a few intriguing items along the way, guests enjoying a drink would be foolish to ignore the Scotch Olives pitted and packed with Cheese beneath a lightly fried Lamb Sausage Crust, the laser-cut Modern Fried Egg a vessel seen several times in the past but here better than most with creamy Corn Pudding blanketed in Egg Custard beneath a dollop of Caviar.

Taking the extra steps to pour a chilled Watercress Soup tableside over King Crab Salad before having some fun with airy, flavor-packed Churros that will make fans of Cheetos question why they’ve been fooled into thinking the snack was as good as it gets for so long, a different sort of upgrade is delivered by ‘Shrimp n’ Grits’ that improves on both with snappy Prawns and creamy Polenta plus the savory heat of Chorizo.

Turning attention to some Boards, Spreads and Dips, the Pretzels puffy and piping hot alongside house Mustard and melted Raclette, more Crab comes by way of the creamed Spinach Dip studded with big chunks of the good stuff flown in daily from Alaska while the Duck Liver Mousse at first appears to be far too much for even a party of four until the air is stirred out of it and the bright Fig-Balsamic Glaze on top turns it into the city’s most luxurious PB&J-reminiscent topping for Grilled Bread.

Placing two handmade Pastas on the menu, one old and the other new, Jamaal admits that the tender Lamb Neck served over Cavatelli is his dish most often taken home for dinner, the salting intense even when accounting for the mellowing effect of Ricotta while the Sweet Potato Agnolotti rival any Italian restaurant in town by placing the typical Sage and Brown Butter in a different context with softened Pears and toasty brown Pesto.

Mistakenly guessing the sweet and savory duet of Honey-drizzled Fennel and Sausage Flatbread plus Barbecued Carrots atop earthy Kohlrabi Puree as the final round before dessert, and thus overindulging in both as they each exemplify the pure, honest flavors familiar to followers of Chef McClain, it was with wide eyes that the kitchen presented two more entrée-sized plates including Sea Bass quite similar to that at Aureole next door (minus the head) plus a daily special of Medium-Rare Wagyu brightened by acid with a bit of heat and Black Truffles plus an outstanding side of “Local Fare” featuring wrinkly Fingerling happily soaking up the flavors of two types of Pork carried by a soft-poached Egg.

Taking a Double Espresso over Ice next, the choice of Cubes vs. Pellets a nice touch, dessert was presented with two menu-favorites plus the all-new Black and Tan Pudding, a refreshing savory note imparted by the Cream in a tall glass while neither the Pie nor Bread Pudding were overly sweet, instead focusing on letting the ingredients shine on their own with the Maraschino Cherry Ice Cream playing particularly well off the Whiskey in replicating the classic flavors of a Manhattan Cocktail.

FOUR AND A HALF STARS: At this point no longer ‘new’ by Las Vegas standards, six-months essentially 1/8th the lifespan of a hotel concept these days, Libertine Social challenges conventional wisdom by focusing on a ‘something for everyone’ approach rather than begrudgingly accepting it, Chefs McClain and Taherzadeh as well as the architects bringing both fun and sophisticated to Mandalay Bay with prices that are high, but Strip-competitive, and by-and-large justified by the quality of the ingredients.

RECOMMENDED: Milano, Scotch Olives, Grilled and Chilled Prawns, Foie Gras Mousse, Sweet Potato Agnolotti, Barbecued Rainbow Carrots, Roasted Fingerling Potatoes, Manhattan.

AVOID: The Modern Fried Eggs are indulgent at $12/each and thus not recommended for those counting pennies while the Salt-sensitive should steer clear of the Lamb Cavatelli. As to the complaints about cocktails…those looking to drink affordably are best served to look elsewhere…like Off-Strip or at least Downtown.

TIP: For those interested in something different, Libertine Social offers two “Fireside Chat” seatings each Saturday, a prix-fixe menu served overlooking the open kitchen as Chef Taherzadeh and team present seasonal ingredients complete with Wine and Cocktail pairings. 6:30 and 8:30, call for reservations.

