January 18, 2021
11:30 AM
by: Uhockey

Locale Italian Kitchen Catering [9,] Las Vegas NV

Locale Italian Kitchen

Sausage ‘n Peppers Pizza – Housemade Italian Sausage, Peppers, Pepperoni, Onions, Roasted Tomato Sauce, Mozzarella

Cheese Pizza – Chris Bianco’s Tomatoes, Mozzarella Cheese

Pepperoni Pizza – Chris Bianco’s Tomatoes, Mozzarella Cheese, Pepperoni, Basil

Giant Prawn Scampi – Grilled Lemon, Escarole, Pinot Grigio, Garlic

Chicken Parmigiana – House Breadcrumbs, Pomodoro Sauce, Fresh Mozzarella Cheese

Hanger Steak – Escarole, Olives

Arugula Salad – Candied Pistachio, Lemon Honey Vinaigrette, Parmagiano

Wild Mushroom Arancini – Arborio Rice, Tarragon Aioli

Penne Alla Marinara – Bianco Tomato Sauce, Basil, Parmigiano-Reggiano

Charcuterie Board – Tomato Jam, Pecorino Cheese, Parmesan Cheese, Ham, Salumi, Prosciutto, Soppressata

Oven Baked Garlic & Mozzarella Bread – Homemade Pomodoro Sauce

Caesar Salad – Housemade Caesar Dressing, Romaine Lettuce, Housemade Garlic Croutons

Anita’s Meatballs – Calabrese Peppers, Chris Bianco’s Tomatoes, Polenta

Sunday Sauce Gnocchi – Herbs, Olive Oil, Nana’s Slow Cooked Pork Ragu, Pecorino, Parmesan Cheese

New York Brulee Cheesecake – Blueberry Compote, Whipped Cream

With Restaurants around the World cautiously serving diners amidst the pandemic Locale Italian Kitchen has continued to support Las Vegas since the earliest days of SARS-CoV-2, and with Chef Marc Marrone steering Andy Hooper’s spot at Mountain’s Edge the Food has only continued to improve each day.

Nothing short of a destination in the far-Southwest, an area long in need of culinary enlightenment, Locale currently offers both dine-in and take-away from Monday through Sunday, the menu evolving daily with several new items added seasonally.

Already delivered to the office seven times under Chef Marrone’s tenure, plus takeout twice exceeding expectations, Monday’s delivery came from Msrc’s team consisting of fifteen items, an abundance able to feed twenty-five at bargain prices considering both Ingredients and portions.

Professionally packed and temperature appropriate, a mix of regional Italian plates and Chef Marrone’s family recipes benefited by finesse, lunch began with two fresh Salads alongside three Pizzas including a Margherita with Pepperoni plus a crispy charred Crust decorated in Housemade Sausage and Peppers.

Continuing with some staff favorites, U8 Shrimp bathing in Garlic and Wine atop Escarole plus Chicken Parm done simple but well, additional Secondi consisted of Sin City’s most robustly flavored Meatballs, the thick bed of Fontina Cheese Polenta and Sauce with some Heat building a true “Secondi” out of something usually offered as a Side Dish.

Adding a Pasta duo, al dente Penne in Red Sauce for a few Plant-based eaters, fans of Gnocchi need look no further than Locale for the lightest Potato Dumplings in Las Vegas, their buoyancy a brilliant foil to slowly-simmered Pork Ragu and Tomatoes.

Not done yet, a Charcuterie Board and medium-rare Hangar Steak both big hits with an ethnically diverse staff, suffice it to say that Marrone’s Arancini are the perfect antidote to cold weather while the smooth yet crumbly “New York Brulee” is great as ever topped in Whipped Cream plus preserved Blueberries.

N/A: Making it blog policy to not ‘rate’ places based on catering alone, Locale Italian Kitchen continues to serve excellent Food made from local Ingredients at a price point that is more than generous, and under the leadership of Marc Marrone the Food only seems to be getting better with each subsequent order.

RECOMMENDED: Wild Mushroom Arancini, Sunday Sauce Gnocchi, Anita’s Meatballs, Giant Prawn Scampi, New York Brulee Cheesecake.

AVOID: N/A.

TIP: Follow @localelv on Social Media for hours, updates menu and specials.

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

www.localelv.com

Posted in Bread Basket, Catering, Dessert, Food, Gnocchi, Italian, Las Vegas, Locale, Locale Catering, Locale Italian Kitchen, Locale Italian Kitchen Catering, Nevada, Pizza, Pork Tagged #supportlocal, Aioli, Andy Hooper, Anita’s Meatball, Anita’s Meatballs, Arancini, Arborio, Arborio Rice, Arugula, Arugula Salad, Basil, Beef, Beef and Pork Meatball, Beef and Pork Meatballs, Beef Meatball, Beef Meatballs, Beef Sausage, Beef Steak, Bianco Tomato Sauce, Blueberries, Blueberry, Blueberry Compote, Bread, Bread Crumb, Bread Crumbs, Breadcrumb, Breadcrumbs, Burrata, Burrata Cheese, Butter, Caesar, Caesar Dressing, Caesar Salad, Calabrese Pepper, Calabrese Peppers, Candied Pistachio, Candied Pistachios, charcuterie, Charcuterie Board, Cheese, Cheese Cake, Cheese Pizza, Cheesecake, Cherry Tomato, Cherry Tomatoes, Chicken, Chicken Parm, Chicken Parmigiana, Chickens, Chive, Chives, Chris Bianco’s Tomato, Chris Bianco’s Tomatoes, Ciabatta, Ciabatta Bread, Citrus, Compote, Corn, Corn Meal, Cornmeal, Cow, Cows, Cream, Crispy Polenta, Crouton, Croutons, Crust, Danny Crinson, Di Napoli, Di Napoli Tomato, Di Napoli Tomato Sauce, Di Napoli Tomatoes, Dressing, endoedibles, Escarole, Fontina, Fontina Cheese, Food, Foodie, Fresh Herb, Fresh Herbs, Fresh Mozzarella, Fresh Mozzarella Cheese, Garlic, Garlic + Mozzarella Bread, Garlic and Mozzarella Bread, Garlic Bread, Garlic Crouton, Garlic Croutons, Giant Prawn, Giant Prawn Scampi, Giant Prawns, Gnocchi, Gnocchi Pasta, Gravy, Green Olive, Green Olives, Grilled Escarole, Grilled Lemon, Grilled Lemons, Ground Beef, Ham, Hand Made Meatball, Hand Made Meatballs, Handmade Meatball, Handmade Meatballs, Hanger Steak, Herb, Herbs, Homemade Beef and Pork Meatball, Homemade Beef and Pork Meatballs, Homemade Pomodoro Sauce, Honey, House Breadcrumb, House Breadcrumbs, Housemade Caesar Dressing, Housemade Garlic Crouton, Housemade Garlic Croutons, Housemade Italian Sausage, Italian, Italian Sausage, Jam, Juice, Las Vegas, Lemon, Lemon Honey Vinaigrette, Lemons, Lettuce, Local Basil, Locale, Locale Italian Kitchen, Locale Italian Kitchen Catering, LV, Marc Marrone, Margherita, Margherita Pizza, Marinara, Market Tomato, Market Tomatoes, Meatball, Meatballs, Michael Uzmann, Mozzarella, Mozzarella Cheese, Mushroom, Mushrooms, Nana’s Slow Cooked Pork Ragu, Nevada, New York Brulee Cheese cake, New York Brulee Cheesecake, New York Cheese Cake, New York Cheesecake, NV, Oil, Olive, Olive Oil, Olives, Onion, Onions, Oven Baked Garlic & Mozzarella Bread, Oven Baked Garlic and Mozzarella Bread, Parm, Parmesan, Parmesan Cheese, Parmigiano, Parmigiano Cheese, Parmigiano Reggiano, Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese, Pasta, Pecorino, Pecorino Cheese, Pecorino Romano, Pecorino Romano Cheese, Penne, Penne Alla Marinara, Penne Pasta, Pepper, Pepperoni, Pepperoni Pizza, Peppers, Pig, Pinot Grigio, Pistachio, Pistachios, Pizza, Polenta, Pomodoro, Pomodoro Sauce, Pork, Pork Ragu, Potato, Potato Gnocchi, Potatoes, Prawn, Prawns, Prosciutto, Prosciutto di Parma, Ragu, Red Onion, Red Onions, Rice, Rice Ball, Rice Balls, Roasted Cherry Tomato, Roasted Cherry Tomatoes, Roasted Tomato, Roasted Tomato Sauce, Roasted Tomatoes, Romaine, Romaine Lettuce, Rosemary, Salad, Salads, Salami, Salt, Salumi, San Marzano, San Marzano Tomato, San Marzano Tomato Sauce, San Marzano Tomatoes, San Marzanos, Sauce, Sausage & Pepper Pizza, Sausage and Pepper Pizza, Sausage ‘n Pepper Pizza, Scampi, Sea Salt, Shallot, Shallots, Shrimp, Shrimps, Sicilian Green Olive, Sicilian Green Olives, Sin City, Slow Cooked Pork Ragu, Soppressata, Steak, Sunday Gravy, Sunday Sauce, Sunday Sauce Gnocchi, Tarragon, Tarragon Aioli, Todd Lunger, Tomato, Tomato Jam, Tomato Sauce, Tomatoes, Vanilla, Veal, Vegas, Vinaigrette, Vinegar, Whip Cream, Whipped Cream, White Wine, Wild Mushroom, Wild Mushroom Arancini, Wild Mushrooms, Wine, \

January 16, 2021
11:30 AM
by: Uhockey

New York Chinese Restaurant (South Fort Apache,) Las Vegas NV

New York Chinese Restaurant

Egg Drop Soup

Crab Rangoon

Vegetable Dumplings

Vegetable Egg Foo Young

Egg Rolls

Mongolian Beef, Pork Fried Rice, Crab Rangoon

Chicken New York Chow Mein, Pork Fried Rice, Crab Rangoon

Cashew Chicken, Pork Fried Rice

General Tso’s Chicken, White Rice, Crab Rangoon

Chicken Lo Mein, Pork Fried Rice

Vegetable Chop Suey

Situated near Sun City Summerlin since 2008, and now with locations in Henderson and the Southwest, New York Chinese Restaurant is highly regarded for their East coast take on familiar take-out dishes, a lunch shared by six on Saturday finding ample portions and fair prices served by a friendly staff.

Owned by Daniel Lin, with family recipes from Uncle Lin Song’s two Big Apple eateries comprising much of the menu, guests visiting New York Chinese will currently find the Restaurant take-out only, though nearly 200 items including Lunch and Dinner specials are still available 10:30am until 10:00pm daily.

Tweaked for the American palate, a lack of MSG proudly promoted alongside fresh Ingredients, meals for most at New York Chinese will in some way include Rice, Soup and Crab Rangoon by way of a Combo, the former particularly noteworthy when fried with Pork while the “Egg Flower” Soup is velvety and thick without being too salty.

A family affair from the start, everything ordered online ready for contact-free handoff on arrival, Vegetable Potstickers are another favorite whether steamed or fried, though Egg Foo Young also ordered without Meat were thin without a lot of intrinsic flavor, and thus overly reliant on the thin Brown Gravy.

Known as one of Las Vegas’ best spots for thick Egg Rolls, Pork with Cabbage and Carrots fried golden with “Duck Sauce” on the side, Lin strongly suggests guests seeking “authenticity” try Mongolian-style plates including Beef with a bold spice profile, though folks from New York or New England may instead find “New York Chow Mein” eaten over crispy Noodles more akin to the Chinese Cuisine of their memories.

Also offering Food Court favorites like Cashew Chicken and General Tso’s, each a little too sweet but nonetheless enjoyable, Lo Mein finds slick Noodles with plenty of Sprouts and Meat of choice while Lin’s Chop Suey delivers the complex Sauce atop Broccoli, tender Mushrooms, Snap Peas and Onions.

FOUR STARS: Taken for what it is, East Coast Americanized Chinese Food designed for take-out, New York Chinese Restaurant earns all the accolades it has earned over the last decade in Las Vegas and remains well-suited to meet diners expectations during the current global pandemic.

RECOMMENDED: Egg Roll, Vegetable Dumplings, Pork Fried Rice, Mongolian Beef, Cashew Chicken.

AVOID: Egg Foo Young.

TIP: Available via Phone, Website or any of the familiar Apps.

