Category: 4 Stars

Sake Rok

Set your expectations appropriately before dining at this modern Japanese restaurant at the Park next to New York New York. This is the quintessential Las Vegas experience with a show, performed by the servers, that breaks out periodically throughout the night with an engaging MC, great dancers, and plenty of loud music. This isn’t the… Continue reading Sake Rok

The Coffee Cup

Popular because of its location off the main drag in Boulder City and because of their appearance on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, you’ll likely wait to get a table on a weekend. It’s a cool place with a surfing theme throughout. They’re known for their Blood Maries, although I didn’t have one. I… Continue reading The Coffee Cup

Metro Diner

*** Update: Business closed in early 2018 *** Due to personal reasons, my blogging has decreased the past several months and now I have a backlog of written or partially-written reviews three or four dozen deep. I’m finally getting around to posting again and while some may be outdated (this one included), they still may… Continue reading Metro Diner

The Patio Desserts & Drinks

Located a few doors down from Goyemon, off of Decatur. Despite its name, there isn’t an outdoor patio, but the interior, with its dark wood palettes, faux grass, swing, and plants, creates enough of an outdoor vibe that it doesn’t matter. They did a great job decorating this place. The modern, yet approachable and comforting… Continue reading The Patio Desserts & Drinks

Joe Maxx Coffee

This chain coffee shop from the midwest is open in southeast Vegas. The minimal, modern interior, full of art from local artists, is home to quality coffee drinks, pastries made in-house, breakfast sandwiches, and wraps. Specialty drinks are great options to get, like the black and tan (rich mocha steamed with creamy peanut butter) or… Continue reading Joe Maxx Coffee

Sweet Poké

This is the second location of the Sweet Poke chain. Located across the street for Gelatology and in the same plaza as Creamberry and Coco donuts, it follows the same format as most other local poke/sushi burrito places. They have some house specials or you can build your own. I opted for a regular sized… Continue reading Sweet Poké

Cinnamon’s

Located in Parma’s old location, Cinnamon’s (a chain out of Hawaii) expanded the dining room and gave the interior the requisite 808 feel. I loved the guava flavor from the guava chiffon pancakes. Thick, yet fluffy, the short stack was a good portion size for me. The red velvet pancakes were dense and chocolatey, covered… Continue reading Cinnamon’s

Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill

I went here a while back with no reservation on a busy Thursday night and they were able to seat our party of 9 within 15 minutes. After reading mixed reviews of the place my expectations weren’t very high. But, I walked away impressed with several of the dishes. Crispy calamari was mixed with pickled… Continue reading Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill

Bailiwick

As part of the Orleans updated dining options, Bailiwick brings live entertainment, good drinks, and plenty of comfort food to a spacious gastropub setting. There’s plenty to like from their oversized menu starting with appetizers. You’ll find a massive pretzel with an ale house cheese fondue, deviled eggs topped with candied bacon, delicious wrapped dates… Continue reading Bailiwick

Le Pho Vietnamese Kitchen

A downtown hit since the day they opened, I finally had the chance to visit a while back. Located on the ground floor of the Juhl condos the interior is dark and intimate, despite it’s fairly large size. This is more refined and upscale Vietnamese food than what you’ll typically find on Spring Mountain Road.… Continue reading Le Pho Vietnamese Kitchen

To See Roll

This part of the southwest is littered with poke shops almost every block. But, the one I go to time and again has been To See Roll. Like most others, it’s a Subway/Chipotle style of assembling your food starting with a base (black rice is an option), protein, sauces, and toppings. I like the quality… Continue reading To See Roll

Chabuya

You won’t find trendy food at Chabuya, but you will find well crafted, traditional Japanese dishes where many items  are made from scratch in-house. After calling in the early afternoon to make a group reservation, I found out later that they are usually closed Sunday nights but the owner, Danny, was nice enough to stay… Continue reading Chabuya

tsp. Baking Company

Owned by Kari Garcia, the former co-owner and baker of Retro Bakery, tsp serves mini cupcakes, along with specialty cakes, Lappert’s ice cream, cookies, and rolls that she has branded as “fairy rolls.” Cupcake flavors are mostly different than what she had at Retro and while I loved the mini cupcake and full-sized cupcakes at… Continue reading tsp. Baking Company

Mimosas Gourmet

Occupying the location formerly know as Pho Vietnam Grille Express off of Durango, behind Arby’s, there’s plenty to like on their menu. Always opting for sweeter options, my son and I split the churro waffle and nutella s’mores French toast. The former could have used more cinnamon and sugar, but was still a delicious waffle… Continue reading Mimosas Gourmet

Cagney’s Steakhouse

Our last dinner of the cruise, on Christmas night, was at Cagney’s Steakhouse on the 13th floor towards the back of the Jade. It’s a modern looking steakhouse with elegant, yet comfortable seating and decor. Appetizers to start included shrimp cocktail with three shrimp and minimal cocktail sauce; a delicious and substantial iceberg wedge salad;… Continue reading Cagney’s Steakhouse

Border Grill

The $34.99 all you can eat brunch is still one of my favorite brunches in town. I’ve dined at the Mandalay Bay location and recently tried their second location in the Forum Shops. My favorite items include the plantain empanadas, huevos rancheros, Yucatan egg Benedict, churro tots, and tres leeches French toast. Less successful are… Continue reading Border Grill

The Noodle Man

Located on Rainbow, just south of the 215, Noodle Man serves as the gateway to all the great, new Asian eateries in the southwest. Driving down Rainbow has become like driving down a new Chinatown (along with many other Asian cuisines). Noodle Man serves some amazing hand-crafted noodles. The sliced pork and mushroom hand sliced… Continue reading The Noodle Man

Biscuits Cafe

Biscuits Cafe is probably one of the most underrated breakfast spots in town. I’m a fan of cinnamon rolls and a fan of French toast, so the cinnamon roll French toast ($10.99) was a marriage made in fat-kid heaven. Sweet, cinnamon filled, doughy and delicious, there’s enough sweetness without being overpowering. The portion is large… Continue reading Biscuits Cafe

Bell’s BBQ

My meal at Bell’s was another comped experience for local Instagrammers. Family owned and operated, this rustic, yet hip spot features plenty of comfortable booths and table seating with a view into the kitchen. Order at the counter and wait for your food to come to you. The standouts from our meal were catfish beautifully… Continue reading Bell’s BBQ

Served

Late last summer I was invited to sample a selection of new dishes from Served as they were thinking about expanding their hours to serve dinner. They are currently only open for breakfast and lunch. However, the seven course meal showcased the chef’s talent and creativity wasn’t limited to breakfast food. Two scallop dishes began our… Continue reading Served