Bayside Breakfast Buffet at MandalayBay Resort, Las Vegas, NV

Posted on December 23, 2012 by Malini Sood Horiuchi

Food: ☆½

Service: ☆☆☆

Ambiance: ☆☆

Cost: $$

The Bayside Breakfast buffet at MandalayBay Resort is set in a bright room with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the lush, tropical water garden. The views are nice – the food is not!

There is a large selection of all kinds of foods available from breakfast pastries, to meats, a carving and omelet station, eggs of all kinds, fruits, vegetables – you name it and they have it.

But for all its might in size and variety, there was nothing I tried that was tasty. The eggs Benedict was an overcooked gloppy mess, the hash browns were so crisp they had lost their identity, all the pastries were mediocre at best and the fruits looked like they had been sitting there for at least two days.

I’ve never tried a Las Vegas Buffet but I have visions of it being much better than this.

My advice….skip this one. Try Jean Phillipes Patisserie instead for a true feast for both the eyes and the palate..

Here is some of what we ate:

Restaurant Information

tabelog.us

	* Overall
	* Restaurant Name
	Bayside Buffet at Mandalay Bay
	★★☆☆☆
	* Neighborhood / Cuisine
	American Traditional
	* Street Address
	3950 Las Vegas Boulevard S , Las Vegas, NV 89119
	* Phone
	(702) 632-7402

Pancho Villa Taqueria, San Francisco,CA

Posted on November 28, 2012 by Malini Sood Horiuchi

Food: ☆☆☆½

Service: ☆☆☆½

Ambiance: ☆☆

Cost: $

Must try: The salsa bar, any burrito

There is a reason why the Espinoza brothers Taqueria has been thriving in the wildly competitive Mission District of San Francisco for many decades now.

Pancho Villa hits a home run when it comes to satisfying that burrito craving that one often gets. Delivering authentic, fresh Mexican food in huge portions has garnered this spot a huge fan following and several awards over the years.

The line is out the door starting pretty early in the day. Service is helpful and pleasant and the digs are clean enough. What rocks is the fresh salsa bar they have the back of the restaurant, which serves up some of the most unique and tastiest salsas, I have had.

Pancho Villa has all the ingredients in being the a cut above it’s competitive rest.

Here is some of what we ate:

Restaurant Information

tabelog.us

	* Overall
	* Restaurant Name
	Pancho Villa Taqueria
	★★★☆☆
	* Neighborhood / Cuisine
	Mexican
	* Street Address
	3071 16th Street , San Francisco, CA 94103
	* Phone
	(415) 864-8840

Tartine Bakery, San Francisco, CA

Posted on November 26, 2012 by Malini Sood Horiuchi

Food: ☆☆☆☆☆

Service: ☆☆☆½

Ambiance: ☆☆

Cost: $$

Must try: Everything!

The first problem one faces in trying to get to Tartine Bakery is finding it. Located in the Mission District, the only way to identify this spot is by the huge line of people waiting outside to get their share of the outstanding goodies that are being concocted inside.

Stepping indoors one encounters a totally different kind of problem – how not to eat the house?

The display cases flaunt a parade of stunning French inflected baked goods. There are breads, croissants, tarts, puddings, sandwiches, cakes and all kinds of bakes.

The husband-wife team of Chad Robertson and Elisabeth Prueitt are several time winners of James Beard awards as well as many other accolades. Using only the freshest of local ingredients and organic as much as possible, the goodies served here are pretty much ‘off the charts!’

Mark Bittman declares that Tartine Bakery is his favorite bakery in the United States – I might just have to agree!

Here is some of what we ate:

Restaurant Information

tabelog.us

	* Overall
	* Restaurant Name
	Tartine Bakery
	★★★☆☆
	* Neighborhood / Cuisine
	American Traditional / French
	* Street Address
	600 Guerrero St , San Francisco, CA 94110
	* Phone
	(415) 487-2600

Zaytinya, Washington D.C.

Posted on November 24, 2012 by Malini Sood Horiuchi

Food: ☆☆☆☆☆

Service: ☆☆☆☆☆

Ambiance: ☆☆☆☆

Cost: $$$

Must try: Any mezze, Kabab platter, Lamb special

Zaytinya is José Andres’s masterpiece in Washington DC.

