The Camera Always Eats First…
Comfort foods are staples for anyone wanting a hearty meal and a little taste of home. But when you live in Las Vegas, these very foods can be taken to the next level. Why not? It’s Vegas Baby! Case in point are the creations found at Hearthstone inside Red Rock casino, on the west side of the valley. A recent Vegas Foodie event allowed us to indulge in Adult Grilled Cheese sandwiches, Steak Salad and even a roasted suckling pig.
Brunch – A meal typically eaten in the late morning or early afternoon as a combination of breakfast and lunch. Or in the case of Las Vegas weekends, the next-day’s hangover relief meal. Brunch is becoming more popular and many of the area’s “hip” places are taking their turn at driving the masses to their place to impress with their menu. Here, Standard and Pour (closed as of June 25, 2017) is doing just that with their Muffins, Mimosa’s and Mary’s brunch featured on Saturday’s and Sunday’s. Where else can you enjoy a 2-pound blueberry muffin along with such items like ricotta toast, or the Fat Elvis French toast? I still have my eye on that big-ass muffin!
Good food is a constant blessing and with Dim Sum…it’s the ultimate culinary art. Seldom has there been so much preparation work involved with such tiny bite-sized treats. What started out as a snack has become a central part of Chinese food culture, and Las Vegas is no stranger to this buffet of bountiful beauties. In many areas, restaurants begin serving dim sum early in the morning. Many older Chinese people go to eat dim sum as soon as they’re finished with their morning exercises. If you are not a fan yet, chances are they weren’t prepared by the master chefs with heart. Don’t allow yourself to be deprived of your undying right of culinary orgasm. And check out Pearl Ocean inside the Lucky Dragon Casino. (closed as of 12/27/2018)
Whether it’s to save time from cooking at home, or celebrating with family and friends, pizza is the “go to” of food. After all, it’s delicious, quick and best of all, there’s a combination of toppings for absolutely everyone. But the most important component of any pizza…..THE CHEESE! The higher the pull, the closer to God the pizza will be… People will argue New York has the best…others will say it’s Chicago. It just depends on your mood. Here, on the Las Vegas Strip, you have to try one of Giordano’s World Famous Stuffed Deep Dish Pizzas. And they also have plenty of delicious side dishes as well, including a killer chopped salad. (gotta balance the diet).
When you think Italian, for me, I immediately think of large gatherings of family and friends, and family-style portions of food to share with everyone dining. You’ll find just that inside Maggiano’s Little Italy where they feature old-world classics…and expect to take something home afterwards. A few of the Vegas Foodies and myself took part in such an affair one Sunday at their Downtown Summerlin location. Saluti!
It’s certainly a real treat when you gather with a handful of the Vegas Foodies to be treated to some of the best cuisine in the city. Michelin-starred Chef Ho Chee Boon and his team of highly skilled wok and dim sum chefs really know how to make guests feel like they are special with their creations. Combined with the sounds, scents and lighting, you know your dining experience is going to be first-class.
Fuku Burger is far from your standard burger and bun experience. But hey, this is Vegas Baby and we have to make it more interesting to stay above the rest. Located near China Town, these guys started from a food truck and built a strong following. They serve all-American burgers with a Japanese twist for those who don’t take life too seriously. And add some of the best-tasting fries (also with a spin) and your favorite beer, and you’ve got a place to have a great time with friends.
For several months, I have followed Yonaka Modern Japanese on my Instagram feed. I marveled at how beautiful the posted creations looked and finally decided to visit and experience it myself. I was not disappointed when the colorful and delicious looking dishes came from the nearby open kitchen to my table for me to “ooh and ahh” over while I captured their images to share here. Chef Ramir has a great skill at making food an art. (closed as of 2018)
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You loved them as a child and now that you’re grown up, admit it…you still love those fried balls of dough. And now that they come in so many sizes, shapes, colors and flavors, there’s even more of you that can’t wait to get your hands on (and mouth) on these gourmet donuts. The Vegas Foodies recently gathered to check out Chef Jeff and his team’s recent creations one weekend in downtown Las Vegas at the Donut Bar. All I can say is that you need to visit regularly since their offerings change daily. In fact, the earlier you get there the better because it’s not often they are open past 12 noon…since they sell out!
Vegas is know for its heat, and often we hate to cook anything heavy while we are at home on the weekends. So why not consider something light and appetizing that won’t weigh you down (minus the wine of course). Here is my creation from an inspiration I got from a fellow Foodie that snapped a picture of a summer salad being served at Searsucker at Caesars Palace. It’s very easy to make and will satisfy the pickiest of guests. Enjoy!
Ingredients
