Endo Edibles

December 21, 2013
2:59 PM
by: Uhockey

Five50 Pizza Bar, Las Vegas NV

Five50 Pizza Bar

Pepperoni Arancini- Rice Balls, Red Sauce and Roasted Garlic Aioli

Pigs and Truffles- Pork Shoulder Cannelloni, Bordeaux Spinach, Bechamel and Summer Truffles

North Beach- Clams, Smoked Mozzarella, Sweet Onions, Oregano

Blanca- Mozzarella, Ricotta, Bel Paese, White Chedder, Olive Oil, Garlic, Basil

Truffle- Truffle Salami, Bechamel, Parmesan, Thyme, Shaved Truffles

Margherita- Tomato, Buffalo Mozzarella and Basil

Warm Apple Pie – White Cheddar, Oatmeal Streusel, Smoke Salted Mascarpone Ice Cream

Crispy Sourdough Fritters – Winter Spiced Cranberry Sauce, Orange Glaze

A fan of Shawn McClain dating to his Chicago days and a truly impressive experience at Sage it was with high hopes that our party of four paid a visit to upscale pizza parlor Five50 after the disaster that was Yellowtail and while I personally enjoyed the experience more than my companions it would be exceedingly difficult for me to recommend a $30/pp pizzeria with awkward service as a place to visit in a city where far better pie can be found off-strip at a fraction of the price. Featuring a slice counter plus a handful of primi, pasta, salads, and desserts alongside 16″ pizzas cooked in a 550 degree oven the “style” of McClain’s signature pies falls somewhere between traditional New York slices and a Roman lightly-leavened ‘crunchy’ crust but with ingredient quality meeting the standards set by Sage the results were largely impressive save for the excessive use of oil and salt marring the Truffle and an unannounced red sauce lending a peculiar barbecue note to the North Beach. Faring better, a simple Margherita assuredly displayed the restaurant’s sourcing with tangy tomatoes and fresh basil while the Blanca shined largely to a thick dollop of house-made ricotta on each slice. Moving past pizza, a sampling of the cannelloni proved to be my favorite savory of the day, albeit slightly overpriced at $18 for two pasta tubes stuffed with tender pork and topped with creamy Bechamel plus meager truffle shavings while a trio of arancini presented a unique riff on a classic by substituting house cured pepperoni for traditional sausage and pairing it with thick, aromatic aioli. Never happy to leave a restaurant without dessert, a final pairing arrived at the table in the form of a small apple pie with accoutrements both sweet and savory alongside fried brioche cubes paired with sour cranberry sauce; both sweets trumping any of the savories and a saving grace at the end of a meal that fell short of high expectations.

…expectations fortunately met by an impromptu stop at Mastro’s Ocean Club for a Butter Cake to go, the chilled version served with nearly a pound of whipped cream plus ice cream, berries, and raspberry reduction nearly as good as when it is baked to order in the restaurant…and shockingly NOT my idea.

http://www.aria.com/dining/restaurants/five50

Posted in Dessert, Five50, Five50 Pizza Bar, Food, Ice Cream, Las Vegas, Nevada, Pizza, Pork, Truffle

December 21, 2013
11:59 AM
by: Uhockey

Yellowtail, Las Vegas NV

Yellowtail

Beverages

Oysters

Big Eye Tuna Pizza/Crispy Kalbi Roll

Baked Crab Hand Roll

Being completely honest, I’m usually not a fan of “special events,” guest chefs, or the dumbed-down truncated experience of “Restaurant Week” but at $26 (after a deep discount from the quoted $100) with friends already planning on attending Chef Akira Back’s “Chef’s Tasting” at Yellowtail I tossed caution to the wind…only to reconfirm all the aforementioned prejudices to a whole new degree, leaving the event after 2 hours hungry, a touch intoxicated, and $26 poorer albeit richer in friendships.

“Spend the afternoon with us at YellowTail inside the Bellagio Las Vegas overlooking the spectacular fountains. Enjoy extraordinary culinary selections from Chef Akira Back and libations provided by Wirtz Beverage. Chef Akira Back has chosen to feature the Big Eye Tuna Pizza, Crispy Kalbi roll and his famous Baked Crab Hand Roll among other items. Gulf Oyster Industry Counsel’s amazing Oyster bar. Salty coastal waters produce the world’s best oysters for the world’s best chefs and restaurants, harvested today as they have been for generations. Chef’s menu will be paired with specialty reserved Sakes, Wines & Spirits provided by Wirtz Beverage and custom cocktails created by the mixologists from Hendrick’s Gin and Tito’s Vodka” as described on the website, the actual format of the event was a standing circus of confusion where “reserved” tables were fed full trays of food while the rest attempted to hunt down one of four circulating servers that were frequently mobbed and stripped clean at the doors where ‘diners’ gathered like a group of kids playing World of Warcraft sit on a spawn spot.

