Bennett L.'s Profile

When I was a teenager I remember when this place was just getting it's start.  Now it's got a covered patio, fancy neon lights and dropped the "El" before Cotixan.  In other words it's all growed up.

But despite the advancements made by what is perhaps Clairemont's top Mexican food joint there has been no change in the most excellent quality of the food.  Don't come here if you're on a diet.  Portions are huge. (as they should be!)  For $3.50 you can get a bean and cheese burrito the size of a baby's torso.  The combo plates will make you call a wrap on eating for the rest of the day.

Sure the prices have gone up a bit over the years but you'll be hard pressed to find a place where that isn't the case.  The only criticism of Cotixan is that it's super casual and not really a place that lends itself to the overall dining experience.  But hey, if you're just chillin' in Clairemont and want to get your grup on who needs fancy?  Grab a seat at the patio or just take it home and enjoy!

My first experience with the famed Pinkberry fro-yo chain was at the 3rd Street Promenade.  Where other fro-yo places lack in customer service, Pinkberry fills the void.  I was offered plenty of samples before going with the passionfruit/coconut combo.  It also came with a couple of toppings.  I know the trend is self service but it was nice to have someone get it all together for me.  The workers were all super friendly and like to chat while you wait for your order.  I still give the Blizzberry at the Palms a slight edge, but Pinkberry is solid.

Why why why did I walk into this place when there are so many other options within 100 yards in all directions?!

People go to Hooters for the hooters, not the food. I walked in on a Thursday afternoon kinda hoping for something, anything really to fill my belly.  I should have known better.  An uncomfortable seat at a bar stool when there are many open tables, cheap laminated one page menus.  At least that old slogan with the word "tacky" still fits.

I got a grilled cheese platter for under ten bucks.  There was nothing special about the sandwich.  Seen better at a high school cafeteria.  It came with curly fries that were unseasoned and very bland.  Hey at least the mountain dew was good.

The only plus is the Hooters girls.  All were very nice and hot. They even broke out into a song and dance at one point.  Still not enough to get more than two stars and probably just enough to avoid one.

First time in North Hollywood a buddy of mine were walking around and we ducked into Pit Fire Pizza.  It's got a good location on a busy intersection in the NoHo arts district.  Lots of outdoor seating to make you appreciate living in SoCal.

This place is a little different because you pay for everything up front.  Some drink specials would be nice.  5 bucks for a beer and 15 for a pitcher isn't all that appealing especially when you only have four beers to choose from.  For food I got the personal size pepperoni for 10 dollars.  It came out really fast and was just ok.  Not bad but nothing that compels me to go back.  It seems this is a place where you go for the location, outside atmosphere than the food.

Forget what you know about the Hard Rock Cafe in (insert city here). Go to the new one on the strip and prepare to have your music loving mind blown!

I stopped by just a couple of days after what was the "soft opening".  My server says a big grand opening event will happen in October and Chris Cornell will perform.  More on that later.

This has to be the biggest and most detailed Hard Rock anywhere.  According to the staff it's been in the works for four years and it shows.  It's prime location on the strip is just the start.  Once you walk in you'll get a number that directs you to the second or third level dining areas.  I got level 3 which features a huge split level dining hall, full size bar and a small intimate stage for live acts at the back of the room. (see Chris Cornell above). The number of mouths this place can feed at a time is huge at more than 800 seats.  Just imagine the kitchen on a busy night!

The food is the same menu at any Hard Rock.  I got a bacon cheeseburger which was a lot better than expected, especially the bacon.  Pricing at 13 bucks is a little high but you are on the strip and at the best HRC ever built.  It would be nice if the drink menu included pricing.  It was relatively slow when I was there.  And since all the staff is new they are eager to please and clearly instructed to go for the upsell.

After the meal you can just roam around and that's where it gets really fun.  The path to the third floor restroom is lined with infamous and at times chilling news headlines of the deaths of Lennon, Elvis and both Kennedys.  On a lighter note, a special room is dedicated to wedding memorabilia.  Elvis and Priscilla, John and Yoko, Ike and Tina and my heart skipped a beat when I came across a signed acoustic from Kurt Cobain at the Kurt and Courtney section.  Another awesome moment was a drum set from White Zombie mounted on the wall as you go down the stairs.

Another thing that makes this place unique is all the interactive technology.  Lots of Microsoft Surface tables and a huge touchscreen wall where you can check out everything that's on site.

If this doesn't become the flagship HRC soon I will be shocked.  Anyone who loves music (anyone with a pulse) needs to grab a meal or drink here.

It doesn't matter if you're a tourist or a long-time local, the fountains at Bellagio are a must see.

The show happens every half hour starting at 3pm and and goes well into the evening.  Each half hour has a different song usually something classy (Sinatra), dramatic (Bocelli), romantic (Dion) or fun (Pink Panther).  Each song has it's own special water choreography making use of the entire faux lake in front of Bellagio.