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

https://www.mandalaybay.com/en/restaurants/libertine-social.html

Posted in Bread Pudding, Coffee, Crab, Dessert, Foie, Foie Gras, Food, Ice Cream, Las Vegas, Libertine Social, Nevada, Pizza, Pork, Tasting Menu, Truffle, Truffles

February 10, 2017
11:16 AM
by: Uhockey

tsp. baking company, North Las Vegas NV

tsp. baking company

Brownie Batter Cupcake – Chocolate Cake, Brownie Batter Frosting

Monkey Bite Cupcake – Cinnamon Banana Cake, Caramel Frosting, Potato Chips

Oatmeal Raisin

Chocolate Walnut Chip

Red Velvet Chip

Peanut Butter

Oatmeal Butterscotch

Mega Chip – Milk Chocolate, White Chocolate, Peanut Butter and Butterscotch Chips

Fairy Roll – Flaky Dough, Sugar, Sprinkles, Vanilla Bean Frosting and Magic

CB O.M.P. Pie – Graham Crust, Cookie Butter, Cream Cheese Filling, Whipped Cream

Last seen baking some of Sin City’s best Cupcakes at Retro Bakery in North Las Vegas, and emerging from divorce into a bourgeoning market that stretches from Rosallie in the Southwest to CRAFTkitchen in Henderson, Kari Garcia’s tsp. baking company on North Decatur Boulevard sees the same broad smile that has been greeting patrons for nearly a decade now selling everything from Ice Cream to Cakes, Pies and Cookies in a cheerful space chock-a-block full with items bound to please.

Opening late in 2016 and slowly gaining a following, its position nestled between a nail salon and Starbucks seemingly a good place for foot traffic, it was just past noon that the small shop was visited shortly after a sizable FedEx delivery had arrived to further diminish available floorspace, the music overhead joined by clever phrases including “cake it until you make it” while pastry cases are divided into Cookies and Cupcakes with freezers featuring Lappert’s Ice Cream plus a few decorative cakes and “Cream Pie for You and Me.”

Shortly debating all available options, the Cupcakes priced at two-dollars for what amounts to just under a mouthful, it was after a few suggestions from the staff that $24 worth of product was boxed, bagged and taken outdoors to one of a few small tables, the Cupcakes both gone in a few moments with each as fluffy and moist as those remembered from Kari’s former establishment, the Caramel topped Monkey Bite particularly memorable with the salty Potato Chips playing well off the natural Banana flavor below.

Curious about the Instagram-friendly Fairy Roll, essentially a curl of laminated Dough topped in melted Sprinkles and Vanilla Frosting as opposed to the more traditional Cinnamon and Sugar, those looking for something truly indulgent would be well advised to investigate the O.M.P. Cream Pies, a $5 choice of Peanut or Cookie Butter Mousse proving indulgent and smooth atop an old-school Graham Cracker base that is sold for sharing, though a ‘some now, more later’ approach may be just as advisable for the gluttonous or greedy.

Turning eyes towards the Cookies, some flavors familiar to fans of Retro, the choice of which to omit is probably easier than which to select for those counting costs or calories, five of the half-dozen sampled on-point as relates to flexibility and flavor, the Mega Chip taking a shotgun approach with four styles of Chips melting into a buttery backdrop while both styles of Oatmeal restrain sweetness save for mix-ins, the Peanut Butter round a true masterpiece of American baking with a delicate crumb plus just enough Salt and Sugar to differentiate the flavor from sticking a spoon straight into a jar of Jiffy.

THREE AND A HALF STARS: No doubt a place with potential, especially as other bakeries in town continue to specialize down to a single item, tsp. baking company would be well served to lose the cupcakes and forget the past rather than try to reinvent it with prices that are discordant to the rest of their products, especially the chocolate which tastes too sweet, both in the “Brownie Batter” that pales in comparison to the “Brownie Sundae” at Retro and in the so-heavily-dyed-you-can-taste-it Red Velvet Cookie.

RECOMMENDED: Peanut Butter Cookie, Oatmeal Butterscotch Cookie, Monkey Bite Cupcake, CB O.M.P.

AVOID: Red Velvet Chip Cookie, Brownie Batter Cupcake

TIP: The Peanut Butter Cookie is Gluten Free.