Set in a striking space, Zaytinya offers modern mezze dishes from the cuisines of Greece, Turkey and Lebanon. The small plate fare here is exceptional. Dishes crafted with zesty vegetables, tender meats and a perfect balance of spices really keep both the palate and the soul gleaming.

The service was outstanding. Our dishes were brought in and whisked away with a gracious efficiency and the quickly disappearing basket of warm pita bread and drinks were constantly replenished throughout our meal. Everyone from our waiter to the maitre d’ kept tabs on how our meal was progressing. The head chef Michael Costa even created a special spicy dip just for us when we asked for a side of hot sauce.

My experience at Zaytinya was near flawless. Other than a slightly chewy octopus dish, there wasn’t a bite or a moment that I didn’t relish at Zaytinya.

Here is some of what we ate:

HOMMUS

TZATZIKI

BABA GHANNOUJE

FATTOUSH

BANTIJAN BIL LABAN

SEASONAL WILD MUSHROOMS

FALAFEL

SPANAKOPITA

KEBAB PLATTER

PEYNIRLI PIDE

OCTOPUS SANTORINI

LAMB KLEFTICO

Restaurant Information

tabelog.us

	* Overall
	* Restaurant Name
	Zaytinya
	★★★☆☆
	* Neighborhood / Cuisine
	American New / American Traditional
	* Street Address
	701 9th St NW , Washington, DC 20001
	* Phone
	(202) 638-0800

Sweet Themez, Washington D.C.

Posted on November 22, 2012 by Malini Sood Horiuchi

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Etete, Washington D.C.

Posted on November 19, 2012 by Malini Sood Horiuchi

Etete means “mama” in Amharic, which is a perfect name for this Ethiopian eatery. The food served in this homey café feels just like it came out of a “mamas” kitchen.

In fact, just about everything about this stand out spot in “Little Ethiopia” reminds you of home – from the warmth of the servers to the ease of the patrons dining there. It feels like everyone is part of one big family.

The food is served family style on a large round steel platter, covered with an injera (a spongy bread). The injera is laden with different colored spiced vegetables, gravies and meats. The food is rich with wonderful flavors and textures that are eaten by hand using ripped bits of injera that scoop the gravies. One can easily go through a heap of injeras without even realizing it!

Do try their sambusas ( lentil filled pasties), which are delicious as is their rich Yemisir Wat ( red lentils).

The food at Etete is very authentic and definitely worth a try.

Here is some of what we ate:

Special Vegetarian Combination

Lentil Sambusa

Injera

Dore Wat (Spicy Chicken)

Goden Tibs

Yeataklit Wat

Yemisir Wat

Tekil Gomen

Tegabino Shiro

Gomen

Restaurant Information

tabelog.us

	* Overall
	* Restaurant Name
	Etete
	★★★☆☆
	* Neighborhood / Cuisine
	Ethiopian
	* Street Address
	1942 9th St NW (between N T St & N Florida Ave), Washington, DC 20001
	* Phone
	(202) 232-7600

Founding Farmers, Washington D.C.

Posted on November 16, 2012 by Malini Sood Horiuchi

Food: ☆☆☆½

Service: ☆☆☆

Ambiance: ☆☆☆

Cost: $$$

Must try: Fried chicken Egg Waffles, Stuffed French Toast, Fresh squeezed juices

Founding Farmers is an eco-friendly, Certified Green Restaurant that was built from recycled and reclaimed products. This upscale, farmhouse styled eatery is housed within the International Monetary Fund (IMF) building.

At Founding Farmers, the menu offers American classics made from locally sourced and sustainably farmed products. The food here is very good. The freshness of the ingredients used reflects in the exquisite taste of their dishes. You must try their fresh juices the cranberry was really zesty.

However for me the spot lacked soul. Everything from the service to the space seems cold and distant which didn’t gel with all its wonderful methodology. Everything seemed too pristine.

I found that Founding Farmers is more a chic farmhouse accented restaurant that is just green enough for the suit types. For me, I would rather go hang at a more bohemian space like Busboys and Poets where the essence enfolds the place.