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

www.newyorkchinesetogo.com

Posted in Crab, Food, Las Vegas, Nevada, New York Chinese Restaurant, New York Chinese Restaurant Fort Apache, New York Chinese Restaurant South Fort Apache, Pork Tagged Bean, Bean Sprout, Bean Sprouts, Beans, Beef, Bell Pepper, Bell Peppers, Broccoli, Brown Gravy, Brown Sauce, Cabbage, Carrot, Carrots, Cashew, Cashew Chicken, Cashews, Celery, Cheese, Chicken, Chicken Chow Mein, Chicken Lo Mein, Chicken New York Chow Mein, Chickens, Chop Suey, Chow Mein, Cow, Cows, Crab, Crab Rangoon, Crabs, Cream, Cream Cheese, Crispy Noodle, Crispy Noodles, Daniel Lin, Dumpling, Dumplings, Egg, Egg Drop Soup, Egg Flower Soup, Egg Foo Young, Egg Roll, Egg Rolls, Eggs, endoedibles, Food, Foodie, Fried Chicken, Fried Rice, General Tso’s Chicken, Gravy, Las Vegas, Lo Mein, LV, Michael Uzmann, Mongolian Beef, Mushroom, Mushrooms, Nevada, New York Chinese Restaurant, New York Chinese Restaurant Fort Apache, New York Chinese Restaurant South Fort Apache, New York Chow Mein, Noodle, Noodles, Nut. Nuts, NV, Onion, Onions, Pea, Peas, Pepper, Peppers, Pig, Pork, Pork Fried Rice, Potsticker, Potstickers, Rice, Sauce, Sin City, Snap Pea, Snap Peas, Soup, Sprout, sprouts, Sugar, Vegas, Vegetable, Vegetable Chop Suey, Vegetable Dumpling, Vegetable Dumplings, Vegetable Egg Foo Young, Vegetable Potsticker, Vegetable Potstickers, Vegetables, White Rice, Wonton, Wontons

January 13, 2021
6:30 PM
by: Uhockey

Main Street Provisions, Las Vegas NV

Main Street Provisions

K.O. BBQ Prawn – Roasted Skull Island Prawn, Charred Lemon, Toast, NOLA Beurre Blanc

MSP Butcher Plate – Ancho Dusted Duck Breast, Lamb Rillettes, Chicken Liver Mousse, Pork Pate, MSP Bacon, Smoked Tasso Ham, Pickled Vegetables

Fry Bread & Hominy Hummus – Indian Fry Bread, Preserved Lemon, Olive Oil, Herbs, River Salt

Venison Tataki – New Zealand Venison, Whiskey Shoyu Dessing, Roasted Salsify, Seasoned Egg, Chili Sunflower Seeds

Sole Kieve – Fried Sole, Herb Butter, Braised Greens

Louisiana Popcorn Rice – Schmaltz

New Harissa Carrots – Harissa roasted Carrots, Tomatillo Sauce, Crispy Greens, Mustard Blossoms

Oat Milk Grits – Coarse ground White Grits, Roasted Peanuts, Garlic Chive Oil

Charcoal Roasted Quail Gumbo – Andouille Sausage Stuffing, Roasted Salsify, Pickled Okra, Cocoa Nib Gumbo Broth

Carolina BBQ’d Yam – Slow Roasted Yam, BBQ glazed Beets, Crispy Garlic, Onions

Utah Woman’s Steak – Charred Scallion Chimichurri, Funeral Potato Croquette

Rabbit Boudin – Poached Rabbit Sausage, Potato Dumplings, Sauteed Mushrooms, Rabbit Jus

Braised Mixed Greens – Onions, Oat Milk White Wine Broth, Crispy Shallot, Pumpkin Oil

Cattleman’s Pea Beans – Sea Island Red Peas, Ground Meat, Onions, Spices, BBQ Sauce

Honey Lavender Pasteur Bird – Half Chicken, Red Wine Sauce, Cast Iron Corn Bread

Double Espresso – Ice

Citrus Butter Cake – Cointreau Noir Whipped Cream, Orange Zest

A Very Chocolate PopnNPie – Chocolate Cream Pie, Cocoa Nibs, Chocolate Chips, Cocoa Powder, Chocolate Ganache

Campfire Banana Pie – Vanilla Tart, Whiskey Bruleed Banana, Marshmallow Meringue

Now On Stage – Paradise City Creamery Mezcal Vanilla, Paradise City Creamery Dark Chocolate, Paradise City Creamery Coffee, Smoked Molasses Fudge, Coconut Whipped Cream, Chopped Peanuts

Long delayed, but much anticipated, it was in the waning days of 2020 that Main Street Provisions opened its doors, owner Kim Owens smartly tapping Chef Justin Kingsley Hall whose unique style of layered flavors and multi-cultural inspiration pair well with her own extensive experience in Food & Beverage.

Described as “modern American comfort Food,” as apt a description of the San Luis Obispo-native’s cooking as one might find, it is from a hostess’ podium that Main Street Provision stretches long-and-narrow, exposed beams and unfinished floors shifting eyes to local artwork, polished wood and the brightly-lit kitchen in back.

Vibrant without being “loud,” socially-distanced tables containing no more than four guests undoubtedly attenuating what the volume might be once the Governor relaxes his mandate, it was after seating that a sever named Wayne stopped by with Menus and Water, both his attention to detail and overall knowledge excellent throughout dinner.

Seasonal and Sustainable, buzz-words often used but in Chef Hall’s kitchen embodied by several Vegetable-centric plates and off-cuts of Meat, it is continuing a trend started at SLO-Boy and continued through Kitchen at Atomic that guests are treated to big, bold flavors, a “K.O. BBQ Prawn” to begin akin to Emeril’s but with greater depth while the “Butcher Plate” is amply endowed with six-styles of housemade Charcuterie including Rillettes, Pate and Liver that thankfully don’t hold back one bit.

Bringing in Jessica Perlstein as Executive Sous Chef, years in busy Restaurants on-Strip more than preparing her for a menu with wide range and high-complexity, it was alongside beverages that four plates arrived sequentially, Justin’s “Fry Bread & Hominy Hummus” nothing short of stunning in terms of taste and consistency while $21 Butter-centered Sole Kieve is built for the #gram but otherwise a bit underwhelming in comparison to thinly-sliced Venison bathing in poignant Dressing with creamy Roasted Root Vegetables.

Unimpressed by $8 Popcorn Rice, a criminal markup that is basic even with Chicken Fat, guests familiar with Justin will know to order his “New Harissa Carrots” with tangy Tomatillos, though in terms of plates designated Plant Based by a “PB” icon both the stick-a-spoon-up-straight Grits and Entrée Yam stuffed with Barbecue Beets and fried Garlic are equally delicious.

Not about to ignore the Gumbo, “because what would a Justin Kingsley Hall menu be without Quail?,” it is amidst a deep Roux with faint notes of Cocoa that tender flesh melds with earth and occasional spots of acid, the latter unfortunately lacking entirely in a side of Greens that also eschews Pork and tastes nothing but bitter.

Enticed to order “Utah Woman’s Steak” by a “Funeral Potato Croquette,” everyone at a table including three Chefs soon agreeing that these are merely fried Mashed Potatoes next to a gristly piece of Meat, far better quality was found in tender Rabbit Sausage served in rich Pan Sauce as well as the beautifully roasted Chicken paired to toothsome Cornbread.

Enjoying a few more spoonfuls of “Cattleman’s Pea Beans” as Kim Owens stopped by to check-in, her enthusiasm and charm almost tangible, all four Desserts were ordered sight-unseen, the Citrus Buttercake a strong contender for Las Vegas best new way to end dinner while Andrea Reyes Mclean’s Chocolate Pie and a “Campfire Banana” version from Justin both outperform a Vegan Sundae featuring scoops from Paradise City Creamery.

FOUR STARS: Slowed by construction delays and COVID-19 the time has finally arrived for Main Street Provisions, and although not every plate is successful one must commend Chef Justin Kingsley Hall’s willingness to swing for the fences with a high batting average as Kim Owens and her team treat each guest with warmth and professionalism.

RECOMMENDED: MSP Butcher Plate, Fry Bread & Hominy Hummus, Oat Milk Grits, Charcoal Roasted Quail Gumbo, Carolina BBQ’d Yam, Rabbit Boudin, Cattleman’s Pea Beans, Citrus Butter Cake, Campfire Banana Pie.

AVOID: Louisiana Popcorn Rice, Utah Woman’s Steak, Braised Mixed Greens.

TIP: Open 4pm-10pm Weds through Sat and 11am-7pm including Brunch on Sunday.

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

www.mainstprovisions.com

Posted in Bread Basket, Coffee, Cornbread, Dessert, Food, Ice Cream, Las Vegas, Main Street Provisions, Nevada, Pork Tagged A Very Chocolate PopnNPie, Ancho Dusted Duck Breast, Ancho Pepper, Ancho Peppers, Andouille, Andouille Sausage, Andouille Sausage Stuffing, Andrea Reyes Mclean, Bacon, Banana, Banana Pie, Bananas, Barbecue, Barbecue Sauce, Barbeque, Barbeque Sauce, BBQ, BBQ glazed Beet, BBQ glazed Beets, BBQ Sauce, Bean, Beans, Beef, Beef Steak, Beet, Beets, Beurre Blanc, Bird, Birds, Blossom, Blossoms, Boudin, Braised Greens, Braised Mixed Greens, Bread, Breast, Breasts, Broth, Bruleed Banana, Butcher Plate, Butter, Butter Cake, Cake, Cakes, Campfire Banana Pie, Carolina BBQ’d Yam, Carrot, Carrots, Cast Iron Corn bread, Cattleman’s Pea Beans, Cauliflower, Charcoal Roasted Quail, Charcoal Roasted Quail Gumbo, charcuterie, Charred Lemon, Charred Lemons, Charred Scallion, Charred Scallion Chimichurri, Charred Scallions, Cheese, Chicken, Chicken Fat, Chicken Liver, Chicken Liver Mousse, Chickens, Chili, Chili Pepper, Chili Peppers, Chili Sunflower Seed, Chili Sunflower Seeds, Chilis, Chimichurri, Chip, Chips, Chive, Chives, Chocolate, Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Chips, Chocolate Cream Pie, Chocolate Ganache, Chocolate Ice Cream, Chocolate Pie, Chopped Peanut, Chopped Peanuts, Cinnamon, Citrus, Citrus Butter Cake, Coarse ground White Grits, Cocoa, Cocoa Nib, Cocoa Nib Gumbo, Cocoa Nib Gumbo Broth, Cocoa Nibs, Cocoa Powder, Coconut, Coconut Whipped Cream, Coconuts, Coffee, Coffee Ice Cream, Cointreau, Cointreau Noir, Cointreau Noir Whipped Cream, Corn Bread, Cornbread, Cow, Cows, Cream, Crispy Garlic, Crispy Greens, Crispy Shallot, Crispy Shallots, Croquette, Croquettes, Dark Chocolate, Dark Chocolate Ice Cream, Deer, Dessert, Desserts, Dessing, Double Espresso, DTLV, Duck, Duck Breast, Ducks, Dumpling, Dumplings, Egg, Egg Yolk, Egg Yolks, Eggs, endoedibles, Espresso, Fat, Food, Foodie, Fried Sole, Fry Bread, Fry Bread & Hominy Hummus, Fudge, Funeral Potato Croquette, Funeral Potatoes, Ganache, Garlic, Garlic Chive Oil, Greens, Grits, Ground Meat, Gumbo, Ham, Harissa, Harissa roasted Carrots, Herb, Herb Butter, Herbs, Hominy, Hominy Hummus, Honey, Honey Lavender Pasteur Bird, Hummus, Ice, Ice Cream, Indian Fry Bread, Jessica Perlstein, Jus, Justin Kingsley Hall, K.O. BBQ Prawn, Kieve, Kim Owens, Lamb, Lamb Rillette, Lamb Rillettes, Lambs, Las Vegas, Lavender, Lemon, Lemons, Liver, Louisiana Popcorn Rice, LV, Main Street Provisions, Marshmallow, Marshmallow Meringue, Marshmallows, Mashed Potato, Mashed Potatoes, Meat, Meringue, Mezcal, Mezcal Vanilla Ice Cream, Michael Uzmann, Milk, mixed Greens, Molasses, Molasses Fudge, Mousse, MSP Bacon, MSP Butcher Plate, Mushroom, Mushrooms, mustard, Mustard Blossom, Mustard Blossoms, Nevada, New Harissa Carrots, New Zealand Venison, Nib, NOLA Beurre Blanc, Now On Stage, Now On Stage Sundae, NV, Oat, Oat Milk, Oat Milk Grits, Oat Milk White Wine Broth, Oatmeal, Oats, Oil, Okra, Olive, Olive Oil, Olives, Onion, Onions, Orange, Orange Zest, Oranges, Paradise City Creamery, Paradise City Creamery Coffee, Paradise City Creamery Coffee Ice Cream, Paradise City Creamery Dark Chocolate, Paradise City Creamery Dark Chocolate Ice Cream, Paradise City Creamery Mezcal Vanilla, Paradise City Creamery Mezcal Vanilla Ice Cream, Pasteur Bird, Pastries, Pastry, Pate, Pea Bean, Pea Beans, Peanut, Peanuts, Pepper, Peppers, Pickle, Pickled Okra, Pickled Vegetable, Pickled Vegetables, Pickles, Pie, Pies, Pig, Poached Rabbit Sausage, Popcorn Rice, PopnNPie, PopNPies, Pork, Pork Pate, Pork Sausage, Potato, Potato Dumpling, Potato Dumplings, Potatoes, Powder, Prawn, Prawns, Preserved Lemon, Preserved Lemons, Pumpkin, Pumpkin Oil, Pumpkins, Quail, Quail Gumbo, Quails, Rabbit, Rabbit Boudin, Rabbit Jus, Rabbit Sausage, Rabbits, Red Pea, Red Peas, Red Wine, Red Wine Sauce, Rice, Rillette, Rillettes, River Salt, Roast Chicken, Roasted Chicken, Roasted Peanut, Roasted Peanuts, Roasted Salsify, Roasted Skull Island Prawn, Roasted Skull Island Prawns, Roasted Yam, Roasted Yams, Roux, Salsify, Salt, Sauce, Sausage, Sausage Stuffing, Sauteed Mushroom, Sauteed Mushrooms, Scallion, Scallions, Schmaltz, Sea Island Red Pea, Sea Island Red Peas, Seasoned Egg, Seasoned Eggs, Seed, Seeds, Sheep, Sheeps, Shoyu, Shoyu Dessing, Shrimp, Shrimps, Sin City, Skull Island Prawn, Slow Roasted Yam, Smoked Ham, Smoked Molasses Fudge, Smoked Tasso Ham, Sole, Sole Fish. Fish, Sole Kieve, Spices, Steak, Stuffing, Sugar, Sundae, Sunflower, Sunflower Seed, Sunflower Seeds, Sunflowers, Tart, Tasso, Tasso Ham, Tataki, Toast, Tomatillo, Tomatillo Sauce, Tomatillos, Tomato, Tomatoes, Utah Woman’s Steak, Vanilla, Vanilla Ice Cream, Vanilla Tart, Vegan Ice Cream, Vegas, Vegetable, Vegetables, Venison, Venison Tataki, Whip Cream, Whipped Cream, whiskey, Whiskey Bruleed Banana, Whiskey Shoyu Dessing, whisky, White Grits, White Rice, White Wine, Wine, Yam, Yams, Yolk, Yolks, Zest

January 11, 2021
11:05 AM
by: Uhockey

ShangHai Taste Catering [5,] Las Vegas NV

Shanghai Taste

House Fried Rice with Chinese Sausage

Shanghai Fried Rice Cake with Shrimp

House Fried Fat Noodles with Beef

Kao Fu

Old Fashion Shanghai Style Sweet & Sour Pork Ribs

Traditional Shanghai Xiao Long Bao

Sheng Jian

Tucked inside Suite 104 of 4266 Spring Mountain Road, limited seating in the era of social distancing making take-out as good an option as dining in, it was via contacting ShangHai Taste directly that catering was coordinated, Joe Muscaglione arriving at 11:30am-sharp with eight items portioned large enough for sharing.