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

https://www.tspbakingcompany.com/

Posted in cupcake, cupcakes, Dessert, Food, Las Vegas, Nevada, North Las Vegas, tsp., tsp. baking co, tsp. baking company

February 4, 2017
6:30 PM
by: Uhockey

WingTime, North Las Vegas NV

Wing Time

Unsweetened Ice Tea

Louis-n-Ana Wings, Garlic-Parmesan Wings, Red Rooster Wings, Cajun Wings

Louis-n-Ana Wings

Garlic-Parmesan Wings

Red Rooster Wings – Ginger-Soy with Hot Cheetos

Cajun Wings

What-a-Jerk Fingers

Peanut Butter Jelly Time Wings, Carolina BBQ Fingers, Ranch, Sriracha Honey, Blue Cheese

Peanut Butter Jelly Time Wings

Carolina BBQ Fingers

Tropical Habanero Fingers, Orange-u-Happy Fingers, Sweet Potato Fries, Crinkle-cut Fries

Tropical Habanero Fingers

Orange-u-Happy Fingers

Sweet Potato Fries

Crinkle-cut Fries

Texas Toast

Located in North Las Vegas and imagined by Lance Graulich, a man whose ideas have helped shape everything from the city’s most well-known Donuts to Cookies and Poutine located a few doors down, Wing Time seeks to change the way patrons look at one of America’s favorite indulgences, a mission to elevate the ubiquitous Chicken Wing with a focus on quality, creativity and the overall customer experience.

Tucked into the same Wal-mart Plaza as Salted & Malted, the Canadian Bakery and Creamery one of Mr. Graulich’s former projects, Wing Time launched in early November 2016 and having since built a considerable reputation by way of word of mouth and Dinner-only service early-on a quick look at Online reviews speaks volumes, as too do pictures of some of the most bizarre-sounding Chicken toppings around.

Brightly decorated in wood, orange and white, smiling cheerleader-sorts greeting guests almost the second they step through the door, it was with Lance present along with his business partner, Michael, that a party of three sat down amidst a warm environment decorated in Televisions beneath light music, ownership telling of several secrets including Buttermilk brining, immediate-tossing and a gluten-free batter partially made of Potato Chips.

Hearing stories of the restauranteur’s history and mutual acquaintances as a sizable menu was perused, the pre-Superbowl surge and several big orders seeing some flavors temporarily sold-out, it was on Lance’s suggestion that a sizable mix-n-match order was arranged with a focus on diversity, the prices more comparable to those at Wing Zone than bargain-basement Buffalo Wild Wings or the exorbitant Blue Ribbon while thoroughly outperforming them both.

Truly a scratch-kitchen, everything from Brines to Batter, Sides and Sauces made fresh, on-site, it was with Water, Unsweetened Ice Tea and Pepsi products plus Nugget Ice that three trays were soon delivered with smiles and full-descriptions, the Jumbo-sized quartet of Louis-n-Ana, Garlic-Parmesan, Red Rooster and Cajun Wings all plump and juicy with seasoning penetrating deep, the Garlic-Parmesan a personal favorite while the Red Rooster wowed friends, ownership later informing them of a secret-menu featuring crushed Hot Cheetos used in place of the Batter’s aforementioned crispy Spuds.

Next taking a look at some Fingers, the all-White Meat tenders similarly brined and battered as the Wings, both the spicy “What-a-Jerk” and the Mustard-based Carolina BBQ were delicious on their own and all-the-better with Housemade Ranch or Blue Cheese Dipping Sauce, the Sriracha-Honey best-utilized as a topping for the Cinnamon-sprinkled Sweet Potato Fries or the Yukon Golds which are served crinkle-cut.

Offering traditional Texas Toast as an unexpected side, each ninety-nine-cent slice golden with Butter and Garlic, sweeter flavors were saved for last since the Wing Time menu offers no dessert options, the Orange-u-Happy Fingers one-upping Panda Express by way of actual Orange Zest in the Glaze while Tropical Heat brings the sweet heat of Pineapples, Mangos and Peppers, the “Peanut Butter Jelly Time” not nearly as odd as one might guess, particularly from a man who helped come up with a Donut based on Bacon-wrapped Dates with Blue Cheese and Balsamic.

FOUR AND A HALF STARS: About as good as a limited-focus restaurant can be, the lack of any desserts and an underestimation of demand leading to a shortage of certain items mere quibbles compared to other spots of its ilk, Wing Time is poised to change the way gameday is celebrated throughout North Las Vegas while also tempting those as far south as Summerlin to make the trip for some of most interesting fried Chicken around.