Here is some of what we ate:

Crabs Cake Eggs Benedict

Fried Chicken, Eggs and Waffles

Stuffed French Toast

Farmhouse Waffles

Pastrami Hash

Farmers Lemonade

Restaurant Information

tabelog.us

	* Overall
	* Restaurant Name
	Founding Farmers
	★★★☆☆
	* Neighborhood / Cuisine
	American New / American Traditional
	* Street Address
	1924 Pennsylvania Ave NW ((between N H St & N 19th St) ), Washington, DC 20006
	* Phone
	(202) 822-8783

Mitsitam Cafe at the National Museum of the American Indian, Washington D.C.

Posted on November 13, 2012 by Malini Sood Horiuchi

Food: ☆☆☆

Ambiance: ☆☆☆

Cost: $$

“Mitsitam” means “ Let’s Eat” in the language of the Delaware and Piscataway people. This is an apt name for the wonderful Native Foods Cafe  at The National Museum of the American Indian

This museum café serves food with a difference. Featuring Native American cuisines from the Americas, this café has several food stations showcasing food from five different regions – Northern Woodlands, Mesoamerica, South America, Northwest Coast and the Great Plains.

Executive Chef Richard Hetzler  is constantly tweaking the menu as the seasons change. You can sample dishes such as Maple Brined turkey, Purple Potato soup or buffalo chili as entrees. Desserts offer Mayan Chocolate cake, Tres Leches and Blueberry Wajapias.

The Mitsitam Café is a wonderful spot to take a break from all that sightseeing and sample cuisine with a difference.

Here is some of what we ate:

Restaurant Information

tabelog.us

	* Overall
	* Restaurant Name
	Mitsitam Cafe
	★★★☆☆
	* Neighborhood / Cuisine
	American Traditional
	* Street Address
	4th St & Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20560
	* Phone
	(202) 633-1000

Kramerbooks & Afterwords Café, Washington D.C.

Posted on November 11, 2012 by Malini Sood Horiuchi

Food: ☆☆½

Service: ☆☆

Ambiance: ☆☆

Cost: $$

Kramerbooks & Afterword’s Cafe is a Washington D.C institution. Conveniently located right by the DuPont Circle train station, this independent Bookstore/Cafe begins buzzing from early morning until the wee hours of the morning.

They are open 7 days a week featuring breakfast, lunch, dinner menus with a full service bar. On weekends they feature a brunch menu are open 24 hours on Friday and Saturday nights. They have live entertainment Wednesdays through Saturdays from 8 Pm onwards.

The brunch at Afterword’s Café was ordinary – nothing stellar. The plate of bread/ pastry was stale. The service was unexpectedly gruff and indifferent. Nothing would take me back here.

It seems to me that a place like Kramerbooks & Afterword’s Café does well regardless of quality just because of its great location and reputation. Perhaps hanging here with the hipsters in the evenings would provide for a better experience…

Here is some of what we ate:

Pastries

Bay Bridge Crab Omelette

Organic Mushroom Omelette

The Café Benedicts with Crab Cake

Pancakes

Homefries

Restaurant Information

tabelog.us

	* Overall
	* Restaurant Name
	Kramerbooks & Afterwords Cafe & Grill
	★★☆☆☆
	* Neighborhood / Cuisine
	American New / American Traditional
	* Street Address
	1517 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20036
	* Phone
	(202) 387-1400

Busboys and Poets, Washington D.C.

Posted on November 9, 2012 by Malini Sood Horiuchi

Food: ☆☆☆½

Service: ☆☆☆

Ambiance: ☆☆☆☆

Cost: $$$

Must try: Crab cake Sandwiches and home home-fries

Busboys and Poets is an inspired, bohemian bookstore/Cafe/ Lounge, which propounds progressive political ideologies.

This cheery cafe has been brilliantly decorated by carving out comfortable spaces with lounge chairs and sofas amongst walls that are adorned with multi-ethnic art and photographs. Everything here murmurs towards creativity and activism.

There are regularly scheduled poetry jams, film screenings and other shows in the Langston Room, which is a performance space. Here, one can sip on a variety of coffees or nibble on sizable portions of affordable, tasty platters of food

Busboys and Poets was named in honour of Langston Hughes (one of my favourite poets), who worked as a busboy in the 1920s whilst writing poems on the side.