With booze of decent quality and the modicum of food equally competent a total of six mouthfuls of food plus three oysters were accrued by myself (one literally FROM a reserved table) during the course of the afternoon, probably justifying the $26 though certainly not $100 or the overall aggravation. With no Akira in site and ‘live music’ that fell through for unknown reasons I can only assume that this ‘event’ was a money-grab intended to draw high rollers to The Bellagio or an attention-seeker for an outdated property hoping to generate new fans; both goals a miserable failure as we walked out in search of sustenance down the strip at Aria.

http://yellowtaillasvegas.com/

Posted in Crab, Food, Las Vegas, Nevada, Sushi, Tasting Menu, Yellowtail

December 21, 2013
9:50 AM
by: Uhockey

Master Donuts, Las Vegas NV

Master Donuts

Sour Cream

Sprinkled Cake

Maple Bacon Triangle

Apple Fritter

A small Asian-owned “classic” doughnut shop I’d walked or driven past no less than thirty times since arriving in Sin City I knew Master Donuts would eventually find its way into my weekend eating plans; that day finally coinciding with the winter solstice and a colleague’s suggestion the prior day that he enjoyed them more than Al’s (also in close proximity to the office.) Decidedly ‘hole-in-the-wall” with spotty floors and shaky tables yet a nearly full dining area during my 10am visit the collection set out before me consisted of mostly the standards and going the “standard” route with two of my favorites I deferred another pair to the young lady at the counter before paying the $4 cash tab and settling into a two-top. Informed that nothing was technically “hot” as the days baking is mostly concluded at the 3:30am opening results were largely expected; the cake doughnuts outshining those raised while the fritter proved far superior to Ronald’s or Al’s with glazed crunch overlying a fluffy, oilless interior rife with cinnamon and pockets of what appeared to be skin-on chopped apples.

Posted in Breakfast, Food, Las Vegas, Master Donuts, Nevada, Pork

December 21, 2013
8:05 AM
by: Uhockey

Crepe Expectations, Henderson LV

Crepe Expectations

The Elvis – Caramel, Banana, Peanut Butter, Bacon

The Avalon – Buttered Pears, Goat Cheese, Candied Walnuts, Honey

The Greek – Grilled Chicken, Spinach, Feta, Tzatziki Yogurt, Red Onion, Tomato

Already planning to be in the area early Saturday morning, finding a breakfast buddy would prove an easy task and trusting the Henderson local despite the truly lame “Yum” menu and “Have a crepe day” voicemail I walked into Crepe Expectations with an open mind; the result an hour of gregarious service, great conversation, and some truly Parisian quality crepes. A bit of an odd space, dim lighting and dark wood beneath big screen televisions orders are placed at the counter and arriving just as the restaurant opened our order of three thin pancakes was expedited on the open kitchen’s three stones with each arriving soft on the interior with the slightest browning adding textbook chew enveloping bold, balanced ingredients. With prices a bit higher than the majority of creperies Stateside or abroad but service and ingredient quality equally elevated it was with a sweet, a savory, and a special that our morning passed and although my tastes veered toward the complexity of the Avalon it would be hard to argue against the Elvis or the Greek, the former pure decadence with added whipped cream and the later finding balance for the slightly oversalted chicken in the punchy yogurt.

http://www.crepeexpectations.com/

Posted in Breakfast, Crepe Expectations, Food, Henderson, Las Vegas, Nevada, Pork

December 21, 2013
7:05 AM
by: Uhockey

Chef Flemming’s Bake Shop, Henderson NV

Chef Flemming’s

Red Velvet Cupcake

Bear Claw

Cheese Danish

Custard Danish

Cinnamon Roll

Apple Cinnamon Crumb Cake

Cream Boller

Golden Raisin Bread Pudding

Cinnamon Crispy

Located to the southeast, as far out in Henderson as I’ve ventured to date, Chef Flemming’s European Bakery is undoubtedly a trek from Summerlin but with plenty of good press backing the chef’s goods a decision to visit the small bakery persisted even when my original impetus to be in the area cancelled – the one hour round trip costing me a couple gallons of gas and $19.50 for nine pastries of superior quality and craftsmanship every bit worth the time and effort. A ‘mom ‘n pop’ outfit to say the least it was only the chef and ‘his lady’ that I encountered in the course of my thirty minute stay and with stories and suggestions aplenty an order was patched together from personal favorites and chef’s favorites, the latter mostly what was warm from the oven and each item save for a slightly dry cupcake impressive. From the nutty, laminated bearclaw to creamy bread pudding and a cream boller marrying concepts of a croissant and a Religeuse with its two types of cream half of each item was cut and sampled with the second half reserved for a friend and while deciding on a favorite is a difficult task I think the deciding factor was one of temperature; the buttery cinnamon roll with frosting still runny versus the custard Danish, still warm with a jiggly sweet center not unlike a Portuguese egg tart – itself an impetus to visit Henderson again soon.

http://chefflemmings.com/

Posted in Bread Pudding, Breakfast, Chef Flemming’s, Chef Flemming’s Bake Shop, cupcakes, Dessert, Food, Henderson, Las Vegas, Nevada

