Bouchon, Las Vegas, NV

Posted on January 4, 2013 by Malini Sood Horiuchi

Food: ☆☆☆

Service: ☆☆

Ambiance: ☆☆☆

Cost: $$$$

Must try: Beignets de Brandade de Morue, Quiche

Bouchon is housed at the Venetian and is known for its clever interpretations of classic French bistro cuisine.

Thomas Keller is a food icon and eating at Bouchon, which is based on his Napa Valley bistro, was one of the most anticipated events of my trip to Vegas.

Unfortunately my experience turned out to be a rather lackluster one. I think it was more to do with the service versus just the food.

Our server was rather edgy which really took away from the kind of comfort and ease I expected the evening to present.

The food was definitely good but nothing blew me away. I thought the appetizers proved to be better than the entrees. The quiche was amazing as were the cod fritters.

However, overall I was disappointed as I had much higher expectations from a Thomas Keller restaurant. I would go back to give it a fair chance – perhaps for lunch next time.

Here is some of what we ate:

Quiche du Jour

Beignets de Brandade de Morue

Gigot d’Agneau

Confit d’Esturgeon

Truite Amandine

Île Flottante

Tarte au Citron

Restaurant Information

tabelog.us

	* Overall
	* Restaurant Name
	Bouchon Bistro
	★★★☆☆
	* Neighborhood / Cuisine
	French
	* Street Address
	3355 Las Vegas Boulevard S , Las Vegas, NV 89109
	* Phone
	(702) 414-6200

Bartolotta Ristorante di Mare, Wynn Hotel, Las vegas

Posted on January 3, 2013 by Malini Sood Horiuchi

Food: ☆☆☆☆ ½

Service: ☆☆☆☆☆

Ambiance: ☆☆☆☆ ½

Cost: $$$$

Must try: Lasagnette, Special Mediterranean Fish

The Wynn offers some fabulous dinning options but perhaps the jewel in its crown is award winning Chef Paul Bartolotta’s eponymous restaurant Bartolotta, Ristorante di Mare.

When it comes to quality there are no expenses spared at Bartolotta. This Italian seafood gem has its crustaceans and fish flown in straight from the Mediterranean a few times a week, which offers diners signature items such as orata, purple snapper and pale pink langoustines. The food is outstanding – one of my favorites was the pink shrimp and the lasagnette.

Bartolotta is not just about the food though. Their service is just as flawless as the meal. The servers tend to patron’s needs with tremendous care, weaving in and out of the dining experience with deft expertise.

At Bartolotta you pay top dollar for an extraordinary experience. I think it is well worth the splurge for those really special occasions.

Here is some of what we ate:

Buffalo Mozzarella

Special Grilled Shrimp

Spaghetti All’ Astice

Lasagnette Con Ragu di Crostacei

Summer Rissotto

Branzino

Vegetables

Restaurant Information

tabelog.us

	* Overall
	* Restaurant Name
	Bartolotta Ristorante di Mare
	★★★☆☆
	* Neighborhood / Cuisine
	Italian
	* Street Address
	3131 S Las Vegas Blvd , Las Vegas, NV 89109
	* Phone
	(702) 770-3463

Wynn Buffet, Las Vegas,NV

Posted on January 1, 2013 by Malini Sood Horiuchi

Food: ☆☆☆ 1/2

Service: ☆☆☆

Ambiance: ☆☆☆☆

Cost: $$$

All buffets are not made equally and the Wynn Buffet is certainly many cuts above the rest!!

I am not a fan of buffets and find that generally they are filled with un-thoughtful, generic dishes to please the hungry masses. The buffet at the Wynn however proves to be very different.

Set in a whimsical dining room within a bright atrium, filled with multicolored fruits and flowers, the offerings are unbelievable in variety, quality and flavor. It took me a good 10 minutes just to walk the buffet to wrap my head around all the options I had.

Fresh salads, soups, seafood, meats, vegetables, sushi, Chinese food, hand pulled noodles, Mexican options, Italian food, vegetables galore, live cooking stations – a room full of desserts…the list just goes on and on and on.

The buffet at the Wynn is priced a little higher than others but for this quality of food – I would say that it’s worth every penny!

Here is some of what we ate:

Restaurant Information

tabelog.us

	* Overall
	* Restaurant Name
	The Buffet
	★★★☆☆
	* Neighborhood / Cuisine
	American Traditional
	* Street Address
	3131 S Las Vegas Boulevard , Las Vegas, NV 89109
	* Phone
	(702) 770-3463

Lotus of Siam, Las Vegas, NV

Posted on December 29, 2012 by Malini Sood Horiuchi

Food: ☆☆☆☆☆

Service: ☆☆☆½

Ambiance: ☆

Cost: $$

Lotus of Siam is Vegas’s best-kept secret. Okay it’s not so much of a secret ever since Gourmet magazine called it “the best Thai restaurant in the United States!”

I had to find out what all the fuss was about especially since I have been thoroughly spoiled by the splendid Thai food available in Queens, NY. (Lotus of Siam now has opened an outpost in New York City)

I have to say I was blown away. Chef Saipin Chutima, the owner of Lotus of Siam has created truly authentic classic Northern Issan-style cuisine using fresh and bold flavors.

The menu at Lotus of Siam is extensive and overwhelming to navigate without the help of the servers who offer great advice on what dishes to order.

Everything we had was excellent. The waiters will ask you how spicy you want your food on a scale of 1-10. I tried panang curry at a 10 and it really wasn’t that spicy but was very tasty.

As I walked out, belly full, of this nondescript food spot housed in a dinky strip mall, a mile away from the dazzle of the Strip – I knew that I was leaving Las Vegas after really having hit the jackpot!

