Category: Restaurant Reviews

Review of Lago at Bellagio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, NV – We were fortunate enough to be able to score a same-day reservation for dinner on a warm Thursday evening. What we didn’t know was that somehow, we were able to get one of three best tables in the house – the front… Read more

Review of Paul Martin’s Austin Grill – I anxiously but carefully awaited the opening of Paul Martin’s Austin Domain location because the other restaurant that had “American Grill” in the name was an utter disappointment. It was actually a great thing that the Austin location was renamed from the “American Grill” to “Austin Grill,” just… Read more

After arriving in Las Vegas on an early Saturday evening, we checked in to the Aria Sky Suites and then ventured out to find a meal worthy of the first meal in Vegas. This meal usually sets the tone for the rest of the trip, and Julian Serrano Tapas met the challenge, which I now… Read more

The Lockhart BBQ Experience Texas BBQ is known around the world for its BBQ, and BBQ lovers around the world have many opinions as there are BBQ establishments. One common thing I heard over and over while living in Austin was that you could find some of the best BBQ in Texas in a little… Read more

BARDOT Brasserie Review – From the moment we first stepped into Michael Mina’s BARDOT Brasserie, a cute French bistro tucked into a corner next door to Jean George Steak House on the second-floor Promenade level of the Aria Hotel, we knew we were going to become regulars.  Was it the beautiful bar? Or the French accordionist serenading… Read more

Morimoto Las Vegas Review – Masaharu Morimoto is a marketing genius as much as he is a great chef and entrepreneur. He is one of the three most well-known celebrity Japanese/American chefs in the US alongside Nobu Matsuhisa and Masa Takayama and uses that recognition to his advantage growing his Morimoto restaurant empire worldwide. The… Read more

This is a review of Toulouse Austin in the Domain. Our visit was also only a few weeks after opening so I’m sure things will smooth out a bit over the next few weeks. With that being said, the only real bumps in our dining experience were primarily with inconsistency and quality coming out of… Read more

Joel Robuchon is regarded as one of the best chefs in the world. He has been the ‘number one ranked chef (total Michelin star count) in the world for years. So when I had the opportunity to dine at his Las Vegas restaurants I leaped at the chance. Even several months after this dining experience… Read more

Urban Farmer was a delight to find especially as it was in the Logan Hotel that I was staying. I was born and raised in Philadelphia but I never really had a chance to visit in my adult years. Recently I had an opportunity to go back, and I found the experience to be very… Read more

L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon provides amazing culinary creations.  I would venture to say nearly on par with Joel Robuchon next door, but in a more relaxed environment.  The open kitchen concept with bar seating around the kitchen is great. You are able to watch your dishes being prepared right in front of your eyes.  You… Read more

Katz’s Delicatessen is all that and more. You’ve seen it on When Harry Met Sally, and probably half a dozen shows on the Food Network. Over the years, I heard great things about Katz’s Deli.  I laugh at some of the outrageous reviews on Yelp about Katz.  So I thought to myself, “it can’t be… Read more

Black’s Barbecue is it. After hearing all the hype about Lockhart BBQ, namely Black’s, I decided to make the 30 minute drive out to Lockhart to see what all the fuss was about.  Boy, was it worth the drive! After finding a parking spot in a small parking lot to the side, since all the street parking… Read more

I stumbled across the little gem known as The Rotten Bunch as I was perusing the list of restaurants on my American Airlines Advantage Dining Program to help boost my miles.  I’m always looking for ways to earn more miles, so this was a great find.  Living in North Austin, my usual destination for good food… Read more

Bohanan’s Prime Steak & Seafood is my favorite restaurant in San Antonio and arguably the highest quality one as well. They epitomize the top quality of food as well as classic unpretentious service that can only be found in the best chop houses across the country. Our first visit to Bohanan’s was on an early Friday… Read more

The Steeping Room is one of my favorite destinations in the Domain area of Austin, primarily because I love tea.  I can stop in for a light snack and shop teas and tea paraphernalia anytime I want. My only complaint is that they have limited seating in the main dining area, however, it does make… Read more

Snow Monster is a Taiwanese-inspired shaved ice parlor that offers a unique twist on shaved ice.  They take shaved ice to the next level by using frozen blocks of drinks in the place of ice.  This will become the next frozen yogurt in my opinion! Living in Hawaii for several years while serving in the… Read more

Over the years I’ve enjoyed many styles and qualities of pizza.  Amazingly, I can enjoy a cheap frozen pizza as much as the next guy. However, aside from a slice of grandma’s or pepperoni pizza from Patzeria Perfect Pizza in Times Square, it doesn’t get much better than a well-made pizza napoletana made of 00… Read more

Growing up in Southern California, I’ve experienced the some of the best Pho you can get in the states. One common denominator of nearly every great Pho joint, not just in Cali, but most anywhere, is the cleanliness, or lack thereof. But, you don’t go to Pho for clean, you go to get a great… Read more

I have been a chef-owner and restaurateur of a top-rated Japanese restaurant, so I do consider myself a sushi snob.  This doesn’t mean I won’t eat or enjoy an occasional nigiri or sushi from Kona Grill or even Whole Foods. When I first read the reviews about Tomodachi Sushi and its owners, I had to… Read more

After living in Austin for seven years, I’ve discovered that it is very difficult to find truly exceptional dining experiences within Austin city limits.  In a city so vibrant and eclectic, it is unbelievable that the restaurants here lack so much in character and quality.  Mia Italian Tapas is definitely one of the exceptions! Mia… Read more

The Haunt Lounge in the St. Anthony Hotel has a great atmosphere, great drinks, and great service!  The craft cocktails of Haunt are of the highest quality with bartenders that know their mixology and have their craft down to a science and art.  The decor is sleek and modern with a purple haze falling over… Read more