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Foodie-Girl

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    Dining in Las Vegas: Part 1

    in Southwest & Western States: Dining

    Posted

    I've been to most of the great 'food cities' as well and can still say that some of my 'best meals ever' have been in Las Vegas.

    Le Cirque, Bradley Ogden, Michael Mina (Aqua), Nobu....some really special meals that rank up pretty high in my book.

    No, can't say anything that matches French Laundry or Inn At Little Washington...but they are in a class by themselves in my book.

    I do agree about the "hype factor". When our expectations are SO very high is it possible not be be a little let-down?

    Dining in Las Vegas: Part 1

    in Southwest & Western States: Dining

    Posted

    Monday was Bradley Ogden. I was a little disappointed that the tasting menu was not a more formalized thing - the wiater needs to ask is it is available and then you aren't told in advance what to expect. So we opted for alacarte ordering.

    ***I know what you mean about being used to a more formalized approach to the tasting menu. I'm used to seeing it right in front of me too.

    That said, I've been to Bradley Ogden twice and did tasting menus both time. I was asked about any food allergies or if there was something I absolutely didn't want to eat.

    Once we got past my black pepper allergy we were off and running and I have to say it was kind of fun to be surprised with each course.

    All in all we ate very well this week but came away a little disappointed. Maybe we picked the wrong places or maybe, like the rest of Las Vegas, the food looks better from a distance and doesn't quite live up to the expectations.

    ***Sorry to hear about your disappointments as we go to Las Vegas to eat great food as much as anything else.

    I think it's a matter of trial and error. I've had some big disappointments....Aureole and Lutece for instance. I go again and again to favorites but that would become boring if I didn't try some of the new places.

    I do believe Las Vegas has amazing food...it's just finding the restaurants that really knock your socks off. Problem is the search can be painfully expensive if you hit a couple of clunkers:

    eG Foodblog: little ms foodie - Sauteing in Seattle

    in Food Traditions & Culture

    Posted · Edited by Foodie-Girl (log)

    Wendy, the word "blog" sounds so unrefined for a description of this past weeks entrys.

    Your writing reflects all the thought you put into meal selection and preparation and the photos make us feel that we're sitting right there next to you.

    I think you've done a great job and look forward to seeing how things go on your last day.

    Brava for a job well done !!

    25 for $25

    in Pacific Northwest & Alaska: Dining

    Posted

    Union offers the regular tasting menu for $25. Although this time around it's cut down to six courses; still an incredible value.

    ***Hoping the third time would be the charm we went to Union last night.

    Yes, $25 is a great price for a six course tasting menu but some of the portions were SO small it was just silly. I would have preferred less courses and just a LITTLE more food.

    Amuse: Braised Rabbit (both bites were delicious)

    Jerusalum Artichoke Soup with Chestnut Puree: A nice sized portion and like drinking velvet. This was a show-stopper

    Seared Opah: Both bites were wonderful.

    Lime-Celery(?) Sorbet: Tart? Yeah, this was painfully tart.

    Seared Muscovy Duck Breast: OK, I'm the odd man out on duck breast...I just don't care for it rare. I asked for it "medium well" It came quacking out of the kitchen and our 'somewhat rough around the edges' waitperson announced: "DUCK, medium well". I took one bite of the RARE bird and sent it back to the kitchen.

    It came back medium-well and was fine. The mashed potatoes and cabbage beneath it were delicious.

    Dessert: Precious little espresso cup with Chocolate Mousse....very good.

    Again I found the experience mixed. Most of the food was excellent and the service not quite in keeping with the sophistication of the courses served.

    Once again sitting at the TINY table for two up against the wall is something I just don't care for. I really looked at the room and it seems to me that there is no great table for two people. It's either lined up against the wall like a firing squad or the much bigger tables meant to accommodate 4 to 6 people.

    On the plus side the cocktails are perfectly executed and our wine an excellent choice....trying to avoid having it opened and served in concert with our cocktails was the usual annoyance.

    I know everyone most everyone here loves this restaurant...and I've tried...but always leave a little disappointed.

