These are most of the resaurants we visited on our recently concluded
vacation.
Inka Si Senor Peruvian Grill 2797 South Maryland Parkway. This
represented our first experience with Peruvian cuisine. The
restaurant was very large, colorfully decorated and almost empty
early on a Wednesday evening. Our waiter provided us with a
complimentary platter of carrots, cauliflower, onion and cucumber
marinated in vinaigrette. Ann ordered camarones al ajillo, small
shrimp in a delicious garlic sauce, served in an iron skillet along
with pieces of toasted garlic bread. She managed to soak up most of
the sauce with some assistance by me. I ordered aji de gallina,
chicken in a green, garlic-based sauce accompanied by rice. After
presenting our check, our waiter served us a complimentary shot glass
filled with a delicious mixture of rum, cream and the sap of some
tree. It tasted somewhat akin to Bailey's Irish Cream. The meal was
satisfactory, but we will not be in rush to return.
http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/2002/Aug-14-Wed-
2002/living/19377319.html
Ellis Island we visited on Thursday night and decided to try the
Brewery Patio for BBQ. The menu is limited to baby back ribs and
chicken. We split orders of ½ rack of ribs and a combination plate of
½ a rack with ½ a chicken. Platters include corn on the cob (mushy)
and cole slaw. The price is normally $5.95, but seniors (over 50)
receive a $1 off coupon at the slot booth on Thursdays. Worthy of
note are the $1 per drink prices, including an in-house brewed beer,
offered at the bar 24/7. Recommended.
We returned on a rainy (0.62 inches) Wednesday night when all entrees
on the regular menu are priced at just $3.95. I chose the prime
(choice) rib that was accompanied by either the housebrewed beer or
root beer, a baker and the world's best garlic green beans.
Unfortunately the prime rib was overcooked and, therefore, a tad bit
tough. Ann had the fresh salmon accompanied by sliced fried
potatoes and cole slaw. Our accompanying dinner salads were
regrettably forgettable.
http://www.ellisislandcasino.com/menu002/EImenu2002.htm
Toto's Mexican, 2055 E. Tropicana. We were quickly seated on a busy
Friday night. Our waiter took our drink orders and we were served
housemade salsa with a bowl of chips. We each ordered spinach
enchiladas that were accompanied by the ever-present refried beans
and Spanish rice. Our meal also included a cup of delicious tortilla
soup. Recommended.
http://www.lasvegasweekly.com/departments/06_16_99/dining_totos.html
Lotus of Siam - Commercial Center on Sahara Blvd. Our highly
anticipated return visit to this excellent Thai restaurant did not
disappoint in the least. We started with nam kao tod minced sour
sausage mixed with green onion, fresh chili, ginger, peanut, crispy
rice, tons of fresh herbs, and lime juice. This was truly heaven for
the taste buds, but be forewarned this dish is spicy. On ordering
your entrees you should specify your preferred level of heat on a
range of 1 (none) to 10 (fire). We requested level 8, which turned
out to be only mildly spicy. Our entrees this evening were spicy
jackfruit with chicken in a curry sauce and fried catfish with
basil. We both felt the jackfruit (similar to artichoke hearts) was
rather bland, but the curry and chicken were excellent. The fried
catfish w/basil was probably one of the best Thai dishes I have ever
encountered. We split a dish of coconut ice cream with sticky rice
and fresh mango. This restaurant is not to be missed.
http://www.offbeattravel.com/siam.html
Las Vegas Hilton brunch Inexpensive champagne, very little variety
and mediocre quality. We were entirely under whelmed by this dining
experience. Thankfully, the price of the brunch was included in our
room/show package.
Baja Café @ the Fiesta-Henderson. Two visits. A cup of very good
cheese soup as a late night snack one evening. We subsequently
returned for lunch and split a bowl of Feel Good Soup. We were
served 2 of the largest bowls of wonton soup one could ever imagine.
You may choose either steamed or fried wontons and each bowl includes
fresh spinach, cilantro, noodles and several large strips of
flavorful chicken. Highly recommended.
Guadalajara Sunset Station. We love the salsa bar, but feel this
restaurant compares unfavorably to the similarly named restaurants at
Palace and Boulder Stations. The taco sauce and cheese on top of my
spinach enchilada entrée was entirely too heavy-handed. Ann ordered
a chile relleno and spinach enchilada combination plate that was just
average. The accompanying refried beans and Spanish rice were
typical TexMex fare.
Il Fornaio GVR. This is now one of our favorite restaurants. Each
room is tastefully decorated and service is impeccable. We were
seated with a view of the outside patio. In addition to the regular
menu, Il Fornaio offers specials from a rotating list of regions. We
ordered our wine and soup (minestrone) from the Umberto menu. Ann
once again ordered cappellacci di zucca housemade pasta stuffed
with butternut squash and walnuts in a brown sugar, Parmesan and sage
cream sauce. I ordered suprema di pollo - sautéed chicken breast
topped with portobella mushroom, fontina and white wine sauce and
accompanied by sautéed spinach and roasted potatoes. Both dishes were
excellent.
http://www.ilfornaio.com/
India Palace 505 East Twain. This was another new restaurant we
tried on this trip. Our first impression, based on the location and
exterior of the building, was negative, but the inside was quite
pleasant. We found prices at this Indian restaurant to be relatively
high in comparison to home since entrees do not include basmati rice,
papadum or a relish tray. We ordered lamb rogan josh and prawns
korma plus naan. Everything was delicious and the service was
excellent.
http://www.aaamenus.com/indiapalacemenu.html
Orleans We received 2 free dinner buffets each night as part of our
LA Times rate. We chose to dine on the seafood night, Monday, and
sampled the shrimp cocktail, oysters rockafeller, roasted halibut,
hot snow crab, Mongolian grille, stir fry, BBQ and dessert. We
returned 3 nights later for on a regular buffet courtesy of the free
buffets included in our LA Times rate. Offerings were very similar
sans the snow crab, oysters and other fish dishes.
Metro Pizza 4001 Decatur. This location is more upscale than their
E. Tropicana restaurant that we have frequented in the past. The
prices seemed a bit higher as well. We shared a large NY style cheese
pizza that was excellent. Highly recommended.
http://www.metropizza.com/
Blue Agave Palms. This was our 5th or 6th visit to this Oyster bar
that shares space with Gardunos. The restaurant was packed on this
Sunday night, but we found space at the Oyster bar. We started off
with margaritas, taco chips and a sampling from the salsa bar. Ann
had the crab pan roast while I chose mine with shrimp. This is
comfort food for us and each dish was excellent as usual. Highly
recommended.
Breakfast buffets in order of preference:
Gold Coast buffet excellent fruit, make you own huevos
rancheros, friendly staff
Palace Station buffet quality has deteriorated since 9/11,
but still among the best.
Bone-in ham, corned beef hash, cooked to order
pancakes and waffles.
Orleans buffet excellent fruit, make you own huevos
rancheros, and sweet potato pancakes. Very
similar in terms of quality and variety to the Gold
Coast.
LV Hilton complimentary continental breakfast served to Gold
and Platinum Hilton Honors club
members.- fresh juice, bagels, and assorted pastries.
Texas Station unripe fruit, overcooked pancakes and
blintzes, and limited selection.