RECOMMENDED: Garlic-Parmesan Wings, Red Rooster Wings, Peanut Butter Jelly Time Wings, Tropical Habanero Fingers, Carolina BBQ Fingers, Blue Cheese Sauce, Sweet Potato Fries, Sriracha Honey.

AVOID: Ranch is Ranch and those Industrial-style Stools at the high-tops are uncomfortable no matter what setting.

TIP: A secret menu of Sandwiches and Specials can be found on Social Media, the Spicy Cheetos Batter available by pre-order only and a Beer selection coming soon.

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

www.wingtime.net/

Posted in Food, Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Wing Time, WingTime

February 4, 2017
11:33 AM
by: Uhockey

Bardot Brasserie [6,] Las Vegas NV

Bardot Brasserie

LAMill Coffee

Le Grand Courtage Brut Rose

Baguette and Salted Butter

Warm Country Bread and Echire Butter and Grey Sea Salt

La Boulangerie – Canele, Kouign Amann, Croissant, Raisin Snail

Seasonal Fruit – Frozen Yogurt-Pistachio Parfait, Buckwheat Beignets

Charcuterie Board – Pate, Pork Rillettes, Saucisson Sec, Bayonne Ham

Smoked Salmon – Everything Brioche, Chive Mascarpone, Traditional Garnishes

Parisian Gnocchi – Ash Rind Goat Cheese, Maitake Mushrooms, Butternut Squash, Pistachios, Red Kuri Velouté

Hearth Baked Quiche Lorraine with Double-cut Bacon and Kale

Foie Gras French Toast – Brioche, Vanilla Mascarpone, Almond Brittle, Seared Foie Gras, Cassis Compote

Chocolate Macaron – French Chocolate Cookie, Dark Chocolate Mousse

Apple Tarte Tatin – Warm Caramelized Apple Tart, Puff Pastry, Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

Nutella Sticky Bun – Warm Vanilla Brioche, Brown Sugar, Candied Hazelnuts

As polished an operation today as the ornamentation in its gleaming bar, it was at the behest of old friends that Brunch was booked at Bardot Brasserie at Aria, Josh Smith’s kitchen under the banner of Michael Mina again showing that no city can compete with Las Vegas when it comes to quality at volume, even when computer issues paired with a swollen pre-Superbowl crowd.

Having last visited the restaurant for Brunch in late 2015, and unfortunately-yet-expectedly not finding the menu to have changed one iota in the intervening fifteen months, it was after greetings at the podium that a party of four sat down at the center of the bustling dining area, the course of the day to be dictated by the restaurant, but beset by long delays between courses thanks to an IT malfunction that saw the staff forced to adapt to hand-written tickets.

Sipping bottomless Rose, Water and Coffee throughout the meal, refills frequently lagging once a sizeable party was seated to the table’s left, it was for at least twenty minutes after seating that the group chatted with only Baguette and Beverages, a pat of Imported Echire with Grey Salt and toasted Country Bread joined by a pastry basket that has finally achieved excellence, the Canele crunchy on the outside with an air-pocketed Custard center while the Kouign Amann offers layers upon layers of butter and caramelization.

Seeing several familiar ready-to-go starters doled out over the next hour, all of them obviously labor intensive in terms of process but essentially just plate-and-go during service, the Frozen Yogurt Parfait presented as part of the Fruit plate perhaps the most flavorful bites per gram in all of Sin City, Bardot’s Charcuterie continues to show strong by way of both the chunky Pate and Pork Rillettes while the Smoked Salmon is a silky drape for aromatic Brioche that could be offered in a slightly larger portion so that there is enough to go around.

Unaware of the ticket issues until later, the empty plates lingering with glasses unfilled for what would have seemed like an eternity were the conversation of nearly a year-past not freely flowing, Chef Smith showed a great deal of generosity by sending out the dinner-only Parisian Gnocchi even when the kitchen was stretched-thin, the small puddles of Goat Cheese only slightly softer than pan-seared Dumplings that literally melt in the mouth positioned delicately in a pool of brilliant Red Kuri Squash Velouté.

