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"Happy hour aficionado"
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Location
Las Vegas, NV
Yelping SinceMay 2007
My HometownHouston, TX
Why You Should Read My ReviewsI have really high standards.
Date
First impression: Very impressed! We went for the $5 lunch special. No dishonest service here, but I'll be sure to update my review if this changes.
House Special hot pot ($5): Rice cooked in a ceramic bowl with chinese sausage. Tons of sausage, overall excellent. Love scraping the burnt rice off the sides.. mmmm
Chinese broccoli with oyster sauce ($5): Good portion. Fresh broccoli. Beautiful shade of green and perfectly steamed. Just the right amount of oyster sauce. Thumbs up.
Spicy salt pork chops ($5): this sounded nasty to me, but my coworker insisted. Wow, this was freaking incredible. I'm officially hooked. Very salty, perfect amount of fry, and personally didn't encounter any sketchy chewy pieces of meat. Favorite dish of the day!
-1 star for the subpar shu mai. Stick to the $5 lunch menu, avoid the $2 dim sum menu! 60+ choices for $5? Incredible! Portions were great, and at least for now the service was great as well.
House Special hot pot ($5): Rice cooked in a ceramic bowl with chinese sausage. Tons of sausage, overall excellent. Love scraping the burnt rice off the sides.. mmmm
Chinese broccoli with oyster sauce ($5): Good portion. Fresh broccoli. Beautiful shade of green and perfectly steamed. Just the right amount of oyster sauce. Thumbs up.
Spicy salt pork chops ($5): this sounded nasty to me, but my coworker insisted. Wow, this was freaking incredible. I'm officially hooked. Very salty, perfect amount of fry, and personally didn't encounter any sketchy chewy pieces of meat. Favorite dish of the day!
-1 star for the subpar shu mai. Stick to the $5 lunch menu, avoid the $2 dim sum menu! 60+ choices for $5? Incredible! Portions were great, and at least for now the service was great as well.
I was hoping to find something tastier than a Chili's-esque seafood place. Unfortunately it was everything I feared - a boring chain with nothing special to offer.
Drinks: Do NOT fall for the $5 drink "specials". We tried a pineapple drink and a sangria. Pineapple drink was fizzy water + pineapple juice (no booze in sight!), and the sangria was half sprite. YES they put f-ing sprite in a red sangria. UGH
Appetizers: Coconut shrimp were just ok. The ones at TommY Bahama's are about 1000x better. Bacon wrapped scallops were covered in the most disgusting mango sauce I've ever tasted. I love mango, but this had a bizarre horseradish flavor.
Fish: The sea bass we had was just ok. Nothing special. Au Gratin potatoes were bad, green beans.. I mean ok, yeah, they didn't screw those up.
Service - one of the most annoying "rehearsed" car salesmen-esque waiters I've encountered in awhile.
Drinks: Do NOT fall for the $5 drink "specials". We tried a pineapple drink and a sangria. Pineapple drink was fizzy water + pineapple juice (no booze in sight!), and the sangria was half sprite. YES they put f-ing sprite in a red sangria. UGH
Appetizers: Coconut shrimp were just ok. The ones at TommY Bahama's are about 1000x better. Bacon wrapped scallops were covered in the most disgusting mango sauce I've ever tasted. I love mango, but this had a bizarre horseradish flavor.
Fish: The sea bass we had was just ok. Nothing special. Au Gratin potatoes were bad, green beans.. I mean ok, yeah, they didn't screw those up.
Service - one of the most annoying "rehearsed" car salesmen-esque waiters I've encountered in awhile.
First thing I noticed - it's October 1st and we're covered in Christmas decorations.. WTF.. just a little odd.
Odd decorations aside, the food was good. I was here for a business dinner and we got to try practically everything on the menu as part of this set menu, so please excuse the fact that I don't remember the names of everything I tried!
Course 1 :
Salad - blah
Calamari - perfect
Caprese Salad - one of the best I've ever eaten. Their homemade mozzerella was to die for !
Course 2:
Smoked salmon pasta: I'm a salmon person but this stuff reeked of salmon. Super fishy. Not very good.
Pasta with sausage: Sausage was very tasty. Pasta was undercooked. None of the pasta tasted homemade. Maybe it is but I'm a bad pasta taster.. but if it's homemade, they suck at making pasta.
Course 3:
Veal parmesan - My fiance's favorite dish of the evening. It was perfectly pounded, perfectly breaded and with just the right amount of cheese. Their red sauce is incredible.
Fresh fish of the day - seemed to be salmon again. This time it was well prepared and good. Nothing exciting here, just fish they didn't screw up.
Lemon chicken - Way too lemony for anyone at my table. This was served family style and 8 of us didn't even come close to finishing one order of it.
