*** 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 I’m finally getting around to posting again and while some may be outdated (this one included), they still may… Continue reading Metro Diner
Tag: kid-friendly
Chicken Now
Chicken Now is a national chain with locations all over the US. This location is in the food court at the south premium outlets. It’s nowhere near the same level as Raising Cane’s. The breading on the chicken tenders was thick and the meat was dry and not tender. The Texas toast wasn’t very good… Continue reading Chicken Now
Grouchy John’s Coffee
I’ve found myself on the east side of town more often than I would like recently thanks to my kid’s after school activities. Luckily, the original location of Grouchy John’s is close by. I’m a fan of the Star Wars motif and love all the local art that adorns the walls. Their blended drinks are… Continue reading Grouchy John’s Coffee
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
Rolled Ice Cream
Cool concept and the quality of the ice cream is pretty good, but not the best ice cream you’ll eat. A mini serving ends up being about 4 rolls of ice cream, which was more than enough for me. I’ve tried the coffee N doughnut (love that it comes with half a glazed doughnut on… Continue reading Rolled Ice Cream
Mochiko Chicken
Great fast casual spot with asian fusion chicken bowls. It’s a small restaurant off of Decatur where you order at the counter and they’ll bring the food out to you. I like that they have crispy chicken and grilled chicken bowls in case you want to eat a little healthier. They’ve expanded their menu since… Continue reading Mochiko Chicken
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
Papa Pinny’s Pizzeria
This small, locally owned mom-and-pop-type shop has several tables to dine in. You’ll be surrounded by lots of Chicago memorabilia hanging on the walls as you look through a menu that isn’t limited to pizza. There’s plenty of other Italian-American dishes ranging from pastas to calzones to sandwiches and chicken wings. The pizza is pretty… Continue reading Papa Pinny’s Pizzeria
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
Virgil’s Real Barbecue
No, this isn’t a restaurant from the south. It’s actually from New York, owned by the same company that created Carmine’s. The interior is what you’d expect from a BBQ joint — a rustic/country appeal with lots of wood and weathered signs. I was with a group of Instagrammers, invited by the restaurant, to sample… Continue reading Virgil’s Real Barbecue
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
JinJu Chocolates
This is the second outpost for Chef Jin Caldwell. More spacious and better decorated than the original spot at the Container Store, the space is beautiful, a chocoholic’s dream. It’s full of chocolates, pastries, cakes, and drinks. Cakes by the slice are available and they’re a must. The milk chocolate PB&J cake has a subtle… Continue reading JinJu Chocolates
Feast Buffet
I unfortunately ate here last Thanksgiving. The wait was crazy long… about 2.5 hours. I have to blame my parents for suggesting we eat here. They wanted variety, and while they got that, we also got mediocre food. Going in I knew it wasn’t going to be great and my expectations were met with Asian… Continue reading Feast Buffet
Topgolf
Golf isn’t my sport — I’m awful at it — but Top Golf was a blast! This national chain looks like a driving range but it’s so much more. There are several holes/targets for various games that make this fun even for those that don’t play. Plus, the food and drinks are pretty good. Chicken… Continue reading Topgolf
IKEA
Their showroom is massive. You could spend half a day just walking around and looking at everything. Their furniture may not be high quality, but it is affordable. And, looking to decorate my kid’s room, we found several things here that he loved. I also found plenty of stuff to buy for myself — kitchen… Continue reading IKEA
Showboy BakeShop
This is the second location for Showboy. I never made the trek to their Henderson spot, so I’m glad they opened up this one off of Haulapai, just south of Summerlin. The glitzy, elegant interior lives up to the Showboy name as it looks like the lobby of a theater. Most of the cupcakes I’ve… Continue reading Showboy BakeShop
Via Brasil Steakhouse
Via Brasil is a carnivore’s dream. Like other Brazilian steakhouses, you’ll get plenty of cuts of meat from cows, chicken, lamb and more. I’ve driven by countless times but failed to visit until recently. Located at the corner of Charleston and Ft. Apache, the outside looks impressive, but the interior is even more so. It’s… Continue reading Via Brasil Steakhouse
Libre Mexican Cantina