December 15, 2013
2:57 PM
by: Uhockey

Lavo Italian Restaurant and Nightclub, Las Vegas NV

Lavo

Illy Coffee

Balsamica – Rum, Rhubarb, Basil, Strawberry

Pastry Basket – Everything Bagel, Focaccia, Oreo Scone, Cronut with Chocolate Hazelnut, Strawberry, and Crème Anglaise Dip

Breakfast Mac & Cheese – Two Fried Eggs, Truffled Shells, Pancetta

Almond Crusted French Toast – Cinnamon Panettone, Fresh Berry, Banana

Chicken and Waffles – Cap’n Crunch Crusted Chicken, Bourbon Maple Syrup, Spiced Pecans

Warm Chocolate Bread Pudding – Vanilla Ice Cream, Duce de Leche Sauce

A favorite of friends for their signature meatballs, thumping bass, and eye candy I’d never paid much attention to Lavo until I heard rumor that a “proper” Sunday brunch had been introduced – an interesting menu, beautiful strip views, and proximity to both Bouchon and Ferragamo making it a worthy destination for 2pm brunch on my mother’s last day in town. An ornate space clearly befitting its trendy nightclub roots with friendly, though somewhat cocktail-pushy service and excessive hyperbole (no, your chef did not ‘create’ the cronut, nor was he the first to coat chicken with the cap’n) it was with the aforementioned bread basket, freely refilled coffee, and a cocktail that our meal began and with the basket particularly impressive given its complimentary nature it was much to my delight that the rest of the cuisine followed suit; substantial delay due to our waiter flirting with two tables full of sorority girls notwithstanding. Electing to sample two sweets and two savories it was with a trio of selections and the smooth, dense, and semi-molten-centered bread pudding to follow that our meal progressed and attempting to abstain from exaggeration I will simply say that if I returned I’d be hard pressed not to order the exact same thing, the French Toast harkening a fruit infused Bostock and the pasta a peerless example of knowing how to use truffle oil with restraint, the end result a dish warranting an extra slice of focaccia to sop up every drop of the eggy aromatic cheese.

http://www.lavolv.com/

Posted in Bread Basket, Bread Pudding, Breakfast, Coffee, Dessert, Food, French Toast, Ice Cream, Italian, Las Vegas, Lavo, Lavo Italian Restaurant & Nightclub, Lavo Italian Restaurant and Nightclub, Nevada, Pork, Truffle, Waffles

December 15, 2013
8:59 AM
by: Uhockey

Bouchon Bakery on the Strip, Las Vegas NV

Bouchon Bakery on the Strip

Lemon Meringue Buche Noel

Pistachio Macaron / Peppermint Macaron

Chocolate Caramel Macchiato Cupcake with Espresso Filling and Salted Caramel Buttercream

Kouign Amann

TKO and Carrot Cake Cookie

With a new strip-side location separated from the casino floor the Venetian/Palazzo complex grew slightly sweeter with the addition of Bouchon Bakery II and although each item at this location is available at the original it should go without saying that more Thomas Keller is never a bad thing. From traditional croissants to palm-sized macarons and onward to seasonal cakes and pastries designed with the utmost care it is with good fortune that I have been to each and every Bouchon Bakery from coast to coast and brimming with consistency, quality, and finesse the only advice I can offer is this; order whatever sounds best and know it will be textbook, and if you get there early enough to experience the viennoisseries warm from oven the don’t miss the Kougin Amann – an exemplary preparation at room temperature but infinitely better with the butter still fluid.

http://bouchonbakery.com

Posted in Bouchon, Bouchon Bakery, Bouchon Bakery on the Strip, Breakfast, Coffee, cupcakes, Dessert, Food, Las Vegas, Macaroon, Nevada

December 15, 2013
6:56 AM
by: Uhockey

Mr. Lucky’s 24/7, Las Vegas NV

Mr Lucky’s 24/7

Coffee

Sticky Fingers – Cinnamon Roll with Bacon and Maple Glaze

Over the Top Blueberry Muffin – Streusel, Blueberries

Corn Flake Crusted French Toast with Vanilla Butter, Maple Syrup, Mascarpone, Strawberry

Chicken and Waffles with spiced maple syrup

With my mother in town for one more day and having not yet visited the strip once during the subsequent week it was a bit of a surprise that she mentioned wanting to see Hard Rock during her visit but having long been eyeing 24-hour dining spot Mr. Lucky’s an early morning plan was put in motion, us navigating the casino just prior to 7am while disheveled men and women in various states of sleeplessness and inebriation made their way back to their rooms. A large, open space without a whole lot of character but people watching aplenty both in the open kitchen and on the gaming floor it would be mere moments after our arrival that we were seated and only seconds more before coffee refills began in earnest to accompany a breakfast our friendly waiter claimed was ‘too much’ for a duo; words I’d later make him eat as I casually passed the empty, stacked plates to the edge of the table and requested a cup of coffee for the road. Clearly the sort of restaurant where subtlety yields to gluttony it was largely a desire to sample more items that led to us taking a pass on the infamous “Fat Elvis,” instead ordering a quartet of items beginning with decent, if not particularly memorable chicken over waffles and a buttery blueberry muffin before moving onto things far superior, the first a stack of golden French toast soaked with custard but crisped by cornflakes and loaded with fresh berries plus mascarpone and the second, quite literally, a flaky “turntable-sized” cinnamon roll rife with butter, cinnamon, and bacon that rivals the best I’ve found and will invariably be ordered again just as soon as I find someone to go back with me to tackle that signature stack of 14 bacon and banana pancakes.