Continuing to make a strong case for Las Vegas’ best Quiche, the Lorraine-style wedge brimming with Bacon and Kale suspended in fluffy Eggs, the nearly-three hour meal came to a close without seeing a single Benedict, Waffle or Hash, the Tart Tatin still challenging any found in Europe by way of its perfectly caramelized Apples and an ample scoop of Ice Cream while the rich coil of Brioche and Brown Sugar found itself overshadowed in the most decadent way possible, the industry-standard pillow of French Toast with Almond Brittle and Mascarpone Cream further enhanced with a slice of seared Duck Liver plus Black Currant Jam.

FOUR AND A HALF STARS: Long ago setting aside Bouchon at The Venetian for a lack of innovation, though Thomas Keller’s track record tells a valuable tail for success, my first brunch visit in almost 15 months to Bardot Brasserie was thoroughly delicious despite delivering less variety than ever, the unaltered menu telling of a concept focused on perfecting its brand and executing consistently while the restaurateur focuses on global expansion, a good thing for visitors or locals craving one of the well-crafted favorites – the sort of concept built to stand the test of time in a city where remaining relevant past a few months is indeed a test.

RECCOMMENDED: FRENCH TOAST, PARISIAN GNOCCHI, CHARCUTERIE BOARD, APPLE TART TATIN.

AVOID: Busy weekends around noon.

TIP: The Gnocchi preparation is due to change soon given the seasonality of its ingredients.

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

https://www.michaelmina.net/restaurants/las-vegas/bardot-brasserie/#menus

Posted in Bardot, Bardot Brasserie, Bread Basket, Breakfast, Canele, Coffee, Croissant, Dessert, Foie, Foie Gras, Food, French Toast, Gnocchi, Ice Cream, LAMill, Las Vegas, Macaron, Macaroon, Michael Mina, Nevada, Pork, Tasting Menu

February 3, 2017
6:57 PM
by: Uhockey

Yun Nan Garden, Las Vegas NV

Yun Nan Garden

White Rice

Szechuan Dan Dan Noodle

Yunnan Style Dried Beef

Ma Po Tofu

Lamb with Cumin

Eel Sauteed with Dry Pepper

Eggplant in Garlic Sauce

Chopped Smoked Duck

Chongqing Spicy Chicken

Tucked away behind the Kim Long Mall, near Chinatown Plaza, and doing the spicy thing in Las Vegas long before Chengdu Taste rolled into town, it was on the suggestion of a friend that five adults and two children sat down at Yun Nan Garden for a meal of *red star* specials that did little to dissuade even the timid thanks to the sort of spice focused on flavor rather than scorching the tongue tasteless.

Named for the Southwestern China Province of Yunnan, an area revered by practitioners of Eastern Medicine thanks to its diversity of plants and herbs, diners visiting Yun Nan Garden are quickly met by a golden Buddha on walking through the doors, a dining room featuring tables of varied sizes spread out to seat perhaps one hundred comfortably, and all that space to be filled on a Friday night by 6:45.

Providing English-friendly menus and forks, but otherwise as traditional as anyplace on Spring Mountain from its service structure to the clientele, it was at a rounded-table with a rotating center that decisions were made with a focus on a variety, most the choices denoted as spicy, though a more detailed look would prove that the warning was present on almost 50% of Yun Nan Garden’s Cuisine.

Struggling for water and dishes at first, but oddly finding the service improving incrementally as the restaurant got busier, it was with a flood of plates that the table was suddenly alive with color and bold aromatics, the dried Beef which arrived first eating much like Jerky with a mild numbing effect while the Ma Po Tofu featured a heaping portion of soft cubes bathed in an oil-based Sauce that carried the spice straight to the sinuses without the more expected effect of leaving the lips and tongue tingling.

Turning next to stir-fry, the noodle-like Eels pleasantly slippery in a tangle of Onions and dried Chiles, Lamb with Cumin proved to be the nights most fragrant dish with both the tender bits of Meat and Peppers picking up a lot of earth and nutty notes, the Eggplant in Garlic Sauce similarly submitting to the flavors around it while still maintaining a fibrous, springy texture.

Turning up the temperature with Dan Dan Noodles served Szechuan style, the combination of the region’s eponymous Peppers and a whole lot of Garlic best taken in moderation for those moving from plate to plate, chopped Duck was a complete change of pace from everything else with a great bit of smoke and bones that are navigable, the Chongqing Spicy Chicken a return to Yun Nan’s strike zone that mostly tastes like really good double-fried Chicken…unless of course one chooses to chew up a few of the accompanying Peppers that almost immediately renders the palate tone-deaf and mouth watering.