Here is some of what we ate:

MEE KROB

BEEF SALAD

CHICKEN PANANG

GARLIC PRAWN

CHICKEN WITH MINT AND GREEN CHILI

SEA BASS ON DRUNKEN NOODLE

CRAB FRIED RICE

Restaurant Information

tabelog.us

	* Overall
	* Restaurant Name
	Lotus of Siam
	★★★☆☆
	* Neighborhood / Cuisine
	Asian Fusion / Thai
	* Street Address
	953 E Sahara Ave , Las Vegas, NV 89104
	* Phone
	(702) 735-3033

Jean Philippe’s Patisserie, Las Vegas, NV

Posted on December 27, 2012 by Malini Sood Horiuchi

Food: ☆☆☆☆☆

Service: ☆☆☆½

Ambiance: ☆☆☆☆

Cost: $$$

Must try: Everything!!!!!!

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Jaleo by José Andrés,Las Vegas, NV

Posted on December 25, 2012 by Malini Sood Horiuchi

Food: ☆☆☆☆

Service: ☆☆☆☆

Ambiance: ☆☆☆

Cost: $$$

Must try: Patatas Bravas, Setas al ajillo con La Serena, Espinacas a la Catalana, Patatas Bravas

José Andrés is the culinary mastermind who is credited with bringing authentic Spanish cuisine and the concept of Tapas to the United States.

At Jaleo, which is at the Cosmopolitan in Vegas, Andrés along with Chef Ramon Martinez, offers a delightful blitz of fantastic small plates showcasing the very best of Spanish cuisine.

Andrés has created a remarkable paella pit at Jaleo, lit by all wood fires, which flavors their delicious paella of the night.

The menu is extensive offering over 70 options to diners to pick from. Each dish delights in different ways as do the wonderful drinks. The service at Jaleo is just as charming as the food is. For me, this was a perfect Vegas food spot to kick off an evening of fun.

Here is some of what we ate:

Jaleo Bramble

Gambas Al Ajillo

Espinacas a la Catalana

Setas al ajillo con La Serena

Patatas Bravas

Tortillas de patatas clasica

Pollastre amb Escamarlans

Paella de verduras de Temporada

Gin and Tonic Sorbet

Flan al estilo

Restaurant Information

tabelog.us

	* Overall
	* Restaurant Name
	Jaleo by José Andrés
	★★★☆☆
	* Neighborhood / Cuisine
	Spanish
	* Street Address
	3708 Las Vegas Boulevard South , Las Vegas, NV 89109
	* Phone
	(702) 698-7950

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

Cannelle Patisserie, Jackson Heights, NYC

Posted on December 20, 2012 by Malini Sood Horiuchi

Food: ☆☆☆½

Service: ☆☆☆½

Ambiance: ☆☆

Cost: $

Must try: Croissants,

Cannelle Patisserie is perhaps one of the most unusual finds in its location at a strip mall in East Elmhurst.

This venture was brought to fruition by Jean Claude Perennou and Gnanasampanthan Sabaratratnam – both Ex- Waldorf Astoria pastry chefs.

Cannelle Patisserie offers Manhattan quality baked goods at super affordable prices. The display cases are a riot of colors, textures and artful creations such as, napoleons, éclairs, profiteroles, all kinds of baked pastries and cookies. They also offer a range of fresh baked breads, quiches, tarts and so on. Their crowning glory is their super flaky croissants, gâteau Breton, Saint Honoré and Paris-Brest

The most wonderful thing about this Cannelle – other than its ethereal offerings is how it reflects the diversity of its surrounding in both its clientele and its staff. At Cannelle, people from all ethnicities, across all ages have found a great homey neighborhood spot to stop by and linger at over fabulous eats.

Here is some of what we ate:

Restaurant Information

tabelog.us

	* Overall
	* Restaurant Name
	Cannelle Patisserie
	☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
	* Neighborhood / Cuisine
	Jackson Heights / American New
	* Street Address
	75-59 31st Ave, East Elmhurst, NY 11370
	* Phone
	(718) 565-6200

Marea, Midtown West, NYC

Posted on December 17, 2012 by Malini Sood Horiuchi

Food: ☆☆☆☆½

Service: ☆☆☆☆½

Ambiance: ☆☆☆½

Cost: $$$$

Must try: Crudo, Granchio peekytoe crab, Astice nova scotia lobster

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Maialino, Gramercy , NYC

Posted on December 15, 2012 by Malini Sood Horiuchi

Food: ☆☆☆☆

Service: ☆☆☆½

Ambiance: ☆☆☆☆

Cost: $$$

Must try: Mortadella , Tonnarelli

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Economy Candy, Lower East Side, NYC

Posted on December 13, 2012 by Malini Sood Horiuchi

Economy Candy located on Rivington Street in the Lower East Side of Manhattan is a New York institution that has been around since 1937. Owned by Jerry Cohen, this sweet stop is stacked with floor to ceiling racks filled with every imaginable kind of candy.

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Zabb Elee, Woodside, NYC

Posted on December 10, 2012 by Malini Sood Horiuchi

Food: ☆☆☆☆

Service: ☆☆☆

Ambiance: ☆☆

Cost: $$

Must try: Kai Yang, Crab Fried Rice, Larb, Spicy Shrimp with Basil, Pad Thai

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Gotham Bar and Grill, West Village/ Union Square, NYC

Posted on December 5, 2012 by Malini Sood Horiuchi

Food: ☆☆☆☆ ½

Service: ☆☆☆☆ ½

Ambiance: ☆☆☆ ½

Cost: $$$$

Must try: Butternut Squash Ravioli, Fresh Tagliatelle, Gotham Chocolate Cake, Strawberry Parfait with Black Sesame Cake.

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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