Still the top destination in Shanghai Plaza at the corner of Arville Street, family recipes handed down to Chef Li comprising a concise menu of scratch-made plates, it was with all items carefully-packed and temperature appropriate that most got started with Fried Rice, a bit of tooth welcomed amidst Sausage, Egg and Soy while Sweet & Sour Pork Ribs remain a staff-favorite thanks to tender Flesh easily stripped from the Bone.

Now the fifth time delivered, though Jimmy’s years at 3 Villages, 1900 Asian Cuisine and Niu Gu will find many locals familiar with his authentic brand of cooking, fans of Soup Dumplings, or XLB, will be happy to know ShangHai Taste’s set a high standard, and whether one prefers Pork, Crab or even Gluten Free the textures and flavors are great, as too are the fried version entitled Sheng Jian with Sesame Seeds.

Again impressing with House Fried Fat Noodles, each strand slick and slightly chewy tossed with Steak, Stir-fried Rice Cakes traditionally known as Chao Nian Gao remain a personal favorite thanks to sticky-soft pillows with Salt and a bit of sweetness.

Only offering two Desserts, neither “American” by any stretch, stomach capacity was instead reserved for more Rice Cakes and fried Dumplings on this Monday, but only after indulging in a large bowl of steamed Wheat Gluten Kao Fu with Mushrooms, fermented Soy and Ginger.

N/A: Making it blog policy to not ‘rate’ places based on catering alone, Chef Jimmy Li and Joe Muscaglione face an uphill battle much like the rest of Las Vegas’ Restaurants following COVID-19, but for those seeking Chinatown’s best Shanghainese Cuisine there is simply none better when accounting for cost, quality and customer service.

RECOMMENDED: Sheng Jian, Traditional Shanghai Xiao Long Bao, Shanghai Fried Rice Cake, House Fried Fat Noodles, Old Fashion Shanghai Style Sweet & Sour Pork Ribs, Kao Fu.

AVOID: N/A.

TIP: Open daily from 11:00am until 9:00pm. Call 702-570-6363 or hop on Yelp! to make reservations.

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

www.facebook.com/ShanghaiTasteLV

Posted in Catering, Food, Las Vegas, Nevada, Pork, Shanghai Plaza, ShangHai Taste, ShangHai Taste Catering Tagged #supportlocal, Bean Sprout, Bean Sprouts, Beans, Beef, Cake, Cakes, Catering, Chao Nian Gao, Chinese Sausage, Cloud Ear Mushroom, Cloud Ear Mushrooms, Cloud Mushroom, Cloud Mushrooms, Cow, Cows, Dumpling, Dumplings, Egg, Eggs, endoedibles, Fat Noodle, Fat Noodles, Flower, Flowers, Food, Foodie, Fried Dumpling, Fried Dumplings, Fried Fat Noodle, Fried Fat Noodles, Fried Rice, Fried Rice Cake, Fried Rice Cakes, Fried Soup Dumpling, Fried Soup Dumplings, Ginger, Gluten, House Fried Fat Noodle, House Fried Fat Noodles, House Fried Fat Noodles with Beef, House Fried Rice, House Fried Rice with Chinese Sausage, Jimmy Li, Joe Muscaglione, Kao Fu, Las Vegas, Lillies, Lily Flower, LV, Michael Uzmann, Nevada, Noodle, Noodles, NV, Oil, Old Fashion Shanghai Style Sweet & Sour Pork Rib, Old Fashion Shanghai Style Sweet & Sour Pork Ribs, Onion, Onions, Pasta, Paste, Pepper, Peppers, Pig, Pork, Pork Rib, Pork Ribs, Pork Sausage, Pork Xiao Long Bao, Rib, Ribs, Rice, Rice Cake, Rice Cakes, Sauce, Sausage, Scallion, Scallions, Seed, Seeds, Sesame, Sesame Seed, Sesame Seeds, Shanghai Fried Rice Cake, Shanghai Fried Rice Cake with Shrimp, Shanghai Fried Rice Cakes, ShangHai Plaza, Shanghai Soy Sauce, Shanghai Style Sweet & Sour Pork Rib, Shanghai Style Sweet & Sour Pork Ribs, Shanghai Sweet & Sour Pork Rib, Shanghai Sweet & Sour Pork Ribs, ShangHai Taste, ShangHai Taste Catering, Shanghai Xiao Long Bao, Sheng Jian, Shrimp, Shrimps, Sin City, Soup, Soup Dumpling, Soup Dumplings, Soy, Soy Sauce, Spring Mountain, Sprout, sprouts, Steamed Gluten, Steamed Wheat Gluten, Sugar, Sweet & Sour Pork Rib, Sweet & Sour Pork Ribs, Traditional Shanghai Xiao Long Bao, Vegan, Vegas, Wheat, Wheat Gluten, Xiao Long Bao, Xiao Long Bao with Pork and Soup, XLB, XLB Dumpling, XLB Dumplings, XLB Soup Dumpling, XLB Soup Dumplings

January 9, 2021
11:45 AM
by: Uhockey

Carson Kitchen [22,] Las Vegas NV

Carson Kitchen

Kosumoporitan – Vodka, Dry Curacao, Yuzu, Cranberry Shrub, Soda

Crispy Chicken Skins – Smoked Honey

Fattoush – Burnt Orange Vinaigrette, Pepitas, Mint, Feta

Reuben Chopped – Corned Beef, Rye Crouton, Spicy Russian Dressing

Grilled Oysters – Nuoc Chom, Fried Shallot, Pickled Jalapeño

Saugatuck Neapolitan Milk Stout

Italian Sausage Flatbread – Peppers, Onions, Mozzarella, Balsamic

Butternut Squash Flatbread – Pear, Pepitas, Sage, Bleu Cheese, Pomegranate

Vegan Tacos – Jackfruit Carnitas, Cilantro Lime Cream

Beer Brat Banh Mi – Sambal Aioli, Chicken Paté, Spicy Tots, Ketchup

Hindsight 2020 – White Rum, Okinawa Black Sugar, Ginger, Carrot, Lemon, Chocolate Bitters

Chicken Thighs – Swiss Mornay, Crispy Prosciutto

Tempura Green Beans – Pepper Jelly Cream Cheese

Venison – Salisbury Steak, Brandied Mushroom Cream

Potatoes & Leeks – Bacon Lardon, Turmeric, Crispy Sage

Pacific Cod – Lemongrass Coconut Broth, Carrots, Chili Oil

Fine, You? – Rye Whiskey, Honey, Orange Blossom, Fernet, Amaro, Bitters

Bourbon Fudge Brownie – Brown Butter Bacon Ice Cream

Glazed Donut Bread Pudding – Three Rum Caramel, Vanilla Crème Anglaise

Blackberry Grunt – Negra Modelo Figs, Oatmeal Scone, Orange Zest, Whipped Cream

Not resting on its laurels, locations in Salt Lake City and outside Atlanta opened amidst a global pandemic, Carson Kitchen Las Vegas debuted their latest menu just before New Years’ Eve, and continuing a 6+ year trend Cory Harwell’s downtown-defining Restaurant continues to put on a show.

Still DTLV’s best Restaurant since its inception, a team of talented women and men currently led by Chef Scott Simon cooking for 25% capacity, it is donning masks that guests are welcomed beginning at 11:00am, the early days of Ethan Asch’s tenure as General Manager predictably featuring faultless service with the utmost attention to guest safety.

The first wholesale menu change since pre-Covid, a delectable Sunday Brunch aside, it is from the mind of Chef Harwell and team that twelve new items are offered in addition to many Carson Kitchen classics and innovative Cocktails.

Offering socially distanced seating inside and out, a six-top for four in front of the kitchen currently the Governor’s mandated max, it was alongside Iced Tea and paired Cocktails that dining began shortly after arrival, the “Kosumoporitan” sweet yet balanced in a manner well suited for crispy Chicken Skins, spicy grilled Oysters plus dueling Salads including Panzanella-riffing Fattoush and the lighter-than-expected Reuben.

Pouring Beer for round two, a Pilsner plus the surprisingly nuanced Saugatuck Neapolitan Milk Stout, fans of Sausage can take their pick between Italian or Vietnamese influence, the Pepper & Onion Flatbread more herbaceous than “hot” while the Bahn Mi exploiting a Beer Brat isn’t too far off in terms of flavor from the real thing.

Not forgetting Vegetarians with the Butternut Squash Flatbread, as delicious as it is photogenic, Vegans can instead partake in Jackfruit Carnitas on a soft Taco shell that goes particularly well with “Hindsight 2020” featuring Carrot Juice and Ginger suspending Chocolate and Rum.

Filled to current-capacity by noon, a third round of Food and Beverage arriving after share plates were refreshed, it was by request that Tempura Green Beans joined Potatoes & Leeks as sides to three Meat Entrees, the Chicken Thighs currently venturing Cordon Bleu with great success while Venison Salisbury Steak and Pacific Cod occupy opposite ends of the spectrum, the first rich and hearty while the latter is flaky and light.

Rounding out Cocktails with “Fine, You?,” a Whiskey-based sipper with digestif inklings, Dessert comprised two day-one icons and one new guy, this writer’s love of Cory’s Bourbon Fudge Brownie with Brown Butter Bacon Ice Cream no secret while the Donut Bread Pudding seems lighter than ever in comparison to the more-tasty-than-pretty Blackberry Grunt.

FIVE STARS: Innovative since opening, Carson Kitchen’s new menu sees the Restaurant having as much fun as ever, all while minding guest safety and maintaining a standard of excellence unrivaled in Downtown Las Vegas.

RECOMMENDED: Kosumoporitan, Crispy Chicken Skins, Reuben Chopped, Butternut Squash Flatbread, Beer Brat Banh Mi, Tempura Green Beans, Chicken Thighs, Venison, Bourbon Fudge Brownie.

AVOID: N/A.

TIP: Full Menu Noon to 9pm Mon-Thu and till 10pm Friday as well as Saturday. Brunch is offered 11:00am until 4:00pm on Sundays, with the whole menu also available then and up to closing.

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

www.carsonkitchen.com

Posted in Bread Pudding, Carson Kitchen, Coffee, Dessert, Food, Ice Cream, Las Vegas, Nevada, Pizza, Pork Tagged Aioli, Amaro, Amaro Montenegro, Aril, Arils, Averna, Averna Amaro, Bacon, Bacon Ice Cream, Bacon Lardon, Bacon Lardons, Baguette, balsamic, Balsamic Vinegar, Banh Mi, Banh Mi Sandwich, Bean, Beans, Beef, Beer, Beer Brat, Beer Brat Banh Mi, Bitters, Black Sugar, Blackberries, Blackberry, Blackberry Grunt, Bleu, Bleu Cheese, Blue Cheese, Bourbon, Bourbon Brownie, Bourbon Brownies, Bourbon Fudge Brownie, Bourbon Whiskey, Bourbon Whisky, Brandied Mushroom Cream, Brandy, Bread, Bread Pudding, Broth, Brown Butter, Brown Butter Bacon Ice Cream, Brown Butter Ice Cream, Brownie, Brownies, Bun, Buns, Burnt Orange Vinaigrette, Butter, Butternut Squash, Butternut Squash Flatbread, Cake, Cakes, Caramel, Caramelized Onion, Caramelized Onions, Carnitas, Carrot, Carrots, Carson Kitchen, Cheddar, Cheddar Cheese, Cheese, Chicken, Chicken Pate, Chicken Skin, Chicken Skins, Chicken Thigh, Chicken Thighs, Chickens, Chili, Chili Oil, Chili Pepper, Chili Peppers, Chilis, Chocolate, Chocolate Bitters, Chocolate Brownie, Chocolate Brownies, Chopped Salad, Cilantro, Cilantro Lime Cream, Cinnamon, Cocktail, Cocktails, Coconut, Coconuts, Cod, Cod Fish, Corned Beef, Cory Harwell, Cow, Cows, Cranberries, Cranberry, Cranberry Shrub, Cream, Cream Anglaise, Cream Cheese, Creme, Creme Anglaise, Crispy Chicken Skin, Crispy Chicken Skins, Crispy Prosciutto, Crispy Sage, Crouton, Croutons, Crumb, Crumbs, Curacao, Dark Chocolate, Deer, Dessert, Desserts, Donut, Donuts, Doughnut, Doughnuts, Dressing, Dry Curaçao, DTLV, endoedibles, Ethan Asch, Fattoush, Fattoush Salad, Felicia Taylor, Fernet, feta, Feta Cheese, Fig, Figs, Fine You?, Fish, Flatbread, Flatbreads, Flour, Flour Tortilla, Flour Tortillas, Food, Foodie, Fresh Lemon, Fresh Lemons, Fried Chicken, Fried Shallot, Fried Shallots, Fudge, Fudge Brownie, Fudge Brownies, Garlic, Ginger, Glaze, Glazed Donut, Glazed Donut Bread Pudding, Glazed Donuts, Glazed Doughnut, Glazed Doughnuts, Green Bean, Green Beans, Grilled Oyster, Grilled Oysters, Grinder, Grunt, Herb, Herbs, Hindsight 2020, Honey, Ice, Ice Cream, Iced Tea, Italian Sausage, Italian Sausage Flatbread, Jackfruit, Jackfruit Carnitas, Jalapeno, Jalapeno Pepper, Jalapeno Peppers, Jalapenos, Jam, Jelly, Juice, Ketchup, Kosumoporitan, Lardon, Lardons, Las Vegas, Leek, Leeks, Lemon, Lemongrass, Lemongrass Coconut Broth, Lettuce, Lime, Limes, Liqueur, LV, Mascarpone, Mascarpone Cheese, Michael Uzmann, Mint, Mints, Montenegro, Montenegro Amaro, Montenegro Select, Mornay, Mornay Sauce, Mozzarella, Mozzarella Cheese, Mushroom, Mushroom Cream, Mushrooms, mustard, Neapolitan Milk Stout, Negra Modelo Fig, Negra Modelo Figs, Nevada, Nuoc Chom, NV, Oat, Oatmeal, Oatmeal Scone, Oats, Oil, Okinawa Black Sugar, Onion, Onions, Orange, Orange Blossom, Orange Blossoms, Orange Vinaigrette, Orange Zest, Oranges, Oyster, Oysters, Pacific Cod, Pacific Cod Fish, Parmesan, Parmesan Cheese, Pastries, Pastry, Pate, Pear, Pears, Pepita, Pepitas, Pepper, Pepper Jelly, Pepper Jelly Cream Cheese, Peppers, Pickle, Pickled Jalapeno, Pickled Jalapeno Pepper, Pickled Jalapeno Peppers, Pickled Jalapenos, Pickled Red Onion, Pickled Red Onions, Pickles, Pig, Pizza, Poached Cranberries, Poached Cranberry, Pomegranate, Pomegranate Aril, Pomegranate Arils, Pomegranates, Pork, Pork Sausage, Potato, Potatoes, Potatoes & Leeks, Prosciutto, Prosciutto di Parma, Pudding, Pumpkin Seed, Pumpkin Seeds, Raised Donut, Raised Donuts, Raised Doughnut, Raised Doughnuts, Reuben, Reuben Chopped, Reuben Chopped Salad, Roll, Rolls, Rum, Russian Dressing, Rye, Rye Bread, Rye Crouton, Rye Whiskey, Sage, Salad, Salads, Salisbury Steak, Sambal, Sambal Aioli, Sandwich, Sandwiches, Sauce, Sauce Mornay, Saugatuck, Saugatuck Neapolitan Milk Stout, Sausage, Scone, Scones, Scotch Whiskey, Scotch Whisky, Scott Simon, Seed, Seeds, Shallot, Shallots, Shrub, Sin City, Skin, Skins, Smoked Honey, Soda, Spicy Russian Dressing, Spicy Tot, Spicy Tots, Spinach, Squash, Steak, Stout, Stout Beer, Sugar, Sweetener, Swiss Cheese, Swiss Mornay, Taco, Tacos, Tater Tot, Tater Tots, Tator Tot, Tator Tots, Tea, Tempura, Tempura Green Bean, Tempura Green Beans, Thigh, Thighs, Three Rum Caramel, Thyme, Toast, Toasted Baguette, Toasted Bread, Tomato, Tomatoes, Tortilla, Tortillas, Tot, Tots, Turmeric, Vanilla Cream, Vanilla Crème, Vanilla Crème Anglaise, Vegan, Vegan Taco, Vegan Tacos, Vegas, Venison, Vinaigrette, Vinegar, Vodka, Whip Cream, Whipped Cream, whiskey, whisky, White Rum, Yeast, Yeast Donut, Yeast Donuts, Yeast Doughnut, Yeast Doughnuts, Yuzu, Zest