http://www.hardrockhotel.com/las-vegas-restaurants/24-7-diner

Posted in Breakfast, Coffee, Food, French Toast, Las Vegas, Mr. Lucky's, Mr. Lucky's 24/7, Nevada, Pork, Waffles

December 14, 2013
7:34 PM
by: Uhockey

Kyara Japanese Tapas, Las Vegas NV

Kyara

Oolong Cocktail, Orange Juice Cocktail

Yamaimo Somen – Mountain potato somen noodle

Cheese no Tempura – Cheese Tempura with Fig Jam

Age dashi Mochi – Deep fried Mochi with special sauce

Ika Maru – Grilled whole squid

Yamaimo Teppan – Mountain potato on hot plate with Ponzu sauce

Kaisen Chawanmushi – Steamed Egg Custard with Seafood

Kawa – Chicken skin / Butabara – Pork Belly

Tofu Mousse – Homemade Vanilla Tofu Mousse, Strawberry Sorbet

Green Tea Waffle – Green tea waffles with Vanilla Ice cream, Butter, and Honey

Admittedly a bit perplexed by the subtitle “Japanese Tapas” as opposed to Izakaya, Kyara had been a longtime member of my ‘to-visit’ list when a friend and I decided to pay them a visit on Saturday evening and arriving just after 7:00pm to a restaurant recently named “Ethnic restaurant of the year” by Desert Companion the first surprise of many that evening was in fact the space itself, devoid of all other diners leaving us a corner seat at the bar and no less than three waiters to cater to our needs. Featuring an extensive menu of Japanese classics arranged under headings such as grilled, steamed, and fried plus a handful of daily specials as Chef Komada watched over a team of four in the open kitchen it was with an eye toward variety that we placed our order and with a complimentary cocktail to begin nearly every one of our nine items proved excellent, particularly considering a total bill inclusive of tip less than $30 per person. Starting first with cold selections and then proceeding through those grilled and hot it was with impeccable skill that traditional options like robatayaki, grilled squid, and chawanmushi shined but far more interesting and thus more impressive were items trending toward esoteric, both the hot and cold mountain potato dishes absolute show stoppers in terms of texture and flavor while tempura selections proved innovative and light. Moving on to dessert, a decision left in my hands, a selection two sweets arrived and while the tofu mousse was admittedly quite light the general lack of flavor proved rather underwhelming in its own regard and all the more so next to a pair of crispy yet supple matcha spiked waffles topped with a hefty scoop of vanilla ice cream and sidecars of liquid butter and honey, the end effect every bit as delicious as the Honey Toast at Ichiza or Serenade but with a slight bitter undertone adding a touch of intrigue, an upgrade on a classic that seems to typify much of the restaurant’s cuisine and all the more reason to come back soon.

http://www.kyaraizakaya.com/

Posted in Dessert, Food, Ice Cream, Kyara, Kyara Izakaya, Kyara Japanese Tapas, Las Vegas, Nevada, Pork

December 14, 2013
5:07 PM
by: Uhockey

Sweets Raku [2,] Las Vegas NV

Sweets Raku

Edible Menu

Mango Gelato, Mint gelee

Angel Cream

Mt. Fuji

Chocolate Souffle Cake

Parmesan Cheese Cake

Still ranking a dessert tasting at Joel Robuchon amongst her favorite meals of all time a visit to Sweets Raku was a foregone conclusion during my mother’s visit to Las Vegas and again taking the dessert before dinner approach but this time electing a table as opposed to the counter results would prove no less stellar, a three course tasting of almost entirely new selections as Christmas music played overhead to compliment the fir at the entry and festive, edible menu. All clean lines, brilliant whites, and lovely service with Jasmine tea for mother and an Illy Americano for myself the meal again began with sorbet and mint gelee, this time mango, and with palates prepped the plates that followed were again equal parts beauty and flavor, both the Mt. Fuji and Angel Cream presented ornately and impossibly light with variant textures throughout, the roasted chestnuts the highlight of the former while a buttery biscuit juxtaposing soft pears anchored the white chocolate winged cream. Clearly a space never lacking for creativity it really should have come as no surprise that ‘mignardises’ would prove equally impressive as the rest of the evening but with a duo of options again presented with great attention to detail I will simply say that while the chocolate fondant cake sampled on my first visit was again excellent I would strongly suggest making a request for the parmesan cheesecake, a savory riff on the classic rivaling the works of Shawn Gawle’s Tarte at Saison and Gabriel Kreuther’s Cheese Souffle at The Modern for my favorite things done with cheese in 2013.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sweets-Raku/616412261743420

