Thai food temptations

     Four and a half years ago I was introduced to this busser at my new job. We were quick friends. He would eventually turn into a close companion and then the man I would  fall madly in love with. This night out on the town was due in celebration of our relationship that has kept strong for the best part of my life. Not that we need an excuse to go out but I will always take advantage to frolic in our fondness of each other.
   We were headed out to yet another recommendation from a dear friend. One of my close girlfriend's mother raved about this place and said it was a must Chew. When I mentioned Thai food, before the I could finish my sentence, Gaati's praises were pouring from her. M and F (initials to keep my food raving friends on the down low) are avid diners themselves, so I knew this was going to be good.
     Finally after a long productive day I get to escape reality and transport to culinary euphoria with none other than the love of my life. So we drive to the South end of town and found ourselves in a busy parking lot which gave us high hopes. Once we walk in the restaurant we are greeted by all three staff members on the floor and notice only one other single diner. Cricket, Cricket.
     Knowing that Thai cuisine frequently has a strong coconut presence we immediately tell our server that there is an allergy. She is very accommodating and knowledgeable on the the restriction, making sure that we stay away from the curries and a few other choice items. The curry was raved about on yelp.com but I unfortunately can't partake. If there happen to be any Gaati Thai diners that have sampled their curry please share your findings, I am intrigued.

Siamese Toast

      A popular choice in wine to accompany the Thai spice would be a Riesling, which just so happens to be one of my favorites. We got the night started with a bottle of a crisp kabinett  wine that would be a great coupling for the dinner that lay ahead.
      For our first course we ordered the Siamese toast upon a recommendation from our server. Another plus was that it was offered on their small happy hour menu. The toast consisted of minced chicken, shrimp, and cilantro topped upon toast served with a cucumber relish. At first bite it was absolutely amazing. I had to take my time and pace myself before I inhaled the whole plate. The toast was perfectly crisp avoiding that annoying scratchy sensation on the top of your mouth when you eat something that is too roughly prepared. The cucumber relish is what made the dish. I am a huge fan of cucumber salad when ordering sushi. I could have eaten the cucumbers alone and probably ask the chef if they would make me another helping. Gaati's interpretation of the salad was astounding and if ever at this hidden gem it is a must have.

Treasure Bags

     Second to come out were the treasure bags. When I first read them on the menu they had rapidly charmed me. The dish was composed of a flaky fried pastry filled with chicken, sweet corn, and a blend of Thai herbs. My immediate response when it was brought to the table was "O wow look how cute". But more than tasting "cute" there was a fortune of flavor bursting in every bite. I know now why they call them treasure bags. They should have called them Mandy's treasure bags because they held a few of my choice ingredients. Chicken; Good, sweet corn; good, fried pastry; GOOD. The bags were served with what would resemble a spicy mango sauce that made the treats sticky finger licking delicious. Not only did the spice from the herbs pair beautifully with the sweet corn but the appetizer was a perfect partner for our wine.

Pad Thai with shrimp

    Next up, the traditional Pad Thai. This entree was a bundle of flat noodles sauteed with eggs and bacon with a choice of meet. We opted for shrimp. Both of us aren't huge fans of peanuts with our noodles so we tossed it from our order. It looked just how a classic pad Thai should. sticky in appearance with a noticeable amount of veggies and spices. You could see that the shrimp were frozen but you couldn't tell from the taste. They had a very fresh juiciness about them. As a whole the  flavorsome ensemble gave us our Thai fix.
    Before moving on I had to take a breather. We took our time ordering our last dish while looking around and getting a better feel for the dining room. It was a very small area. Only counting 13 tables it was a subtle dining hideaway. I did notice that there were not any televisions. This was a bonus for the evening because it just so happen to be election day and I was avoiding T.V.'s at all cost. The staff was extremely attentive, making sure to constantly refill our water and keeping our wine glasses full. It became a little aggressive more than necessary attention. It felt a little intrusive. With the barren dining room producing little to no noise, the productive sounds streaming from the kitchen caused a minor distraction to the night. I regrettably believe hearing a microwave.

Crispy Duck with Tamarind sauce

     Okay, enough of the lollygagging. Bringing up the tail of the meal was what I would consider the Grand Finale. When we were trying to agree on a main dish it was very challenging. Everything sounded so appetizing. So the only way we could decide was to agree to come back and explore some of their other tantalizing options. Tonight was fried duck with tamarind sauce and a medley of vegetables. The duck was marinated with Gaati's own five spice seasoning which gave the plate a unique aroma and an even more pungent zing to the senses. The fried consistency of the duck was utter perfection with a nice light breading and a melt away center. It was a generous portion so we took the rest home to enjoy a second time. I tend to notice when the remains of the food that are packaged up away from the table. It's just a tiny pet peeve of mine, but over all it was a sublime ending to a splendid night. But little did I know it wasn't over. There was a number of dessert options that included coconut so I was limited to just a few selections. Feeling lavished to the brim, we passed on ordering any dessert. The waitress insisted that we sample their infamous Thai tea ice-cream. That my friends, was the best ice-cream I have ever had, and I don't say that lightly.