January 6, 2021
11:35 AM
by: Uhockey

Meraki Greek Grill Catering [7,] Las Vegas NV

Meraki Greek Grill

Greek Salad – Romaine Lettuce, Tomato, Red Onion, Cucumber, Feta Cheese, Kalamata Olives, Pepperoncini, Greek Vinaigrette

Greek Rice

Fried Potatoes

Chicken Gyro

Falafel – Chickpea Fritters, Lemon, Herbs

Keftedakia – Greek Style Grilled Meatballs, Ouzo, Herbs

Tzatziki – Authentic Greek Yogurt, Cucumber, Garlic

Lettuce, Tomatoes, Red Onions (for Gyro Kit)

Hummus – Garbanzo Beans, Tahini, Lemon

Pita

Galaktoboureko – Phyllo Dough, Citrus Semolina Custard

Baklava – Phyllo, Walnuts, Honey

Now a regular part of the lunch rotation, former Estiatorio Milos Chef Nikos Georgousis and Girair ‘Jerry’ Goumroian of Henderson’s The Great Greek all-but rescuing the plaza on Rainbow at Tropicana in early 2017, it was amidst COVID-19 precautions that catering was ordered on Wednesday, and difficult as it may seem to believe these guys just keep getting better.

Nothing less than an Off-Strip sensation since opening its doors, and pivoting nicely to off-site dining during the pandemic, guests may now opt for dine-in or take-out, Meraki’s servings always more than generous and prices so affordable that one sometimes wonders how the Restaurant is even making a profit.

Defined as “doing something with soul, creativity and love,” a spirit embodied by courteous employees taking all necessary precautions, it was at precisely 11:30am that Jerry arrived with several easy-stacking boxes containing temperature-control trays, this simple extra step guaranteeing Food is indistinguishable from that served inside the Restaurant.

Serving a diverse crowd on this occasion, but doing so with an impressive spread of Proteins, Produce and imported Ingredients, Hummus remains a highlight in terms of taste and texture while Keftedakia, or Greek-style Meatballs, earned praise for bold flavors and a smooth grind with slight char accentuating the Herbs, Ouzo and Citrus.

Asking for Feta and Dressing on the side of Meraki’s Greek Salad, both Olives and Yellow Peppers predictably devoured fast by staff, Greek Rice also received high praise for its fluffiness and flavor while the Gyro kit allowed ample customization of marinated Chicken with Tomatoes, Lettuce, Onion and tangy Tzatziki made with “authentic” Greek Yogurt.

Happy to find no shortage of Pita, soft and warm rounds gratuitously slathered with dueling Spreads, Vegetarians were further treated to crisp and oilless Potatoes lightly perfumed by Herbs or two-bite Falafel that are light but toothsome and fragrant with Garlic as well as Cilantro.

Not forgetting Dessert, still-warm Galaktoboureko featuring Citrus Semolina Custard amidst Phyllo Dough still Las Vegas’ most splendid discovery of 2020, Honey-soaked Baklava rife with Walnuts is also highly recommended and arguably the best in Sin City.

N/A: Making it blog policy to not ‘rate’ places based on catering alone, Meraki Greek Grill offers budget-friendly, fresh and well-crafted Fare with impeccable customer service, Girair and his team’s attention to detail making Meraki Las Vegas’ premier off-Strip spot for Mediterranean cuisine for the last three years.

RECOMMENDED: Hummus, Tzatziki, Chicken Gyro, Keftedakia, Galaktoboureko, Baklava.

AVOID: N/A.

TIP: Open 11-9 Tuesday through Saturday and until 8pm on Sunday. Full menu for on-site dining, takeout and catering accurate per the website. Follow on Social Media @merakigreeklv for specials.

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

www.merakigreekgrill.com

Posted in Bread Basket, Catering, Dessert, Food, Las Vegas, Meraki, Meraki Greek, Meraki Greek Grill, Meraki Greek Grill Catering, Nevada Tagged #supportlocal, Authentic Greek Yogurt, Baked Phyllo, Baked Phyllo Dough, Baklava, Beef, Bread, Catering, Cheese, Chick Pea, Chick Peas, Chicken, Chicken Gyro, Chickens, Chickpea, Chickpea Fritter, Chickpea Fritters, Chickpeas, Cinnamon, Citrus, Citrus Custard, Citrus Semolina Custard, Citrus Zest, Cow, Cows, Cucumber, Cucumbers, Custard, Dessert, Desserts, Dill, Dough, endoedibles, Falafel, feta, Feta Cheese, Food, Foodie, Fresh Herbs, Fried Potato, Fried Potatoes, Galaktoboureko, Garbanzo Bean, Garbanzo Beans, Garlic, Girair Goumroian, Girair ‘Jerry’ Goumroian, Greek, Greek Rice, Greek Salad, Greek Spices, Greek Style Grilled Meatball, Greek Style Grilled Meatballs, Greek Style Meatball, Greek Style Meatballs, Greek Vinaigrette, Greek Yogurt, Greens, Grilled Chicken, Grilled Meatball, Grilled Meatballs, Ground Beef, gyro, Herb, Herbs, Honey, Hummus, Imported Feta Cheese, Jerry Goumroian, Kalamakia, Kalamata, Kalamata Olive, Kalamata Olives, Kalamatas, Keftedakia, Las Vegas, Lemon, Lemons, Lettuce, LV, Meat, Meatball, Meatballs, Meraki, Meraki Greek, Meraki Greek Grill, Meraki Greek Grill Catering, Michael Uzmann, Nevada, Nikos Georgousis, NV, Oil, Olive, Olive Oil, Olives, Onion, Onions, Ouzo, Parsley, Paste, Pastries, Pastry, Pepperoncini, Pepperoncinis, Phyllo, Phyllo Dough, Pita, Pita Bread, Potato, Potatoes, Red Onion, Red Onions, Rice, Romaine, Romaine Lettuce, Salad, Salads, Seed, Seeds, Semolina, Semolina Cake, Semolina Custard, Sesame, Sesame Paste, Sesame Seed, Sesame Seeds, Sin City, South Rainbow, Tahini, Tomato, Tomatoes, Tzatziki, Vanilla, Vegas, Vinaigrette, Walnut, Walnuts, Warm Pita, Yogurt, Zest

January 4, 2021
11:30 AM
by: Uhockey

Gemma Gemma’s Square Pies [5,] Las Vegas NV

Gemma Gemma’s Square Pies

Bronx Chop Salad – Spicy Copa, Pepperoncini, Roasted Peppers, Provolone, Gem Lettuce, Tomato, Red Onion, Red Wine Dressing

Garlic Parm Wings – Herbs, Lemon, Garlic, Parmesan Cheese, Gorgonzola Dip

Vodka Pep Pie – Vodka Sauce, Gemma’s Cheese Blend, Red Onion, Old School Pepperoni

The Ol’ Sausage Pie – Hand Crushed Tomato Sauce, Gemma’s Cheese Blend, Italian Sausage, Peppers, Onions, Oregano

Bianco Pie – Ricotta, Gemma’s Cheese Blend, White Sauce, Rosemary, Red Onion, Pistachio, Honey

Prosciutto Pie – Hand Crushed Tomato Sauce, Gemma’s Cheese Blend, Prosciutto di Parma

Cheese Pie – Hand Crushed Tomato Sauce, Gemma’s Cheese Blend

Mushroom Pesto Pie – Hand Crushed Tomato Sauce, Gemma’s Cheese Blend, Sauteed Mushrooms, Pesto Sauce

Roast Pork Torpedo – Broccolini, Provolone Picante, Pickled Peppers, Au Jus

Cannoli – Ricotta, Mascarpone, Confectioner’s Sugar, Oreo Cookies, Heath Bar, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Chocolate Chips

Arguably Las Vegas’ hardest working Chef, particularly since the onset of COVID-19, it was to kick-off 2021’s #supportlocal lunch program that Marc Marrone’s Gemma Gemma’s Square Pies were ordered, and once again a combination of passion, precision and Ingredient quality was on display from beginning to end.

Officially launched August 6th, online ordering now offered Monday through Sunday for pick-up or delivery from 7355 South Buffalo Drive, Gemma Gemma’s is a tribute to Marrone’s late-grandmother Anita Gemma Marrone while the cartoon Pizzaiolo on each box pays homage to Marc’s father, with whom he grew up making Pizzas as a child.

Citing Gemma Gemma as the person who inspired his culinary career, it is at a price-point similar to that of Graffiti Bao that Marrone has built a menu of Pies, Sandwiches, Salads and Appetizers, everything including Bread made in-house just as it is at Graffiti Bao.

Kicking things off with 6” “Signature Pies,” each built atop 72-hour fermented Dough that eats light with a crispy edge not unlike Detroit-style, Gemma Gemma’s current menu features four varieties customizable to guest preferences, the Vodka Sauce beneath crisp Pepperoni while The Ol’ Sausage and Bianco each balance a hefty allotment of Toppings such that every bite is different while diverse flavors work in harmony.

Also catering a great Chop Salad, spicy Pork and cubes of Cheese dotting fresh Veggies, Garlic Parm Wings come large and meaty like those from Graffiti Bao while $8 Italian “Torpedos” topped with Roast Pork are succulent and well-seasoned amidst their accoutrements on fluffy Hoagie Rolls amicable to soaking up all the Juices.

Adding a special Pesto Pie to this order, its mélange of Mushrooms offering earthy aromatics to vibrant Herbs, Prosciutto also came draped across two slices of Cheese Pizza which offered competition for stomach space sorely needed to enjoy Sin City’s best Cannoli.

N/A: Making it blog policy to not ‘rate’ places based on catering alone, Gemma Gemma’s Square Pies sees Chef Marc Marrone add yet another concept to his cadre, and alongside Graffiti Bao’s unparalleled customer service it will be difficult to order one without the order (at least monthly) from now on.

RECOMMENDED: Bronx Chop Salad, Vodka Pep Pie, Bianco Pie, Mushroom Pesto Pie, Roast Pork Torpedo, Cannoli.

AVOID: N/A.

TIP: See the website for current offerings and follow @gemmagemmapizza + @chefmarcmarrone on social for specials.