FOUR STARS: Doing the ‘hot’ thing right, not just trying to torch mouths but instead focusing on flavor, Yun Nan Garden is a hidden gem removed from the main drag that is Spring Mountain Road, the service better than many similar spots and everything from the tables to the restrooms also much cleaner.

RECOMMENDED: Yunnan Style Dried Beef, Chongqing Spicy Chicken, Chopped Smoked Duck, Chongqing Spicy Chicken.

AVOID: Due to the Garlic and heavily spiced oil the Dan Dan Noodles are best eaten in small bites to avoid overwhelming the palate.

TIP: Yun Nan Garden gets busy after 6:30, though those not wanting to wait are invited to order take-out from the menu or a warming counter where off-cuts like Duck Heads and Chicken Feet are sold.

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

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Yunnan-Garden/117617094930437

Posted in Food, Las Vegas, Nevada, Yun Nan Garden, Yunnan Garden

January 28, 2017
6:10 PM
by: Uhockey

Andre’s Bistro & Bar, Las Vegas NV

Andre’s Bistro & Bar

Creamsicle – Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice, Lemon Juice, Simple Syrup, Cream

Blackberry Rickey – Organic Blackberry Syrup, Mint, Lime Juice, Soda Water

Pretty G&T – Hayman’s Old Tom Gin, Tonic Syrup, Soda Water, Hibiscus

French Baguette – Salted Butter

Charcuterie Board – House Mustard, Onions and Cornichons, Speck, Pork Rillette, Pork and Pistachio Pate, Mission Figs, Tomato Jam

Lyonnaise Salad – Frisee, Smoked Lardons, Poached Egg, Warm Sherry Vinaigrette

Roasted Vegetable Terrine – Goat Cheese, Parsley Oil, Black Olive Vinaigrette

Crispy Calamari – Spicy Salt & Pepper, Sweet Thai Chili Sauce

Seared Foie Gras – Crème Anglaise, Candied Almonds, Cinnamon Apples, Port

Duck Fat Garlic Fries – Ketchup

Golden Trout Amandine – Green Beans, Beurre Noisette

Roasted Chicken Breast – Mushrooms, Bacon, Pearl Onions, Fingerling Potatoes, Natural Chicken Jus

Artisanal Sausages – Spicy Lamb, Pork-Garlic, Duck, Warm Potato Salad with Smoked Lardons

Braised Lamb Shank – Orzo Pasta, Tomato Concasse, Lamb Jus

Grand Marnier Souffle – Crème Anglaise

Saturday Sundae – Caramel, Fudge, Strawberries, Vanilla Ice Cream, Peanuts, Whipped Cream, Cherry

Apple Tart Tatin – Vanilla Ice Cream

Chocolate Pot de Crème – Cookie Tuille, Sweet Cream

Classic Milkshake – Strawberry, Malt

Lemon Tart – Raspberries

Root Beer Float – Vanilla Ice Cream

Chocolate Walnut Gateau – Crème Anglaise

Crème Brulee – Seasonal Berries

Double Espresso – Ice

Shuttering as a result of The Strip’s incessant need to recreate, the kitchen that has given rise to some of Las Vegas’ most skilled Chefs soon to be part of a food fantasy-land from New York, it was as a silver lining that Andre Rochat and his team led by Joe Marsco and Mark Purdy promised a reinvention of their own, Andre’s Bistro & Bar debuting on January 14th, instantly upgrading the Southwest Community’s dining scene.

Installing itself in the former DW Bistro, the bones still recognizable though the décor has changed extensively from the beautiful bar out to a dining-space decorated in wood, statues of Chickens and artifacts brought to remember the past, patrons are greeted at a small podium by smiling faces as music plays loudly, the days of The Rat Pack unfortunately lost in favor of everything from Lynyrd Skynyrd to Rihanna and Calvin Harris.

Seeing several familiar faces in the kitchen, Chef Rochat working the line right next to Purdy, Marty Red DeLeon Lopez and Jon VanHusen while Tammy Alana continues to head-up Pastry, the menu at Andre’s Bistro & Bar cuts a wide swath through French classics as well as some more American ideas including everything from a Burger or Root Beer Float to spicy Calamari.