Busboys and Poets is a perfect spot for its diverse clientele to gather together to eat great food whilst being inspired to act.

Here is some of what we ate:

Classic Benedict

Neptune Benedict with Cheese Grits

Mekhleme

Oaxaca Omelette

Crab Cake Sandwich

Falafel Sandwich

Restaurant Information

tabelog.us

	* Overall
	* Restaurant Name
	Busboys and Poets
	★★★☆☆
	* Neighborhood / Cuisine
	American Traditional
	* Street Address
	2021 14th St NW ((between N V St & N U St) ), Washington, DC 20009
	* Phone
	(202) 387-7638

Pearl Oyster Bar, West Village, NYC

Posted on September 24, 2012 by Malini Sood Horiuchi

Food: ☆☆☆☆

Service: ☆☆☆½

Ambiance: ☆☆½

Cost: $$$

Must try: Oysters, Lobster Roll, Scallops

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Torrisi Italian Specialities, Nolita, NYC

Posted on August 12, 2012 by Malini Sood Horiuchi

Food: ☆☆☆½

Service: ☆☆ ½

Ambiance: ☆☆☆

Cost: $$$

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Red Farm, West Village, NYC

Posted on July 8, 2012 by Malini Sood Horiuchi

Food: ☆☆☆☆

Service: ☆☆☆☆

Ambiance: ☆☆☆

Cost: $$$

I recommend: Dim Sum Menu

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Three of Cups, East Village, NYC

Posted on July 5, 2012 by Malini Sood Horiuchi

Food: ☆☆☆☆

Service: ☆☆☆☆

Ambiance: ☆☆☆½

Cost: $$

Must try: Calamari all a Griglia, Cozze alle Tre di Coppa, Tartufo Pizza, Homemade Tiramisu

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Mihoko’s 21 Grams, Chelsea, NYC

Posted on July 2, 2012 by Malini Sood Horiuchi

Mihoko Kiyokawa has made her debut into the New York City fine dining scene with her high-end Franco-Japanese restaurant named Mihoko’s 21 Grams.

I was invited to a cocktail party to preview the place where I spent an evening noshing on little bites made for the elite of the New York scene.

At 21 Grams (which refers to the alleged weight of a person’s soul) Mihoko’s tries to blend the essence of French cuisine with the subtlety of Japanese cuisine.

The digs are elegant, designed by Bruno Borrione and leans more towards the French aesthetics. This richly decorated space boasts of etched-glass murals from the Cartier mansion and rare tableware and other artifacts collected by Mihoko during her world travels. There is a really cool French Lounge in the basement, which showcases unique and artfully created cocktails.

The menu is still a work in progress. I thought the food lacked clarity and definition but was told that they are still in the process of fine-tuning many of their dishes. The restaurant has had a soft opening and will officially launch in the fall.

Here is some of what we ate & drank:

Mixed Cocktails

Wildflower and Herb Salad Sushi

Watermelon and Heirloom Tomato Salad

Chickpea Panisse

Alaskan King Crab with Avocado

Chawan Mushi

Maine Lobster Tempura

Shrimp Ceviche with Avocado

Asparagus and with Black Truffle

Spanish Mackerel

Beef Ragu

Duck with Potato

Bright Angel Restaurant – Breakfast: Grand Canyon National Park, AZ

Posted on June 27, 2012 by Malini Sood Horiuchi

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EL Tovar Dining Room – Grand Canyon National Park, AZ

Posted on June 26, 2012 by Malini Sood Horiuchi

Food: ☆☆½

Service: ☆☆☆½

Ambiance: ☆☆☆

Cost: $$$

The Grand Canyon is one of the most magnificent sights in Arizona. This canyon was carved by the Colorado River exposing nearly two billion years of the Earth’s geological history. It truly is a wonder.

A wonderful way to splurge whilst visiting the Grand Canyon is to try a meal at the historic El Tovar Hotel. Though the food in not outstanding, the experience and views from window tables that overlook the canyon are.

The menu is quite comprehensive and “gourmet”. It’s better than any other meal you will find in and around the park but it is pricey. Skip the desserts – they were all abominations!!