Posted in Coffee, Dessert, Food, Ice Cream, Las Vegas, Nevada, Sweets Raku

December 14, 2013
1:06 PM
by: Uhockey

Bar + Bistro, Las Vegas NV

Bar + Bistro

Plantain Chips with Tomatillo Salsa

Tostone Bites – Olive Oil Double Fried Plantain Sandwiches, Black Forest Ham, Roasted Pork, Gruyere, Pickles, Mojo Mayo, Citrus Garlic Sauce

Little Pollo – Flour Herbed Chicken Pieces

Donut Churros with Mexican Hot Chocolate

Brioche Flan French Toast – Powdered Sugar, Warm Lemon Agave Syrup, Whipped Cream

B+B Pancakes – Sweet Cinnamon Sugar, Roasted Plantains, Warm Maple Syrup, Whipped Cream

Cangrejo Benedict Mofongo – lump crabmeat, plantain garlic mash, Romesco butter, quail egg

Located in the Arts Factory amidst a number of interesting galleries and stores Bar + Bistro had been on my radar for just under a year when my mother suggested she wanted something ‘different’ for lunch and with a decidedly unique fusion brunch menu taking notes from Peruvian and Mexican cuisine I couldn’t think of a better place…at least until we were seated next to a sixtop of 20-somethings drinking bottomless mimosas and behaving in manners that only served to strengthen my belief that society’s best days are long past. Certainly not one to fault a restaurant based on its clientele despite being subjected to a lengthy delay (and a lack of bread pudding which had sold out the night prior) it should be noted that service was mostly spot on with water and coffee refilled repeatedly as we waited and with a gift of plantain chips as an apology for the wait the meal progressed nicely from there, a half-dozen selections both sweet and savory serving notice to Chef Beni Velazquez’s unique talents. With selections ranging from straight forward fried chicken to impressive savory plantain sandwiches and a truly inspired presentation of crabcakes atop fried, smashed plantains topped with a runny quail egg highlighting the savories it would be difficult to decide which item to order if limited to one but moving on to sweets that decision became far less difficult because as good as the crispy donuts with spicy cinnamon chocolate and supple plantain pancakes were neither could hold a candle to the stack of buttery brioche soaked in custard and cooked till crystalized, a light citrus syrup and fresh blueberries gilding the lily and representing one of the best French Toast preparations in a city…and a strong impetus to return sometime for the bread pudding.

http://barbistroaf.com/

Posted in Bar + Bistro, Bar and Bistro, Breakfast, Crab, Dessert, Food, French Toast, Pancakes, Pork

December 14, 2013
8:29 AM
by: Uhockey

Drago Sisters, Las Vegas NV

Drago Sisters

Red Velvet Cupcake

Carrot Cake Cupcake

Tres Leches Cup

Pistachio Macaron, Salted Caramel Macaron, Speculoos Macaron

Boston Cream Pie

…if it had not been so good I’d blame a friend for pointing out that Drago Sisters is right down the street from Sugar Bees, but in retrospect I guess I owe her thanks for adding to a truly “sweet” Saturday when seven items from the small bakery found their way back to my home as an extension of breakfast…or a midday snack…or “3rd meal”…out of six. A somewhat eclectic place with nuances ranging from classic French to Modern American and even Hispanic dotting an otherwise Italian collection of pastries it was with much indecision that I stood pondering the selections but eventually succumbing to a combination of personal tastes and staff suggestions everything that followed was artisan craft at its best; cakes dense yet supple, frosting sweet but light, macarons a crisp break with natural, smooth filling followed by an ethereal linger, and two items warranting “destination” status; first a Boston Cream Pie superior to the original in texture, cream, as well as cocoa and the second a small cup (available in sizes up to a full celebratory cake) filled with a baba style sponge oversaturated in sweet, milky tones and topped with piped pastry cream plus dark chocolate chips…

…oh, and on a completely unrelated note, my birthday is in March.

http://www.dragosisters.com/

Posted in Breakfast, cupcakes, Dessert, Drago Sisters, Food, Las Vegas, Macaroon, Nevada

