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/