    Happily paying the very agreeable tab we left with a gratification found in the residents of cloud number nine. Gaati gave me an anniversary that will be remembered for years to come.

ขอขอบคุณคุณ

http://www.gaatithai.com/

Small Plates, Large Appetites!

     Working in this delicious industry and having the reputation of an avid diner, I am constantly given reviews  along with recommendations on new places to eat. It does make it easy when laying out the dinner options for the night. Having the pleasure of dining at Marbellas was in thanks to my charming dry cleaner. Once he discovered my foodie addiction he was very eager to share his favorite places. More than just recommending a number of restaurants, he gave me a cook book from one of his close personal friends, Chef Grant MacPherson. Wow!

    Marbellas was relatively easy to find, across from the Rio on Flamingo and Arville. The location did give me slight hesitation. I always wonder what lacks in the restaurants found so close to the strip but didn't make that last leap to the boulevard. When I walked in I immediately took back my initial opinion. What a jewel. It had such a warm atmosphere. There was an abundance of small lights resembling candles that put me in a catholic chapel. The acoustic guitar playing in the background had me in a mood to start salsa dancing. I actually caught myself looking around for Zorro. The only element in the dining room that crudely stuck out were the tacky cheap paper table clothes that are often offered for infants to color on. However I did love how most tapas restaurants come off as pretentious and this place was far from it. 

     Our waitress was very sweet and polite, but did come off as a little relaxed. Her menu knowledge was impressive and she was ready and willing to suggest her favorite items. Being able to say this after the meal is over, all of her recommendations were extremely tasty. There were so many intriguing choices to pick from that it made the ultimate decision extremely difficult. I found there was a strong Greek influence over their menu and given that isn't my ideal choice of cuisine I had to choose carefully. 

     There's no surprise that I ordered their fried calamari. Going for a traditional Italian approach it was served with a sauce resembling marinara with a blend of Spanish spices and a caramelized lemon. It had an ideal amount of kick but in my opinion it tastes better without the suggested sauce. The squids meaty texture versus a chewy feel gave the impression it was very fresh which is hard to come by. While enjoying the calamari they brought the cheese and Spanish chorizo empanadas. These were quite a treat. It came with their version of a spiced aioli that complimented the heat in the meat well. I did feel that the presentation  was very simple and lacked any effort or imagination. Between courses the waitress seemed to take her time and focus her attention to the tables that might ring up a larger tab. There was no service provided from the two lingering bussers and I sat for an extended amount of time without any water, twice. 

     The next course of two selections consisted of their brussel sprouts and Marbella french fries. Both were satisfying given they were ordered in reference to the waitresses suggestion. The sprouts were peeled apart and fried to echo a light and airy potato chip, but with tons more flavor. The capers and almonds went very well with the fire roasted taste from the brussels. The french fries stuck out like a soar thumb. The spice was not very noticeable. I felt like they could have gone so many ways with this dish making sure it left a better impression. They were ok, and I can understand how some people would really enjoy them, but they were too simple for me.

     Finally it was time for the highlight of the meal. The plates in front of me looked delicious and smelled even more so. There was one plate consisting of fresh ahi tuna with an avocado relish, steamed vegetables and a small house salad. The tuna first appeared over cooked but tasted perfectly prepared and well seasoned. The zesty relish paired extremely well with the blackened tuna and I quite enjoyed the snap of heat I got from the two when coupled. On my right there was a plate of chicken kebabs accompanied by Armenian jasmine rice.The hummus placed on the plate was a little bland and didn't go well with the chicken but still it was indulging and delivered exactly what I expected. Satisfying? Yes, but the main feature of this dish was the jasmine rice. SO Good!  