December 14, 2013
7:17 AM
by: Uhockey

Sugar Bees Bakery, Las Vegas NV

Sugar Bees Bakery

Pineapple Pink Peppercorn Macaron

Cinnamon Vanilla Bread Pudding

Raspberry Financier

Coffee Kahlua Macaron

Almond Croissant

Chocolate Chip Cookie

Already in the area for breakfast at The Cracked Egg and having stopped in to Sugar Bee’s only once prior simply to browse it was with a bit of surprise that Chef Chesto recognized me as I walked into the small shop, but going so far as to reference our previous conversation about the financiers labeled as ‘tarts’ in order to avoid confusion I have to say I was impressed – yet nowhere near as much as I would be after tasting the bakery’s artisan wares. Formerly a pastry chef at Craftsteak and likely having fed me twice in that role it was a rather simple process of selecting personal favorites and paying a modest bill of $13 that led me back to the car with a half dozen selections and beginning with a freshly minted almond croissant it was love at first bite, the warm shattering layers and wispy yawning interior rife with natural almond flavors…no detectable frangipane, paste, or fillers…the best I’ve found in Vegas to date. Moving next to the macarons, innovative flavors and excellent filling was unfortunately marred by cold temperatures but allowing the second half to warm proved an admirable bite, though not on par with the rest. Taking a break and waiting until home for the rest a chocolate chip cookie served notice to a lovely rendition of the classic with dark and milk chips aplenty while the financier, in all its density and plump berries was Parisian textbook whether labeled ‘tart’ or not. Last but not least, the puck of bread pudding received gentle treatment on a cast iron pan, griddled until custard began to melt, and filling my new kitchen with wafts of cinnamon and butter it will be remembered fondly as the first thing I ever ‘cooked’ in my house…and far better than anything I will actually cook anytime soon.

http://www.sugarbeesbakery.com/

Posted in Bread Pudding, Breakfast, Croissant, Dessert, Food, Las Vegas, Macaroon, Nevada, Sugar Bees Bakery

December 14, 2013
12:03 AM
by: Uhockey

The Cracked Egg, Las Vegas NV

The Cracked Egg

Coffee

Peach Coffee Cake

Monte Cristo – Turkey, Ham, Swiss

Peanut Butter Stuffed French Toast – Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Filling, Honey, Bananas

Croissant French Toast – Seasonal Berries, Banana, Powdered Sugar

With my mother in town for two more days another weekend of eating and unpacking began at local favorite “The Cracked Egg” and although I have to say the kitsch décor and happy holiday tunes contrasted severely with weary and disinterested service the food itself was quite good. Clearly known for their daily interpretations of classical coffee cake I will admit that I was a tad put off by both the microwaving and obvious use of canned peaches (as well as artificial syrup sitting on the counter) but speaking only to flavor the cake truly is as good as the rumors; light as angel food but topped with sugary streusel and rife with fruit. Moving next to three plates divided and shared the kitchen again proved more than competent with diner classics and although ingredient quality could certainly be better the fried Monte Cristo was a truly faithful rendition of the classic yet not overly greasy while the French toasts were each rich and flavorful, the croissant version compromised by mushy blueberries but loaded with butter while peanut butter was a skilled kissed version of a childhood favorite, the sort of memories immune to ingredient quality or surly service and just plain delicious.

http://www.thecrackedegglv.com/

Posted in Breakfast, Coffee, Food, French Toast, Las Vegas, Nevada, Pork, The Cracked Egg

December 8, 2013
2:54 PM
by: Uhockey

Bachi Burger, Las Vegas NV

Bachi Burger

Foie Gras, Apple/Celery/Cranberry Salad, Duck-Cherry Fritter

Chili Fried Chicken, Ginger, Garlic, Shoyu

Oxtail Chili Cheese Fries – Garlic Aioli, Fried Egg

Salted Caramel Marshmallow Shake

Peking Style Duck Bao – Cilantro, Scallion, Radish, Boiled Egg, Black Vinaigrette, Hoisin BBQ

Kiki’s Burger – Angus, Sauteed Shiitake, Enoki, Eryngii Mushrooms, Caramelized Bacon, Sweet Onion Marmalade, Aged Gruyere

Portuguese Donuts with Coffee Gelato

Generally eschewing ground meats it was for myself something beyond Angus, Kobe and Wagyu that brought me to the Summerlin location of local darling Bachi Burger on Sunday, though I will say from the start that the “Kiki’s Burger” ordered by my mother was potentially the best dish in an afternoon where only a single dish failed to impress despite the best efforts of our server to misinterpret the phrase “please course things out and do not bring everything at once.” A surprisingly large space featuring slick woods and polished surfaces throughout it was just after 3:00pm when we arrived for late lunch/early dinner and selecting widely from the menu inclusive of a $15 foie gras appetizer it was with the hunger derived from nearly 8 hours of unpacking that we waited, only to have every single plate arrive simultaneously thirty minutes later resulting in both an overloaded table and tough choices about what would taste best at room temperature or below. Focusing on the food it should be noted that much of what was ordered actually came to the table exceptionally well prepared and beginning with the foie gras I was immediately impressed by the quality and presentation, a single vein the only flaw in an otherwise Robuchon-quality prep featuring a caramelized medallion alongside a semi-sweet salad plus creamy, rich croquette and moving next to crispy, complex chicken alongside the equally crisp but decidedly spicy fries it was with good fortune that the milk shake, albeit small, was present to quell the heat. Overlooking the spongy, dense bao and tepid duck entirely lacking for crisp skin and instead assisting my mother with the lightly charred burger topped with woodsy mushrooms and aromatic marmalade it was perhaps with recollections of the zeppole at Settebello the day prior that I ordered the doughnuts and although not quite as impressive, the eggy brioche stood strong beneath a dense lacquer of sugar rounding out a fairly impressive afternoon largely warranting the $75 tab, if not a significant tip.