Even though the show starts in the afternoon, you must come back at night.  The lit up water with the backdrop of the strip might be the most beautiful thing you see in Vegas.  For five minutes your mind can take a break from the artificial city and take in this awesome free work of art.  And since Bellagio attracts an international crowd, it's really cool to see people of all walks of life come together to appreciate it.

I guess the only thing I would change is maybe try something with more modern tunes.  Still, the fountains are more than deserving of five stars.

Sorry Nine Fine, $7.50 for a Newcastle is a mugging and won't get you beyond two stars.

Nine Fine Irishmen is located inside the New York, New York casino.  It's more than just an Irish pub.  The ornate décor and split level venue make it seem a little more classy than a hole in the wall.  But I have serious gripes with this place.

The crowd: You are guaranteed to come across packs of oblivious tourists.  It starts as you wait to get in and only gets worse the deeper you get inside.  These are the folks who just stand in the middle of the room staring at the wall while you try to weave your way through.  They're inescapable.

The booze:  8 bucks for a Guinness and $7.50 for a Newcastle is about as expensive as it gets on the strip.  And when it's served in a clear college style plastic cup half the time, good luck expecting any kind of tip from me.

There are a few bright spots.  The venue itself seems very authentic.  And on many nights you'll have live Irish music which is certainly better than another dj playing Boom Boom Pow every 20 minutes.  But hey if that's your cup of the just go out to the patio seating and you'll hear the music bleeding over from Rok next door.  If you have money to burn I would go to Nine Fine during the day if you feel you must experience it, otherwise it's not worth it.

I've lived in Vegas on and off for six years and I'm kicking myself for not going to this place sooner.

The Double Down Saloon is on the end of a small strip mall right next to the Thomas & Mack at Harmon and Spencer.  There is some parking but if you arrive too late you might have to park a block or two away.  This is an area known to locals as "the fruit loop" because of several nearby gay bars.  The double down doesn't care who you are.  All are welcome.  It's just here to rock.

This place is a glorious dive.  Dark, loud and the walls covered in stickers of all the small bands that have played here over the years.  Any place that sells bottles of PBR is just fine by me.  You won't find a huge selection of brew.  Really only the stuff that matters.  You can also get a concoction called "ass juice" or a bacon martini and for some reason Slim Jims are also an option.  Maybe they're friends with the Macho Man.

The crowd is pretty young without a trendy douchebag in sight.  At times it felt a little like a high school party with a more abundant supply of booze, but there are people from all ages who show up.

On the night I was there a band called Forth Yeer was playing and they ripped it up.  In all a great way to spend a Friday night.  No cover charge.  No drama.  No waiting in line hoping some doorman loser likes your shirt enough to let you in.  Las Vegas needs more places like the famed Double Down.  A slice of reality in a superficial town.

One thing Al's Garage knows how to do is hire its staff.  Hot chicks everywhere.  The food is not bad either.

I came to Al's garage around 6pm on a Tuesday.  It was a little slow but not entirely empty.  I started with the happy hour special of a 12 ounce Coors Light for $2.  Too bad it came served in a college style clear plastic cup.  I'd rather just have the bottle than something tacky, but hey it's cheap!

The food menu is simple.  Your basic bar food fare of chicken strips and burgers.  Really you only have a choice of about a dozen items posted on the back wall.  I went for the chicken strips.  What was a stingy beer experience was made up for with the food.  Five big chunks of chicken breast goodness (these are far from "strips") and a side of fries.  I could not eat it all.  Everything set me back ten bucks.

Al's Garage is located in The District retaill and dining development next to the Green Valley Ranch casino.

I've been to BJ's restaurants in Eugene and San Diego and this is far and away the best.  It's casual dining but in a very nice setting.  This BJ's is new to the area (border of Vegas and Henderson in Silverado Ranch) and has a split level dining hall.  The upper level has the bar which has a bitchin' hd video screen tuned to all kinds of sports including the glorious MLB Network.

Service is friendly and the staff is well educated on the huge menu.  Seriously, you'll really find just about anything when it comes to standard American food.  There's also a huge beer list of domestics, imports and special brews exclusive to BJ's.

Here's my gluttonous rundown:

Oktoberfest beer: I was talked into starting off with the limited edition house beer called Oktoberfest.  Good choice.

Tomato basil soup: fresh and warm topped with bread pieces.  Tasty and simple.

Fettucini Alfredo with Blackened Chicken: This entrée off the lunch menu was the low point.  The pasta was undercooked and a little tough.  Garlic bread was too hard.  At least the chicken was cooked well.

Peanut Butter Piezookie:  Im not a religious man but if there's a heaven, this must be what they serve.  Freshly baked peanut butter cookie topped with two big scoops of vanilla ice cream.  Death row inmates should request this for a last meal.  Go to BJ's for this item alone and you'll leave happy.

The service was very good.  Maybe a little too good.  There could have been a few less "how is everything?" moments in mid-bite.  Maybe they thought I was a critic or something since I took pics of everything. I will hand it to my server who followed me to the parking lot with the keys I forgot at my table.

I will definitely be back.  This review would be five stars if not for the issues with my entrée.