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

www.gemmagemmapizza.com

Posted in Catering, Dessert, Food, Gemma Gemma Pizza, Gemma Gemma’s Square Pies, Italian, Las Vegas, Nevada, Pizza, Pork Tagged #supportlocal, A la Vodka, ala Vodka Pie, ala Vodka Pizza, Au Jus, balsamic, Balsamic Vinegar, Basil, Beef, Bell Pepper, Bell Peppers, Bianco Pie, Bianco Pizza, Bleu, Bleu Cheese, Blue Cheese, Bread, Broccoli, Broccolini, Bronx Chop Salad, Bun, Buns, Butter, Calabrian Mayo, Candy, Cannoli, Cannolis, Catering, Cheese, Cheese Blend, Cheese Pizza, Chicken, Chicken Wing, Chicken Wings, Chickens, Chili, Chip, Chips, Chocolate, Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Chips, Chop Salad, Confectioner's Sugar, Cookie, Cookies, Copa, Cow, Cows, Cream, Cup n Char, Cup n’ Char Pepperoni, Dark Chocolate, Dessert, Desserts, Dip, Dough, Dressing, endoedibles, Food, Foodie, Garlic, Garlic Parm Wing, Garlic Parm Wings, Gem Lettuce, Gemma Gemma Pizza, Gemma Gemma’s Square Pies, Gemma’s Cheese Blend, Gorgonzola, Gorgonzola Cheese, Gorgonzola Dip, Graffiti Bao, Graffiti Bao Catering, Graffiti Bao Southwest, Ham, Hand Crushed Tomato Sauce, Heath, Heath Bar, Herb, Herbs, Honey, Italian Pepper, Italian Peppers, Italian Sausage, Jus, Las Vegas, Lemon, LV, Marc Marrone, Mascarpone, Mascarpone Cheese, Michael Uzmann, Mozzarella, Mozzarella Cheese, Mushroom, Mushroom Pesto Pie – Hand Crushed Tomato Sauce, Mushroom Pesto Pizza – Hand Crushed Tomato Sauce, Mushrooms, Nevada, NV, Oil, Old School Pepperoni, Onion, Onions, Oregano, Oreo, Oreo Cookie, Oreo Cookies, Oreos, Parmesan, Parmesan Cheese, Pastries, Pastry, Peanut, Peanut Butter, Peanut Butter Cup, Peanut Butter Cups, Peanuts, Pecorino, Pecorino Cheese, Pepper, Pepperoncini, Pepperoni, Pepperoni Pizza, Peppers, Pesto, Pesto Sauce, Pickle, Pickled Onion, pickled onions, Pickled Pepper, Pickled Peppers, Pickled Red Onion, Pickled Red Onions, Pickles, Pie, Pig, Pistachio, Pistachios, Pizza, Pork, Pork Sausage, Powdered Sugar, Prosciutto di Parma, Prosciutto di Parma DOP, Prosciutto Pie, Prosciutto Pizza, Provolone, Provolone Cheese, Provolone Picante, Provolone Picante Cheese, Red Onion, Red Onions, Red Pepper, Red Peppers, Red Wine, Red Wine Dressing, Reese's, Reese's Peanut Butter Cup, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, Ricotta, Ricotta Cheese, Roast Pork Sandwich, Roast Pork Torpedo, Roast Pork Torpedo Sandwich, Roasted Pepper, Roasted Peppers, Rosemary, Salad, Salads, Salami, Salumi, Sandwich, Sandwich Cookie, Sandwich Cookies, Sandwiches, Sauce, Sausage, Sauteed Mushroom, Sauteed Mushrooms, Sin City, Spicy Copa, Sugar, The Ol' Sausage, The Ol' Sausage Pie, The Ol' Sausage Pizza, Todd Lunger, Toffee, Tomato, Tomato Sauce, Tomatoes, Torpedo, Torpedo Sandwich, Vanilla, Vegas, Vegetable, Vinegar, Vodka, Vodka Pep, Vodka Pep Pie, Vodka Pep Pizza, Vodka Sauce, White Sauce, Wine

January 1, 2021
10:30 AM
by: Uhockey

Donut King, Winter Park FL

Donut King

Cream filled Donut with Nutella and Walnuts

Sour Cream Old Fashioned Donut

Chocolate Old Fashioned Donut with Chocolate Frosting, Oreo Cookies, Oreo Fluff

Pinwheel Donut with Cream Cheese Frosting and Cherry Compote

With three locations in greater Orlando, the 24/7 original in Minneola opened late 2007, Donut King has earned a reputation as one of Central Florida’s very best, the bare-bones storefront in no way indicative of products handmade on-site daily.

Now part of Winter Park since 2017, a small shop inside the stripmall at 3716 Howell Branch Road open 5am-9pm Monday through Sunday, it was on the way out of town that shelves were found fully-stacked, a friendly employee donning mask and gloves offering assistance with varieties tallying at least 40.

Family owned from the start, with a menu of Burgers and New Orleans specialties also available, it was into a Cream-filled glazed Longjohn that teeth plunged initially, Nutella and ground Walnuts adding texture to areas lacking filling while a pinwheel-shaped specimen was heavily topped in dueling Cream Cheese Frosting and Cherry Compote.

Ranging from yeasted to Cake, though no Fritters remained at 10:30am on Saturday, a simple Old Fashioned attests to fresh Oil and practiced frying time, though the Cocoa infused version topped in Frosting, Fluff and crumbled Cookies was also delicious and well-crafted.

www.thedonutking.com

Posted in Breakfast, Dessert, Donut King, Florida, Food, Orlando, The Donut King, Vacation Tagged Bread, Butter, Cake, Cake Donut, Cake Donuts, Cake Doughnut, Cake Doughnuts, Cakes, Cheese, Cherries, Cherry, Cherry Compote, Chocolate, Chocolate Frosting, Chocolate Hazelnut Spread, Chocolate Icing, Chocolate Old Fashioned Donut, Chocolate Old Fashioned Donuts, Chocolate Old Fashioned Doughnut, Chocolate-Hazelnut, Cocoa, Compote, Cookie, Cookies, Cream, Cream Cheese, Cream Cheese Frosting, Cream filled Donut, Cream filled Donut with Nutella and Walnuts, Cream filled Doughnut, Dark Chocolate, Dessert, Desserts, Donut, Donut King, Donuts, Doughnut, Doughnuts, endoedibles, Filled Donut, Filled Donuts, Fillled Doughnut, Fillled Doughnuts, FL, Florida, Fluff, Food, Foodie, Frosting, Glaze, Hazelnut, Hazelnuts, Icing, Longjohn, Longjohn Donut, Longjohn Donuts, Michael Uzmann, Nutella, Old Fashion Donut, Old Fashion Donuts, Old Fashion Doughnut, Old Fashion Doughnuts, Old Fashioned Donut, Old Fashioned Donuts, Old Fashioned Doughnut, Old Fashioned Doughnuts, Oreo, Oreo Cookie, Oreo Cookies, Oreo Fluff, Oreos, Orlando, Pastries, Pastry, Pinwheel Donut, Pinwheel Doughnut, Raised Donut, Raised Donuts, Raised Doughnut, Raised Doughnuts, Sour Cream, Sour Cream Old Fashioned Donut, Sour Cream Old Fashioned Donuts, Sour Cream Old Fashioned Doughnut, Sour Cream Old Fashioned Doughnuts, Sugar, The Donut King, Travel, Vacation, Vanilla, Walnut, Walnuts, Whip Cream, Whipped Cream, Winter Park, Yeast Donut, Yeast Donuts, Yeast Doughnut, Yeast Doughnuts

January 1, 2021
7:30 AM
by: Uhockey

Rosallie, Winter Garden FL

Rosallie Le French Café

Double Espresso with Ice

Walnut Tart

Oreo Tart

Strawberry Cake

Peach Melba

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake

Custard Pastry with Kiwi, Raspberries, Strawberries and Blueberries

Bacon Egg & Cheese Croissant, Berry Parfait

Almond Croissant

French Breakfast Board – French Toast, Paris Ham. Mozzarella Cheese, Maple Syrup, Smoked Honey Cured Bacon, Berry Parfait, Poached Eggs

Galette des Rois

Lemon Meringue

Chocolate Mousse

Red Velvet Cake

Le Croquant Trois Chocolates

Fruit Tart

Key Lime Cookie

Oatmeal Raisin Cookie

Peanut Butter Cookie

Now part of Winter Garden since Summer 2017, Rosallie ‘Le French Café’ finds owner Jonathan Pluvinet even more successful than at the Las Vegas original, a location on West Plant Street somehow even *more” cozy and still decorated for the holidays at the onset of 2021.

A genre-defining Restaurant in Sin City, no small feat but nonetheless fact as no one has better mastered French Pastry prior or since, it is by friendly staff and golden Viennoiseries that guests are welcomed, the French owner often present and overseeing everything from baking to sweeping the patio.

Similar but different to Rosallie in Nevada, a store visited over three-dozen times, it is from familiar and novel items that Breakfast was constructed, Jon’s blend of Coffee dark and bold to start alongside the bittersweet Walnut Tart, plus a similar Crust filled with Cookies and Cream.

Focusing most of the morning on Winter Park signatures, but unable to resist Rosallie’s world-class Almond Croissant, suffice it to say there remains no better version on this side of the Atlantic while both the loaded Breakfast Croissant and “French Breakfast Board” offer tremendous bang for the buck.

Equally successful with Cakes to suit the American palate, the people of Orlando lucky to have a choice of Red Velvet, Chocolate-Peanut Butter, Strawberry or luxurious Peach Melba, it was in advance of Epiphany that Galette des Rois made a grand entrance with bountiful Almond Filling, though that certainly did not prevent a to-go order of some Fruit Pastries or bagged Cookies including a Florida-exclusive Key Lime version.

www.rosallie.com

Posted in Bread Basket, Breakfast, Coffee, Croissant, Croissants, Dessert, Florida, Food, Orlando, Pork, Rosallie, Rosallie 'Le French Cafe', Vacation, Winter Garden Tagged 100% Maple Syrup, 100% Pure Maple Syrup, Almond, Almond Croissant, Almond Croissants, Almonds, Bacon, Bacon Egg & Cheese Croissant, Berries, Berry, Berry Parfait, Blueberries, Blueberry, Bread, Breakfast, Breakfast Board, Brioche, Brioche Bread, Brioche French Toast, Brioche Toast, Butter, Butter Croissant, Butter Croissants, Cake, Cakes, Cheddar, Cheddar Cheese, Cheese, Chocolate, Chocolate Mousse, Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake, Cinnamon, Cocoa, Coffee, Confectioner's Sugar, Cookie, Cookies, Cream, Cream Cheese, Cream Cheese Frosting, Cream Cheese Icing, Croissant, Croissants, Croquant, Croquant Trois Chocolates, Crust, Custard, Custard Danish, Custard Danishes, Custard Pastry, Danish, Danishes, Dark Chocolate, Dessert, Desserts, Double Espresso, Double Espresso with Ice, Egg, Egg Yolk, Egg Yolks, Eggs, endoedibles, Espresso, FL, Florida, Foodie, French Bread, French Breakfast Board, French Toast, Fromage, Frosting, Fruit, Fruit Tart, Fruit Tarts, Galette, Galette des Rois, Granola, Ground Almond, Ground Almonds, Ham, Honey, Honey Cured Bacon, Housemade Brioche, Housemade Brioche Bread, Ice, Icing, Jam, Jelly, Jonathan Pluvinet, Key Lime, Key Lime Cookie, Key Lime Cookies, Key Limes, King Cake, Kiwi, Kiwi Fruit, Kiwi Fruits, Kiwis, Le Croquant Trois Chocolates, Lemon, Lemon Meringue, Lemon Meringue Tart, Lemon Meringue Tarte, Lemons, Lime, Limes, Maple, Maple Syrup, Meringue, Michael Uzmann, Milk Chocolate, Mousse, Oat, Oatmeal, Oatmeal Raisin, Oatmeal Raisin Cookie, Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, Oats, Oreo, Oreo Cookie, Oreo Cookies, Oreo Tart, Oreo Tarte, Oreos, Orlando, Pain, Parfait, Paris Ham, Paris Ham. Mozzarella, Paris Ham. Mozzarella Cheese, Pastries, Pastry, Pastry Cream, Peach, Peach Melba, Peach Melba Cake, Peaches, Peanut, Peanut Butter, Peanut Butter Chip, Peanut Butter Chips, Peanut Butter Cookie, Peanut Butter Cookies, Peanuts, Pecan, Pecans, Pig, Pistachio, Pistachios, Poached Egg, Poached Eggs, Pork, Preserves, Puff Pastry, Pure Maple Syrup, Puree, Raisin, Raisins, Raspberries, Raspberry, Red Velvet, Red Velvet Cake, Roll, Rosallie, Rosallie Le French Cafe, Smoked Honey Cured Bacon, Strawberries, Strawberry, Strawberry Cake, Sugar, Summer Fruit, Summer Fruit Croustade, Summer Fruit Croustade with Pastry Cream, Summer Fruit Danish, Summer Fruit Danish with Pastry Cream, Syrup, Tart, Tarts, Toast, Travel, Vacation, Vanilla, Viennesoire, Viennesoires, Viennoiserie, Viennoiseries, Walnut, Walnut Tart, Walnut Tarte, Walnut Tartes, Walnut Tarts, Walnuts, Whip Cream, Whipped Cream, White Chocolate, Winter Garden, Yogurt, Yolk, Yolks

December 31, 2020
11:59 PM
by: Uhockey

“Best of” 2020 – Meals, Savories, Sweets

Best of 2020 – Meals, Savories, Sweets

To suggest that 2020 was “unprecedented” seems pointless, especially after every newscast, commercial or meme has already done so. What started with a stunning trip to Rome and Naples almost immediately saw trips to Madrid, Lisbon, Santiago and Bangkok cancelled in favor of working more hours than I have since fellowship and seeing nearly 350 more patients than in 2019. It was and is an honor to do what I do, but taking off only one non-holiday or weekend day from March 14 until December 28 definitely weighed heavy.

This certainly isn’t to say that this year was uneventful. Short trips to Chicago, Providence, Los Angeles and Florida were done smart and safe with a focus on family or friends over Food. On the homefront #supportlocal found itself paying attention on individuals with passion and perseverance, rather than petty tantrums or social media full of questionable antics. This, combined with Saturdays safe at home with friends and family made the lack of travel not only bearable but enjoyable. As always, I feel blessed.

What follows is a list of the most memorable meals and bites over the last 365-days, many of them literally “the best” while others may have shined brighter than they normally would have due to the circumstances. Thanks to all the Chefs, GMs and Servers involved and equally as much to those who I was fortunate enough to break Bread with. As with last year, only one item per Restaurant in each category.