What I really liked about the menu at El Tovar is that the kids are not just stuck with the kids menu but can order any entrees which is served to them in a half-portions at discounted prices.

Do make sure that you make reservations weeks ahead of time. In the busy seasons, it can be virtually impossible to snag a table at any kind of earthly dinning hour. Window seats can be requested but are not reserved or guaranteed.

Here is some of what we ate:

Smoked Salmon and Trout Crostini with Goat Cheese and Capers

Deviled Crab Cakes with Sonoran Remoulade

French Onion Soup Gratinée

Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Natural Chicken Piccata

Roasted Half Duck with Sundried Cherry Merlot Sauce

Apple Strudel

Chocolate Ganache Cake

Restaurant Information

tabelog.us

	* Overall
	* Restaurant Name
	El Tovar Dining Room
	★★★☆☆
	* Neighborhood / Cuisine
	American Traditional
	* Street Address
	Grand Canyon National Park, Village Loop Dr Grand Canyon, AZ 86023, Grand Canyon, AZ 86023
	* Phone
	(928) 638-2631

The Restaurant at the View Hotel at Monument Valley, Navajo Tribal Park

Posted on June 25, 2012 by Malini Sood Horiuchi

Monument Valley located in Navajo Tribal Park is known as Tsé Biiʼ Ndzisgaii, in Navajo meaning valley of the rocks. This gorgeous valley houses some of the most picturesque mesas, plateaus and buttes.

The relatively new View hotel, started by Armanda Ortega a native Navajo, offers stunning panoramic views of Monument Valley.

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Fiesta Mexicana, Page, Arizona

Posted on June 24, 2012 by Malini Sood Horiuchi

Food: ☆

Service: ☆ ½

Ambiance: ☆☆

Cost: $$

Page, Arizona is famous for a remarkable collection of geological wonders, monuments, historical sites, slot canyons and so much more.

Finding good food in Page is a whole different story though!

Why is Fiesta Mexicana rated so highly on every online food guide???

This cheery, colorful Mexican themed restaurant looks inviting enough. We started off with really good chips and salsa and everything went downhill from there. The service is friendly but painfully slow. The food is average bordering on awful. How disappointing is all I can say.

This place is just about one step up from pulling up to the drive through window at a Taco Bell!

Please don’t eat here!

Here is some of what we ate:

Restaurant Information

tabelog.us

	* Overall
	* Restaurant Name
	Fiesta Mexicana
	★★☆☆☆
	* Neighborhood / Cuisine
	Mexican
	* Street Address
	125 S Lake Powell Blvd , Page, AZ 80604
	* Phone
	(928) 645-4082

The Restaurant at the Lodge at Bryce Canyon, Utah

Posted on June 23, 2012 by Malini Sood Horiuchi

Food: ☆☆☆

Service: ☆☆ ½

Ambiance: ☆☆☆½

Cost: $$$

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Mean Bean Coffee House, Zion National Park, Utah

Posted on June 22, 2012 by Malini Sood Horiuchi

Food: ☆☆½

Service: ☆☆☆½

Ambiance: ☆☆

Cost: $$$

The Mean Bean Coffee house offers you more than just a pot of excellent fresh cup of Joe!

This tiny coffee nook is home to some really cool breakfast and lunch dishes. They have a whole array of fresh baked items and make some cool sandwiches. The portions are great and the price is just right too.

Many hikers get their breakfast/ lunch and coffee to go and there is quite a long line to place your order. You can choose to stay in and eat too but it does get a little smoky indoors with all the cooking going on in the semi-open kitchen.

Either way, hanging at the Mean Bean is a great way to start your day just right at Zion National Park.

Here is some of what we ate:

Cinnamon Roll

Egg Sandwich

Belgian Waffle

Breakfast Panini

Veggie Omelet

Restaurant Information

tabelog.us

	* Overall
	* Restaurant Name
	Deep Creek Coffee Co
	★★★☆☆
	* Neighborhood / Cuisine
	American Traditional
	* Street Address
	932 Zion Park Blvd , Springdale, UT 84767
	* Phone
	(435) 767-0272

The Bumbleberry Bakery, Springdale, Utah

Posted on June 21, 2012 by Malini Sood Horiuchi

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Oscars Café, Zion National Park, Utah

Posted on June 19, 2012 by Malini Sood Horiuchi

Food: ☆☆☆

Service: ☆☆☆☆

Ambiance: ☆☆

Cost: $$$

Must try: Hank’s Horse-Shoe

Oscars Café is located right outside Zion National Park in Springdale, UT. This cute café offers interesting menu options for breakfast. The portions are mammoth sized so make sure you are hungry when you go in there.