Dining as a party of three, another prominent local restaurateur taking a moment away from his growing empire to see what newly launched Stacked Hospitality has created, it was with drinks from a list ranging Hi to “No-Proof” that the night got underway, both the Creamsicle and Blackberry Rickey showing a keen-eye towards balance without Booze while a Pretty G&T packed quite a punch for something so smooth alongside two other iterations titled “Pure” and “Piney.”

Far more wallet-friendly than its former self, Appetizers ranging $10-18 while Entrees top-out under $30 for a ten-ounce New York Strip, it was in four courses that an a la carte order was served by a team led by Mr. Marsco and Assistant General Manager Marc Boutiron, the pace leisurely but appropriate with presentations already quite good for a place opened so recently.

Happily tearing into a warm Baguette with good Butter, a standard-bearer rivaling Bardot for the city’s best, it was alongside a tray of housemade Mustard and Pickles that the nightly Charcuterie Board arrived featuring Speck, Rillette and a chunky Pate plus Figs and Tomato Jam, each item just as good as what is found in Europe, as too was the classic Lyonnaise Salad and a vibrant Vegetable Terrine topped in Goat Cheese, Parsley Oil and bright Vinaigrette.

No doubt ordering an unlikely pair to follow, the Salt & Pepper Squid with Jalapenos and Chef Lopez’s Thai Chili Sauce tasty albeit a bit out of place, the Chef’s-Selection Foie Gras took a decidedly “Andre’s” spin by way of Crème Anglaise, Candied Almonds, Port and stewed Apples – the price of $18 an absolute steal considering both the portion and the quality.

Passing on a Choucroute Plat du Jour, though housemade Sausage was prominently featured in a substantial dish from which all three Encased Meats burst with flavor around warm Potato Salad, suffice it to say that the roasted Chicken is a surprise stunner with crisp skin and pronounced juiciness, the Lamb Shank perfectly cooked and portioned generously, though in need of a bit of finishing Salt to accentuate the Meat’s natural flavor.

Enjoying entrees with a side of fresh-cut Potatoes fried in Duck Fat with a touch of Garlic, the filet of Trout sent out gratis almost as good as Rochat’s famous Dover Sole alongside Green Beans and Hazelnut Butter, it was with a Double Espresso in hand that the table was prepared for a parade of sweets, Chef Alana’s Soufflé and Crème Brulee identical to those previously served on Las Vegas Boulevard at a fraction of the price.

Happily embracing both the Bistro and Bar concept, a classic Tart Tatin with perfect edges and a lot of Butter pacing step-for-step with a Soda Fountain Sundae or Strawberry Malt with three straws, more great bites were found in the zippy Lemon Tart while the Pot de Crème should satisfy even the most ardent Chocoholic, though the Chocolate Walnut Gateau undoubtedly steals the show with a complex interplay of Ganache and roasted Nuts folded in golden Pastry.

FOUR STARS: In many ways a departure from the past, though at the same time a sort of return to the technique-based cooking that makes French food great, Andre’s Bistro & Bar is off to a good start at a price-point now unencumbered by inflated Casino pricing, the days past undoubtedly important to Las Vegas’ culinary heritage with the future also appearing quite bright.

RECOMMENDED: Creamsicle, Charcuterie, Vegetable Terrine, Foie Gras, Roasted Chicken Breast, Artisanal Sausages, Apple Tart Tatin, Chocolate Walnut Gateau.

AVOID: The Braised Lamb Shank was underseasoned and although the Calamari is good, it simply feels out of place…as does the music which plays far too loudly at the center of the space.

TIP: Open Daily Monday through Friday, Lunch 11:00am – 3:30pm, Happy Hour 3:30pm – 6:00pm and Dinner 4:30pm – 10:00pm. Weekend Brunch from 10:00am – 3:30pm, Happy Hour 3:30pm – 6:00pm and Dinner 4:30pm – 10:00pm. Reservations available by Opentable with To-Go options listed online.