Course 4:
Canoli - the nastiest canoli ever. Some of us were spitting them out (yes, at a business dinner - it was that gross). It tasted like medicine. NO idea WTF they put in this crap.
Fresh berries and cream - hard to screw that up.
Apple tart - DELISH. We were fighting over this.
The Rao's signature Cianti is also worth mentioning - quite good. We noticed meatballs weren't on the set menu and the server was kind enough to bring us some. These were the highlight of the evening! Best meatball I've ever eaten.. wow.
Overall it was good, but I don't get what the hype's about. The NY location must be much better to be as famous as this place is.
Odd decorations aside, the food was good. I was here for a business dinner and we got to try practically everything on the menu as part of this set menu, so please excuse the fact that I don't remember the names of everything I tried!
Course 1 :
Salad - blah
Calamari - perfect
Caprese Salad - one of the best I've ever eaten. Their homemade mozzerella was to die for !
Course 2:
Smoked salmon pasta: I'm a salmon person but this stuff reeked of salmon. Super fishy. Not very good.
Pasta with sausage: Sausage was very tasty. Pasta was undercooked. None of the pasta tasted homemade. Maybe it is but I'm a bad pasta taster.. but if it's homemade, they suck at making pasta.
Course 3:
Veal parmesan - My fiance's favorite dish of the evening. It was perfectly pounded, perfectly breaded and with just the right amount of cheese. Their red sauce is incredible.
Fresh fish of the day - seemed to be salmon again. This time it was well prepared and good. Nothing exciting here, just fish they didn't screw up.
Lemon chicken - Way too lemony for anyone at my table. This was served family style and 8 of us didn't even come close to finishing one order of it.
Course 4:
Canoli - the nastiest canoli ever. Some of us were spitting them out (yes, at a business dinner - it was that gross). It tasted like medicine. NO idea WTF they put in this crap.
Fresh berries and cream - hard to screw that up.
Apple tart - DELISH. We were fighting over this.
The Rao's signature Cianti is also worth mentioning - quite good. We noticed meatballs weren't on the set menu and the server was kind enough to bring us some. These were the highlight of the evening! Best meatball I've ever eaten.. wow.
Overall it was good, but I don't get what the hype's about. The NY location must be much better to be as famous as this place is.
Any issues from the past seem to have been resolved! We're officially regulars and I love the food. Mongolian chicken with red rice is my favorite. My fiance is obsessed with the BBQ beef. Both the chicken and beef seem to be of high quality and less chewy than meat dishes at other hawaiian or asian type places around town. Try it - you'll love it. Definitely stick with the red rice!
2 Previous Reviews: Hide »
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8/29/2008
I really hate doing this.. I like this place and want it to do well, but damn 3 strikes and you lose a star.
1st strike: you closed the kitchen at 8 PM when you close at 9 PM. Clearly from reading Tiger's review I'm not alone on experiencing this issue!!
2nd strike: You're out of mongolian beef at 7:45
3rd strike: You're at of WHITE RICE at 7:30. how hard is it to make a fresh pot? seriously.
We ordered take out last night at 7:30 last night, and they informed us they were out of white rice. I do prefer red rice myself, but my bf wanted white and honestly at 7:30 you shouldn't be out of a main ingredient. When we arrived to pick it up at 7:45 they were closing the kitchen.. the place closes at 9.. WTF
The BBQ beef we had last night wasn't as good as I remember it.. it was VERY bland, boring, etc. HOWEVER, I do recommend an off the menu item called mongolian chicken. It is crisp, tasty, etc... even better than the mongolian beef. I don't recommend the sesame chicken.. it's just freaking boring chicken wings.
If I go there a few times issue free, I'll give them their star back.. but honestly this is getting ridiculous! I know they are new, but quit closing the kitchen at 7:30 and running out of things! I will give them another chance, but only because the monogolian chicken! -
8/6/2008
First let's get the bad out of the way... why I had to take off the star...
*I call yesterday at approximately 7:45 PM to ask when they close. The guy answers the phone and says 9 PM. Ok perfect, I leave the house and get there just after 8 PM. The owner is standing outside and says they just closed for the night. HUH? He is nice enough to give me a business card with his name on it good for an undisclosed discount next time.. however I'm still annoyed I left the house after calling only to arrive at a closed restaurant.
*Arrive tonight around 7:30 PM. Turns out the surprise discount is a soda.. ok, whatever. My disappointment tonight is that it's only 7:30 and their famous mongolian beef is already gone. Hrm, sucks that they were out.
Ok with the bad out of the way.. on to the good. We tried the BBQ chicken and BBQ beef. Both were quite tasty and I loved the red rice. I think the prices are a tad on the high side, but the quality was good, so whatever.
It took me awhile to drive out here because it's so far from Green Valley. Although I'm not a huge BBQ fan, I prefer either Memphis or Lucille's to this place.
