As I am back from a short 4 day excursion to Las Vegas, I already have friends asking me "So, what did you eat!". Well I am not going to write my usual in-depth review given that many of you might not travel so far to simply get a bite. I am always willing to go in to greater detail off-line if you want more details on the food and venues. This was my first time going to Vegas, so all was new.
I must admit I knew strange things were only coming as on my flight out there a gentleman a couple rows up reading an adult magazine on the plane I found that a little shocking, but then when he shared the magazine with another couple, now I really knew I was on a flight to Vegas!
I must admit I knew strange things were only coming as on my flight out there a gentleman a couple rows up reading an adult magazine on the plane I found that a little shocking, but then when he shared the magazine with another couple, now I really knew I was on a flight to Vegas!
I joined my wife who was already in Vegas for a conference and we were staying at the Cosmopolitan. I knew this had to be a pretty "hip" place given Kim Kardashian was celebrating her birthday at the hotel. Right after check-in, our first stop was the "Wicked Spoon" at the Cosmopolitan. A buffet that was more on the gourmet end of things.
This pictures is of the oysters that were in a special tomato/onion broth, along with some spicy tuna and California rolls. In the small silver pot is a Korean style spicy chicken mixed in with kim chee. Towards the back of this picture is one of the more unique way of serving 2 chicken wings in a small individual deep frying pan for presentation. I wish I took more pictures of everything I ate and everything that was served, but I will definitely say that this was a very unique gourmet buffet. Definitely one I would recommend for someone that likes buffets but wants something that you can't get at every buffet.
As we looked for something a little more casual for dinner, we stumbled across a place called Cabo Wabo Cantina. It was literally right on Las Vegas Strip across from the Cosmopolitan and Ceasers. The evening view was excellent, given that you could watch the street performers (yes, I really do want a authentic Star Wars Storm Trooper costume) and in the evening you could watch all the water shows of the Bellagio while you eat! A definite plus and given that the view and street entertainment was so good I actually went back the following night!
Here is the picture of the chips and salsa, which their salsa was very good, and my monster beef burrito! I would say the food was very good, but the view is really what did it!
For brunch the next day, we ate at Holstein's in the Cosmo hotel. I read some online reviews and it sounded like a pretty good burger place. Boy, was I in for a shock! As this might have topped it off as one of the best unique flavors I had on the trip.
In the back of this picture my wife's dish of the "Gold Standard" - a dry-aged beef burger with smoked bacon, aged goat cheese, tomato confetti, baby arugula and garlic-chive aioli, along with a shoestring fries and I had the "Rising Sun" (yes, going with the Asian in me!). It was a Kobe beef burger, teriyaki glaze, nori furikaki (flakes), shaved crispy yam, spicy mayo with a slice of fried tempura avocado and steak fries on the side! Both these burgers could definitely win any burger contest and I don't think many could have come up with these unique combinations ! The is a must-do place for burger lovers. My wife also had a shake which she said was top notch.
We did go out for formal night at SW Steakhouse at the Wynn. Unfortunately, as I did not want to look too inappropriate at the restaurant and I got caught up in the wonderful conversation and friends we were with, I really did not get a chance to take a picture of the meals. But I will say, the one key thing that set this steak house apart from any other steakhouse was the ambiance.
This picture really does not do it's justice at all. But picture yourself eating a peppercorn coated steak cooked perfectly with the outside of the steak having a peppercorn crust and hearing the sounds of a waterfall along with having the feeling of sitting in the North Carolina cool and peaceful wilderness! Again, many of you might say what the heck, a frog on top of this waterfall surrounded by trees, well I must admit, it was more than just that. It was one of those emotional experience where when these short few minute shows would come out with a choreagraphed shows to music such as It's a Beautiful World (the frog sang along)
Another meal we ate at for more of casual meal was at Noodles inside the Bellagio. As much as I really couldn't face paying high price for authentic Chinese food, I felt like I was back in a dim sum/won ton shop in San Francisco.
My wife ordered the Signature Chicken Chow Mein Mandarin Noodles, which was cooked on the wok perfectly giving a nice wok flavor and seasoned perfectly, not being too salty or simply having just a soy sauce taste as you get at your local Chinese restaurant. The dish in the front of the picture is actually my father's favorite and I had to order it as I enjoyed it as well. It is a very large noodle bowl that contains beef brisket and tendons, served with the Chinese egg noodles in a spiced herb broth. A very authentic disk, that most of us, or at least those in South Florida will not be able to get of this quality. Even though, the prices were a bit higher, it was for Chinese food that I simply can't get, so it was well worth the price especially for the taste and quality!