      I was so full by the end of each entree I sadly couldn't bring myself to even look at the desserts. I left the restaurant extremely gorged with a smirk plastered to my face. That smirk you get when finished with an extraordinary meal and want to do nothing but appreciate it. Thank you Marbella, for giving me such an enjoyable dining venture. I am excitingly curious to see what you and your chef hold in store for me next time. 

 http://www.marbellalv.com 

No Wonder It's "Off The Strip"

      Ever since I turned 21 I have taken full advantage of the Vegas bar scene. More than just occasionally enjoying a cocktail at my local watering hole I am very fond of the dining possibilities that could await. With so many neighborhood joints popping up on every corner in this cluster of a city you'd think these establishments would want to stand out. These restaurants should offer a level of service and quality of food with the intent on having their guests return. This simply wasn't the case when dining at Off The Strip.
       A co-worker of mine was mentioning a favorite bar that he and his wife frequently enjoy. While I didn't venture into their neck of the woods to the Chef's main location, I found another Off The Strip right up the street from my home. I can't believe I was actually looking forward to this experience. I walk in and find myself in a busy fast paced bar with yelling Eagle fans scattered about. Then I locate the dining room. I sit down in a spacious booth piled with dried bread crumbs facing a prehistoric boob tube playing old Friends re-runs. When a bar or restaurant adapts the seat yourself concept it makes it that much more important to keep a clean and set dining room at all times. Not the best first impression.

     After a few minutes unattended I look around for any member of a service staff. Flustered and out of breath the waitress comes with menus in hand. Reading over the appetizing descriptions my hungry mood takes a turn for the better. I quickly order some appetizers because by now my growling stomach was screaming. First came the steak wrapped asparagus. The dish placed on the table didn't give the description justice. The taste was decent and it had a lot of potential if it wasn't for the rushed presentation. Once 5 minutes had passed since the dish was dropped the quality of taste diminished as the snack reached room temperature.

      I am a huge fan of a good plate of calamari. Given this I pretty much order it wherever I go. I questioned about the sauce and preparation but the waitress had little to say because "I don't eat that." This was her response to a number of entrees I inquired about. When the calamari arrived I noticed cheese garnished the plate. Seeing this for the first time I ask the waitress what kind of cheese it was. Her response, "Geez you ask too many questions. I'll have to check." She left and never returned with an answer. The calamari's taste and appearance was so extremely generic. Breading falling off and a marinara sauce probably found in a can, this plate lacked any kind of ambition. Calamari can be so versatile with so much opportunity to stand out. This was an effortless approach.

     Lastly I order the chicken saltimbocca for the main course. I had never tasted this dish before so I had little to compare it to but my first thought was that it could have been done so much better. Again the dish's appearance was crammed together and not thought threw. I couldn't even see a trace of chicken. The sauce appeared to be made a day or two ago and the mashed potatoes were denser than a village idiot. I only finished half of the dish and I didn't even take left overs. Maybe if I had ever received my dinner salad the meal would have been classified as tolerable.

      Off The Strip was rumored to be a go-to place without having to travel down to the boulevard. I wouldn't classify this restaurant as a destination but more of a last resort stop along the way. I knew not to expect a 5 star dining experience when I walked threw the door but they could at least offer something, anything, that would entice me to come back. The element of "no remorse pricing" was a plus but by the end of my dinner I did regret having to pay for such a poorly executed meal.

http://www.offthestriplvn.com/

A Love For Confident Dining

     When the rare circumstance occurs and I am granted a Saturday evening off work, I plan to make a night of it. I gather my best girlfriend and decide to paint the town red. My friend Sara is a proud but busy single mother of two, and I wanted to treat her to more than just a night out. I wanted her to have an unforgettable experience. She's the best of the best and deserves such, so we were headed to the leading contender for my favorite Vegas restaurant, Vintner Grill.  
     There's not much in this world I enjoy more than going out and appreciating a great meal. However, sharing my culinary experiences with the ones I love brings me great pleasure as well. I am guilty of putting Vintner on a pedestal. It is the one restaurant I compare all others to and with good reason. I can walk in there at any time and be certain to love every minute of it. This occasion was not any different. Dining with a Vintner virgin is always a treat. Right when we walked in the elegant ambiance took my date by surprise. The friendly yet professional staff sure helped set the mood for the perfect night that lay ahead. Being seated at prime real-estate on the dining room floor gave us a great view of the busy flow buzzing around the restaurant. Gotta love dinner and a show!

     Starting our dinner Sara was craving a creamy caprese salad but was sadly disappointed to find it wasn't on the menu. Being the amazing restaurant it is, the Chef gladly gave Sara the fix she was itching for. Martini in hand and two courses in our tummies we were in restaurant utopia. Dining there a number of times and tasting a majority of their menu, I couldn't for the life of me decide on an entree. I asked our server to surprise me and choose a dish of his liking. I knew I wasn't going to be let down but I wasn't expecting to be so impressed. The Chef had brought back their beef stroganoff which I had the revelry of sampling. Why they ever took it off the menu I'll never know.
     Dinner devoured and martinis inhaled we couldn't even muster the strength to order dessert. That was the only downfall of the night. It's a rare thing to come across a restaurant where every time you enter you can confidently dine knowing you will be well taken care of. I am whole heartily thankful to have such a place that continues to exceed my expectations. 

http://www.vglasvegas.com/

Pizza! With a side of Hollywood please!