http://www.bachiburger.com/

Posted in Bachi Burger, Dessert, Foie, Food, Ice Cream, Las Vegas, Nevada, Pork

December 8, 2013
7:15 AM
by: Uhockey

Dee’s Donuts, Las Vegas NV

Dee’s Donuts

Buttermilk Bar

Strawberry Raised

Blueberry Cake

Apple Fritter

Stepping out of Babystacks well aware that the next eight hours would be spent amidst mountains of boxes and unpacking Dee’s simply proved too convenient to pass-up, a quartet of donuts for $3.54 and a “Thank you, happy holidays” our reward for a three minute visit…though in reality only one of the heavily glazed and fried treats would prove “rewarding” at all. Apparently one in a quartet of Dee’s and without anything truly ‘novel’ it was with little effort that I selected four of my typical favorites and aside from the surprisingly supple though admittedly artificially sweet tasting blueberry cake ring I can only assume one of two things: #1) The oily fritter, spongy strawberry, and crumbly, tangless buttermilk were really that mediocre, or #2) Everything was a day old, the blueberry was so heavily glazed that it somehow had maintained its texture, and the fritter was awful either way.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/dees-donuts-las-vegas

Posted in Breakfast, Dee, Dee's Donuts, Food, Las Vegas, Nevada

December 8, 2013
6:28 AM
by: Uhockey

Babystacks Cafe, Las Vegas NV

BabyStacks Café

Coffee

Lemon Ricotta Pancakes – Three Crepe Style Pancakes, Lemons, Cream Cheese Syrup

Cookie Butter French Toast – Fresh Whipped Cream, drizzle of Nutella, dusted with pie crust and powdered sugar

Kalua Grilled Cheese – Kalua Pork with Melted Muenster and Cheddar Cheese on Grilled Sourdough Bread

Having experienced the North Buffalo location with mixed emotions when it was still called Babycakes it was at the recommendation of a few locals that I opted to give the since-rebranded and expanding Babystacks Café a second look and with my mother in tow for an early arrival before the post-church rush I’m happy to say the baby has aged well. Undoubtedly a place where kitsch finds prominence but where classics and good diner-service also stand strong it was admittedly with much debate that decisions were made on a menu where no less than a dozen sweet selections and numerous interesting savories plus specials reside but with coffee free flowing a plan was eventually hatched – two sweets, one savory, yes bacon, no potatoes, and much sharing after a short wait. Beginning savory and progressing to sweet I must say things started shaky with a small plate of $4 bacon and surprisingly bland pork lost to buttery bread and cheese but progressing to “dessert” the story turned one-eighty, the thin pancakes fluffy and rich but brought in check by light citrus while the French Toast pulled on no reigns, a full display of decadence with supple egg bread surrounding a slathering of Speculoos and drizzled with Nutella plus a half cup of whipped cream…more than enough to share and impetus for a trip to Centennial Hills to visit Babystacks III soon.

http://www.babystackscafe.com

Posted in Babystacks Cafe, Breakfast, Coffee, Food, French Toast, Las Vegas, Nevada, Pancakes, Pork

December 7, 2013
4:40 PM
by: Uhockey

Trattoria Nakamura-Ya, Las Vegas NV

Trattoria Nakamura-Ya

Iced Tea / Fever Tree Tonic Ginger Ale

Bread and Butter

Spaghetti Miso Carbonara

Fried Jidori Chicken

Bruschetta Nakamura-Ya Style – Tuna Spread, Anchovy Mozzarella, Octopus-Mayo-Wasabi-Avocado

Italian Spring Roll

Kurobuta Tonkatsu Nakamura-Ya Style

Black Sesame Blanc Manger

Green Tea Panna Cotta with Cream & Red Bean Sauce

Bearing in mind that my mother is not the most adventurous of eaters it was with some hesitation that I suggested Trattoria Nakamura-Ya for Saturday dinner but taking into account the strong reviews, affordable price point, convenient location, and willingness to show SEC and BIG-10 Championship games it seemed a safe bet…if only the service would have been remotely competent and I’d avoided the bilious piece of octopus bruschetta. Truly a small space, the max seating capacity only 32 and just one other diner present when we arrived, it seems perplexing to me that so much of our meal could have gone wrong and even taking into account the language barrier when considering a forgotten order of the Uni Tomato Cream there is still no excuse for plates sitting at the pass long enough to grow tepid or for the soggy, flavorless “spring rolls” and oily though admittedly flavorful chicken. Speaking to the quality of the mains and giving credit where it is due I will note that aside from the tomatoes accompanying the pork being only room temperature both the Tonkatsu and the Carbonara were innovative and well prepared while the desserts, complimentary on account of the forgotten pasta, were both comfortable if not particularly exciting…not exactly a ringing endorsement and certainly not enough to bring me back with so many better options for both food and service steps away.