Created by the same company (Clique) that brought Hearthstone and Salute to Red Rock casino, Libre is a decent, if uninspired, Mexican restaurant. I actually prefer its predecessor, Mercadito, to this place. At least Mercadito had a unique variety of tacos. The menu at Libre is more run-of-the-mill Mexican designed to appease the suburban palate.… Continue reading Libre Mexican Cantina
The Station 66 Italian Bistro
Station 66 Italian Bistro was, by far, the best dining experience of our trip through northern Arizona. I loved everything about this place. Service was top notch,the interior is spacious and cool, there’s an outdoor patio with music, and most importantly the food and drinks were great. Wine and beer flights are available for $15… Continue reading The Station 66 Italian Bistro
Bruno’s Pizza
I’m not sure I understand all the high ratings online for this place. The pizza here is decent, but not the best in town. They wouldn’t even crack my top 5, maybe not even my top 10. I’ve gotten a veggie pizza and Hawaiian pizza, along with garlic cheesey bread. The crust is thicker than… Continue reading Bruno’s Pizza
Truffles N Bacon Cafe
Serving up classic American fare with their own spin, Truffles N Bacon Cafe is a locally-owned spot just north of the 215 on Eastern. It’s a short drive from their original (and now closed) location near Eastern and Sunset. I’m guessing this new spot will garner more traffic being close to movie theaters, LVAC, and… Continue reading Truffles N Bacon Cafe
The Protein Source
Just like Greens and Proteins and Protein House, this is another fast-casual healthy eats spot. Located a stone’s throw from Greens and Proteins, I prefer the food and shakes here. The American Muscle bowl is a good option whether you intend to eat healthy or not. It’s full of lean and tender ground bison, a… Continue reading The Protein Source
Zoozacrackers Deli
***Update: Business closed*** There aren’t many places at the Wynn to grab a quick bite to eat other than the coffee shop across from the box office and Zoozacrackers, a counter service deli by the sports book. This is an upscale take on a deli, of course, where sandwiches are a step up from typical… Continue reading Zoozacrackers Deli
Extraordinary Desserts
It’s a San Diego institution. It was even mentioned when we were on one of those seal bus/boat tours. With the hype that this business has received over the years it’s almost impossible for expectations to be met. First of all, the place is a madhouse and it was only a Tuesday night! I’d hate… Continue reading Extraordinary Desserts
Albert’s Restaurant
If you want a fancy, sit-down meal while at the San Diego Zoo, this is the place. It’s pricey but the food is clearly superior to everything else you’ll find at the zoo. It’s best to either get a reservation or get there when they first open because the place fills up fast. The atmosphere… Continue reading Albert’s Restaurant
Pasta Idea
It’s a small, locally owned spot with freshly made pastas that far surpass what can be found at Buca di Peppo a couple blocks down. Pastas are made fresh every morning and the flavors and execution are better than what can be found at most sit down establishments off the Strip. There hasn’t been much… Continue reading Pasta Idea
CRAFTkitchen
You can add my review to the ever growing list of write-ups praising this spot. After a couple visits it’s safe to say this is one of the best (if not THE best) breakfast/brunch/lunch spots in town. The short rib hash ($15.95 + $1.75 for a poached egg) was as amazing as it looks with… Continue reading CRAFTkitchen
Sushi Loca
Located in Downtown Summerlin, the restaurant is beautiful and modern inside. The space is sexy, inviting, and comforting and showed a lot more personality than the drab exterior, which does nothing to draw people in. Sushi purists, this is not the place for you. This is Americanized sushi to the max, full of mayo and… Continue reading Sushi Loca
Chef Marc’s Trattoria
I loved Chef Marc’s old restaurant Parma, but was underwhelmed by my experience here back in January. The breading on the calamari was a soggy, limp mess. Lettuce in the Caesar salad wasn’t dried properly making it a watery disaster. The malfiata/deconstructed lasagna was unremarkable. The sauce was lacking in flavor and the whole dish… Continue reading Chef Marc’s Trattoria
Blueberry Hill Family Restaurant
I’ve driven by Blueberry Hill countless times and never given it much thought. But, having enjoyed a meal at one of their other locations, it was time to check out this location at the corner of Flamingo and Decatur with family in tow. The building was renovated a couple years back and the interior looks… Continue reading Blueberry Hill Family Restaurant