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, Bread Basket, Coffee, Dessert, Foie, Foie Gras, Food, Ice Cream, Las Vegas, Nevada, Pork, Souffle

January 28, 2017
2:08 PM
by: Uhockey

Off The Hook Fish N’ Chips, Las Vegas NV

Off The Hook Fish N’ Chips

Cajun Catfish Bites – 8 Crispy Cornmeal Breaded Catfish Pieces with Awesome Sauce

Hushpuppies – 6 Golden Deepfried Hushpuppies with Awesome Sauce

1 Chicken Strip with Ranch

1 Piece Cod, 1 Piece Whitefish, 1 Jumbo Buttterfly Shrimp with Tartar Sauce and Cocktail Sauce

Loaded Mahi Mahi Fries – Grilled Mahi Mahi, Chips, Garlic Aioli, Pico de Gallo, Guacamole

Key Lime Pie – Vanilla Ice Cream

Noted during a disappointing visit to KoMex Fusion, the sign simply reading Fish N’ Chips from the road, a little research showed favorable opinions predominating for Off The Hook Fish N’ Chips at Flamingo Village, the locally-owned and operated store turning out freshly fried planks of Wild-caught Alaskan Cod alongside some more unexpected stuff.

Located at 4155 S Buffalo Dr, a weekend line at Babystacks only absent because arrival at the shopping plaza was after the breakfast hot-spot closed, entry to Off The Hook was greeted by a young man stationed behind a short counter in front of the open kitchen, “Dine-In or To-Go” given as options, the former selected as quiet IHeartRadio played overhead, just two-other tables filled as a driver from Uber-Eats arrived to take an insulated bag just a few miles up the road.

Hand-breading and frying a wide variety of choices to order, the laminated menu augmented by blackboard specials as well as weekday deals, it was largely a la carte that a collection of eight different items were selected at a cost of just $33.48, an online coupon slicing the cost nearly in half and generating nearly sub-Long John Silver’s pricepoint for far superior food.

Soon joined by an entire team of Little Leaguers and their parents, the small storefront immediately filled past capacity, it was as if sensing the sudden surge that the entirety of the order was brought forth, first taste of the Cornmeal-crusted Catfish bites proving flavorful even before a bath in “Awesome Sauce” that added a lightly acidic zip and just a hint of heat.

Sparsely decorated and low-ceilinged, thus prone to getting pretty noisy when filled by a dozen pre-teens plus a continuous flow of traffic coming and going with orders, Hushpuppies unfortunately featured too much surface area compared to center to avoid tasting oily, no such issue found in two small Chicken Tenders substituted for one, though the flavor of the Breast was lacking compared to spots focusing on Poultry instead of Seafood.

Turning attention to the main event, the Gluten-free Batter with little more than a touch of Salt and Pepper perceivable as seasoning frying up golden around moist Whitefish with flaky Wild-caught Cod deserving of the $2 upcharge, Butterflied Jumbo Shrimp seem a bit overcharged at $2.99 a piece, though those opting for one of the Combination Platters will assuredly score a far better deal.

Liberally adding Malt Vinegar, though others may prefer to spice things up with one of two Hot Sauces or to veer American by way of Ketchup, Tartar or Cocktail Sauce, Off The Hook’s “Chips” see a significant upgrade by way of the “Loaded Mahi Mahi” special, even a half-order presenting a substantial amount of fried Spuds topped in grilled Fish, Garlic Aioli and Tomatoes with a sidecar of creamy Avocado.

Not particularly craving Fair Food, both Oreos an Twinkies available battered and deep-fried, dessert consisted of a small triangle of Key Lime Pie with a small cup of Ice Cream, the bright Citrus mellowed by an all-butter crust plus a ribbon of Whipped Cream.

THREE AND A HALF STARS: Featuring neither a fee-per-appearance celebrity Chef name nor a multi-million-dollar floorplan, Off The Hook Fish N’ Chips feels far more ‘British’ than anything dreamed up by Harrah’s or MGM Resorts to target tourists, the menu generally successful even when taking some chances while also offering a whole lot more value and less parking hassle.

RECOMMENDED: Wild-caught Cod, Loaded Mahi Mahi Fries, Cajun Catfish Bites.

AVOID: Hushpuppies, Chicken Strips.

TIP: $15 off $30 coupons available at Restaurant.com.

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

www.offthehooklv.com/

Posted in Dessert, Food, Ice Cream, Las Vegas, Nevada, Off The Hook, Off The Hook Fish N’ Chips

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