Worldwide Most Memorable Meals

1 ) Pepe in Grani
2 ) SantoPalato
3 ) Marzapane Roma
4 ) Smyth
5 ) Seu Pizza Illuminati
6 ) auburn
7 ) S.K.Y.
8 ) Retrobottega
9 ) Ever
10 ) Jame Enoteca

Las Vegas Most Memorable Meals

1 ) Bardot Brasserie
2 ) Michael Mina Restaurant
3 ) Jean Georges Steakhouse
4 ) Top of the World
5 ) Carson Kitchen
6 ) Majordōmo Meat & Fish
7 ) Costa di Mare
8 ) Johnny C’s Diner
9 ) Robata En Asian Kitchen And Bar
10 ) ShangHai Taste

Worldwide Savory Dishes

1 ) Marzapane – Capellino with Caul Fat, Licorice

2 ) Pepe in Grani – Pizza Ragu di Carne with San Marzano DOP Tomato Sauce stewed with Meatballs, Pine Nuts, Fior di Latte, Toasted Bread

3 ) SantoPalato – Tonnarello Cacio e Pepe

4 ) Roscioli Salumeria con Cucina – Raviolo di Coda e Pecorino with Roman Oxtail, Pecorino Cheese, Foie Gras Sauce, Spicy Slow Cooked Figs

5 ) I Masanielli Pizzeria da Francesco Martucci – Pizza PINK with Artisan Gorganzola Fondue, Fior di Latte, Salame Rosa, Zucchini Chips, Extra Virgin Olive Oil

6 ) Sepia – Mushroom Chawanmushi, Warm Lobster Salad, Aerated Sauce Nantua

7 ) Pizzeria Vincenzo Capuano – Montanara with Ragu Napoletano, Pecorino Romano Cheese, Basil

8 ) Ghee – Yellowfin Tuna Bhel with Puffed Rice, Avocado Cilantro Dressing, Charred Vegetables, Sev, Fresh Tuna Marinated with Kashmiri Chili

9 ) Pasjoli – Quenelle et Caviar with Scallop, Caviar, Beurre Blanc

10 ) Armando al Pantheon – Fettuccine alla “Regaje” di Pollo with Chicken Liver, Cock’s Comb, Wattle, Tomato, Parmesan Cheese

Las Vegas Savory Dishes

1) Bardot Brasserie – Beef Wellington for Two

2 ) Jean Georges Steakhouse – Tempura Squash with Honey Caramel, Perigord Black Truffles

3 ) Metro Pizza – 86th Street Square Pie

4 ) Majordōmo Meat & Fish – Bing with Cave-Aged Butter & Kaluga Caviar

5 ) Johnny C’s Diner – Chicken Fried Steak, Eggs, Biscuits, Country Gravy

6 ) Locale Italian Kitchen – Sunday Sauce Gnocchi with Herbs, Olive Oil, Nana’s Slow Cooked Pork Ragu, Pecorino, Parmesan Cheese

7 ) Delmonico – Pan Seared Foie Gras, Kabocha Squash Baklava, Toasted Pumpkin Seeds

8 ) Costa di Mare – Capesante with Sea Scallops, Fig Compote, Walnuts

9 ) Osteria Fiorella – Corn Agnolotti with Pickled Blueberries, Basil

10 ) Top of the World – Pork Belly with Butternut Squash, Cheddar Grits, Spiced Pomegranate Glaze

Worldwide Sweet Dishes

1 ) Antico Forno Delle Sfogliatelle Calde Fratelli Attanasio – Sfogliatella Riccia

2 ) Forno Boccione – Ricotta and Wild Cherry Cake

3 ) Pepe in Grani – La Crisommola Dal Vesuvio with Lemon-flavored Ricotta di Bufala, Vesuvius Apricot Jam, Toasted Hazelnuts, Black Olive Crumble, Fresh Mint

4 ) auburn – Pan-Roasted Brioche, Honey Caramel

5 ) S.K.Y. – S.K.Y. Mille-Feuille with Caramel, Almond, Mascarpone

6 ) PVDonuts – Pumpkin Cannoli Old Fashioned Donut

7 ) Ravenous Pig – Bread Pudding with White Chocolate, Cranberry Compote, Eggnog Ice Cream

8 ) Lost Larson – Carrot Cake

9 ) Bachour – Strawberry Mascarpone Croissant

10 ) Sift Bake Shop – Sticky Bun

Las Vegas Sweet Dishes

1 ) Rosallie – Almond Croissant

2 ) Meraki Greek Grill – Galaktoboureko

3 ) Johnny C’s Diner – Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

4 ) Michael Mina – Coconut Soufflé with Milk Ice Cream, Black Sesame Anglaise

5 ) Majordōmo Meat & Fish – Valrhona White Chocolate Rice Pudding

6 ) Hexx – Blueberry Corn Cobbler

7 ) Carson Kitchen – Bourbon Fudge Brownie with Brown Butter Bacon Ice Cream

8 ) Wicked Donuts – Sticky Sinn-a-Bun Cake Donut

9 ) Purple Potato – Oatmeal Mango Cranberry Monster Cookie

10 ) PopNPies – Salt & Maple Pie

Posted in auburn, Bachour, Bardot, Bardot Brasserie, Best Of, Bread Basket, Breakfast, Caiazzo, California, Carson Kitchen, Caserta, Coffee, Connecticut, Dessert, Ever Restaurant, Florida, Food, I Masanielli, I Masanielli da Francesco Martucci, I Masanielli Pizzeria da Francesco Martucci, Ice Cream, Italy, Jame, Jame Enoteca, Jean Georges, Jean Georges Steakhouse, Johnny C’s, Johnny C’s Diner, Johnny C’s Diner Catering, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Majordōmo, Majordōmo Las Vegas, Majordōmo Meat & Fish, Majordōmo Meat & Fish Grand Opening, Marzapane, Marzapane Roma, Marzapane Rome, Miami, Michael Mina, Michael Mina Restaurant, Mystic, Nevada, Pepe in Grani, Pork, Providence, Purple Potato, Purple Potato by Chef Ramir, Purple Potato by Yonaka, Purple Potato Sweets, PV Donuts, PVDonuts, Ravenous Pig, Retrobottega, Rhode Island, Robata En, Robata En Asian Kitchen And Bar, Roma, Rome, S.K.Y., S.K.Y. Restaurant, Santa Monica, Santo Palato, SantoPalato, Seu Pizza Illuminati, ShangHai Taste, Sift, Sift Bake Shop, Smyth, Tasting Menu, Top of The World, Top of The World at The Stratosphere, Top of The World Restaurant, Top of The World Restaurant at The Stratosphere, Vacation, Winter Park Tagged Alessandro Miocchi, auburn, Bachour, Bardot, Bardot Baguette, Beef, Best Of, Best of 2020, Brad Manchester, Bradley Manchester, Bread, Butter, CA, Caiazzo, Cake, Cakes, California, Caramel, Carson Kitchen, Caserta, Chad Castanino, Cheese, Chef Ramir, Chicago, Chocolate, Cinnamon, Connecticut, Cookie, Cory Harwell, Costa di Mare, Cow, Cows, Cream, CT, Curtis Duffy, Dark Chocolate, Dessert, Desserts, endoedibles, Eric Bost, Ever, FL, Florida, Food, Foodie, Francesco Capuzzo Dolcetta, Franco Pepe, Giuseppe Lo Iudice, Ice Cream, Italy, Ivo Angelov, Jackson Kalb, Jame, Jame Enoteca, Jean Georges, Jean Georges Steakhouse, Jimmy Li, Joe Muscaglione, John Shields, Johnny C’s, Johnny C’s Diner, Johnny C’s Diner Catering, Josh Smith, Karen Shields, Las Vegas, Lemon, Lemons, Los Angeles, LV, Majordōmo, Majordōmo Las Vegas, Majordōmo Meat & Fish, Mark LoRusso, Marzapane, Marzapane Roma, Marzapane Rome, Matt Harwell, Matthew Harwell, Miami, Michael Muser, Michael Uzmann, Mystic, Naples, Napoli, Nevada, Nick Dugan, NV, Onion, Onions, Pastries, Pastry, Pepe in Grani, Pepper, Peppers, Pier Daniele Seu, Pig, Pork, Potato, Potatoes, Providence, Purple Potato by Chef Ramir, PV Donuts, PVDonuts, Ramir Bolanos DeCastro, Ramir DeCastro, Ravenous Pig, Retrobottega, Rhode Island, RI, Robata En, Robata En Asian Kitchen And Bar, Rome, S.K.Y., S.K.Y. Restaurant, Santa Monica, Santa Palato, Sarah Cicolini, Scott Carson, Sean Griffin, ShangHai Taste, Sift, Sift Bake Shop, Sin City, Smyth, Stephen Gillanders, Sugar, Tasting Menu, Tomato, Tomatoes, Top of The World, Top of The World at The Stratosphere, Top of The World Restaurant, Top of The World Restaurant at The Stratosphere, Travel, Vacation, Vanilla, Vegas, Vivian Chang, Winter Park

December 31, 2020
6:05 PM
by: Uhockey

The Ravenous Pig, Winter Park FL

The Ravenous Pig

Pimento Drop Biscuits, Red Pepper, Cheddar Cheese, Chive Butter

Dry Rubbed & Grilled Wings, Stilton Blue Cheese Dressing

Mushroom & Gruyere Beignets, Tarragon Aioli, Romesco

Chilled Foie Gras, Vanilla Crème, Apple Jam, Brioche Toast

Tapas Board – Charred Octopus with Red Quinoa Salad, Chickpea Hummus with Lamb Ragu, House Pita, Red Wine Marinated Olives

Rock Shrimp & Grits, Trumpet Mushrooms, Pancetta, Tomato-Shrimp Broth

Barbecued Cauliflower, Capers, Preserved Lemon Yogurt, Pine Nuts

Brown Butter Tagliatelle, Venison Sausage, Butternut Squash, Chestnut, Sage

Street Corn, Alabama White BBQ Sauce, Bacon Bread Crumb, Lime, Cilantro

Double Espresso, Ice

Bread Pudding, White Chocolate, Cranberry Compote, Eggnog Ice Cream

Chocolate Tart, Hazelnut, Red Wine Poached Pears, Crème Fraiche

Pig Tails – Cinnamon-Sugar Fritters, Chocolate Espresso Sauce

Recurrently recognized as semi-finalists by the James Beard Foundation for “Best Chef-South,” husband-and-wife duo James and Julie Petrakis debuted The Ravenous Pig in 2007, and since that time the couple plus their growing cadre of concepts have been synonymous with Orlando’s evolving culinary scene.

Both raised in Winter Park, but serendipitously meeting in culinary school at CIA before deciding to return home, it is inside 565 West Fairbanks Avenue that guests are greeted by gracious hosts and educated servers, the kitchen on full display from the dining area while an on-site brewery quietly works in the bar area.

Self-described as a Gastropub, the cookbook subtitled “Seasons of Florida” apt for a menu prone to frequent change, it was once settled at a window-side table that beverages were poured, Beers and Cocktails each pairing nicely with vibrant Cheddar Biscuits and umami-bomb Beignets plus tender, juicy Wings topped in pungent Blue Cheese.

Indulging next in the Petrakis’ Tapas Board, Hummus with stewed Lamb far more memorable than either Octopus or Olives, fans of Shrimp and Grits will discover this version to be a game changer thanks to its depth and complexity while Foie Gras Terrine served with Cream, Apples and Toast could just as easily be part of the Dessert menu.

Intrigued by seasonal Vegetables, a clever riff on Mexican Street Corn seeing Alabama White Sauce stand-in for Mayo, Vegetarians and omnivores alike are prone to be thrilled by BBQ Cauliflower with cooling Yogurt while handmade Pasta was seasonally special thanks to Venison, Chestnuts and Squash.

Ordering another round with Dessert, Beer for some and Coffee for others, Pigtails take a clever twist on Churros with remarkable lightness, but dollar-for-dollar the better bet is either The Ravenous Pig’s decadent Chocolate Tart or nearly-molten Bread Pudding that ended 2020 balancing Eggnog Ice Cream with Cranberry Compote.

www.theravenouspig.com

Posted in Bread Basket, Bread Pudding, Coffee, Dessert, Florida, Foie, Foie Gras, Food, Ice Cream, Octopus, Orlando, Pork, The Ravenous Pig, Vacation, Winter Park Tagged Aioli, Alabama White BBQ Sauce, Alabama White Sauce, Apple, Apple Jam, Apples, Bacon, Bacon Bread Crumb, Barbecue, Barbecue Cauliflower, Barbecue Sauce, Barbecued Cauliflower, Barbeque, Barbeque Sauce, BBQ, BBQ Sauce, Beignet, Beignets, Biscuit, Biscuits, Blue Cheese, Blue Cheese Dressing, Bread, Bread Crumb, Bread Crumbs, Bread Pudding, Breadcrumb, Breadcrumbs, Brioche, Brioche Bread, Brioche Toast, Broth, Brown Butter, Brown Butter Tagliatelle, Butter, Butternut Squash, Cake, Cakes, Caper, Capers, Cauliflower, Charred Octopus with Red Quinoa Salad, Cheddar, Cheddar Cheese, Cheese, Chestnut, Chestnuts, Chicken, Chicken Wing, Chicken Wings, Chickens, Chickpea, Chickpea Hummus, Chickpea Hummus with Lamb Ragu, Chickpeas, Chilled Foie Gras, Chive, Chive Butter, Chives, Chocolate, Chocolate Espresso Sauce, Chocolate Sauce, Chocolate Tart, Cilantro, Cinnamon, Cinnamon Sugar, Cinnamon-Sugar Fritter, Cinnamon-Sugar Fritters, Coffee, Compote, Corn, Corn Meal, Cornmeal, Cranberries, Cranberry, Cranberry Compote, Cream, Creme, Crème Fraiche, Crust, Dark Chocolate, Deer, Dessert, Desserts, Donut, Donuts, Double Espresso, Doughnut, Doughnuts, Dressing, Drop Biscuit, Drop Biscuits, Dry Rub, Dry Rubbed & Grilled Wings, Duck, Duck Liver, Eggnog, Eggnog Ice Cream, endoedibles, Espresso, FL, Florida, Foie, Foie Gras, Foie Gras Terrine, Food, Foodie, Fritter, Fritters, Garbanzo Bean, Garbanzo Beans, Grilled Wing, Grilled Wings, Grit, Grits, Gruyere, Gruyere Cheese, Hazelnut, Hazelnuts, House Pita, Hummus, Ice, Ice Cream, Jam, James Petrakis, Julie Petrakis, Lamb, Lamb Ragu, Lemon, Lemons, Lime, Limes, Liver, Marinated Olive, Marinated Olives, Michael Uzmann, Mushroom, Mushroom & Gruyere Beignet, Mushroom & Gruyere Beignets, Mushrooms, Octopus, Olive, Olives, Onion, Onions, Orlando, Pancetta, Pasta, Pastries, Pastry, Pear, Pears, Pepper, Peppers, Pig, Pig Tail, Pig Tails, Pimento, Pimento Cheese, Pimento Drop Biscuit, Pimento Drop Biscuits, Pimento Pepper, Pimento Peppers, Pine Nut, Pine Nuts, Pita, Pita Bread, Pork, Preserved Lemon, Preserved Lemon Yogurt, Preserved Lemons, Pudding, Quinoa, Ragu, Red Pepper, Red Peppers, Red Quinoa, Red Quinoa Salad, Red Wine, Red Wine Marinated Olive, Red Wine Marinated Olives, Red Wine Poached Pear, Red Wine Poached Pears, Rock Shrimp, Rock Shrimp & Grits, Rock Shrimps, Romesco, Sage, Salad, Salads, Sauce, Sausage, Shrimp, Shrimps, Squash, Stilton, Stilton Blue Cheese, Stilton Blue Cheese Dressing, Street Corn, Sugar, Tagliatelle, Tagliatelle Pasta, Tapas, Tapas Board, Tarragon, Tarragon Aioli, Tart, Tarts, Terrine, The Ravenous Pig, Toast, Tomato, Tomato-Shrimp Broth, Tomatoes, Travel, Trumpet Mushroom, Trumpet Mushrooms, Vacation, Vanilla, Vanilla Cream, Vanilla Crème, Venison, Venison Sausage, White Chocolate, White Sauce, Wine, Wing, Wings, Winter Park, Yogurt

December 31, 2020
12:15 PM
by: Uhockey

Prato, Winter Park FL

Prato

Prato Meatballs – Roasted Tomato, Cipollini Agrodolce, Mascarpone Polenta

Pretzel-crusted Calamari – Salsa Rossa, Grain Mustard Aioli

Diavolo Pizza – Pepperoni, Pancetta, Italian Long Peppers, Provolone Piccante

Short Rib Tortellini – Carrot, Cauliflower, Date, Mustard Seed

Potato Gnocchi – Truffle Butter, Parmesan, Pangrattato

Mustard Spaghettini “Cacio e Pepe” – Radicchio, Speck, Balsamico

Butternut Squash Ravioli – Brown Butter, Swiss Chard, Candied Pecan

Farm Egg Rigatoni – “Fatta Su” Bolognese, Basil, Barolo

Considered by many to be greater-Orlando’s best contemporary Italian eatery, Prato has occupied 124 North Park Avenue in Winter Park since 2011, the COVID-19 pandemic doing little to slow Chef Brandon McGlamery’s crowds or creativity.