We had a good breakfast – they have super yummy home fries!!! Don’t miss their Hank’s Horseshoe, which is a breakfast dish in which they have thrown in the kitchen sink. It is a foundation of toast and breakfast potatoes – baked in a bowl with cheese then topped with Ham, Sausage and Bacon with three eggs (your way), smothered in Hollandaise sauce and topped with fresh guacamole and sour cream.

The servers are really friendly and the views are gorgeous. If the weather is right – sit outdoors and take in the spectacular red rocks that surround this spot.

Here is some of what we ate:

Kickin’ Spicy Omelet

Breakfast Croissant Sandwiches

Hank’s Horse-Shoe

Eggs Benedict

Restaurant Information

tabelog.us

	* Overall
	* Restaurant Name
	Oscar’s Cafe
	★★★☆☆
	* Neighborhood / Cuisine
	American New / Mexican
	* Street Address
	948 Zion Park Blvd, Springdale, UT 84767
	* Phone
	(435) 772-3232

Bit and Spur Restaurant and Saloon, Zion National Park, Utah

Posted on June 17, 2012 by Malini Sood Horiuchi

Food: ☆☆ ½

Service: ☆☆☆½

Ambiance: ☆☆

Cost: $$

The Bit and Spur Restaurant and Saloon is located right outside Zion National Park in Springdale, Utah.

This popular Mexican food spot and local watering hole serves up some decent bites with very friendly service. They make some really cool homemade hot sauces, which help kick up the dishes a notch. Do try their desserts, which are really home-style – I loved the pecan brownie with vanilla crème brulee.

Eating out on the garden patio offers a great spot to catch the sunset as it colors the splendid ridges of Zion Canyon.

Here is some of what we ate:

Chips and Salsa

Stuffed Jalapenoes

Chicken Quesadillas

Bit and Spur Rib Eye

Chicken Burrito

Pasta Tomate

Berry Crisp

Pecan Brownie with Vaniila Crème Brulee

Restaurant Information

tabelog.us

	* Overall
	* Restaurant Name
	Bit & Spur Restaurant & Saloon
	★★★☆☆
	* Neighborhood / Cuisine
	Tex-Mex
	* Street Address
	1212 Zion Park Blvd , Springdale, UT 84767
	* Phone
	(435) 772-3498

Red Rock Grill, Zion National Park, Utah

Posted on June 15, 2012 by Malini Sood Horiuchi

Food: ☆☆☆

Service: ☆☆☆☆

Ambiance: ☆☆☆

Cost: $$$

Must try:

Zion National Park is one of the most awesome natural parks in Utah.

The Lodge at Zion National Park offers a few options for dining. I always have low expectations from national Park dining rooms but I have to say that the Red Rock Grill really surprised me.

This full service restaurant, located at Zion Lodge within the canyon, offers wonderful dining options for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The fare is American with a Southwestern touch. The food is good and they have a wonderful salad bar and dessert options.

Set with a gorgeous view of the spectacular rock formations, try to snag a table in their seasonal open-air terrace. If not, then sitting by the window works just as well too.

The servers are super friendly, which makes the entire dining experience all the more wonderful. I can’t think of a better way to spend an evening munching on good food whilst surrounded by the magnificent beauty of Zion Canyon.

Here is some of what we ate:

Restaurant Information

tabelog.us

	* Overall
	* Restaurant Name
	Red Rock Grill at Zion Lodge
	★★★☆☆
	* Neighborhood / Cuisine
	American New
	* Street Address
	995 Zion National Park , Hurricane, UT 84779
	* Phone
	(435) 772-7700

The Restaurant Fairy

Lover of all things delicious!

Category Archives: TRAVEL: AROUND THE USA