     For many a year there has been that one desire that seems to go with every occasion. There's a football game, boys night, girls night, game night, date night, or in my house growing up just any given Saturday, it was pizza on the menu. But then there's the time old question, who wants what? My brother always wanted stuffed crust with extra cheese and I argued to get thin crust with pepperoni. There was rarely a day we ordered pizza that didn't end in a yelling match. With so many versatile ways to make a pie not even including toppings it is difficult to find that one place that serves the perfect slice. Now days there's a pizza shop on every corner so how do you even begin to decide which place to attempt next. For me it's as easy as word of mouth. There are hundreds of pizza joints around town that any place worth trying out are those recommended by your friends. And that's exactly how I came across Due Forni.
     A friend of mine recommended this place to me with such high esteem. Due Forni is a restaurant that has been chatted about for some time now. It was only a matter of time before I was there enjoying lunch. Whenever I travel to Summerlin my expectations are raised a little. The pricey neighborhoods and posh shopping centers would make any restaurant a little more intimidating. The little pizzeria was located right off the 2-15 and Towncenter which was very relieving. It can get discouraging when you want to try somewhere new and you have the worst difficulty in finding it. Luckily that wasn't the case. I did notice however that it was located very near to another popular pizza place I just so happen to thoroughly enjoy, Dom Demarco's.
     When I entered I was greeted immediately by who I would assume to be the manager and was seated promptly. I really liked the theme and energy in the restaurant. There was an old western playing on the back wall and there was a mosaic of Hollywood wall art scattered about. I was seated right behind a large wine wall which gave the room a nice accent. I sat to begin my meal but was immediately in discomfort from their extremely hard chairs. They made me miss my couch were I could cozily order delivery.
    At first glance I thought that their menu was lacking. But getting a harder look I found a very well put together and balanced menu. For lunch they offered panini's, pasta's, salads, even a filet and branzino and of course pizza. By far, my favorite feature was the mozzarella bar. Three different styles of bufala mozzarella from Campania and your choice of six different sides. Looking further over the menu I noticed a large amount of items that include prosciutto. For me the world would be a tastier place if wrapped in prosciutto.
     Once the server arrived he discussed a few favorites, went over the styles of pizza, and happily answered my inquiries with ideal description. This guy really knew his stuff . Further looking over the menu entirely I had a chance to discover the large variety of wines they offered. Not only do they have an unique wine list but every bottle they sell could also be purchased by the glass and even sampled for a fraction of the cost. I could really enjoy this if I was looking for a lavish night out and spend $80 a glass or even if I wanted a moderate lunch of pizza and vino. You can have any experience you desire here.
     The food arrived and it was beseeching at first glimpse. I ordered the stracciatella mozzarella with a side of prosciutto. The mozzarella was so creamy and soft, it melted like butter. Accompanying the salty meat it was a pairing well suited. This is by far my favorite marriage of the two. It did come with an order of fresh bread that resembled pizza dough. It was extremely tasty but was far too filling to be an appetizer. Next course, their insalata di frutti. Fresh cut strawberries and mangos served with brisk arugula topped with yes, more prosciutto. The proportions of the fruit and greens were faultless. It had just the right blend of sweet and bitterness to make a great dish.
    With my appetite on a role, I was well prepared for the main attraction. Bring on the "Za"! Due Forni offers two different style of crust for their pies. I couldn't willingly decide between the two so I requested one of each. The Neapolitan is a crust designed to be chewy with a crisp interior. I ordered mine Due Forni style with san marzano tomato, bufala mozzarella, house made sausage, nueske's bacon, and piquillo peppers. I was excited for the classic combo of peppers and sausage but was highly disappointed to taste mooshy crust drenched in oil. The toppings fell on the plate with barely any cheese to glue them on the goopy crust. I had to squish it all together to take a gagging bite. Very dissatisfying.