    Dining in Las Vegas: Part 1

    in Southwest & Western States: Dining

    Posted

    Here's my "rough draft"

    Thursday, Dinner - Circo

    Friday, Lunch - Olives

    Friday, Dinner - Prime

    Saturday, Lunch - Noodles

    Saturday, Dinner - Le Cirque

    Which is better for dinner, Olives or Circo? We don't want three HUGE dinners in a row, hence the casual option on Thursday. I know Prime is "just steak," but it looks like a cool atmosphere.

    How'd I do?

    ***I'd say you done real good !!

    I prefer lunch at Olives and Circo for dinner. I consider Prime to be a VERY heavy dinner and might opt for going there Thursday night....a lighter dinner on Friday at Circo and then, pull out all the stops at Le Cirque on Saturday night....this way you don't have two heavy dinners in a row.

    Oooops I guess I re-arranged your plans...LOL

    Nope.....I wouldn't call Prime 'just steak' by a long-shot. It's a beautiful restaurant....excellent service...but a LOT of food. Every morsal is ala carte...and the 'sides' are great but each one is very large. If each person orders two sides it can turn into overkill.

    Since you wrote that you're being comped this isn't such a big issue....but worth mentioning unless you want to look at a LOT of food on your table.

    Dining in Las Vegas: Part 1

    in Southwest & Western States: Dining

    Posted

    OK - here's the question.  Picasso or Le Cirque?  I've been to Picasso, and loved it.  And I've been to Le Cirque 2000 in NYC and loved it.  How is the LV Le Cirque, and is it worth trying over a return visit to Picasso?

    For what it's worth...I've been to Le Cirque 2000 once and didn't think it was nearly as good as LV Le Cirque.

    I've been to both Picasso and Le Cirque (LV) numerous times and would give Le Cirque somewhat higher marks.

    Boston Restaurant Recommendations

    in New England: Dining

    Posted

    Hate to ask this but what sort of price point are you looking stay within?

    ***No budget restrictions.....just time restraints as we'll probably arrive in Boston early afternoon after a long day of traveling and then an early morning flight out in the morning.

    Yes, we've used the T in Boston once or twice...should be able to figure it out.

    We're staying at either the Hyatt or Hilton at Logan.

    WOW, you've got me off to a good start !!!

    Boston Restaurant Recommendations

    in New England: Dining

    Posted

    Hope it's OK if I tag along with this thread....

    We'll be in Boston for one night (prior to a morning flight) and staying at an airport hotel...no car.

    We're also looking for a great restaurant for dinner...are any of those mentioned-above closer than others to the airport? Sorry, I'm not familiar with Boston.

    As for restaurants that are great and not necessesarily new what would be a good choice?

    We love most all cuisines but east coast seafood would be great!

    Thanks so much

    Dining in Las Vegas: Part 1

    in Southwest & Western States: Dining

    Posted

    Thanks for the insights!  It's always interesting to see different cities' dress code etiquette.  L.A. has me totally confounded:  I always feel self-conscious wherever I go there, since I'm not partial to ripped jeans and dirty $300 t-shirts!  :rolleyes:

    ***Hey, it's a casual city...LOL

    To my knowledge the only time my husband really needed to wear a jacket/tie was at L'Orangerie...a very sericous and great restaurant.

    Other than that...just dress for comfort ((-:

    Dining in Las Vegas: Part 1

    in Southwest & Western States: Dining

    Posted

    Do you get a sense that the restaurant employees treat you differently if you're not "dressed up" enough?

    *** Like you I tend to err on the side of being over rather than under-dressed so I haven't been in that situation.

    I'm a pretty serious diner and dress accordingly.

    Would your husband wear a jacket to Picasso? When I went there, I wore jacket and tie - and didn't feel overdressed at all.

    ***If he had to bring a jacket for Le Cirque he'd probably wear it to all the dinners. If not he'd wear a really nice dress shirt and slacks...good belt, watch..etc. and be fine.

    We ate at Picasso in August and I did notice that most of the men were wearing jackets/ties so he felt a little underdressed but not a big deal.

    What is the proper "code" in Las Vegas?

    ***I think it depends on the restaurant. We dined at Emeril's Aquaknox, Bradley Ogden, The Palm a few weeks ago and my husband wore dark shirts/slacks everywhere...

    I think Le Cirque is a very classy and subdued restaurant and calls for a dressier appearance.

    He wouldn't wear a "loud" short sleeve shirt to any of those places but I don't think a jacket was absolutely necessary.

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