Dining - TR (long)

The following is a quick summation of places where we dined during our 2/5-19 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.

 

Thanks for the great report!! I love all of the reviews and thanks for the website links. I think we spend more money on food than we do on gambling when we go to Vegas! We love trying new places and re-visiting favorites. We always have a hard time deciding what new places to try, so reports like yours really help. Thanks again!!!

 

Boy, even though you warned me this was all about food, I read it before lunch. My mistake!!! I already had Vegas on the brain this morning (substituting "vegas" for completely unrelated words in emails all morning) and now I want to pop out for lunch! Sounds like you made the most of your trip, gastronomically speaking!!!

[ February 24, 2003, 08:29 AM: Message edited by: HoyaHeel ]