Started the meal off with an Abita Purple Haze. I was so psyched they had it on draft - until it arrived. It was bright orange and nothing like an Abita Purple Haze. Suck. Had to send it back.
BBQ was good, not great. Loved their variety of sauces. I was very happy they had a slider set called the BBQ Buddies. You get to try a mini version of all their sandwiches (hot link, chicken, pulled pork, brisket). Awesome way to try a sampling of their menu. Chicken was eh, but the other sandwiches were all good.
Overall not a bad place to go for some BBQ, but make the drive to Henderson for Lucille's next time instead - it's better.
Started the meal off with an Abita Purple Haze. I was so psyched they had it on draft - until it arrived. It was bright orange and nothing like an Abita Purple Haze. Suck. Had to send it back.
BBQ was good, not great. Loved their variety of sauces. I was very happy they had a slider set called the BBQ Buddies. You get to try a mini version of all their sandwiches (hot link, chicken, pulled pork, brisket). Awesome way to try a sampling of their menu. Chicken was eh, but the other sandwiches were all good.
Overall not a bad place to go for some BBQ, but make the drive to Henderson for Lucille's next time instead - it's better.
3950 Las Vegas Blvd S
Las Vegas, NV 89119
(877) 632-7800
Las Vegas, NV 89119
(877) 632-7800
Mandalay Bay Events Center
Categories: Venues & Event Spaces, Jazz & Blues, Music Venues, Stadiums & Arenas
I went to the Killers concert here last Saturday. Best people watching I've ever encountered at a concert, but I guess that has 0 to do with the venue. Lights were great, acoustics were OK for a venue of this size, but my main issue was NO VIDEO FEED. If you're sitting down it's hard to see the band up close.. particularly with a huge mosh pit of hundreds of people between you and the band. Every other large concert I've been to in my life has had video feed of the band up close displayed in video screens. The lack of this was pretty f-ing annoying. I won't be back to see a concert here unless I REALLY love the band.
6635 Las Vegas Blvd S
Las Vegas, NV 89119
(702) 948-8006
Las Vegas, NV 89119
(702) 948-8006
Tommy Bahama's Restaurant & Bar
Categories: American (New), Hawaiian
I've only been for Happy Hour, but it's always been a great experience! I love that their happy hour runs from 4 - 7 PM (Yardhouse and Brio both end at 6 PM so it's really tough to make it there after work!).
Drinks:
*The ones with banana were too overpowering for us. I hate that they put sprite in a mojito. It's simple syrup + club soda idiots! The sangria is decent but has lots of brandy, so make sure you're ok with that before ordering. The favorite was the mai thai - still super sweet like the other drinks, but at least had some nice tart citrus to balance it out. Honestly the drinks are relatively disappointing - I would expect perfect fruity drinks from a place inspired by Tommy Bahama's. Drinks average ~$6 during happy hour
Food (All of these are $5 during HH)
*Coconut Shrimp -while it only comes with 3 shrimp, they were amazing! My fiance is a coconut shrimp freak and declared these the best he'd ever eaten. We ordered a 2nd order of these as soon as we tasted them. The papaya mango sauce they are sitting in is awesome too.
*Pork sliders - we found the pork dried out and over cooked. Fail.
*Cheeseburgers - could use more cheese, and they were overcooked, but otherwise these are pretty damn tasty. I'd get them again.
*Quesadilla - Yum! Lots of chicken and deliciousness inside. Decent portion, etc. Recommended.
Love the cool classical music they play, love the vibe. Drinks could use a little work, but food was overall great. Officially added onto my regular happy hour rotation!
Drinks:
*The ones with banana were too overpowering for us. I hate that they put sprite in a mojito. It's simple syrup + club soda idiots! The sangria is decent but has lots of brandy, so make sure you're ok with that before ordering. The favorite was the mai thai - still super sweet like the other drinks, but at least had some nice tart citrus to balance it out. Honestly the drinks are relatively disappointing - I would expect perfect fruity drinks from a place inspired by Tommy Bahama's. Drinks average ~$6 during happy hour
Food (All of these are $5 during HH)
*Coconut Shrimp -while it only comes with 3 shrimp, they were amazing! My fiance is a coconut shrimp freak and declared these the best he'd ever eaten. We ordered a 2nd order of these as soon as we tasted them. The papaya mango sauce they are sitting in is awesome too.
*Pork sliders - we found the pork dried out and over cooked. Fail.
*Cheeseburgers - could use more cheese, and they were overcooked, but otherwise these are pretty damn tasty. I'd get them again.
*Quesadilla - Yum! Lots of chicken and deliciousness inside. Decent portion, etc. Recommended.