Open for both lunch and dinner, menus similar but centered around an open kitchen featuring wood-fired Acunto ovens imported from Naples, it is amidst spacious confines that plates are created from local Produce and sustainably-sourced Protein, a starter of Meatballs tender and unctuous but brightened by Onions and Sauce over creamy Cornmeal.

Ordering Calamari at the request of a youngster, its texture bolstered by crumbled Pretzels alongside dueling Dips, it was straight from the aforementioned oven that Pizza arrived blistered but under-leavened and thus lacking a developed cornicione despite otherwise good flavor.

Skipping over Sandwiches and Entrees, and investing instead in five half-portions of Pasta that are easily sharable, little about McGlamery’s approach will satisfy purists, while those instead seeking complexity will most certainly find it in Short Rib Tortellini that pairs the flavors of Pot Roast with Dates and Mustard or “Cacio e Pepe” seeing bitter Radicchio foiled by aged Balsamic.

Not forgetting Gnocchi, tender Dumplings slicked by Truffle Butter with Breadcrumbs, Butternut Squash Ravioli struck a seasonal chord before wrapping with house-extruded Rigatoni topped in Bolognese fortified by Barolo.

www.prato-wp.com

Posted in Florida, Food, Italian, Orlando, Pizza, Pork, Prato, Truffle, Truffles, Vacation, Winter Park Tagged Agrodolce, Aioli, balsamic, Balsamic Vinegar, Balsamico, Barolo, Barolo Wine, Basil, Beef, Beef Meatball, Beef Meatballs, Beef Rib, Beef Ribs, Beef Short Rib, Beef Short Ribs, Bolognese, Bolognese Sauce, Brandon McGlamery, Bread, Bread Crumb, Bread Crumbs, Breadcrumb, Breadcrumbs, Brown Butter, Butter, Butternut Squash, Butternut Squash Ravioli, Cacio e Pepe, Calamari, Candied Pecan, Candied Pecans, Carrot, Carrots, Cauliflower, Chard, Cheese, Cipollini, Cipollini Agrodolce, Cipollini Onion, Cipollini Onions, Cipollinis, Corn Meal, Cornmeal, Cow, Cows, Date, Dates, Diavolo, Diavolo Pizza, Dumpling, Dumplings, endoedibles, Farm Egg Rigatoni, FL, Florida, Food, Foodie, Gnocchi, Gnocchi Pasta, Grain Mustard, Grain Mustard Aioli, Italian Long Pepper, Italian Long Peppers, Mascarpone, Mascarpone Cheese, Mascarpone Polenta, Meatball, Michael Uzmann, mustard, Mustard Seed, Mustard Seeds, Mustard Spaghettini, Mustard Spaghettini “Cacio e Pepe”, Noodle, Noodles, Onion, Onions, Orlando, Pancetta, Pangrattato, Parmesan, Parmesan Cheese, Pasta, Pecan, Pecans, Pepper, Pepperoni, Peppers, Pig, Pizza, Polenta, Pork, Pork Meatball, Pork Meatballs, Potato, Potato Gnocchi, Potatoes, Prato, Prato Meatball, Prato Meatballs, Pretzel, Pretzel-crusted Calamari, Pretzels, Provolone, Provolone Cheese, Provolone Piccante, Provolone Piccante Cheese, Radicchio, Ravioli, Ravioli Pasta, Rib, Ribs, Rigatoni, Rigatoni Pasta, Roasted Tomato, Roasted Tomatoes, Salsa, Salsa Rossa, Sauce, Sauce Bolognese, Seed, Seeds, Short Rib, Short Rib Tortellini, Short Ribs, Spaghettini, Spaghettini Pasta, Speck, Squash, Squid, Swiss Chard, Tomato, Tomatoes, Tortellini, Tortellini Pasta, Travel, Truffle, Truffle Butter, Truffles, Vacation, Vinegar, Wine, Winter Park, “Fatta Su” Bolognese

December 31, 2020
9:12 AM
by: Uhockey

Valhalla Bakery, Orlando FL

Valhalla Bakery

Guava Cheese Hand Pie

Brookie

S’Mores Bar

Nanaimo Bar

Celebrated for serving all-Vegan Baked Goods to Orlando since 2015, it was on the final day of a rough year that Valhalla Bakery was found slightly busy, and much like owner Celine Duvoisin’s Valkyrie Doughnuts the space inside Market on South proves compromised by servers who are borderline-rude and certainly less than thrilled by their job.

Not portrayed as “healthy,” Duvoisin’s decade as a Publix Bakery manager instead seeing her implement substitutions for Egg and Dairy amidst a multitude of home style sweets, it is alongside another meatless eatery and market that Valhalla operates from 8am till midnight with a menu prone to daily change.

Also part of St. Petersburg’s dining landscape, and well-regarded for Bars, Cookies and Cakes, it was on the heels of a Guava “Cheese” Poptart indistinguishable from one containing real Cream Cheese that three of the former followed, only S’mores falling a bit short as the Vegan Marshmallows were tough and rubbery.

Unable to overlook a male cashier who audibly sighed when asked to describe a “Death Bar” it was with dead-silence that another server dutifully packed additional items, the Brookie on par with Brooklyn’s original despite Valhalla Bakery’s self-imposed Ingredient restrictions while fans of Nanaimo Bars will be unsurprised that Duvoisin is a native of British Colombia.

www.valhallabakery.com

Posted in Breakfast, Dessert, Florida, Food, Orlando, Vacation, Valhalla Bakery Tagged Almond, Almonds, Bar, Bread, Brookie, Brookie Bar, Brookies, Brownie, Brownies, Celine Duvoisin, Chip, Chips, Chocolate, Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Chip Cookie, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Chocolate Chips, Chocolate Ganache, Cinnamon, Coconut, Coconuts, Cookie, Cookies, Cracker, Crackers, Dark Chocolate, Dessert, Desserts, endoedibles, FL, Florida, Food, Foodie, Ganache, Graham, Graham Cracker, Graham Crackers, Grahams, Guava, Guava Cheese, Guava Cheese Hand Pie, Guava Cheese Poptart, hand pie, Michael Uzmann, Nanaimo Bar, Nanaimo Bars, Orlando, Pastries, Pastry, Pie, Pop-Tart, Poptart, S'mores, Sugar, S’mores Bar, Toasted Coconut, Toasted Coconuts, Travel, Vacation, Valhalla Bakery, Vanilla, Vegan, Vegan Butter cream, Vegan Buttercream, Vegan Cream Cheese, Vegan Marshmallow, Vegan Marshmallows

December 31, 2020
8:30 AM
by: Uhockey

Nikki’s Place, Orlando FL

Nikki’s Place

Fried Pork Chop, Grits with Cheddar, Overeasy Eggs

Fried Chicken Wings, Waffle, Scrambled Eggs with Cheddar

Smoked Link Sausage, Scrambled Eggs with Cheddar, Home Fries

Biscuit

Banana Pudding

Sweet Potato Pie

Owned by Nick Aiken, Jr, nearing his 80s and working in Restaurants since age 10, Nikki’s Place is nothing short of an Orlando icon for comforting cuisine and the sort of hospitality for which the South is renowned.

Featuring a story that began at Roser’s Restaurant, young Nick helping the owner and learning her techniques along the way, it was after furthering his skills in Junior College and the kitchen of Ronnie’s Restaurant that Aiken purchase 742 Carter Street in 1999, it’s renaming since finding wife Inez president and daughter Shannea “Nikki” Akins manager.

Still successful during the pandemic, shuttered indoor dining compensated by catering as well as take-out, it was just past 8:00am on NYE that Nikki’s was found busy, three “to-go” orders necessitating a twenty minute wait for Food that offers unquestionable value on the dollar.

All scratch made and full of nostalgia, it was with several dishes unavailable till lunch that Breakfast was the focus, fried Wings and a pillowy Waffle each prepared as they ought to be while cheesy Eggs scrambled, Potatoes and smoked Breakfast Sausage were all precisely what one might expect, and then some thanks to the Seasoning.

Not about to forget a fried Pork Chop, rarely seen up north or west but here cooked golden and juicy, Grits and Biscuits each showed well while Desserts including peerless Sweet Potato Pie and multi-layered Banana Pudding completed a wonderful morning.

www.nikkisplace.net

Posted in Bread Basket, Breakfast, Dessert, Florida, Food, Nikki’s Place, Orlando, Pork, Vacation, Waffle, Waffles Tagged Banana, Banana Pudding, Bananas, Beef, Beef Sausage, Biscuit, Biscuits, Bread, Butter, Cheddar, Cheddar Cheese, Cheese, Chicken, Chicken Wing, Chicken Wings, Cinnamon, Cookie, Cookies, Corn Meal, Cornmeal, Cow, Cows, Crust, Dessert, Desserts, Egg, Egg Yolk, Egg Yolks, Eggs, endoedibles, FL, Florida, Food, Foodie, Fried Chicken, Fried Chicken Wing, Fried Chicken Wings, Fried Pork Chop, Grits, Grits with Cheddar, Home Fries, Home Fry, Link Sausage, Michael Uzmann, Nick Aiken, Nick Aiken Jr, Nikki’s Place, Nilla Wafer, Nilla Wafers, Onion, Onions, Orlando, over easy egg, Over-Easy Eggs, Overeasy Eggs, Pastries, Pastry, Pie, Pies, Pig, Pork, Pork Chop, Pork Sausage, Potato, Potatoes, Pudding, Sausage, Scrambled Egg, Scrambled Eggs, Scrambled Eggs with Cheddar, Shannea “Nikki” Akins, Smoked Link Sausage, Smoked Sausage, Soul Food, Sugar, Sweet Potato, Sweet Potato Pie, Sweet Potatoes, Travel, Vacation, Vanilla, Vanilla Wafer, Vanilla Wafer Cookie, Vanilla Wafer Cookies, Vanilla Wafers, Waffle, Waffles, Wing, Wings, Yolk, Yolks

December 30, 2020
6:30 PM
by: Uhockey

Hunger Street Tacos, Winter Park FL

Hunger Street Tacos

Campechano Taco – Seared Brisket, Chorizo, Avocado Salsa Verde, Onion, Cilantro, Lime

Suadero Taco – Seared Brisket, Avocado Salsa Verde, Onion, Cilantro, Lime

Fried Avo-Taco – Panko Breaded & Fried Avocado, Cabbage, Red Onion, Cilantro Crema, Cilantro, Queso Cotija, Salsa Roja

Mushroom Quesadilla – Sauteed Mushroom, Chihuahua Cheese, Garlic, Epazote, Salsa Roja

Tamal Pollo con Mole Rojo – Heirloom Masa, Chicken, Mole Rojo, Sesame Seeds, Pickled Onion, Cilantro

Established as a brick and mortar Restaurant in 2017, Hunger Street Tacos quickly emerged as a reason for folks across Central Florida to visit Winter Park, and even amidst a global pandemic Joseph Creech and his team continue to tantalize guests with the bold flavors of Mexico while implementing all recommended safe practices.

Born in Guadalajara to missionary parents, but raised stateside and self-trained, it is from indigenous Ingredients that Creech seeks to recreate flavors from early memories, the Street Food favorite “Suadero” featured prominently and exquisitely tender whether on its own or combined on the same Heirloom Corn Tortilla with Housemade Chorizo.

A tribute to CDMX’s “La Calle Del Hambre,” though many of Hunger Street’s items would rarely be seen in Mexico, Vegetarians will find several things to suit their preferences, both Fried Avocados and vigorously Sauteed Mushrooms achieving bold balance amidst Cheese, fresh Vegetables and vibrant Salsa.

