Eric R.'s Profile

I found myself in Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas on a Sunday morning exhausted, burnt out and hung over.  Or was I still drunk?  This restaurant was not my choice, my date was dying to eat here, because she "just ADORES Bobby Flay", and all I could think of was: Oh, goodie. Another over-priced mediocre restaurant over-hyped by an overexposed celebrity chef.  Thanks Food Network.

As they walked us to our table we passed the 20 foot high rotisserie grill and I thought, hmmm, maybe I'm wrong about this place.  I was.

Seems Flay has a thing for grilling and southwest spices.  He does what I like to call "food with balls".  Grilling meat over an open flame and lots of big, bold flavors.  Even for brunch.  I had eggs done in ways, and with spices, I would never have thought of... all of it delicious.  I got a look at the dinner menu and even suggested we come back that night.  I wanted to try his Black Angus Steak with house-made MESA steak sauce.  We couldn't then, but I plan on going back next time I'm in town.

Ok, I'll be honest.  The only reason we wanted to eat here was because we thought the name was funny.  Like some Brooklyn guy talking about female genitalia.  We were dying for the hostess to welcome us to her Vergina.  Childish, yes.  But on only a couple hours of sleep and with a few cocktails in you, it's hilarious.

When we walked in we were both surprised and disappointed.  Surprised because the restaurant is old-school elegant, with an incredibly attentive multi-person wait staff.  And disappointed because they pronounce the name of the restaurant VER-GEEEEE-NA.  Oh well.

The atmosphere is romantic, the clientele is upscale, and the prices are very reasonable. Food?  Very, very good.  Nothing too exotic or creative.  Just familiar standards well prepared with care and attention.

After service the "biggest, best downtown bar" becomes one of Naples' top night spots, with live entertainment and great people watching.  A steady stream of upscale professionals looking to let loose filed past us as we finished dessert.  

Definitely worth the trip.  Even though they pronounce their name wrong.

To be honest, we never had any intention of eating here.  We checked into the hotel late and my date and I took a little too long, um... "getting ready for dinner", and the place we wanted to eat wasn't taking any more tables.  Apparently 9:45 is way too late to eat in Naples.  

They let us know that Chops City Grill takes late diners.  We should have started the night here.  They were glad to seat us and our very friendly waiter handed us a list of their "Choptails". So, not wanting to offend, we had to try a couple. The Vitamin "T" margarita had enough alcohol in it to relieve any stress we were having. For the next two weeks.  Exactly what we needed.  We split a delicious Tuna Chop appetizer and a great Stacked Tomato Salad.  Dinner was even better. My Asian Barbecue Glazed Pork Porterhouse was so good I wouldn't share with my date.  Dessert was a trio of crme brulee, expertly done.

If you're looking for a place to bring a date that has an upscale atmosphere with great food, a great crowd, but hate all the attitude you get at most places, hit NoRTH.

Right in the heart of the Cherry Creek shopping district, it has the look and feel of places you find in LA and Miami, but without the pretentious attitude. The cuisine is Modern Italian, and I highly recommend their creative and unique appetizers.  I've never had a better beef carpaccio.  And the seafood risotto was done perfectly.  A great selection of wines rounds out the experience.  

The service was outstanding, from the hostesses who sat us, to the bartender who made our pre-dinner martinis and carried them to our table, to the waiter who made a special trip (without us asking) to the hotel gift shop next door when he overheard my date say she wished she had a camera to remember this night. Excellent all around.