One of the better brunch options in town can be found here. On Saturday’s and Sunday’s they have an all you can eat brunch with prices ranging from $9.99 – $19.99. Prices are based on the menu categories you want to order from. All you can drink mimosas are available for an additional $15 or all you can drink bloody mary’s for $12.
One can’t-miss item is the poached egg on pastrami hash. The potatoes were deliciously crispy and light in all the right places and the chunks of pastrami added a wonderful saltiness and savoriness to the dish. Mix in the poached egg after slicing it open and together it’s a dish you won’t forget.
The flakiness of the pecan sticky buns topped with the sweet and smooth caramel sauce creates another winner. The lemon ricotta pancakes come three per order so you may want to share. They’re light and fluffy with a subtle lemon flavor. The Monte Cristo, the stuffed French toast, and the cheese blintzes are two other dishes that my wife and I had no trouble finishing.
The hollandaise on the surf and turf was a bit too eggy and thick for my liking, but considering that was the only dish I wasn’t crazy about it’s easy to overlook that one misstep. Another thing that disappointed me, ever so slightly, was the pre-packaged jams that came out with the French toast and Monte Cristo. It would be nice to see, in the future, house made jams accompany those and similar dishes.
The great service and comfortable environment also helped to make my dining experience memorable. It’s a locally owned business that’s been around for three years — quite a feat considering they’re located in a plaza that’s had a high turnover rate for restaurants. With their great happy hour deals, late night menu, appetizing lunch and dinner menus Republic Kitchen and Bar has something to offer everyone. And, with brunch they certainly delivered an enjoyable meal.
4.5 Stars
9470 S Eastern Ave
Henderson, NV 89123
(702) 463-3500
Buffets and all you can eat (AYCE) establishments are all about quantity. There’s no denying it. You go to those places because you’ve got the appetite of a Survivor contestant who just got voted off the island. You just want to seek and destroy and quality takes a back seat for the night. With that said, my expectation are always lowered going in.
Umiya, located a block away from the Palms on Flamingo Road, may not have the city’s best sushi but it is one of the better AYCE spots. I’ve been here a few times and more often than not, all the food I get is pretty good, if not great (at least based on AYCE standards). Their AYCE menu is fairly large, as is their a la carte selections. The dinner price is $26.95 and for kids it’s about $13.
With a minimal amount of rice and decent sized sliced of fish most of the nigiri I’ve tried was good. Standouts include the tuna, super white tuna, sea bream, yellowtail and eel. I’m a fan of several other dishes. The gyoza was crispy and delicious. The yellowtail lover roll was full of fresh fish and wasn’t over-sauced. The crispy rice with spicy tuna was tough to eat due to it’s large size, but had wonderful flavors with a spicy finish thanks to the jalapeño. The oysters and pork belly are respectable and worth ordering again.
On the flip side, the seared tuna in AJ sauce was drowning in sauce and subsequently drowned out the flavor of the fish. The Hawaiian roll was made with rice sitting in the cooker too long — dry and hard grains dominated the roll. The shrimp balls could have used less sauce. Unfortunately, all that sauce rendered the pastry balls mushy and soggy.
The interior is cool with the long communal tables and benches. It also seems to be easier to get a seat than other AYCE places around town. The times I went I’ve never had to wait, which is perfect when my patience is running low, I’m hungry, and all I want to do is stuff my face. Umiya has quickly become my go-to spot for AYCE Japanese fare. It’s family friendly, has quick and friendly service, and quality fare that won’t break the bank.
4 Stars
4465 W Flamingo Rd
Las Vegas, NV 89103
(702) 365-6195