     I was not having high expectations for the next slice of the Roman pizza. It was prepared to be a thin crust with a crisp light crackly texture. I ordered mine biancca al proscuitto cotto, served with cooked ham, fontina cheese, caramelized onions and aged balsamic. This shockingly was extremely close to being my ideal  pizza. The crust was flawlessly cooked with a light airiness and crunch to it. There was an over abundance of caramelized onions which really overpowered the ham and balsamic. But I sincerely enjoyed every slice of that pizza.
     I'm honestly on the fence about this place. I was absolutely delighted with the starters they served but my first impression of the pizza did leave me wanting. I could so easily find another place and attempt their offerings and never go back to Due Forni again but with such high praise from so many I can't help but think maybe I just went on an off day. They had such an array of options and on the most part had amazing flavor but there was such an unbalance between an awful pizza and a near perfect one. With a hit or miss dining here I'm not sure if I will be sampling their pie again anytime soon, but you will however find me dining up the street at Dom Demarco's in the near future.

http://dueforni.com/

Don't have a cow. Eat chicken!

     Living in Las Vegas we have the wonderful pleasure of variety. You want Mexican, Chinese, sushi, chicken, burgers? With so many delicious choices, us Las Vegans are rarely left wanting.
     Monday Afternoon I found myself with an annoying itch for some juicy chicken fingers. I was fortunate enough to discover over two hundred chicken joints in the Vegas valley. 40 minutes and a whole play list later I was on the outskirts of Henderson. So what in fact brought me 20 miles away from home? I've found that when it comes to enjoying tasty chicken the best places are unique neighborhood restaurants which are quite common in the Southern end of town. Don't get me wrong I'm a girl who thoroughly enjoys her Raising Canes but there's a sense of pride that commercialized restaurants lack which in my opinion can only be found in small homegrown shops.
     The venue was The Chicken Shack. Located on the corner of Sunset and Mt. Vista, the restaurant was very easy to find which was a plus given I'd never been there before. The humble size of the restaurant gave it a very relaxed feel and the charming mural and quotes on the wall were very entertaining. The Shack was advertised as a sports bar which came across as a little odd to me. Yes there were some NFL embellishments but their 2 small flat screens wouldn't do any team justice on game day.
    The man behind the counter was extremely helpful. He gladly answered my questions and even gave some samples and suggestions. Then he asked a question I was not expecting. "Would you like a beer with that?" A quaint chicken joint that serves cheap beer? It might not be a sports bar but I sure scored.

     When the food came it looked excruciatingly delicious. The chicken was fried to a perfect golden brown and the shoestring fries shimmered with an ideal amount of seasoning. My first bite of the chick gave a burst of flavor with the crispy skin accompanied by a juicy succulent center. Bravo Chef, bravo. I sampled the house fry sauce as well as their sweet chili sauce. Both tasted as what was to be expected but mixing the two gave a savoury duet
that performed to my senses. It was a perfect combination of spice and richness that went like a dream with the fingers.
     The chili we ordered based on the gentleman's recommendation was less then satisfactory to say the least. It was garnished with 2 jalapeno slices the size of silver dollars which gave it a good kick but only for two bites. The flavor was bland and the meats texture was a step away from baby food. I like my chili with a strong robust flavor that has spice throughout. This was far from that. But they're not called the chili shack are they.
 
       My overall experience was very pleasurable. The diverse crowd with patrons of all shapes and sizes from  young to old testify that the Shack is appreciated by many. I will most certainly be making that journey again.

http://www.mychickenshack.com/

An Introduction

The definition of an aficionado is an ardent devotee; fan, enthusiast. There is so much more to being a food fanatic then just simply enjoying a good meal. There is the process of primping yourself, deciding a destination, acquiring a table, picking the perfect dish, having the palate to determine an abomination from a masterpiece and lastly having the experience to justly classify superb service. Possessing the talent of being a dining expert is not just learned but accomplished. You can sit and read service books, take classes on how to prepare food, even work in the industry, but to be an enthusiast you must dine.

        The average couple enjoys date night about 2 times a month. In this economy a family of four might only go out a handful of times a year. The restaurant scene is not what it used to be. While there are still millions of us out there, foodies are not as common as we once were. To be a food enthusiast you must make that gamble. Go out, have confidence in your restaurant choice and whole heartedly go in expecting an exceptional experience. Yes there will be times that you are let down by a snobby waitress, a lazy chef or a less then appealing ambiance but the times when you are sincerely impressed make it all worth the bet.
        I’m not what you would consider a risk taker in life. I have gambled only a handful of times, and that’s saying a lot when you were born and raised in Las Vegas. I try and plan every detail and make a point to have a structured routine. The only part in my life I take risk in is when I am introduced to a new eatery. Putting all my chips in the pot I do enjoy making that tasty gamble. When you hold a pair of twos and end up taking the pot is a great feeling. The same goes for when you sit down to eat and are pleasantly surprised to find yourself in taste bud heaven. Confidence plays a key role in setting the mood for eating out. Going out with the mind set of folding will rarely leave you satisfied.
          Go out, gamble, go all in. Here’s hoping you’ll hit the jackpot.