http://www.trattorianakamura-ya.com/

Posted in Bread Basket, Italian, Las Vegas, Nevada, Octopus, Pork, Trattoria Nakamura-Ya

December 7, 2013
12:44 PM
by: Uhockey

Settebello, Las Vegas NV

Settebello

Arancini – Risotto, Peas, Smoked Mozzarella di Bufala, Cured Meats over Tomato Sauce and Parmigiano

Margherita DOC – Tomato, Mozzarella di Bufala, Parmigiano, Basil, Olio

Diavola – Tomato, Red Bell Peppers, Spicy Salami, Crushed Red Pepper, Garlic, Mozzarella, Basil, Olio

Rafael – Salame, Garlic, Roasted Onions, Mozzarella, Oregano, Red Pepper Flakes, Basil, Olio

Pizza Carbonara – Tomatoes, Pacetta, Egg, Cracked Pepper, Parmigiano, Mozzarella, Basil, Olio

Settebello – Tomatoes, Pancetta, Sausage, Mushrooms, Toasted Pine Nuts, Mozzarella, Basil, Olio

Zeppole – Donuts Filled with Nutella and Coated in Sugar

Caramel Budino – House made Caramel Pudding, Salted Caramel Sauce, Whipped Cream, House Made Almond Orange Cookie

Bella Mela – Sweetened Vanilla Mascarpone over Baked Pizza Bread topped with Fresh Cinnamon Apples, Caramel Sauce, Powdered sugar, Sliced Almonds

S’mores Calzone

More and more well versed with “VPN-Style” and the questionable certification process involved as time goes on I have come to realize that this decidedly un-American pizza is an acquired taste as even some of my most well-traveled and trusted friends are not particularly fond of the pools of mozzarella and often liquid center but with that in mind it was a pleasure to meet with four like-minded pizza pals on Saturday at the only ‘authentic’ VPN pizzeria in Las Vegas, the newest outpost of SLC’s Settebello. Featuring all the standards of a certified parlor, inclusive of a hand pressed di Sorrento brick oven, all wood firing, and imported flour worked by hand it was perhaps with a bit of gluttony that a the decision was made to sample four of the restaurant’s four signature pies plus the weekly special but in the end each and every one was an individually shaped, lightly charred, bubbly and balanced success. Truly a space where the concept of quality ingredients and time honored techniques yield a superior product it was with two golden, creamy arancini that the meal began and then progressing through pizza both red and white, simple and complex it was perhaps most telling that the best slices of the day belonged to the Margherita DOC with a the Buffala Mozz briny funk finding harmony in the hand crushed tomatoes yet not to be outdone the eponymous Settebello also shined as the novel pine nuts and mushrooms added an earthen undertone to the pairing of cured meats. Truly a place where not a single savory was anything less than excellent it was without hesitation that desserts were selected and again choosing broadly the rewards were myriad; a creamy budino on par with DOCG’s for best in town a clear favorite amongst many while the Bella Mela proved just as well conceptualized as the pizzas though ever more subtle – a characteristic ignored by both the Calzone and Zeppole; the first harkening a campfire’s smoke and the second soft and supple but both filled to bursting chocolate decadence and all the better for it.

http://settebello.net/

Posted in Dessert, Food, Italian, Las Vegas, Nevada, Pizza, Pork, Settebello

December 7, 2013
8:19 AM
by: Uhockey

La Belle Terre Bread French Bakery Cafe, Las Vegas NV

La Belle Terre Bread French Bakery Café

Baba Au Rhum

Kouign Amann

Butter Croissant

Almond Tart

Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookie

Palmier

Blueberry Cream Twist

When I heard rumor that an independent French Cafe was turning out superlative Kouign Amann just down the street from my new house I knew a visit was imminent – IE the day we started unpacking – and not only are the stories of stellar French pastry true…they even come from a condescending French baker with uncompromising style and skill. Admittedly a bit turned off by the “premade” croque alongside the fact that almond croissants would not be ready until the ambiguous “later” it was a relatively large sampling of the restaurant’s wares that we selected on Saturday morning and aside from a slightly doughy blueberry cream twist the results were textbook, inclusive of two of my very favorite items. Beginning first with a quartet including a warm butter croissant, flaky and natural almond tart entirely devoid of frangipane, and a Kouign Amann still warm liquid at the core it was actually the dense Baba Au Rhum that proved the shocker of the morning with ample booze but gentle sweetness beneath the light cream. Impressed enough to purchase some items to go it was perhaps the delay in consuming the twist until later that rendered it flaccid and unable to suffer the same fate both the chocolate chip cookie and more so the buttery palmier would prove the best I’ve found in the Southwest; all the more impetus to call in advance before my next visit to make sure the Almond Croissant is warm and ready.

http://labelleterrebread.com/

Posted in Breakfast, Croissant, Dessert, Food, La Belle Terre, La Belle Terre Bread French Bakery Cafe, Las Vegas, Nevada

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