Love the cool classical music they play, love the vibe. Drinks could use a little work, but food was overall great. Officially added onto my regular happy hour rotation!
I went here for the $30.00 menu during restaurant week. Honestly the menu sounded pretty boring - salad, salmon, carrot cake. I was actually going just for the carrot cake (I'm messed up in the head). I was blown away by the rest of the food, however, and would say it's one of the better fine dining experiences I've had in Vegas!
Atmosphere - dramatic and beautiful, service was great.
Course 1 - Salad with herb dressing and polenta croutons. This sounds ridiculous, but the salad dressing was incredible. It was so fresh tasting and complex. The croutons were like a party in my mouth - crunchy on the outside with a soft polenta filling. I actually finished this huge salad - something I never do!
Course 2- slowly cooked salmon. This my friends was the best salmon I've EVER eaten. I've been all over alaska, I've eaten my share of salmon sashimi all over the US, but this salmon was so freaking awesome. It was a beautiful wild salmon "barely cooked" and then plated with an apple sauce and a beautiul fresh herb green sauce. The salmon is cooked at 200 degrees for a little while to make it warm, but it maintains a beautiful, delicate texture more like sashimi. It was silky, NOT flaky. Portion size was generous. This was a dish I'd pay full price for in the future.
Dessert - the carrot cake ice cream sandwich did NOT disappoint. Carrot cake with cream cheese ICE CREAM? Cream cheese ice cream is genius.. where can I buy a pint of this?
Overall a killer experience for just $30, but it was tasty enough where I'll definitely be coming back and buying some items at full price in the future.
Atmosphere - dramatic and beautiful, service was great.
Course 1 - Salad with herb dressing and polenta croutons. This sounds ridiculous, but the salad dressing was incredible. It was so fresh tasting and complex. The croutons were like a party in my mouth - crunchy on the outside with a soft polenta filling. I actually finished this huge salad - something I never do!
Course 2- slowly cooked salmon. This my friends was the best salmon I've EVER eaten. I've been all over alaska, I've eaten my share of salmon sashimi all over the US, but this salmon was so freaking awesome. It was a beautiful wild salmon "barely cooked" and then plated with an apple sauce and a beautiul fresh herb green sauce. The salmon is cooked at 200 degrees for a little while to make it warm, but it maintains a beautiful, delicate texture more like sashimi. It was silky, NOT flaky. Portion size was generous. This was a dish I'd pay full price for in the future.
Dessert - the carrot cake ice cream sandwich did NOT disappoint. Carrot cake with cream cheese ICE CREAM? Cream cheese ice cream is genius.. where can I buy a pint of this?
Overall a killer experience for just $30, but it was tasty enough where I'll definitely be coming back and buying some items at full price in the future.
3355 Las Vegas Blvd S
Las Vegas, NV 89109
(702) 388-8588
Las Vegas, NV 89109
(702) 388-8588
TAO Beach
Categories: Swimming Pools, Lounges
It was like a bad Ed Hardy ad. The pools were freakishly warm, and good luck trying to stand in the pool for more than 30 seconds without being hit in the head by either a flying volleyball, the arms of a couple having simulated sex in the pool, or by someone waving their drink in the air. The douche bag factor was crazy high - think dudes in glittery swim suit bottoms dancing on top of their day beds. HUH? You aren't a hot chick standing on a bar.. get the hell off your day bed.
Food was trying too hard to be unique.. like for instance they put broccoli all over the hot dog.. ? Fries were the best food item we tried! Sake sangria was awesome tasting, but I had 3 glasses and felt not the slightest tinge of a buzz.
Why 3 stars? I did have a lot of fun.. The people watching was stellar, and our day bed was nicely sized for sharing with a crowd. I can see if you're trying to relive spring break or something, this could definitely be your scene.
Food was trying too hard to be unique.. like for instance they put broccoli all over the hot dog.. ? Fries were the best food item we tried! Sake sangria was awesome tasting, but I had 3 glasses and felt not the slightest tinge of a buzz.
Why 3 stars? I did have a lot of fun.. The people watching was stellar, and our day bed was nicely sized for sharing with a crowd. I can see if you're trying to relive spring break or something, this could definitely be your scene.
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The steak itself was great. They use sirloin so there isn't any grizzley pieces. I topped mine with cheese whiz. Props on them layering steak, cheese, steak so the cheese gets evenly distributed!
Menu was extensive. I wish I was drunk and not eating here on my lunch hour so I could have gotten a little more into some of the cool things (fried bananas foster? Cheese whiz wheels?).
I mean I guess the atmosphere is "authentic", but dining literally 2 feet from Decatur isn't all that great . Maybe on the strip or on a cute neighborhood street it's fun to dine al fresco, but Decatur rather sucks.
The best cheesesteak I've had in Vegas and I've tried quite a few!