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.
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