Relying on wife Seydi’s family recipes for several condiments and techniques, while incorporating murals by the Lapiztola art collective inside and out, the staff’s commitment to quality extends from kitchen to front of house, a middle-aged woman on this particular night making rounds on the outside patio to big smiles induced by a texturally flawless Tamale topped in shredded Chicken plus aromatic Mole indistinguishable from what one might find in Mexico City or Oaxaca.

www.hungerstreettacos.com

Posted in Florida, Food, Hunger Street Tacos, Orlando, Pork, Vacation, Winter Park Tagged Avo-Taco, Avocado, Avocado Salsa, Avocado Salsa Verde, Avocados, Beef, Beef Brisket, Breading, Brisket, Butter, Cabbage, Campechano, Campechano Taco, Cheese, Chicken, Chickens, Chihuahua Cheese, Chorizo, Cilantro, Cilantro Crema, Corn, Corn Tortilla, Corn Tortillas, Cotija, Cotija Cheese, Cow, Cows, Crema, endoedibles, Epazote, FL, Florida, Flour, Flour Tortilla, Flour Tortillas, Food, Foodie, Fried Avo-Taco, Fried Avocados, Garlic, Heirloom Corn, Heirloom Corn Tortilla, Heirloom Corn Tortillas, Heirloom Masa, Hunger Street Tacos, Joseph Kudrak, Lime, Limes, Masa, Michael Uzmann, Mole, Mole Rojo, Mushroom, Mushroom Quesadilla, Mushrooms, Onion, Onions, Orlando, Panko, Panko Breaded & Fried Avocado, Panko Breaded & Fried Avocados, Panko Breading, Pepper, Peppers, Pickle, Pickled Onion, pickled onions, Pickles, Pig, Pollo, Pork, Quesadilla, Quesadillas, Queso, Queso Cotija, Red Onion, Red Onions, Salsa, Salsa Roja, Salsa Verde, Sauce, Sauteed Mushroom, Sauteed Mushrooms, Seared Brisket, Seed, Seeds, Sesame, Sesame Seed, Sesame Seeds, Suadero, Suadero Taco, Suadero Tacos, Taco, Tacos, Tamal Pollo con Mole Rojo, Tamale, Tamale Pollo con Mole Rojo, Tamales, Tomato, Tomatoes, Tortilla, Tortillas, Travel, Vacation, Winter Park

December 30, 2020
4:00 PM
by: Uhockey

Kelly’s Homemade Ice Cream (Corrine Dr,) Orlando FL

Kelly’s Homemade Ice Cream

Blondie Ice Cream, Maple Bourbon Bacon Ice Cream, Butter Pecan Ice Cream

Currently closed to indoor dining, and only offering Cones inverted in a cup in order to be “contact-free” during COVID-19, Kelly’s Homemade Ice Cream debuted in Audubon Park early-2015, the business still thriving with three additional locations bolstered by a menu prone to seasonal change.

The brainchild of Kelly Seidl, a trained nurse who operates the business including a Food Truck with husband, locals flock to Kelley’s year-long for classics and seasonal flavors alike, the fact that samples are not offered forcing hard choices that included intense-yet-creamy Butter Pecan alongside “Blondie” with Chocolate Chips plus Golden Oreos and “Maple Bourbon Bacon” that tasted good but suffered from crystallization.

www.kellyshomemadeicecream.com

Posted in Dessert, Florida, Food, Ice Cream, Kelly's Homemade Ice Cream, Kelly's Homemade Ice Cream Audubon Park, Orlando, Pork, Vacation Tagged Bacon, Blondie, Blondie Ice Cream, Blondies, Bourbon, Butter, Butter Pecan, Butter Pecan Ice Cream, Cake, Cakes, Chip, Chips, Chocolate, Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Chips, Cookie, Cookies, Cream, Dessert, Desserts, endoedibles, FL, Florida, Food, Foodie, Golden Oreo, Golden Oreo Cookie, Golden Oreo Cookies, Golden Oreos, Ice Cream, Kelly Seidl, Kelly's Homemade Ice Cream, Kelly's Homemade Ice Cream Audubon Park, Maple, Maple Bourbon Bacon Ice Cream, Maple Syrup, Michael Uzmann, Orlando, Pastries, Pastry, Pecan, Pecans, Sugar, Syrup, Travel, Vacation, Vanilla

December 30, 2020
12:25 PM
by: Uhockey

Gideon’s Bakehouse, Orlando FL

Gideon’s Bakehouse

Original Chocolate Chip Cookie

Cookies & Cream Cookie

Pistachio Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookie

Candied Walnut Chocolate Chip Cookie

Although owner Steve Lewis tells an interesting tale of a wishful young man from the 1800s as the inspiration behind Gideon’s Bakehouse, the more pertinent details are these: 1) Expect a wait unless arriving very early at Orlando’s East End Market. 2) Six Cookies max unless pre-ordered. 3) $5 each. 4) Worth every minute, cent and calorie.

Sure one might be amused by shelves full of aged books and antiques, impressed by skilled staff-members, or maybe even a little annoyed that specials sell out quite quickly, but the moment teeth pierce that soft matrix of Butter, Vanilla and mixed Chocolates everything else fades away – how does the rim get so crisp while center harkens uncooked Dough?

Smaller than most folks’ bedroom, the Bakery’s output only gets better through additions, the Oreos inside and atop Cookies and Cream somehow blending right in with an expected increase in sweetness while the highly-recommended Pistachio Toffee or Wednesday-only Candied Walnut and a touch of Salt or extra crunch with a bitter mid-palate, respectively.

www.gideonsbakehouse.com

Posted in Dessert, Florida, Food, Gideon’s Bakehouse, Orlando, Vacation Tagged Butter, Candied Walnut, Candied Walnut Chocolate Chip Cookie, Candied Walnuts, Chip, Chips, Chocolate, Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Chip Cookie, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Chocolate Chips, Cinnamon, Cookie, Cookies, Cookies & Cream, Cookies & Cream Cookie, Cookies and Cream, Cream, Crumbled Oreo, Crumbled Oreos, Dark Chocolate, Dessert, Desserts, endoedibles, FL, Florida, Food, Foodie, Gideon’s Bakehouse, Michael Uzmann, Oreo, Oreo Cookie, Oreo Cookies, Oreos, Original Chocolate Chip Cookie, Orlando, Pastries, Pastry, Pistachio, Pistachio Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookie, Pistachios, Steve Lewis, Sugar, Toffee, Travel, Vacation, Vanilla, Walnut, Walnuts

December 30, 2020
11:20 AM
by: Uhockey

Pig Floyd’s Urban Barbakoa, Orlando FL

Pig Floyd’s Urban Barbakoa

#19 2 Meat Combo – Brisket, Pulled Pork, Flour Tortillas, White Cheddar Mac n’ Cheese, Mexican Street Corn, BBQ Sauce

Banana Pudding

Now with two locations, Thomas Ward’s “Pig Floyd’s Urban Barbakoa” is frequently mentioned amongst Orlando’s best spots for BBQ, and channeling his Hispanic background alongside 90’s pop-culture references the North Mills Avenue original is anything but a typical Country Western Smoked Meat setup.

Debuted in 2014, years operating a Food Truck finding Ward now brick and mortar with an extensive menu of Sandwiches, Sides, Tacos and Combo plates, it was after debating several daily specials that the #19 was ordered, the Pulled Pork unfortunately a little over-Sauced while lean Brisket is surprisingly supple with deeply penetrating seasoning and a good bark.

Not about to waste stomach space on store-bought Tortillas, at least not when Elbow Macaroni with aged White Cheddar is available, fans of Elotes won’t want to miss Corn covered in Chile-Lime Butter plus Cotija, nor stick-a-spoon-up-straight Banana Pudding with chunks of Fruit juxtaposing Nilla Wafers.

www.pigfloyds.com

Posted in Dessert, Florida, Food, Orlando, Pig Floyd's, Pig Floyd's Urban Barbakoa, Pork, Vacation Tagged #19, #19 2 Meat Combo, 2 Meat Combo, Banana, Banana Pudding, Bananas, Barbecue, Barbecue Sauce, Barbeque, Barbeque Sauce, BBQ, BBQ Sauce, Beef, Beef Brisket, Brisket, Butter, Cheddar, Cheddar Cheese, Cheese, Chile-Lime Butter, Chili, Chili Pepper, Chili Peppers, Chilis, Cilantro, Cookie, Cookies, Corn, Cotija, Cotija Cheese, Cow, Cows, Cream, Dessert, Elbow Macaroni, Elbow Macaroni Pasta, endoedibles, FL, Florida, Flour, Flour Tortilla, Flour Tortillas, Food, Foodie, Lean Brisket, Lime, Mac & Cheese, Mac n' Cheese, Macaroni, Macaroni & Cheese, Macaroni 'n Cheese, Macaroni and Cheese, Macaroni Pasta, Meat, Mexican Street Corn, Michael Uzmann, Nilla Wafer, Nilla Wafers, Orlando, Pasta, Pastries, Pastry, Pepper, Peppers, Pig, Pig Floyd's, Pig Floyd's Urban Barbakoa, Pork, Pudding, Pulled Pork, Sauce, Street Corn, Sugar, Thomas Ward, Tomato, Tomatoes, Tortilla, Tortillas, Travel, Vacation, Vanilla, Vanilla Wafer, Vanilla Wafer Cookie, Vanilla Wafer Cookies, Vanilla Wafers, Wafer, Wafers, Whip Cream, Whipped Cream, White Cheddar, White Cheddar Cheese, White Cheddar Mac n’ Cheese

December 30, 2020
9:30 AM
by: Uhockey

Valkyrie Doughnuts, Orlando FL

Valkyrie Doughnuts

Apple Fritter

Cookie Butter

Orlando Cream

Caramelized Banana

Opened proximate to University of Central Florida in 2017, Valkyrie Doughnuts comes from Celine Duvoisin of Valhalla Bakery, her commitment to Orlando’s Vegan community well-known and the space itself minimalist with clever artwork including Unicorns and Knights.

Selling from 7am on weekdays, an hour later Saturday or Sunday, it was during winter break that the Bakery was found sparsely populated, the lone male server more concerned with chatting up two friends than making a sale just prior to ten o’clock.

Frying all items on-site, and delivering daily to Duvoisin’s flagship, it was after a few moment’s indecision that four fried treats were ordered, the Apple Fritter enjoyable with lots of Fruit beneath simple Sugar Glaze while Cookie Butter featured no filling and a mostly-dull crumb without a lot of intrinsic taste.

Moving next to Orland Cream, a riff on the Boston version that falters thanks to an odd aftertaste from the Chocolate Frosting, Caramelized Banana thankfully fared better, though its flavor again relied entirely on the bruleed top as opposed to anything noteworthy about the Dough itself.

www.valkyriedoughnuts.com

Posted in Breakfast, Dessert, Florida, Food, Orlando, Vacation, Valkyrie Doughnuts Tagged Apple, Apple Fritter, Apple Fritters, Apples, Banana, Bananas, Bread, Caramelized Banana, Caramelized Banana Donut, Caramelized Banana Doughnut, Caramelized Bananas, Celine Duvoisin, Chocolate, Cinnamon, Cookie, Cookie Butter, Cookie Butter Donut, Cookie Butter Doughnut, Cookies, Cream, Dark Chocolate, Dessert, Desserts, Donut, Donuts, Doughnut, Doughnuts, endoedibles, FL, Florida, Food, Foodie, Fritter, Fritters, Frosting, Glaze, Icing, Michael Uzmann, Orlando, Orlando Cream, Orlando Cream Donut, Orlando Cream Doughnut, Pastries, Pastry, Sugar, Travel, Vacation, Valkyrie Doughnuts, Vanilla, Vegan, Vegan Cream, Vegan Donut, Vegan Donuts, Vegan Doughnut, Vegan Doughnuts

December 30, 2020
8:25 AM
by: Uhockey

The Glass Knife, Winter Park FL

The Glass Knife

Cinnamon Roll

Salted Caramel Brownie

Triple Chocolate Chip Cookie

Vegan Maple Pecan Donut – Vegan Brioche, Whipped Pecan Butter, Vanilla Maple Glaze, Pecan Brittle Crumble

Cranberry Orange Donut – Cranberry Cake, White Chocolate Glaze, Candied Orange Peel, Candied Ginger, Craisins

Apple Fritter – Brown Butter Glaze, Nut Streusel

An Orlando favorite ever since opening its doors in late-2017, The Glass Knife resides in Winter Park, and although the décor suggests someplace built solely for Instagram the Pastry case and menu tell of skilled bakers familiar with French technique.

Toqued by Executive Chef Stuart Whitfield, with pink and black décor attributed to owner Steve Brown’s mother, it is at indoor tables or a on a shaded patio that guests are invited to indulge daily, the savory menu seemingly perfectly adequate though most will likely be drawn to Desserts such as the chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie or decadent Salted Caramel Brownie.

Still busy mid-pandemic, all staff donning PPE and positive attitudes, it would be a mistake to ignore Whitfield’s “Ultimate Cinnamon Roll,” layers of Buttermilk Brioche surrounding Cinnamon-Sugar beneath Cream Cheese Frosting, while Donuts are hit and miss, the filled Vegan version faring will in contrast to Cranberry Orange and Apple which were each too oily.

www.theglassknife.com

Posted in Breakfast, Dessert, Florida, Food, Orlando, The Glass Knife, Vacation, Winter Park, Wisconsin Tagged Apple, Apple Fritter, Apple Fritters, Apples, Bread, Brioche, Brioche Bread, Brioche Donut, Brioche Donuts, Brioche Doughnut, Brioche Doughnuts, Brittle, Brown Butter, Brown Butter Glaze, Brownie, Brownies, Butter, Buttermilk, Cake, Cake Donut, Cake Donuts, Cake Doughnut, Cake Doughnuts, Cakes, Candied Ginger, Candied Orange Peel, Caramel, Cheese, Chip, Chips, Chocolate, Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Chip Cookie, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Chocolate Chips, Cinnamon, Cinnamon Roll, Cinnamon Rolls, Cookie, Cookies, Craisin, Craisins, Cranberries, Cranberry, Cranberry Cake, Cranberry Orange Donut, Cranberry Orange Doughnut, Cream, Crumble, Dark Chocolate, Dessert, Desserts, Donut, Donuts, Doughnut, Doughnuts, endoedibles, FL, Florida, Food, Foodie, Fritter, Fritters, Frosting, Fudge, Fudge Brownie, Fudge Brownies, Ginger, Glaze, Icing, Maple, Maple Pecan Donut, Maple Pecan Doughnut, Maple Syrup, Michael Uzmann, Milk Chocolate, Nut, Nut Streusel, Nuts, Orange, Orange Peel, Oranges, Orlando, Pastries, Pastry, Pecan, Pecan Brittle, Pecan Brittle Crumble, Pecan Butter, Pecans, Peel, Roll, Rolls, Salt, Salted Caramel, Salted Caramel Brownie, Salty Caramel, Steve Brown, Streusel, Stuart Whitfield, Sugar, Syrup, The Glass Knife, Travel, Triple Chocolate Chip Cookie, Ultimate Cinnamon Roll, Vacation, Vanilla, Vanilla Maple Glaze, Vegan, Vegan Maple Pecan Donut, Vegan Maple Pecan Doughnut, Vegan “Brioche, Whipped Pecan Butter, White Chocolate, White Chocolate Glaze, Winter Park

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